My dog has Lymphoma

Duckster

Took my dog to vet for his annual check up and he found a swollen lymph node on his left neck chest area. He suggested a biopsy saying it was pretty swollen, turns out to be Lymphoma and is already in his bloodstream. I was totally blindsided my dog Troop will be 6 in Jan. Just had him running my buddies property with his dog playing all day healthy as can be. He's a rescue dog and is part rotty part akita and the best dog I've ever had never had to really train him. My vet knows of a trial program in Tampa he's trying to get him into, but won't know til next week. Without treatment he will live 3 months or so and if treated might live a year. Has anyone tried fighting this cancer with their best buddy?

Mister-Jr

That's tough news, I'm sorry for you and your buddy.

bottom feeder

Sorry to hear your news. I went through it 20 years ago, the cost far out weighed the chance for survival.

10X

Sorry to hear about your buddy. Personally, putting him through treatment will be he!! for both of you and his quality of life will greatly suffer. Enjoy him while he is still feeling good, treat him like a king, and when he is no longer a happy boy, do him the mercy.
Sadness for you both.

Engguy

I have been right where you are. My vet told me to do just what 10X said. I did it and I still miss my friend. My heart goes out to you.

Duckster

What I was worried about the pain from treatment vs. quality of life. He seems like himself right now ready to go. When I catch whitebait it's game on and what hits the deck he's after them eating like a king.

gandrfab

Duckster wrote: »

Took my dog to vet for his annual check up and he found a swollen lymph node on his left neck chest area. He suggested a biopsy saying it was pretty swollen, turns out to be Lymphoma and is already in his bloodstream. I was totally blindsided my dog Troop will be 6 in Jan. Just had him running my buddies property with his dog playing all day healthy as can be. He's a rescue dog and is part rotty part akita and the best dog I've ever had never had to really train him. My vet knows of a trial program in Tampa he's trying to get him into, but won't know til next week. Without treatment he will live 3 months or so and if treated might live a year. Has anyone tried fighting this cancer with their best buddy?

2 dogs ago we had a aussi mix that had a growth on his neck.
Vet said less then 6 months, dog went another loving 4 years.
We put him down when his hips gave out at about 13 years old.

drgibby

If the vet in Tampa is Curt Kane at Blue Pearl, he is one of the best Oncology vets around. The problem is we rarely cure lymphoma. We can usually get the dogs into remission very easily with a variety of chemo protocols that have very few outward effects on the dogs quality of life. But the remission usually only lasts 12 months or so. Best of luck with your buddy.

Westwall01

sorry to hear

Nickhoog

Lost my best dog/friend with the same disease. It ate up all his muscles in 6 months. Did tons of research on the affliction with dogs and it's just not worth it both for him/her or monetarily. 30% success rate of remission if things work primarily and the dog goes through hell and you drop a bundle, then 10% success rate on the second treatment. Dose up him or her on steroids and other "happy drugs" and plan for the end result.

Unfortunately, our furry friends aren't meant to be around as long as we are, so you have to face this fact. Hard and very sad, but a fact.

My heart goes out to you..... angel

cadman

Duckster wrote: »

Took my dog to vet for his annual check up and he found a swollen lymph node on his left neck chest area. He suggested a biopsy saying it was pretty swollen, turns out to be Lymphoma and is already in his bloodstream. I was totally blindsided my dog Troop will be 6 in Jan. Just had him running my buddies property with his dog playing all day healthy as can be. He's a rescue dog and is part rotty part akita and the best dog I've ever had never had to really train him. My vet knows of a trial program in Tampa he's trying to get him into, but won't know til next week. Without treatment he will live 3 months or so and if treated might live a year. Has anyone tried fighting this cancer with their best buddy?

I went through fighting cancer with my Golden Retriever, but he was much older. His was melanoma that had spread. He did not respond to the vaccine developed at the time. I stopped treatments after it was obvious it was only prolonging the inevitable.

When looking at treatments and what to do, you need to remember to do what is best for the dog and not what is best for you. A lot of times we prolong it because we don't want to let go or feel we did not do all we could for our beloved pet. Some times the time may be shorter, but it may be better in the long run.

No one can tel you what to do, that decision is yours, just be sure you are doing it for the right reasons.

cadman

drgibby wrote: »

If the vet in Tampa is Curt Kane at Blue Pearl, he is one of the best Oncology vets around. The problem is we rarely cure lymphoma. We can usually get the dogs into remission very easily with a variety of chemo protocols that have very few outward effects on the dogs quality of life. But the remission usually only lasts 12 months or so. Best of luck with your buddy.

You sound like a vet. What is going on with the Lymphoma vaccine they were working on a few years back? I know it was in the clinical phase just after the melanoma vaccine was approved. I think it relied on early detection to be effective.

Heatwave

Sorry to hear it.... What did the Vet say about the treatment and affordability ?

Duckster

Thanks for the support!!I won't know anything until next week as far as the trial drugs are concerned. My vet knows my current monetary situation and is why he is looking into a trial. I would do anything in my power for my dog except watch him suffer and right now he's urinating a lot and panting in the a/c at times. I let him play with his buddy dog yesterday and they went running and swimming for awhile so he had a fun day.