[Hope]

Got an unexpected call from the vet. My 6 yr old lab Hope has been diagonised with lymphona. She said predizone could get me 8 months and if we did chemo maybe 2 years. Anyone care to share there experience

Wayne

 

[Rainmaker]

Went through it last year, my 7 y/o Lab, did chemo, she made it 12 months. Chemo didn't bother her at all and her quality of life was good. Check with the nearest University that has a vet school, they may have programs to help you out and have the latest info and treatment options. It isn't a diagnosis you want to hear but dogs generally do well with chemo and go into remission easily. Whatever treatment you choose, make the most of the time you get with your girl, good luck to both of you. You can do a search on the forum and find several threads about lymphoma as well.

 

[Martha Lancaster]

Here's a link for "How to be an advocate for a dog with cancer". So sorry about your dog.

http://www.fcrsainc.org/resources/articles/advocate.html

 

[Richard Finch]

Thoughts and Prayers Sent form here!





Richard

 

[EdA]

Hope,

As a veterinarian I have dealt with this issue with clients far too many times. Whenever I have asked a client after the fact "would you that again" they have unhesitatingly answered yes.

Recently I experienced my first personal experience with chemotherapy with one of my house dogs (hemangiosarcoma). Without chemotherapy he would have only survived 6-8 weeks. I got 6 months and while heartbroken at losing the dog of a lifetime I would make the same choice again.

Realistically, with lymphosarcoma you can expect no more than 1 year, less than 5% have longer remissions. Generally dogs tolerate the chemotherapeutic drugs well and my little guy felt great until near the end.

If you are considering chemotherapy do not give prednisone as it impacts subsequent chemotherapy in a negative way.

 

[pupaloo]

Had a dog who had lung cancer (sorry, don't know the type). Removed lung lobes and did chemo, and he did great-was never sick from the drugs, and was in remission for over a year before it appeared in the other side. Would do it again without question.

 

[Guest]

Wow, I'm so sorry to hear about your pup... The only experience I've had with cancer in a dog was inoperable and chemo wouldn't have helped (cancer was too advanced and in really bad places).

I hope the advice of others will help your decision. I'll keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.

-K

 

[Prairie Hill's]

I am so sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I have been down this path with a golden. The predisone masked the symptoms and does make the dog comfortable. I had about 4 months after diagnosis. You will know when the time comes. Best of luck to you.

 

[Hope]

Just back from the specialist vet. Perhaps our expecations were a little high of how much time we might have but are going through chemo anyway. The doc said she is the healthiest dog with cancer that she has seen so she thought that she is an exceptional candidate for the treatment. Lymphoma is very agressive. She said that if we provided no treatment she very well could be dead in a week. So she will be on a 26 week protocal, chemo weekly. She's tired now but her activity level is normal. The doc said we had no time to waste so thanks to my nagging wife we just might have caught this in time. And as usual she wouldn't come in the house until she found one of her bumpers in the yard

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers
Wayne