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.
Vaccines, vaccines and MORE Vaccines!
Oh how we love them there dogs.
Click on my name.
God Bless.
I am sorry. It is never easy to make these decisions regarding our beloved pets.
A friend of mine recently lost her dog to cancer. She tried the holistic route but her dog did not gain much time if any. I believe he did have better quality in that time than chemo would have given him.
Praying for your buddy and you.
My condolences to you. We adapted a stray Aussie that lived to 14. He developed a large lump under his jaw that was diagnosed as cancer. The vet gave him a month to live. We rejected the ideal of chemo for a variety of reasons - side effects, uncertain outcome, expense and the dog’s age. We monitored George’s condition every day for a sudden downturn. As long as he ate and seemed happy, we put off the inevitable. One morning about two months later, we suddenly saw that it was time. My wife cried for two days and I have missed him for years. The best remedy for a broken heart is a couple of new pups. Don’t wait as long as we did.
I am so sorry to hear about this Sam. My prayers... FWIW, if/when you have to make that dreaded decision.. know this. You will be able to stop any pain and suffering. You aren’t “ending” a life. You are ending needless pain. It is a gift of love from the owner to his beloved pet. I just had this talk with a good friend of mine. Her GSD has CA and the decision has to be made soon. Prayers for you during this horrible, stressful time. (((hugs))) Mom
Tomorrow morning is Dixie's appointment with the oncologist. I'll reply tomorrow and let everybody know how it went.
Over the weekend I cooked up several pounds of steak and chicken on the grill and I've been feeding it to her mixed with eggs and veggies like carrots and celery. We scrapped the dry dog food.
She seems to be feeling better and perkier. Lump on her neck has definitely gone down a little. With the radical change in diet, she's got diarrhea but hopefully that will go away once the body adjusts.
Once I get the blood results back and find out what stage the Lymphoma is in, we'll make a decision at that time. I'm leaning away from the chemo and more towards a natural "holistic" approach. From what I have learned, the chemo is poison and will not completely cure as lower doses are given to dogs than humans. Eventually the body will develop tolerance and the Lymphoma will return in full force.
We will concentrate on quality of life in the weeks (and hopefully months) ahead.
Just wanted to give an update on this. I visited the oncologist on Tuesday and it went about as predicted. She recommended several treatment options all of which included chemotherapy. Costs ranged from $4,000 to $9,000 with the most expensive being the "Madison Wisconsin Protocol."
During this time, I continued to feed raw food to my dog (beef, chicken, veggies) with the exception being boiled eggs (two per day).
After much thought, I decided to scrap all forms of the chemotherapy and stick with the raw diet.
A friend recommended a dog food shop that specializes in "holistic" treatment for dogs with cancer. I reviewed the foods they had available and decided upon Nature's Variety Instinct Raw which is 8-oz patties of raw meat (95%) with the remaining 5% a mixture of blueberries, apples, carrots, sweet potato and other natural produce. 0% grain.
The dog food I've been using all these years (Iams) had a high amount of grain.
It come in several varieties (beef, chicken, rabbit, lamb, duck) and is pretty expensive - between $40-45 for 12 patties (my dog has two patties a day). But much cheaper than the chemo options. I supplement that with at least two hard-boiled eggs a day and some cooked meat from the table!
Dixie is definitely feeling much better and seems much perkier. We have done several long walks this weekend. Will see how she does in the long-term. When I first got the diagnosis a couple weeks ago, was told that she had 4-8 weeks to live unless we started the chemo. At that time, she was sluggish, had no appetite and didn't even want to go outside. So big improvement. Will update this thread as time goes on.
((((Hugs))))
OH, my screen is all blurry! I am so glad the time you have will not be all sickness and unhappiness. I would make the same decision and also for MYSELF at my age! Chemo is not the answer.
I don’t know about restoring full health but sometimes we have to take it a day at a time.
I bought a roll of frozen(? don’t think so) meat, dog food one time from TARGET...don’t shop there anymore. Dog loved it but do not remember the other ingredients. Sweet potato I think. Special case in the pet department and cost about like ground meat...
Please remember to post your situation. I really care and hope for a good result that makes you happy and proves your decision a correct one!
I just realized I did not know her name???
Mine is Kato and we could talk about her on our walks...and hope she is having happy days with you.
On the way home, we tried thinking of a name for her. Then on the radio came the song "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and we made the connection with Alabama. So that is how she got the name Dixie!
Wonderful name and reason for it...Kato is a Chinese Shih Tsu and I research boys names from China...nothing seemed right...Then I remember the radio version of the Green Hornet and his sidekick was Chinese Kato. Comic Books and movies have moved to other races and especially Korean, but my memory is “OLD” and it just seems good to me. I am 1/2 Irish so the Green Hornet is a good name and sometimes ( not anymore) password related. Easy to remember!
Dixie will be in my thoughts. Her picture shows, in her eyes, the way she feels about the photographer and those around her.
FL is home so not Dixie! We are all a blend of everywhere else.
I treated my beautiful black Lab Tasha with chemo when she got lymphoma at age 9 (the lymph nodes were compressing her trachea, she was literally strangling). Cost about $4000.
She got a remission they said might last 2-5 years. It lasted four weeks, and I had to put her down.
Horrible experience. I would never do it again. Good luck with your dog, I know how much they mean to us.
Oh, and by the way - if you ever want to write a novel about dogs and their owners, spend six or seven afternoons in the waiting room of New England Veterinary Oncology or some other such place, to witness some amazing and heart-rending stories.
Condolences on your pup. The desperate finds end up being the best dogs. I believe, unfortunately, that a tough, malnourished early start leads to shorter life span.
The best dog I ever had was one I found as a stray at a remote campsite while canoeing the Suwannee River in FL when I was a kid. She was so manged up and ribs-showing starved that the vet didn’t think she’d make it but she did. She was still a pup when I got her and she made it for another 10 years without problems until she passed quickly.
I’m sorry, I know it hurts.
What really turned me away from the chemotherapy was that the remission would not last. Eventually the lymphoma would develop resistance to it and come raging back again. The oncologist told us there was no long-term cure for this disease, just short term remission through chemotherapy. Then we would have to relive what we are going through now all over again.
I really think the raw diet is the way to go. The chemo would have only delayed the inevitable and then we'd eventually be back to square one. The oncologist was nice but she did pooh-pooh the "holistic" raw-food option and pretty much told me it would not extend Dixie's life very much.
Time will tell. I can say now that she's had a pretty good week and is almost back to her normal self. Her appetite is now ravenous and I see that as a good sign.
This thread hit a little close to home. Luckily my cancer was not lymphoma but I will soon be on post-surgery chemo. Not soon enough to relate my experience as an aid to you - what a blessing that you could afford all Dixie’s medical needs - but honestly I dread it more than any other treatment. If I hadn’t expectations of recovery afterwards & then *finally* getting on w/ my damn life, I would not even consider poisoning myself by degrees in the hopes that the cancer dies more quickly than the rest of me... much less would I ever subject my innocent dog to it.
I’m no medical professional at all, nor yet a very experienced cancer patient. But I admit to being pleased w/ the choice you have made for your beloved friend.
Three or four years ago, I managed to extend my kitty Pearl’s life by restraining her & forcing pills down her throat several times a day. Contact w/ me became a time of dread for her & little pleasures of life remained in her weakened state. Soon as the appetite enhancement pills ran out, so did her appetite (kidney or liver failure).
You know what? Soon as I promised her no more pills, that I would no longer force myself upon her, she *knew* & relaxed in my presence from then on. Was purring right up until the time I pulled the trigger. (She *hated* the crate & vet handling too, so I refused to make her last hour of life one of misery.)
Whatever life is left for your Dixie, you judge best. Such a pretty girl, I am sorry for her suffering & your agony of knowledge. You have blessed her w/ a GOOD life. Please know that.
Saw your post about Dixie. Glad she is doing well. My hubby is in emission from lymphoma (I wrote you earlier on your thread) and is doing what he can diet wise. There is a supplement called EGCG which is an extract of green tea. It has a good reputation. We looked at all the brands for potency and found Piping Rocks to be the best, we both take the 600 mg. might be worth a try as a supplement you could sprinkle it on some wet food.
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