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.
I have no advice except it’s your money - spend it how you want.
As for the food, we adopted a puppy in February & I was stunned after researching pet food about the horrible ingredients. I feed our girl a higher priced dry brand but those who can afford a good quality raw diet report health improvement similar to what you are saying.
It’s no different with humans. I’m pretty choosey about what I feed my kids for the same reason. All the frankenfoods out there are not worth the convenience.
Avoid the chemo, but if the holistic diet helps, go for it. My standard poodles are 7 & 9, and so they are getting along. No serious health issues. I do not relish the day of the ultimate decision.
I have lost two dogs to lymphoma. One we let enjoy his last couple of months. The weekend before he rapidly declined and we let him go was perfect. He went to the dog park, was very happy.
With the other dog we did treatment, not full chemo, but meds to slow the disease. She got about 5 months before she let me know it was time. I will NEVER go that route again.
She knew we were poisoning her. She went from eating everything to digging through anything we gave her looking for the poison. She vomited, she had diarrhea, she was miserable. And I caused it.
I would rather have the 2 good months than any misery they suffer for me to have more time.
You’re doing the right thing. If she is suffering it’s just cruel to keep them alive just for yourself. I said no more animals after I had to put down the world’s greatest cat.
That was four rescue cats ago. And why? To give them that happy, loving, good life. and they rescue us in a way too.
I am sure you’re next dog will love you just as much.
I am truly sorry for your heartbreak now.
Great photo.
We did some holistic treatments. I have no idea if they gave us more time together or not. We had about 10 weeks between diagnosis and saying goodbye. Prognosis was 2 weeks, but I know those are a guess, based on one exam.
We had a nice morning, I took her for an early morning walk and despite the heat, she went for a good distance. We then drove to where the Trump rally will be later today and fed her some of my Egg McMuffin (minus the muffin).
Will be headed to the Trump rally (in Fairfield) very shortly. Tomorrow, I will spend the entire day with her and will feed her lots of beef and veggies.
Prayers up! What is her name? I dont believe in chemo, period.
We have a doggie with cancer for past few years. ( not lymphoma ..well could be now, but we are not looking)..she’s 16..lab/aussie...we were told she had 1-2 yrs to live 3 yrs ago. We tried the chemo pills ONCE...she refused them so we opted out.Check out Darwins raw food. We give her that f I r one meal...they deliver...it’s frozen w I th great packaging. We feed her raw cukes, Jicama and and a no grain canned food, too.
Also ours has been on some Chinese meds...we have a holistic vet. Let me know if you have other questions.
I am now headed to the Trump rally in Fairfield, CT. Want to thank everybody here for their responses and unfortunately I will not be able to respond to all.
Tomorrow I will spend the entire day with Dixie. We will explore some more woods in the early morning before the heat sets in and I'll be giving her lots of beef and veggies from the Weber grill on my deck.
Sam, much as we want to, we cannot keep our beloved friends for long.
One thing dogs do is die, and it hurts a lot. We love them as long as we can, but they live their lives so much faster than us. We do not want them to know pain, because we love them, so when it comes time for them to go home, we send them, and we shoulder the pain instead.
When one of our friends goes home, that is our opportunity to adopt a new friend and provide them a home and love. And there are so many who need. So many.
Dogs teach us how to say goodbye when goodbye is the last thing we want to say, and they also teach us that love is the only thing that matters in this world, because it’s the only thing you can take with you when you die.
When the time comes, send her on with your love, mourn her, then find a new friend to help you heal.
And always remember that the furry friends we lost in this world are waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge.
That is the first place that I am going when I die.
If you put a 10 year old dog thru chemo its for you not the dog. If you love your dog let it go now while its not in too much distress or take a couple of weeks to say goodbye and then humanely let the dog pass. That’s what we did with our dog who we loved and still wish him back everyday.
Go Trump and Go Dixie!
Sam,
Please Google Liposomal Vitamin C or Injectable Vitamin C and it’s effectiveness in treating lymphoma.
Several studies seem to show some amazing results with and without chemo.
Apparently the injections are easier for a dog to tolerate because too much of the liposomal can cause diarrhea in some dogs.
Also an injection is said to have fairly quick results, like 2 - 3 days in some cases. Some vets administer the shots and recommend them.
Best Wishes
so sorry to hear.....
love him while he is here....get another one soon after
I am so sorry. My 16 yo golden had it too. I opted for chemo because I couldn’t bear losing her. Didn’t come to my senses until they told me they would need to stick a needle in her heart to make sure she was strong enough for the next round.
The chemo was horrible. She was projectile vomiting night after night. It did get her into a remission that lasted about a month after treatment stopped. Many prayers to you. It never feels like you did the best thing.
PS...Darwins raw food has the added supplements a dog food needs also...just feeding plain raw may mean she’s not getting enough of certain things, altho it does help.
Yes. I am a dog person and will always have a dog companion. I'll let a few weeks pass but will definitely be looking for another canine to rescue soon. Or more accurately, for a canine to rescue ME!
Condolences Sam.
I’m so sorry to hear about your buddy. Once my Dad was hospice, I made sure he had anything he wanted to eat. He had no medical dietary restrictions, so if he wanted to eat a pound of black jelly beans or a triple meat triple cheese whopper for dinner, he got it. It is OK to treat your dog that way as well.
However, as far as the raw diet goes and the suggestion that commercial dog foods are “bad” -— the very reason our pets are living long enough now to get cancer in their old age is at least in part the quality of nutrition provided by the commercial diets that have been available to them. NO, I am not a dog food company.
I will ask the Lord to give you wisdom, and healing to your friend. What is the collie’s name?
5.56mm
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