Our beautiful 9 yr old flatcoat bitch was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer (with possible secondaries in the chest) on the 23.12.04.  Although her breathing has started to become more noticable, she is well in all other respects at the moment. 
The vet is treating her successfully with steriods (15mg daily) to keep the swelling down in her lower leg area (due to the blockage of her lymph gland).  Whilst we are aware that our little girl has limited life expectancy, I would like to hear from any owner that has any experience with homepathic treatment, acupuncture or any general advice from their own painfully gleaned experience.   

I'm so sorry for you, you must be agonising.  Do enjoy all the things that your girl loves best, and concentrate on these, rather than exhausting yourself with other treatments other than those offered by your own vet.

I wonder if she would enjoy hydrotherapy if your vet agrees - maybe you could join her in the pool?

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Hi Guest please register here so you can ask other questions and we can help you more.
As a flatcoat owner I can imagine what you are going through. Have you spoken to Brenda Phillips who is the breed health monitor? She has experience of homeopathic treatments. When a dog of mine had a joint injury some years ago she advised a course action which included an homeopathic remedy. Mrs Shirley Johnson of the FLatcoated Retriever Society can be contacted for more information regarding the tumour survey which is an ongoing research being conducted by the flatcoated retriever society for the welfare of the breed. Mrs Johnson can be contacted on Tel:  01638 718231
There are two dedicated flatcoat groups on the internet where there are many experienced owners and breeders who would have more experience with this condition. These groups are flatcoats@yahoogroups.com & fortheloveofflatcoats@yahoogroups.com Just send an email to these addresses and then you will be able to join these groups.
Do let us know how she goes on,
regards
Polly & Foxpath Flatcoats

Polly, was this not what Barry had with Charlie? Chemotherapy gave him a new lease of life, although it is very expensive if the dog is not insured.

Regards, John

Yes it was the same, and I think Charlie was about the same age as this bitch is.

I think he was a couple of years younger when he first got it. I had a soft spot for Charlie and so did my Bethany. When Beth died and I took Anna training Charlie came over to see his old friend and looked so surprised to see the young puppy instead!

Best wishes, John

Although my dog didn't have lymphatic cancer, she did have an infection in her lymph glands many years ago - and we were encouraged to get her to lie on her back to allow the fluid to drain out under gravity - this wasn't too much of a problem as it was one of her favourite positions.

HTH

my gordon setter had the same as your fcr,but his secondaires was in his throat he was only 5 years old,my vet did the same as your put the dog on a low dose of steriods,but it was the steriods that had other side effects which your vet shold of told you which effects the dog health,,in the end copper did live 6 months more with steriods,
i did go on a semiar run bye the kennel clud and lymphatic cancer was 1 of the subjects, if you go down the chemo it may only make the dogs life long bye 18 months,.again what the sised effect of that,the sma in humans the dog can not tell you if he under well plus the stress on going to the vets,for the treatment.

but at the end day each owner of dogs are diffeent in the way they want their dogs to be treated,there no rigth or wrong,it what you think is best for you and your dog,
good luck i know what you are going through,plus i got 5 fcr,the love of my life when they are good.

terri