It was the start of the new year, and in sunny SoCal, the climate was pleasantly cool. I knew Berlin would have allergies in the Spring to the various pollens, but in the middle of winter, it was odd to hear her have reverse sneezing fits every night around 2am. Without any other symptoms, her Veterinarian advised that it was allergies and provided a prescription. Over the next two months we didn’t notice any change, either positively or negatively. She was still waking up reverse sneezing.

Reverse Sneezing In A Dog Can Be The First Sign Of Nasal Cancer

Then in mid-March, I left for a week. While I was gone, a clear and unmistakable bump appeared on Berlin’s nose, right between her eyes. She’s had many bumps over the years, some malignant (that we caught in Stage I and easily had removed) but most benign. I made another Vet appointment. An X-Ray showed it was not bone cancer, which was a relief until the aspirate came back inconclusive. This wasn’t just another benign bump or cyst.

It didn’t seem like the anti-inflammatory was helping so we switched to antibiotics to address the discharge. Perhaps it was side effects, or the now absent anti-inflammatory had been helping, but Berlin took a huge downward spiral.

Her bump ballooned, the discharge blocked her airways and she had trouble resting, and her spirit evaporated. She was miserable and suffering.

We immediately booked a follow-up appointment with her Veterinarian so we could resume the anti-inflammatory as quickly as possible and see if she had any more insight as to Berlin’s diagnosis. Trying to remain optimistic by listing other possibilities, ultimately she said it was most likely nasal cancer. Because I had gone down the Google rabbit hole already, I knew this was a possibility, but hearing it made it our new reality.

Time To Do My Research So Berlin And I Could Have As Much Quality Time Together As Possible.

June and July were much like the first part of May, other than some small yeast infections caused by the antibiotics. We continued to enjoy our time with Berlin, appreciating each and every walk, taking her to the beach, giving her lots of peanut butter (with her pills), and celebrating her 12-year Adoptionversary. I also began desensitizing and conditioning Berlin to a nebulizer to help break down the gunk in her nose. She loved all the peanut butter she was getting.

In the first half of August, Berlin’s discharge stopped and the nightly coughing returned.

Like before, I would typically hear her on and off from 2-5am. Then, in mid-August, she had her first nose bleed. Since I had already talked to her Veterinarian about this anticipated symptom, I immediately started giving Berlin Yunnan Bayao, a Chinese medicine used for wound healing, as a pain reliever, and to stop bleeding (remember, I’m not a Veterinarian so consult yours before giving this to your pet).

I’m not giving up on her.

Berlin is too resilient and has proved my fears wrong so many times before, from surviving Mast Cell Cancer to Vestibular Disease. I’ve read about too many dogs living 12-18+ months after their Nasal Cancer diagnosis without (chemo/radiation) treatment.

So after asking her Veterinarian for some advice and researching options online, I’m adding more to our daily care routine. I found a better, portable mobile nebulizer, I bring Berlin into the steamy bathroom, and use a syringe for a nasal flush twice daily. Last night we had the best night of sleep we’ve had in weeks.