Gunner was full of sass, charm, and an incredible drive to live. He fought so hard to stay with us, truly lived life to the fullest, and never let his diagnosis hold him back. Every time he encountered an obstacle, he seemed to say, “Hold my treat,” and defied the odds.
During a routine checkup, slightly elevated liver enzymes were detected. A retest showed a further increase, prompting additional testing. An ultrasound revealed liver masses, and a surgery to remove the tumors was scheduled. However, resection was deemed too risky and only a biopsy was performed instead. Though the biopsy did not yield a definitive diagnosis, the most likely scenario was hepatocellular carcinoma.
We explored various treatment options, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and emerging therapies. Ultimately, we focused on Gunner's comfort and quality of life. He was initially given roughly nine months, yet he lived for nearly three more years.
During this time, we focused on keeping him happy and healthy while carefully monitoring his condition under the guidance of his veterinary team. We adjusted his diet, updated his lifestyle, and added supplements to support his overall well-being and quality of life, while regularly checking his bloodwork and ultrasounds to monitor his tumors and liver enzymes.
In the studies we came across at the time, dogs with hepatocellular carcinoma who did not have their tumors surgically removed had median survival times ranging from 270 days1 (~9 months) to 695 days2 (~1.9 years), with one of the studies reporting a longest survival time of 415 days1 (~1.1 years) for the non-surgical group. Dogs with unresectable HCC treated with Sorafenib (chemotherapy) had a median overall survival time of 361 days3 (~1 year). With hepatocellular carcinoma being indicated as the most likely scenario for Gunner, we celebrated each milestone as he surpassed these benchmarks – sometimes complete with a photoshoot to honor the moment.
We were well aware of the limitations of small studies, the meaning of median survival times, and the uncertainty that comes with a non-definitive diagnosis. Still, as proud dog pawrents, we couldn’t help but treat every one of Gunner's milestones as his own little miracle.
Even with serious health challenges, Gunner thrived. His daily routine was full of joy and enrichment:
One of the best decisions we ever made was buying an RV so we could travel with Gunner and his canine brother, Tucker, giving them the adventures they loved most.
Gunner splashed in the Frio River in Texas, braved the waves at a dog beach in Florida, led our little pack through Colorado’s mountains, and explored Louisiana, Mississippi, and New Mexico. Each stop became a memory – a reminder that even in the face of uncertainty, life could still be full of wonder.
Gunner's story inspired the creation of Burbs Blurbs, a resource for those navigating canine cancer. Through this site, we aim to educate and support dog owners as well as raise awareness about hepatocellular carcinoma, while honoring Gunner’s remarkable legacy.