Posted on 08/13/2016 10:40:43 AM PDT by SamAdams76
A couple weeks ago, I noticed my dog (border collie mix) was losing her appetite and acting quite lethargic around the house. Noticed a big bulge in the neck and took her to the vet. After a blood test, was told last Saturday that she had Lymphoma, which is basically a blood cancer and was given 1-2 months to live.
She's been a good dog to me. Rescued her from a creek in Alabama on my parent's land back in the summer of 2006. Just a puppy then, covered in ticks and obviously abandoned. But I took her back to Massachusetts and turned into quite a good dog. We've taken hundreds of hikes through woods together and been a constant companion. Moved with me down to Connecticut a couple years ago and we've been exploring the woods down here.
So in terms of dog years, 10 years is a pretty good life. But I'd love to extend it a year or two if possible.
I have an appointment with an oncologist on Tuesday. I already know that the recommendation will be chemotherapy, which normally puts the dog in remission and extends life 12-18 months. Eventually the cancer will develop tolerance to the chemotherapy and will still kill my dog in the end. Will cost me around $10,000 total from what I've researched. Maybe $5,000 on the low end.
Money is not the object. Quality of life is. So I'm hoping to get some advice from other Freepers on this. Is the chemotherapy worth the extra 12-18 months of life?
A week ago, I looked into holistic therapy for this type of cancer. I've been feeding my dog semi-raw beef and raw vegetables (carrots, celery, brussels sprouts) along with some rotisserie chicken for the past six days and there is a noticeable change. I've discarded the dry dog food she's been eating for years. My dog already has more energy and had been taking longer walks. The swelling in the neck seems to have gone down. She seems happier and more lively.
I know this sounds all touch-feely and "new age" but just wondering if anybody has had experience with the holistic method for cancer treatment. I know that on Tuesday, the oncologist will recommend the chemotherapy and will pooh-pooh the holistic method.
So looking for advice on this.
If I need to put my dog down, I will. She's had a happy life and I don't want to put her through any kind of suffering just to delay the inevitable.
Who else could have invented such a wonderful and loving companion.
Dogs are fine examples that love concurs all, and life, though short, is to be lived with abundance and don't waste a single moment.
I worked for a major pet food manufacturer. Raw materials used in pet food from China were not allowed to be inspected. Quality control in US had no idea what was in the food. It was recommended to never buy food, especially snacks (bacon strips) because many deaths. I only feed my pets organic due to this. Holistic may work. You can google China pet food and dog deaths for more info.
Praying for you and your friend, Sam. I am so sorry you are going through this.
Knowing what chemo does to humans, i would prefer the holistic method that you are trying. Even if it doesn’t extend your dog’s life, it will certainly improve the quality.
Ditching the dry dog food is a great first step. No chemo!
And continue feeding her good food like you’ve been doing. Keep her going for as long as you are able to...she’s obviously feeling better and might just go into remission. You’ll both know when it’s time to say goodbye. Prayers and happy thoughts for both of you. She’s a little beauty!!
I am sorry for the dog’s initial diagnosis.
I would definitely get a second opinion regarding oncology. There is time to still do that. It should help to provide for the best data informed decision possible.
If you’re close to a teaching hospital (Tufts?), they are very good for those sorts of consults.
Thank you, that was beautiful.
Sam, sorry to hear about your furry-buddy! I lost 2 this year one in Feb, and the 2nd in May. Both were around 17 so they had a long life but it still hurts.
Before these last 2 I had a Scottie who developed cancer and I went thru the treatments but I can honestly say now I would never do that again. I think she suffered more because of treatments, and got to the point where I had to feed her with a bottle, and afterwards I felt even worse for having put her thru all of that when it would have been easier to just let her go.
I would advise really talking to all the vets involved in your dog’s case and make sure they give you a realistic plan of care and what that care will involve. I know very well how hard it is to let go of a cherished pet but in the end it might be easier on you both. Just be sure you are well informed before you both go forward.
Good luck and prayers for you both
After 4 weeks of not allowing a Jack Russell to move other than his outside business he was healthy enough to start his chemo regimen. The regimen consisted of prednisone and melphalan. That worked great! No side effects and cost about $100/month not including the blood test once a month or every other month.
Unfortunately, the cancer is back and it has become more difficult until this week. About 6 weeks ago Hero was chasing a rabbit when he flipped over and landed on his left side. He just froze and looked so panicked. I picked him up and cuddled him and after a minute he was back at it but much slower. Then he started to limp. I called my primary Vet after about a week of not getting better and found out that a lesion has appeared on his left shoulder via an X-ray. They had to sedate him for the X-ray. Hero was in so much pain. It was heart wrenching. I laid on the floor next to him, touching him caused him too much pain. If I left him he would crawl to me and put his head on my foot. Just awful.
At my dog's cancer Vet we put him on a different cancer chemo drug called palladia. That turned out to be a nightmare. Just after 12 hours of giving him the oral take home medicine he was vomiting blood everywhere. He had to go to the emergency vet for liquids. Then came the bloody stools and diarrhea. Well after just one dose no more palladia. It took about two weeks for Hero to heal enough to try another chemo drug called Lomustine (32.5 mg was given to him by the Vet). Along with the Loumustine he received Cerenia to settle his stomach. The next appointment is in a little over 2 weeks.
Hero is in no pain and is interested in taking walks again. We did two blocks this morning and he is back to hunting for rabbits. After a good meal, he is on his back with paws in the air, quite happy. Gosh, I love that dog. : )
I am feeding him his regular kibble (Taste of the Wild, Bison), rice and rotisserie chicken. I will look into other diets but my dog does not like veggies especially carrots. : (
First, I am very sorry to hear that your dear friend has such a serious health problem.
While I cannot advise you on the chemo, I can say that feeding your dog the way you are now doing is going to make a great difference to your dog regardless. I would be careful on the rotisserie chicken unless you are certain it has zero spices/seasonings. Add in some home baked sweet potatoes, blueberries, a big spoonful of good yogurt once or twice weekly if your dog is tolerant of dairy, the occasional baked white or red potato, steamed rice - jasmine rice or brown is good for dogs that may have sensitivity. What I used to do for my dogs “basic” go-to meal was 80/20 beef, peas and carrots, rice or potato. I did 1/2 meat, 1/4 veg, 1/4 rice or potato - sometimes I would substitute cooked pasta noodle for the starch. Just for varity. Of course, I would vary the meat, veg, etc, to keep things interesting. I’d sprinkle flax seeds on top every other day and the same with blueberries. They need some little bit of salt - but you’d need to be careful not to overdo. Splash a good dollop of olive oil on top of the dinner three or four times a week.
When I went to feeding this way (time consuming but worth it) my Zeus stopped having seizures. Became much more comfortable, quit farting, and had less joint pain. He lived to be 13 1/2 years old - and for a Doberman, that is very good. LOL, he even came to know the difference when I was cooking for him, or for us. He would watch me every second while I cooked for him. I’d do up a weeks worth at a time. Can even freeze pre cooked meals (I cooked the veg into the meat) into portioned bags.
Good luck with Hero. You are lucky to have each other.
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So sorry about your dog. We are going through the same with ours. We got her in a similar manner as you got yours, she was dumped in our neighborhood as a pup in 2005. Now she has cancer of the blood vessels, with bleeding tumors popping up every where. The vet said the same your vet told you, but he added that chemo would be very hard on her. He felt at her age, it wouldn’t be worth the cost or her suffering, and recommended we keep her until she’s no longer happy. She’s still happy but lost a lot of her pep, and the tumors have multiple over the past few months. I’m not sure she’ll make it through the end of the year. When she starts suffering it will be time. By the way, she has lived going on three years since diagnosis. I wish you the best with yours, whatever you decide.
Thanks for the post. : )
Oh, I forgot to mention. The vet ordered her to have a fish oil capsule every day with her food, that it would slow down the spread. That seemed to have worked as she’s going on three years after diagnosis when he thought she wouldn’t last another year.
Thank you! Excellent!
Thank you. Hero is a big part of our family. ; )
Typical Jack Russell, if you know what I mean.
Does it have to be plain yogurt? We only have Trader Joe’s Greek Honey yogurt in the house at all times.
Grieve. Let go.
I am so sorry for you and your furbaby. I have no advice because I have no idea what I would do. I will keep you both in my prayers.
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