My dog Harry (golden retreiver) has recently been diagnosed with Lymphoma and I really don't know what to do. He was so poorly about a month ago that we made the agonising decision to have him put to sleep but after all the emotional turmoil we went through the vet on duty that night persuaded us to try chemotherapy as it has proved very successful for this type of cancer. We then decided to go ahead and give it a go but it has so far been a disaster. The vet was only a locum on for that weekend and she left instructions (protocol) with another vet at the surgery regarding the next sessions of chemo but the vet kept telling us that his blood cell count wasn't right so he couldn't have chemo. Last Friday Harry became very ill again and we took him in to the vets (expecting the worse) and the original vet was back on duty again she was horrified that he hadn't been given chemo as when she checked his blood results they were in the correct range to be able to receive it. She kept him in and gave him the chemo on the Saturday but then on Sunday he was very ill again. We took him in the early hours of Monday morning (once again thinking this was it). - apparently the drugs slow up his gut processes and I had been overfeeding him and giving him all the wrong things - not having been told of the side effects!!! Anyway he was able to be treated for this bloat and is now a little improved but to be honest he is still very poorly and very down - he is due for more chemo on Saturday (blood permitting) but if he doesn't show a big improvement before then I just can't keep watching him so miserable - the vets seem unable/reluctant to advise me on what to do - any comments? Thanks Cheryl

I am so sorry you seem to be having a very hard time. I do hope things improve and Harry is more comfortable.

Lucy
xx

Cheryl i am so sorry to hear about your boy, i have had this a few times with one of my breeds there is nothing that can be done if grows so fast and is nasty and i have to say there is no hope of making him better it just prolongs the hurt for you and your dog i had mine pts as soon as that look is in there eyes and they dont enjoy life as this is the very last thing we can do for them. god bless a big hug for Harry and you.

Hi Cheryl

Have you seen an oncologist about the correct chemo for Harry? My dog has Lymphoma of the bone marrow, leukaemia, and is not on any chemo for it, on the advice of an oncologist. She is seeing a homeopathic vet, and seems to be making good progress. It won't cure the cancer, but it may give him quality of life, which is all you really want.

Good luck ..thinking of you and Harry
Sami

Hello there,

I know exactly how you feel. We lost our Storm (male Rott aged 7) in January this year to Lymphoma. Storm became ill in August 2002 and was diognosed in the September. Our vet like yours advised Chemo as like yours said that Lymphoma responds well to Chemo. Storm had his first session the middle of September (before having the session he was extremely ill, almost at death's door, couldn't breath properly at all). After that session he was extremely prroly for two/three days. Then it was like he'd been given a new lease of life, he had energy enjoyed himself, loved his walks (although limited) again. He had another session approx three weeks later and although unwell he wasn't as bad as the first time. He continued to be well (grands had shrunk considerably) until beginning of November. When his glands swelled again and breathing started to become a problem towards the end of November. The reason I've told you the story is that it only gave Storm about 6/8 weeks of a good life and (this is only my opinion about my dog) I wouldn't do it again....... I really didn't want to do the Chemo but felt my vet pressured me and my husband wanted to try it. Yes, if we hadn't have done it then Storm wouldn't have had those weeks BUT the Chemo makes them feel so unwell and I really think that one is only prolonging the inevitable as sad as it is. I really feel so sad for you all, its such a horrible illness. Give Harry a hug for me and if you want to e mail me feel free.

What an awful time you are having.
So sorry.
Nutkin

Hi Cheryl

I am sorry to hear about Harry, I lost a Dobe bitch, Indi, to Lymphoma at five years of age (two weeks after her dam had been diagnosed with mammary cancer). On the advice of my vet I did not give her any chemo and she was pts two weeks after diagnosis. Her mother was operated on (mammary strip) but was pts 6 months later and it took her a long time to recover from the strip.

I would never again try to treat a dog for cancer as it only seems to give them, at most, another few months from what I have seen with my own and friends dogs.

Once diagnosis has been made, give your dog as much love, treats and let him get away with things that were discouraged before so that once he has gone you don't think "I wish". Good luck

Christine

hi

i had a yorkie with this she did'nt have chemo i had to give her steroids every day she carried on for about 3 months showing no signs of illness.i did'nt want to put her through chemo spending a day at the vets she would have hated it , she went on her walks and enjoyed her food right to the last day.in fact the night before she died she jumped on my lap as if to say goodbye it was so sad but it happens and unfortunately you have to deal with it the best way you know how,it has to be your decision you know your dog better than anyone!

Hiya Cheryl,
Im so sorry to hear your news, as devestating as it is... at least you will have some special times ahead and i think thats what counts.....
Back in April of this year my 9 year old staffie chalie had a swelling under chin, almost on his neck if you like. I took him to the vet, who said there was a hard swelling but didnt think there was anything to worry about. He actually decieded at one stage that it was blocked saliva ducts. So off charlie went for his operation to see what this lump and swelling was. It was sent off for a biopsy... He had lymphoma!!! I was devestated (some people on here will probably remember my distraught postings) i cried and cried... i didnt know what to do....
So i did what i thought was right... looking back i did what was right for me not charlie. I couldnt bare to be parted from him. So, i decieded to let him have chemo (tablet form) plus steroids..(this was because my funds were low at the time ) In the early days i thought every day was his last, and so many times i prepared myself for the worst...
I think one of the worst moments is when the vet called and told me to expect him only to be around another 2 to 4 months....
Cheryl, on monday its 7 months!! Hes happy and very lively... he has quality of life and thats what counts! I never gave up hope and while ive got hope i can face what ever comes our way. He also goes to a spiritual/faith healer.... every sunday like clockwork.
I cant really advise you what you should do but i do know that i ouldnt do it any other way now... So there you go that 'our battle with lymphoma'
I hope you have many many happy days to come....
Take care
love Donna and charliex

sorry to hear about your dog.i too had a dog called roxy she was more than just a pet,we went everywhere together.
she too got cancer but steroids made her ill .i was advised by two specialists in ireland not to try chemo as it just prolongs the misery and i just couldnt bear to see her ill so we chose the only option we felt possible pts.we did this because of our love for her.
i cried buckets and still get sad 3 years down the line but i know i made the right choice.
but it has to be your choice you know your dog.the vet doesnt. a poor quality of life is no life at all i think.