Say a prayer for my boxer he has Leukemia

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riggodunick

Boxer Booster
Linda and Austin's Mom,

Thanks for the kind words. I hope this works out for both Riggo and me. I live alone and he is like a child to me. It is killing me seeing his lack of energy.
 

riggodunick

Boxer Booster
Riggo had a bad morning and I took him to the vet. He went downstairs early before I got up and I heard him slip a little as he was going down. He wouldn't eat even people food this morning. I had been hiding his white blood cell count medication in a hot dog which he loves. I usually let him out on my deck while I am loading the hot dog but he knows what's up. He always stands by the door trying to see what I am doing and is always excited when I open the door; tail wagging, sniffing my fingers. Today when I looked out on the deck he was standing there staring into space. Would eat one bit of the hot dog or ice cubes which he also loves. Went into the dining room and layed down. I went over to pet him and he wasn't responding to me at all. I also noticed that he had thrown up. My girlfriend suggested that his jaw might be effected by the leukemia so we tried some gravy which did give a few licks to but didn't seem very interested.

The vet examined him and did some blood work. Said his white blood cell count was actually normal probably from all the medication I have been giving him. The vet was puzzled as to why he was feeling the way he was and wanted to keep him to run some tests.

The poor guy also looks like he was starting to limp. He was scheduled to start chemo tomorrow as I was told he has the less aggressive form of leukemia and dogs with his type have a %75 rate of quality living for around a year. Now I'm not so sure we'll get to chemo.
 

riggodunick

Boxer Booster
Riggo was diagnosed yesterday with Hypercalcemia in addition to his Leukemia. From what I read bone calcium is being relased into his system elevating his calcium levels to the point where the liver can't process all the excess resulting in confusion, tiredness, loss of apetite and mobility problems. Basically it looks like the cancer has moved from his marrow into his bones.
I worry about putting him on chemotherapy now for the Leukemia as his bones will probably be more brittle. I actually heard his joints creeking on Wednesday and the hypercalcemia would explain why. I am terrified that if the chemo makes him feel better then he will be bouncing around as usual and suffer a broken bone.
 

lafsalot

Boxer Insane
Canine Hypercalcemia/Riggo's Owner

I was anxiously waiting to hear about Riggo, and am glad you posted with the update. Although the hypercalcemia is no doubt secondary to the leukemia, has your vet mentioned the possibility of treating him with Gluccorticoids (prednisone), lasix, or sodium barcobonates? These have all proven to be helpful in decreasing serum concentrations (and the symptoms associated with it) in animals. It is by no means a cure, but would help immensely. By the way, I also have hypercalcemia due to a benign tumor on my parathyroid glands, so I can identify with his hypercalcemic symptoms. Keeping you and Riggo in my thoughts and prayers - Cathy
 

colormecody

Boxer Pal
Been there

My boxer, Cody, had a type of lymphocite cancer last year. I had to put her down last July. She started with a bump on her back. When the biopsy finally diagnosed cancer, we started her on chemo right away. It was awful. I will never put a loved one through that again. She only lasted one month after starting chemo. She could not stand or eat. When the bump was noticed, she was gone within three months. It is a very aggressive cancer. My thoughts and prayers are with you, I know what you are going through. You have a tough decision, I kept Cody as long as I could, but I couldn't stand to see her suffer. Take Care.
 
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