Lymph Node Cancer

[alyssabriana]

I had posted a couple threads about my 8year old brindle female, Roxy.

Right now, I don't feel like explaining the timeline of events that have occurred since the initial health problems, you can look up the threads if you wish.

Yesterday I got back from vacation, Today I found out that she las lymph node cancer. And they say there is nothing they can do about it. She has a huge lump in her throat. I've researched and I do believe the vet when they say it is cancer. She can hardly eat anything anymore, and she's lost about 20pounds.

I have to make the decision on whether to put her to sleep or to try and treat her with chemo.


Please can anybody offer me support? I've never had to do this, Roxy is my first, and will be my last boxer.

Is there any hope at all? Is chemo a good idea?

 

[darwinsmom]

So sorry to hear this news. I don't have any personal experience with canine lymphoma but I will share what I have read about the disease. It is one of the most treatable forms of cancer but it isn't curable. Chemo can help send the disease into remission and give your girl some good quality life (maybe for 6 months to a year). Chemo in dogs is not designed the same way it is in humans. If there is any indication the treatment is hurting Roxy they would discontinue it. The purpose is to make her feel better. Now, I am not a veterinarian and I don't know the extent of her lymphoma, but if you are considering chemotherapy, I would get in to see a veterinarian oncologist ASAP. They will have the best advice based on Roxy's individual situation and be able to outline potential treatment options for you.

Again, I am so sorry. I can only imagine how hard this must be.

-Karlyn

 

[alyssabriana]

Desperate for an answer!!! dying dog :(

My dog was diagnosed with lymphoma yesterday.

She has lost about 20pounds now and today she has stopped eating. She won't eat anything, the only thing I can get her to take is water, if I feed it to her from a bottle.

She has a huge lump in her neck, she's just really sick.

The vet didn't give me very many options, and needless to say, I'm not going back to the vet we have been going to. I'm going to a new one for a second opinion and treatment options.

But right now I need to know, is there any liquid type of food anywhere? She will only take in thin liquids. I just need her to eat, she's looking very tired today, and is having trouble breathing.

I posted a thread yesterday and disappointingly only got ONE response. I have never had to go through this before .

Does anyone have any advice as far as feeding? What about chemo? Anybody with experience in this? Please help...I'm heartbroken over seeing her like this. And I'm so scared for her. Please any advice you have, I need lots of opinions.

 

[cantfindlog]

I'm sorry this is happening. I don't know about this cancer, but if it were me and I would get to the ER vet soon so they can start her on some fluids. Possibly from there you can make a decison based on if she responds to fluid treatments and would start eating again so you can see a vet oncologist. Best of luck. These kind of things are so hard :(

 

[darwinsmom]

You can maybe try liquefying some canned food (mixing it in a blender with water) and trying to get her to try that. I would be very careful because you don't want her to aspirate any of it into her lungs either.

 

[Caney Creek]

I'm so sorry your girl is sick. :( I don't have any experience with Chemo or cancer treatment alternatives... that is something you'll want to speak to the vet about. As far as food, you can try chicken broth if you have some handy... I'm sorry I can't think of much else at the moment. It sounds like you need to get her to the vet though, ASAP. I wouldn't wait until Monday in the state that she's in now, it sounds like a trip to the E-vet is in order.

Sending your girl lots of healing ((((vibes)))) and big hugs to you group I will be thinking of you both during this difficult time.

 

[Cami]

So sorry your girl is sick. Like others have mentioned she may need a trip to the ER vet to make an attempt at getting her feeling better. She can't fight if she doesn't have the energy.
As far as foods go....baby food (no onion or garlic) would be my first thought. Something to get some calories in her. You may also try some Pedialyte.
Also consider joining the yahoo canine cancer group. Easy to join with many members who have a vast amount of knowledge fighting all different types of cancer. You will get multiple responses to your posts.

 

[chrystel]

Hi
I am so sorry to read about your girl :( I can only share my story with you.
My dog, Sam, had lymph node cancer.
He was a black lab mix with german pointer.
He was 8 years old. He was my dog, the puppy I had for my 10th birthday.

Unfortunately, I had to make the sad decision to say a final good night soon after the diagnostic.

I first noticed two lumps on his throat, each side of the trachea. Didn't want to "think" the worse, I was a teen and prefered ignored it. A week later, as I was petting him, I discovered a lump under each armpits..
I told my mom and she looked at me and said "it's not good".
We took a vet appointment. By the time of the appointment, he had two more lumps on the inside of his thighs.

The vet did aspiration and sent to the lab.
It came back as "advanced lymph node cancer"
:(

He explained to me that I would know when he would start hurting. He would stop playing, eating. He would start peeing on himself..
Treatment would maybe help, maybe not. It would not cure it. He could give him more time. My dog hated the vet.. I refused to "punish" him having to see the vet daily for the rest of his (short) life. I wanted him to be happy.

After a couple of weeks, he stopped eating. He looked at me with sad eyes as I went to school that day. It was a Friday. I decided to call the vet at lunch time. I took my buddy for a long walk after school walking very slowly towards the vet office:(

This was the longest walk and hardest walk too. But I knew it made him happy. I couldn't have driven anyway.
I said goodbye.
My sister came to pick me up from the vet office.

I am so sorry my experience was not the best one.

:(
Best of luck to you and your girl ((((hugs)))))

(PS: I have noticed that he forum is slower on week ends, as less people come online)

 

[RoccoBoxr]

Cancer sux :(

Hi there -
I'm just so so so so sorry for what you're going through. I'll be thinking of you - please keep us posted ok?

I lost my Rocco last year to lymphoma. Dang sucky deal. We did a relatively simple chemo and prednisone treatment for him and we got some really great time with him feeling quite good. For his situation, it was our best option and we never regretted it. We caught his at about the first 1-2 lymph nodes inflammed, I'm so sorry that your girl is getting hit fast. It's just so hard to see them suffer. Just know that she loves you and trusts whatever decision you make - you know her best!

Be strong - hugs and well wishes!!

~Alecia

 

[johann]

I agree with the previous posts about getting to an emergency/24 hour vet clinic ASAP to get her hydrated.

I'm so sorry that she is doing poorly and that you got a devastating diagnosis. My thoughts are with you and your family.