Lung Cancer

[ckrn]

Our poor puppy Samantha has lung cancer. I guess its been about a month now, when she came down with a cough that never got better. Our vet took labs and put her on antibiotics, and when she didn't improve we went to a specialist. They took some x-rays and found a spot on her left lung. They wanted to do more testing, a needle aspiration or a bronchoscopy. The needle aspiration wasn't able to be done because of the location of the tumor, and we didn't want to put her through the bronchoscopy. She is 10.5 years old and we don't want to do the chemo thing. We have kept her on prednisone and just this week added some natural supplements and started her on a high protein diet. She seems to be doing ok otherwise. She has a good appetitie but does seem to be losing weight. This is so hard to understand why this has to happen to our babies. I just want her to be comfortable and hopefully we will know when the time is right. I hope she is still around for a good while. I will be posting updates. It is nice to be able to talk about these subjects knowing there are other boxer parents that understand.

 

[Crayolita]

I am so sorry to hear your baby is sick, lots of positive vibes and hang in there, it is horrible to have them sick, believe me I am also aching right now with the diagnosis on my baby girl, and I like you still dont understand why she got it... it isn't fare as they are great and wonderful babies that all they do is make us happy... hang in there!!! I will keep you on my prayers!!!
Hugs to you and Samantha!

 

[hurleygirl]

She will seem to be doing really good on the Prednisone for a few weeks--but the she'll let you know when it's time. My prayers go out to you--enjoy the heck out of the time you have left. My Hurley had to be put down right before Thanksgiving and I still cry when I think about the loss.

 

[ckrn]

bad days

Thanks eveyone for your kind words! Samantha seems to be having good and bad days now. Saturday she started shaking? I'm thinking its because she could be in pain. Yesturday you could hear her wheezing while she's panting. Also when she eats she has to take breaks. She usually scarfs her food down, and now she eats about half and then stops and comes back to finish. I'm getting more emotional these days. I'm scared the end is coming. I'm not ready but I hope and pray i'll know when the time is right.

 

[CaptREB]

Just found out

Maxine,Our Special Brindel was just diagonsed with the severe Lung Cancer. She is declining rapidly. Is there anything else that your Vet recommends?

 

[ckrn]

Well We had to say goodbye to Samantha on 12/17/10. Before we made the most painful decision, our vet recommended to increase her steriods to twice a day, add Theophylline (bronchodialator) and Tramadol (pain) We took her to the vet and on the way there her tongue turned blue, she would calm down, but when we took her home she never could relaxa and sleep even after the pain pills. We decided to take her back to the vet late that night, and we couldn't see her suffer like that anymore. It just seemed like she went downhill really quick. It was a hard decision but knowing she is breathing easier and playing gives me comfort. I'm sorry to hear about your baby.Please give your pup hugs and kisses. I think about her all the time, and I know time will heel our pain.

 

[Widges]

I am so sorry for your loss. Our thought & prayers are with you. Run Pain free Samantha.

 

[Cami]

So very sorry for your loss.

 

[luvmymak]

Very very sorry for your loss! You are in our prayers!

 

[johann]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. Samantha is breathing easily again and not in pain anymore.