My Boxer has Lymphoma

[King_Author]

Hello all.

Our 6 1/2 old boxer, "Sasha" was diagnosed with Lymphoma last week and it blew us away. I was taking her in for what I thought was a UTI and they found a tumor in her intestine the size of a soft ball. During surgery they found 5 more smaller tumors.

We bought Sasha when we first got married and treated her like our baby. We know have 2 1/2 yr old twins but always refer to Sasha as our first born.

We have just begun Chemo and prednisone and she is already doing better. However, I really don't know if it is the treatment or just the fact that she is recovering from her surgery she had about a week ago. In addition, I am going to look into using the cancer diet.

I have just found this site while trying to find more info on lymphoma and Boxers. I would like to see more discussion on it. Is there any way to help minimize the chance of getting a Boxer prone to Cancer? Is it in their bloodline and will investigating the deaths of family members help?

What is the most common death of Boxers? I would be interested to hear from some of you who have had Boxers that have passed and find out how they died.

For those of you who have dogs with Cancer, I also found this link to be a little informative and it is always nice to hear from other cases:
Dog Cancer Support Group

Please let me know if there is any advise out there that you can give. I'm sure several of you have been through this before.

Thanks.

 

[BXR MOM]

King Aruther =

Please see my reply to the recent post on Lymphoma for my story. My only advice is to do what you feel is best. Although the chemo did not work for us, I would probably try it again. Lexus cancer had spread from her abdomen to her chest, so perhaps you will be more successful than we were. I did not like the side effects of the prednisone. Lexus was on 40mg daily, which I thought was too much for her to handle. She was drinking all of the time and was having several accidents in the house at night, which I knew she felt embarrassed about. I had plans to talk to her oncologist about the dosage, but we let her go to the bridge before I had the opportunity.

Our vet did not recommend a cancer diet because he said the only time he tried it it actually made the dog sicker. I have heard that some companies, like Science Diet, make a cancer blend of food.

Lexus was a resuce from a family memeber who purchased her at a pet store so I have no idea about her family background.

Best of luck to you and Sasha. Feel free to email.

 

[King_Author]

Thanks Boxer Mom.

We know exactly what you are talking about when you mention the finances. We had to pay about $4,000.00 as well for the surgury and care and are just now starting the Chemo.

It was a touch decision to go on with the treatment. However, I think we are in the same situation as you were. We just don't feel that it is her time to go. She is still so happy and playful. How do you put a dog down in that state.

It is good to hear that you just "knew" when it was her time. I am hoping that when the time comes for us we will know as well and it will make that time easier for us.

We are experiencing some urination during sleeping hours. That was the original reason I took Sasha to the vet in the first place. The vet felt that the tumor was probably pushing up against her bladder. However, now that it is gone ..... I'm not sure. Now, I don't know if it is the prednisone or just the same problem she had prior to diagnosis.

I have heard that there is a drug that can be given to keep dogs from urinating in their sleep. Has anyone heard anything about that?

Thanks,
Brad

 

[King_Author]

Hi Boxer Mom.

I just wanted you to know that after I read your email, I went home to see what dosage of prednisone Sasha was on. She is currently on 25mg a day for 30 days and will then go to every other day.

She ways about 55 - 60 lbs. How much did Lexus way?

 

[BXR MOM]

Lexus weighed 73 pounds about a month before she passed. By the time she started treatment she weighed 63 pounds and on her last weekend she was down to 59 pounds. She was started on Prednisone on a Saturday and by the following Wednesday she started to have excessive accidents at night. When she got sick again that weekend I expressed to the on call vet that I thought her prednisone was too high. She was hesitant to change it without the talking to the oncologist and thought that we should wait until Monday. It was on that Monday that we let her go so I never got to find out if that dosage was too high. They had her taking 2 20mg pills every night. I had wanted to discuss either decreasing the dosage or splitting them up.

How is Sasha doing? I really hope that the chemo treatments are helping her.

 

[King_Author]

Sasha is currently doing great!

She looks and acts like nothing is wrong with her. The protocol that we are on is the Texas A&M University protocol for Lymphoma. It actually calls for 40mg of prednisone.

However, she is on 25mg. I asked the vet about this and they said that it has to do with her weight. That the 40mg is based on a slightly heavier dog.

In about two weeks we will move to 25mg every other day .... so it is a decreasing dosage.

Thanks.
Brad

 

[boxers4life2001]

Glade to hear Sasha is doing so great She is really a BEAUTIFUL young lady!!!! I also had a dog who had lymphoma, her name was Candy (mixed breed.) I decided to do the full chemo protocol with her too. She lived another 1 1/2 years after she was diagnosed. She lost her fight when she was 17 years old :( I think if she was younger, she probably would have made it longer, she was a real fighter. I will keep Sasha and your family in my thoughts and prayers. I hope she continues to respond so well to the chemo, i'll be keeping my fingers crossed for her.

~Carrie~

 

[Barb_IA]

Brad, Sorry to hear about Sasha's illness. Hope she continues to do so well. Your in my thoughts and I send positive (((vibes))) your way.

_______

Barb
Mom to: Lacey female brindle 8 yrs old. Loki male fawn waiting at the bridge. 3/23/02

 

[boxmom]

Hi Brad
I am sorry to hear that your Sasha has lymphoma. My Bailey was dx with it back in March. We started her on chemo right away and it has gone well, although she has just come out of remission this past week. The highest dose of prednisone we have ever given has been 20mg and she weighs about 80 lbs. The prednisone definately will make them eat and drink (and urinate) quite a bit more than usual. Her protocol was similar to yours in that we weaned her off the prednisone which was started at the beginning. I have read that long term use of the prednisone can do some damage to the kidneys among other things. Bailey is now back on 20mg per day along with some new drugs in hopes of a second remission. I should also add that Bailey has t-cell lymphoma w/ hypercalcemia which generally means it is harder to treat and remissions are shorter. Throughout all the treatment, Bailey has hardly had any side effects from the drugs and has kept up w/ our other two boxers as if nothing were wrong. We will send positive vibes and thoughts your way for Sasha.
Diana

 

[BXR MOM]

Boxmom -

So sorry to hear that Bailey is out of remission. We wish all of you the best of luck in getting her back to remission. We will be thinking of you.