My 11 year old started chemo for the same thing a month ago. I have a friend who’s dogs had a good life for 3 years after chemo (the oncologist told him 1-2 years max after chemo).
But it’s not easy. I’ve seriously considered having him put to sleep twice already in a month. It was a 25 chemo week plan but we missed one week because of an infection that almost killed him (and I thought it wouldn’t be bad if he didn’t make it out of the emergency room)
Today’s been a good day :) We’ll keep enjoying those and see what tomorrow brings and hopefully keep getting through the bad days.
Good luck to both of you.
What a heart break... I have no personal experience but would suggest some research into:
LDN (low-dose naltrexone) - prescription
turmeric / curcumin
frankincense oil
I rescue Weimeraners. On my 7th one. I lost 6 of them to cancer. All of the liver. I stopped treating my backyard grass with any chemicals. I think that was the cause. All died at the age of 12 but all 6 of my others ones died of this.
I spent a ton of money on the first one. I won't do it again as it
1. Cost a lot on money ( over 10K) 2. While the dog did live longer the quality of life was not as good. 3. I won't let my animals suffer and one always knows when it is time to put them down.
God bless Like me I feel you treat your dog like I do. Family. Good Luck I need to get a tissue.
Sam,
So much good advice already given. I’m 65 and have more than an armful of wonderful dogs, and some very memorable cats, over these many years.
One of my nieces is a very accomplished vet. My first impulse was to call her for advice. But in the end it’s up to you after consultation with your vet who has all the medical facts.
Follow your heart and do what you feel she would want you to do. Feed her healthy food she likes, love her all you can and help her finish her days, months or years feeling happy, loved and at peace knowing she’ll be with you again.
Cameron
Border Collies are the most remarkable and intelligent dogs. Sadly, the breed seems predisposed to die from cancer. We had to put down our dog due to bone cancer.
Border Collies are a working breed meant for herding on farms and really demand lots of activities if taken to a different household environment. Some overwhelm owners who are not accustomed to dealing with active and intense dogs. I think Border Collies are great.
Will say a prayer. I know you bonded with your dog. I did the same.
Chemo is rough on the body. I would just make her as happy, loved, and comfortable as possible. I wouldn’t put her through Chemo.
What a sweet dog! I am in agreement that you should try the holistic approach. I am anxious to hear how it all works out.
I have heard of people in advanced forms of cancer that when they went holistic, their bodies were rid of the cancer.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!)
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.
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.
My Rose will greet your loved one.
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.
Nearly killed me.
There are no adequate words. We are praying for you and for your darling dog.