I hope someone can help with any extra advice or past experiences.  I have a bordeaux who is only 2years old in a couple of weeks! When I was doing her usual stroke under the chin last week I noticed her glands were up.  Took her straight to the vets and all of her lymph glands were up straight away the vet mentioned lymphosarcoma, it nearly knocked me off my feet I never expected him to mention something so serious-she's my baby! Well got the tests back yesterday and it has been confirmed it is lymphosarcoma, it's quite advanced he said but not sure of the grade.  The vet has informed us of our options, we have decided on chemotherapy which she is starting on Monday.  She can't have the test that shows whether it has moved into her bone marrow because her platelets are quite low so he doesn't want to risk it, but said we should get some idea if the chemo is not working within the week.  She has been her normal self until a couple of days ago, now she seems more tired.  The time scales scares me to death.  We've just got to hope that she copes with the chemo because i cannot have her suffering just for me.  She's our baby and she's goes everywhere with me I just feel like my heart has been cut out. 

I don't have any knowledge or experience of this, but I just wanted to send you massive (((hugs)))
You must be going through hell right now.
Thinking of you and hoping and praying for a positive outcome.

(((Hugs))), Gabrielle xxx

my gordon setter had this at the age of 5 years old,
we didnt go down the route of chemo due the affects the the dogs life prolongs it only up to 18 months so we decided to let him have quaility life instead of chemcials,

but each to their own,

copper only lived 6 months.from the time we wwere told.

We've been told hardly any dogs have side effects and obviously if she was in any distress we would stop any treatment because her quality of life is far more important to us.. We would never do something like this for our benefit only

Hi Katie

so sorry to hear about your girl .... i lost my boxer to this disease ... she was 2yrs old as well when diagnosed and like you totally devastated with such awful news .... we went down the route of chemo and Jinks lived another 18 months and i have to say she coped incredibly well with it .... she went into remission for about 4 months which was wonderful but unfortunately it returned .... i dont regret her having chemo .. it didnt stop her being herself ... still incredibly naughty and full of beans .. running and leaping as all boxers do ..... and i wouldn't have missed that time we had together for all the tea in china ......  i wish you all the luck in the world and hope all goes well for her and she maintains a good level health if you go down the chemo route as you have indicated ... it is only you that can decide if that is right for your girl ......

take care and chin up
linda

hi katie81
i just wanted to say how sorry i am ,i havnt ever been in your situation i just want to send you some love and a big hug and your girl too (((((hugs)))))) xxxx

I am so sorry. I havent expereinced this type of cancer but my last dog suffered three type of cancer before we lost her.
\i too was told that chemo doesnt affect dogs as it does humans, in Josies case they used radiotherapy,
You have difficult choices to make, I would do your research listen to the vets, we were sent to Davis vet in Hertfordshire who where fantastic  and specialise in cancers .I am sure you will make the right choice.
Lots of hugs and Licks

Oh I'm so sorry to read this. Personally I would never put any of my dogs through chemotherapy, it would worry me that dogs can't talk and therefore can't tell us if they do have some of the side effects humans have...how would you know if your dog had pins and needles in it's paws for example. It's a personal choice, I believe in keeping them pain free and happy for as long as possible and then letting them go. I would rather they went too early than suffer for the sake of a few extra months.

I really do feel for you, what a horrible decision to have to make with such a young dog.

Just wanted to say I'm so sorry to hear your sad news. I wish you and your girl all the best. xx

Just want to say how sorry I am, You must be devastated.
What Ever you decide to do, it will be the right decision.
All the best & Hugs XXX

I know one person only, not the same disease, whose dog had exactly the same side effects as people.  The vet did say that it was an extremely rare case though.  I must admit myself I wouldn't put my dog through it but I'm not calling anyone who does.

Just to add he did make it through and although went through a lot of hard times a few years later he does seem much better and having an almost normal life.

Hello Katie

I am sorry to read about the diagnosis of your girl.

I have been spending an interesting time watching and listening to some videos on the BVA-Vets TV website ... and I thought of you when I came across this one, as it is very reassuring regarding chemotherapy and dogs.

The easiest way to find the 10 minute video is:

http://vets.tv

Then type in the searchbox:

Princess Royal Video

It's the video entitled "The Animal Health Trust" and there is a section (from 04:12) by Sue Murphy, Head of Oncology who says that most dogs "sail through" the chemotherpay protocols.

Wishing you and your girl well.

Charmer

Charmer thats a lovely post i am sure that this post was really a comfort and a help to Katie.

Just want to thank you all for posting your kind thoughts, sorry i haven't replied sooner to be honest i haven't looked on it for a few days.  To update you all Scrumpy had her first chemo last Monday and to my amazement the next day her glands had gone down dramatically.  I couldn't believe how well she responded to it,she did really well with no side effects whatsoever.  I have been checking out about how what you feed can help as well, it is said to take her off of her normal dry food and to put her on a natural diet as cancer cells feed on the carbs and sugars that are in dry food.  So I am going to try this also, anything that may help is worth it!  I wonder if anyone else has tried this? I've read a few reports on the internet giving specific things you should and should not give, as the cancer cells can feed and thrieve on certain things in normal food.  She is back in on Monday I just hope she is as good as what she has been this time...

Katie
I have only just seen your post or I would have replied sooner.  My beautiful girl was diagnosed with Lymphoma in Apr 08 and like you didn't know what grade it was.  She started chemo (COP Protocol) imediately.  She went into remission very quickly and had no bad side effects from the chemo - apart from a very slight feeling of nausea the following morning after chemo.  I was given a book called "Help you dog fight cancer" by Laurie Caplin it gives so much info.  Unfortunately she came out of remission in Jul and since then has been on a rescue protocol.  Recently she has had pancreatitis which has hit her very hard and now has to have a prescription diet.  There are some really good support groups on yahoo if you PM me I will give you the links.  I have found so much info from the people on there.  It has helped to talk to others go through the same thing.  I have also read that cancer feeds on carbs but didn't change my girls food, she was on a good food and I never give her rubbish.  Red kidney beans are supposed to raise the WBC - this is some thing you will find goes down and somethimes means your chemo treatments are delayed. 

I know not everyone agrees with giving chemo for dogs - but I will never regret doing this for my lovely girl, she has had some lovely times with us and when I know she is no longer enjoying life then I will do what is right for her.

What protocol are you doing?  I really hope your girl does well - she has certainly had a good reaction to your first chemo session. 

I am so sorry to hear this, you must be devastated. I know of a GSD who had mammary tumours removed which were malignant. She didn't go on any form of chemo, but I had heard that a natural diet helps, and suggested it to them. They did change her diet and she has been fine for the last 2 years, although I understand that she is not well just now. She is nearly 13 however, a big age for a shepherd.

You will make the right choices for her, you will know how she is, and whatever you do will be right. I don't believe there is a right or wrong in this situation, you will just FEEL what is right at any given time. In your situation and at such a young age I would definitely fight for her, and if you get another 18 months, in dog years that is a long time, so long as it is quality time. I would definitely change her diet, I believe a natural raw diet is best for dogs anyway. I wish you both all the luck in the world.

Kat

really sorry to hear this. i work at a large referral centre with an oncology unit and we do many chemos a week. im not directly involved in them, i do medical nursing but have helped out several times. I can say truthfully, hand on heart that the majority of dogs do not suffer form side effects, many actually enjoy their visits in to us, they come for an hour or so, get loads of cuddles and lovely biscuits once chemo is over. the vets and nurses are great with them and the owners and everything is truthful, no facts are hidden. many dogs go on to live for another 12-18 months at a good quality of life.

in the end the decision is entirely yours, you must have a million thoughts going through your mind at the moment, and my heart goes out to you. sending thoughts your way, and hatever you decide to do it will be right decision.

Hi Katie

So sorry that you have this diagnosis. I have only just returned from holiday and would have replied earlier.

My beautiful girl was diagnosed with Lymphoma at the end of March. I went on to do Chemo and her glands went down immediately. Now I have to tell you that she came out of remission after only 8 weeks and unfortunately we lost her 6 weeks after that. Do I regret doing Chemo? not for one minute!. She was well and happy, (11 years old) went for her walks every day and although mealtimes could be challenging we managed every day to get some form of a meal into her. She put on 3 kg in weight whilst on the Chemo and enjoyed everyday that she lived with Lymphoma. Only on the day that we finally lost her did I see her deteriorate and that was at 8 o'clock in the morning after her walk. She went so downhill that she was put to sleep at 12.30 (lunchtime) and pretty much was out of it by that time. What I am trying to say is that she didn't suffer, we got an extra 8 weeks with her and she was extra loved during that time. You have now got a roller coaster ride to deal with but believe me I would do it again in a stroke if I were given that time again.
I do know of a terrier type that was diagnosed at 2 and had Chemo and 7 years on is still here, so miracles do happen.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me privately.
Alison

Sorry not replied sooner my computer has been playing up!! Scrumpy is doing really well it's her 3rd time after today that she has had chemo.  Following the 1st time her glands went down so much it was unbelievable I never thought it would have that much of an effect... She's been great after every session and not had any side effects, thank god! I just dread the day that she comes out of remission but i've come to realise that i have to take every day as it comes and enjoy her, not mope about all sad because thats not going to help her and she's the most important thing to me.  Any help or extra info you could give me would be great i would appreciate it.  She's on the chemo that has 5 different drugs to it, i think it is supposed to be the most effective but i suppose that depends on the individual.  I don't regret making the choice of chemo for her for her it has been fine and will hopefully send her into remission.  She has been great whilst she has been on it, and if there is anything that can come of this is for everyone to be aware that putting your dog through chemo is nothing like what they do for humans, they do not generally have the side effects-thankfully we haven't.  So its worth a thought before people presume they know what its all about before they know all of the facts.  Thanks once again for the reply. 

The good thing is that there are different protocols so even (god forbid)  if she comes out of remission then there are other protocols to try. Shola was 11 years old and although my oncologist said 'age is not a disease' I do believe that it went against her chances to some degree.
I agree, think positive and ridiculously enough it makes you enjoy every minute that you have with them and makes you give them those extra cuddles that we all need. There is a yahoo group for Lymphoma and there is a lot of useful info on it but beware it can also break your heart when you make friends with people whose dogs don't make it.
There is a lady on there at present with two crossbreed dogs that both have Lymphoma and are both in remission and have been for some time, so yes! there is hope.
I wish you well, it can be a rocky road but so well worth it when you know you are giving your friend a chance of life. Lots of hugs for Scrumpy. Please let me know how you are both doing.

Thank you it is nice to hear that we may have her for some time yet, hope is the only thing we have to hold on to.  I will definately let you know how Scrumpy gets on, next week's chemo is more likely to have side effects from-well more than the others that she has had, so I'm dreading that one but just hoping she sails through it again.  What a horrible disease it just seems so sureal at times but on the other hand so true!
Katie

Katie, they can pretreat with anti sickness tablets so discuss it with the Vet. It is better to stop the side effects before they happen.
I always describe it as a vile disease and so sneaky. It fills your whole life doesn't it.

Our vet has said he is going to pre treat her with anti-istermenes before they put the IV in but still concerns me!
It does fill your whole life, luckily I have a great job where she comes with me every day and when she has her treatment on Monday's I finish early so I can collect her as soon as possible that means she doesn't need to stay in their for any longer as normal.. Its such a horrible disease that has my baby!