My Dog is Dying - Lymphoma

[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.

[Herodes]

If your dog could talk...

http://biggeekdad.com/2016/07/if-a-dog-could-talk/

[faucetman]

So sorry for you. I am a true dog lover. I like them better than most people. I can’t think of any people at the moment.

We have had Lhasa Apsos for many years. We currently have four, but until recently we had seven (not counting puppies).

The cancer got three of them. Our little one Sweetie (Pie) had four cancer operations and recovered quickly. She was as happy as ever. Then the cancer came back and the vet said there was nothing left in that area to take. We decided not to go the chemo route and had her put down while she still had quality of life.

One of our other dogs, Brownie, got the cancer and had it in her throat area. The vet said that she had it everywhere and it was starting to become difficult for her to swallow. Again, not wanting to put her through hell ending up at the same place, we had her euthanized as well.

It is definitely heartbreaking to do, as I well up now, but it is best for them not to suffer any more.

We know when we get them that they have short lives. We give them love and they give us unconditional love back.

It’s worth suffering the loss for having the joy of their short lives.

I wish you well, my friend, whatever you decide. May God bless you and Dixie.

[Boardwalk]

Yes I can say the same for my cat who lived to be 21. I only took her to the vet a couple times to treat minor issues. Of course they read me the riot act each time.

[amorphous]

My advice would be: don't put her down, unless she's in pain, or you are unable to care for her. Our last few days together, with those we love, are some of the most precious.

Let her go naturally, if you can. Very sad to hear. Good looking pup and it's apparent she's well taken care of. May the Almighty be with you both.

[beelzepug]

“...I’m leaning towards the holistic method and letting nature take it’s course.”

Wise choice, IMO. Chemo is hard on people and there is no reason it should be any different for dogs. It sounds as though the holistic approach may be working for Dixie and if she was my dog, I’d stick with that.

Wishing you and Dixie the best. It sounds like she won the lottery when she was found by you.

[Klaatu Barada Nikto]

Depends on the type of Lymphoma as to how well the chemotherapy will work.

Our 13 female Beagle (rescue) developed lymphoma. She reacted well to the chemotherapy and enjoyed another 14 good and happy months. It was expensive but worth every dime. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Don’t fall for any of that holistic BS. Putting your dog in a pyramid shaped cage or feeding them special foods or vitamins won’t stop cancer from spreading.

[Yaelle]

I will not do chemo for myself either. Trying to live right so I don’t get cancer.

[liberalh8ter]

So sorry. I can only tell you what I've just gone through. My beautiful Lab developed what was said to be a Lipoma on her side. One morning, the Lipoma had swelled to twice its size and looked like it was going to burst. I took her to the vet and he did surgery to remove it and do a biopsy. He also found a mass in her mammary glands.we hoped for the best and brought her home. The news soon came that it was a very aggressive cancer and she wouldn't last more than 2 months. We discussed chemo but he did not recommend it as he had not seen good results.

Upon healing from the surgery, she was back to normal and we were thrilled, thinking the vet might just be wrong about how much time she actually had. For the next 2 months we fulfilled her bucket list (if she could have written one). Camping trips, swimming, boating, buggy rides and visits from all her friends. At the two month mark, she started going down hill fast. We made the difficult decision to put her down. She meant the world to us and had been such a great companion we felt as though she deserved that. I brought her ashes home a week later and they reside in the corner of my living room where she always slept.

Only you can decide what is best for your fur baby. My heart goes out to you as I have recently “been there”. I hope whatever you choose to do brings you both peace. God Bless.

[madison10]

I am sorry. Wish I had some insight. One of our dogs had cancer at the same age, we just tried to make him comfortable.

We’re dealing with what appears to be Lyme disease in spite of using meds to prevent. May be something close. Poor puppies and poor humans. They break our hearts.

[Yaelle]

There is a vet in Long Beach, CA named Dr. A. He is the Master of Guilt. He knew how to say just the right things, had big brown sad eyes like a dog himself, and really could convince you if you loved your pet to spend $x. I sent in a tough, no nonsense guy who turned every nickel in because I fell for it every time. He came back $1k poorer. Best to just avoid vets as long as possible.

The recent death by poisoning of our kitty Ciel is a case in point, perhaps. She was very very sick when we first brought her in, and he gave her a 60% chance of survival. I think she didn’t have that much hope. But that did get Doc another $800. Makes you wonder. I’m glad to have had that week with her, injecting her with fluids, caring for every drop I fed her. But it may have all been evidently in vain from the start, and he didn’t say that.

[Trumplican]

Only you can know what is right for your dog, you, and your budget. But I will tell you that I had an 11 year old Italian Greyhoud with Lymphoma, I did the chemotherapy, and extended his life about 3 years.

He was a precious dog who I still miss and it’s been about 5 years. The chemotherapy only cost me about $1800. Many people I know thought I was crazy and it was outrageous to spend that money on an 11 year old dog.

The last 6 months of his life were difficult for him. I probably should not have dragged it out. In the end, he developed vein tumors on his legs that we had to keep wrapped because they bled. The last month he was on pain pills. I have come to regret putting him on pain pills and not letting him go in peace sooner. Looking back I think it was bad of me to put him on the pain pills because he was in pain and couldn’t let me know if the pills were helping or how much. Dogs act differently in pain than humans. It’s not easy to know if they are ok.

I finally made the decision to end his suffering. Of course he was like a happy puppy the Saturday we took him to the vet. It haunts me. I wish he would have gone naturally. I did not want to make that life and death decision. Don’t know if this helps or not.

During his treatment, I would ask my Vet if I should put him down, she told me that I would know when it was time. I do believe Lymphoma is a quick death if left untreated.

So sorry for your puppy and you.

[Twinkie]

DIET does make a difference! Years ago, we had our collies
on co-op dry dog food, cheap, cheap, cheap with “some”
table scraps. They all died at about 12 yrs. old.

The last few dogs we’ve had - all mutts - we put them on
Purina Dog Chow Dry Food AND a bit of meat, baloney & cheese
plus a few table scraps. They have all lived to 15 and 16,
near 17 years barring fatal injury in rare instance.

Doctors don’t know jack about nutrition; so they just poo-
poo it so you’ll gulp down prescription drugs. - I try to
eat sensible; but intend to eat like a normal human being.
I gave DUB (our dog) half a large can of sardines last
night. Will give her the rest of it today. (Since I
enhanced her diet; she is not doing nearly as much of the
“crying” behavior that I had thought was just a trait of
her breed. DOGS need protein!)

[buridan]

So sorry about your wonderful dog.

Here’s a link that might be of interest. Don’t know if it would really help:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/04/160413151108.htm

There are a number of other stories on the study.

Hope all goes well.

[mancini]

Your doggie is adorable. I pray however much she time she has that it will be a blessing to both of you. My own opinion is that changes in diet can cure ailments. I would also look into what you can give her to reduce inflammation, in the way of herbs and spices that are suitable for dogs.

[blackdog]

As gut wrenching as life can be. My dogs have been higher in emotional "stuff" than most people I know. No advice other than my sympathy.

My Rose will greet your loved one.

[SisterK]

Turmeric
It is an affordable spice or available in capsules (people vitamin section of your grocery store). I do not think you can give them too much.

[RoosterRedux]

Prayers from here. I know how painful this can be. Lost my best friend and cat, Rooster, 1.5 years ago.

Nearly killed me.

[Repulican Donkey]

There are no adequate words. We are praying for you and for your darling dog.

[SisterK]

Stay with the holistic and avoid the chemo.

[leaning conservative]

What a sweetheart she is, so wise looking. Many prayers your way & Dixie’s. A great nutritional supplement for dogs & cats is nutritional yeast. Lots of b vitamins, minerals. You can get it on amazon, whole foods, or a hippy health food store. They love it! It is also great on pop corn. We put our beloved 16 year old to sleep about 3 1/2 weeks ago. It’s a heartbreaking decision. Best to you both.