Need your advice, please - dogs and lymphoma

[christineann]

We were told yesterday that Jake, our 6 year old black lab mix, has lymphoma. He had a cold and swollen lymph nodes that did not respond to antibiotics and then stopped eating, so we had more tests run. We don't know how far it has gone, but his spleen is enlarged, and his lymph nodes under his neck and on his back legs are affected. We discussed chemo, but it would not cure him, and he is probably not strong enough. We started him on prednisone immediately, and he seems to be feeling a little better. He ate about 1/2 jar of baby food last night and is holding it down. He is a member of our family, and we won't make him suffer, but we want to do whatever we can for him. I've gotten information from the vet and off the internet, and I would really appreciate any advice and suggestions you all have. I understand that not everyone has the same perspective on pets, but we are devastated.

 

[lisajl]

I am so sorry to hear the news about your pet.
I understand your devastation. It is a difficult decision to make, and you and your family are the only ones to make it.

Did they do xrays? Sorry...I just re read where you said the spleen was enlarged.
You may want to discuss this more with your vet. If there are things you are not quite sure about, ask.. that is what they are there for.

I work for a vet. Unfortunately, the hardest part of the job is when people have to put their pets down. We have one coming in on Sat. It is going to break my heart.
This dog also has cancer. The gentleman that owns him has no family, no children, just Dog. That is the dogs name...DOG.

God bless him and that dog!

Do what you can for your pet as long as he is comfortable.
Good luck and my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Lisajl

 

[DocRafiki]

Oh, how devastating! Such a young dog, too. I don't know what kind of advice you are looking for, though. You've already made the big decision of chemo vs. steroids; from what I know, there's nothing more you can do once you've started the steroids. Then again, I'm not an oncologist. Hopefully you will have a few extra months with your pet, but chemo is unfortunately no longer an option. Did you get anything to stimulate your pet's appetite?

I am waiting on biopsy results on my 5-6 year old lab mix right now, myself. And I have to call a great client tomorrow to tell him that his dog has a bad skin cancer. He didn't even know he was sick when we took the biopsy. It's so hard dealing with loved ones who have such a short life span. But, we sure can make their lives happy ones while they're here.

Hang in there.

 

[christineann]

Thank you for your thoughts, lisajl and Docrafiki. We had to put down 2 dogs within 6 months of each other about 9 years ago due to cancer and old age, and it took me a couple of years before I could get another dog. Jake is still a puppy to us (after all, he is mostly black lab . We got him from the animal shelter and celebrate his birthday on the anniversary date we adopted him, which is tomorrow. We have a wonderful vet, and the first time I took Jake in, he took the pup's face in his hands and told him he was a very lucky dog (while I stood by and teared up). We are fortunate that we have always had "perfect" dogs.

Thanks again.

 

[doxdogy]

I am so sorry about Jake. My dogs are my furry four legged children. They are all starting to get up there in age. Especially our Katie. She will be 13 this year.

 

[Dixielady908]

so sorry to hear about Jake....its the hardest thing dealing with a sick pet. I have been there. Thoughts and prayers with you..

Denise

 

[Virgo10]

My son and girl friend's dog was not even 4 years old when it was diagnosed with lymphoma. What a heartbreak. They opted to let him live out his remaining time without the chemo. He had a good 4 months and passed on really quickly with no pain. I wish you and Jake the best and that there will still be good times before he goes to Rainbow Bridge.

Roberta

 

[christineann]

Thanks to all of you for your thoughts, and I will keep you and your pets in my prayers, too.

 

[Disney-Kim]

My thoughts are with you as I know how devastating it is. We are in the same situation right now. possible liver cancer. It is so overwhelming. My baby is 12 and he is not sick at all. He has blood tests every 6 months due to other issues and this all came up in December. We have spent over $1000 on tests and still don't have a definitive answer...just opinions. We don't want to put him thru the more invasive biopsy and further surgery.
I understand your heartache and just wanted to let you know you are not alone in your love for your 4 legged "baby".

 

[Disney-Kim]

in case anyone is wondering...Rainbow Bridge is a website devoted to our loved pets who have passed. it is utterly depressing for those of us in this current situtation and will make you cry instantly.
it is a wonderful tribute to those who have passed though.

 

[WeirdEyes]

I am truly sorry what you are about to go through. Just try to keep your dog as comfortable as possible.

My dog, Jake, died 5 years ago with lymphoma. Like your Jake he started out with the swollen lymph nodes. He was already on prednizone for severe skin allergies and that seemed to prolong his quality of life. We finally had to have him put down on a Monday when he suddendly when down hill one weekend. During the last weekend, his lymph nodes were swollen all over his body and he was in pain. He just laid in my lap and he seemed to be okay when he did that. Also, I let him out to go to the bathroom that night and he got lost. We lived out in the country and I could just let him out the door and he'd come back within 10 minutes. That night, he didn't come and didn't come so I got in the car and went looking for him. I couldn't find him and was panicking. I finally found him in the back of our property just wandering aimlessly. I later realized that he had gone blind. He was my baby and to have him put down broke my heart.

I wish you the best of luck and cherish the time that you have left with your dog.

 

[skuttle]

I'm so sorry. It's so hard when our furry kids are sick.

 

[luv2nascar]

I am so sorry for what your are going through
We lost our beloved Boston Terrier, Winston Churchill, at nine yrs of age 4/24/03. We had him since he was 8 wks old. We was our first baby with birthday parties and all.

It isn't easy the decisions your have to make right now. Just try to make him as comfortable and loved for as long as possible. You'll know when the time has come.

Our dog, Winston, loved Christmas so much. If you said anything about the Ho Ho (santa) he knew what you meant & when the Christmas stockings went up he was always so happy. He knew he'd get toys & treats. This was our first Christmas without Winston. My DH put his stocking on the mantel with everyone else's. He said it was a missing man formation.

 

[AspiringCindy]

I am so sorry! I know it is a hard time for you! We went through the same thing in June with our 9 year old Boxer. 1 minute they are fine...the next minute they are very sick(you never see it coming). We too opted not to go the Chemo route...and quite frankly the steroids are only a bandaid on a major problem.
Good luck with your descision! PD and prayers your way!

 

[christineann]

Thanks so much. I sympathize with you all. Jake loves Christmas, too, and I found him downstairs very late Christmas Eve nosing through the gifts for his presents! He always gets a couple of his favorite bones (the sterilized marrow ones), but we don't put them under the tree until the next morning because he has come to expect it. We celebrated his birthday today with another bone, and he chewed on it more than we have seen him do so in a couple of weeks. On the fridge is a picture of Jake taken 6 years ago today when we brought him home. Again, I am rambling!

The prednisone is just a bandaid for the problem, but he seems to have a bit of his spark back, and he is eating again. We are checking on him constantly to make sure he is comfortable (but then, we have always done that - we spoil him terribly ). My son returns to college in a few weeks, and it is very hard on him.

Thanks again for your thoughts.