Chemotherapy, what to expect?

[riggodunick]

I have another thread going for my dog Riggo due to his leukemia but thought this thread would be a little more specific. I started Riggo on chemo for his leukemia/hypercalcemia and was wondering if anyone had any experience and what to expect?

 

[lafsalot]

Riggodunick - I posted a response to this on your other thread. With regards to your inquiry about the differences between lymphoma and leukemia -JOHN D. HAINSWORTH, MD: In general, leukemias involve mostly the blood and the bone marrow. Lymphomas are much more likely to involve lymph nodes, other organs, and sometimes also the bone marrow. Hope this helps - Cathy

 

[boxmom]

I am so sorry to read about Riggo. My first boxer, Bailey, went through chemo for lymphoma with hypercalcemia. Chemo was very effective at putting the cancer in remission. Bailey did well with the treatments, but after over one year her liver began to fail from the drugs. Up until her liver problem Bailey had hardly any side effects from the chemo. She was playful and energetic and loving as ever. I would suggest that you check into starting Riggo on some supplements to help protect his vital organs, if you haven't done so. You can find some good info on this site about that, as well as good diet info for cancer dogs. I wish all the best to you and Riggo.

 

[riggodunick]

Boxmom,

I'm glad to hear Bailey did well on chemo. Putting Riggo on chemo was something I struggled with for days. It seems that people are very divided on the issue of putting your dog through Chemo. I think I would've felt guilty that I didn't do everything I could've for him. I'll look into those supplements an that special diet.

One bad side effect he's had for a week now is Diarhea. I started feeding him cheese to help bind him up but that doesn't seem to be working. He's also on medication for it. Do you have any suggestions?

 

[boxer4]

First let me say how sorry I am to hear Riggo has Cancer.
We also went thought chemo for our past Dutch that had lymphoma. She faired pretty well on her first round of chemo and went into remission right away. It was when she came out of remission and had to go on a different round of drugs she got diarrhea and threw up a lot. Unfortunately he remission did last as long as Baily's did but she was a sickly dog most of her life and when she got cancer she had just turned 10 an also had heart arrhythmias.
As for cheese I don't think that will help as it is a milk product and milk that causes the runs in a lot of dogs. Our vet suggested pepto bismol. Ask your vet, they have prescription meds to help with it if the Pepto doesn't.
Lots of love to you baby and please feel free to email me, I can try to help answer any other questions you may have about the chemo drugs.

 

[jaymee926]

Our Apollo has been diagnosed with hypercalcemia and possible lympoma

Always sadden to hear of another boxer struggling with health issues....we have just found out that our 9-year-old baby has hypercalcemia and possible lymphoma. We will be going to a specialist on Thursday to consult and take biopsies for a final diagnosis. First appearences lean toward lymphoma and probably chemo for the treatment. Like you, we are very hesitant to try it as we do not make Apollo sick. At the moment, he is doing fairly well. Still somewhat playful although appetite has diminished. Our vet is more concerned with they hypercalcemia than cancer at the present moment. His x-rays are showing some calcification beginning to set in. The fear is t
that the kidneys will be affected.

I hope that you have good luck with your decision on treating Riggo.

We wish you the best.