nell.m

I usually use lukewarm salty water. My vet said that was a good option too. Very cheap! I just pull his eye down gently and squirt some in, usually via a tissue soaked in the solution. Then I wipe out any of the gunk with the wet tissue.

Thanks guys! And I must say, amypie, that is one cute little dog you have there.

Well, I just picked Jasper up from the vet's. The ultrasound showed that the cancer has not spread to any organs. It's the best bad news I could have hoped for. Tomorrow or the next day he'll start receiving treatment. The nurse said they had to give him a sedative, but it didn't have any effect. Typical Jasper! He is really happy and wants to play. I have hope. Thanks for all the advice, support and understanding. It has helped me greatly. Included is a photo I took when I got him home.

I've decided to start a thread here to record Jasper's progress. He's at the vet's now until 2pm getting an ultrasound. Hopefully I'll be able to have a chat to the oncologist when I get him. A bit about Jasper... I'd been bugging my family as a young girl for years that I wanted a little puppy to call my own. Finally they relented and I met a fat little fox terrier puppy who picked me by jumping on my lap. My parents tried to get me to pick the other fox terrier pup, as little jasper had had a hernia- but I was obstinate that I wanted Jasper. And what was that. That was when I was 14- I'm now 25, and we've grown up together, and been through so much. He is a little fighter. I grew up on acreage and one day Jasper ran into a bush and was stung by a swarm of wasps all over his face. He came out with a face so lumpy that he looked like a Shar-pei dog! I was very distressed but Jasper didn't know what all the fuss was about. He just wanted to lie on the cool grass for a while then five minutes later, he was trying to get me to play! I couldn't believe it. Then when he was 1 1/2 he caught a MASSIVE black snake, probably over a metre long. My mother could only watch in horror as he tried to shake it to death (he had trouble because it was so thick). But he killed it and dragged it proudly home. Jasper has also suffered a few epileptic fits- but he doesn't thrash around and foam at the mouth- he remains standing stiffly and rides it out. It gives me hope in his strength and determination that he will be able to handle the biggest fight of his life.

Thanks heaps!!! I found that dog cancer diet the day after I got Jasper's diagnosis- and I felt comforted that I could help him with what he ate. He's been on the cancer diet for a few days now and he's responded well to it, though last night and today he looks a little fat. He especially likes the fish oil Any other information that you know of will be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks again everyone. I might start a new thread in the palliative care section when I have more news tomorrow. Bluepoppy- Do you know the name of the cancer specialist? Also I would greatly appreciate any information you could send to me! And sorry to hear about your loss

Tassie- You are right- although I am quite devastated, I am happy that I can now focus on his treatment. Thanks for the advice. Staffyluv- Thank you for the advice. It seems I have a lot of options with holistic vets/treatments, which is good Do vets like to be kept up to date with any holistic treatments? Do they all liaise together? Thanks everyone. I don't feel so alone anymore.

Well, my boy does have Lymphoma, with a high grade malignancy... Needless to say, I am absolutely devastated...He has an ultra sound tomorrow and hopefully I'll get the results of his blood test then too. Luckily, an onocologist is in the area tomorrow to evaluate him. Hopefully by the weekend he will have started chemo. I am going to call the holistic vet tomorrow as well...

I must say, I BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has replied to my post! It brings comfort to know that I'm not the only one going through terrible things with pets. Jasper is eating zero grains and he's responding well to his new diet. Will get the results tomorrow hopefully and I'll let you know the outcome...

Wow, thanks everyone! I am slowly gaining some perspective. Staffyluv I have read your posts regarding your dog and I do see some hope. Thanks so much for the advice! Cavandra Thanks for the advice- I am in QLD, and I am researching any holistic vets in the area- luckily there are a few! At the moment, even though it is too early to get ahead of myself, I think I would probably go down a chemo/holistic road. Again, thanks so much guys! I am so glad to have found people who have been down a similar road. Jasper is going to the vet tomorrow for a blood test, and I get the results tomorrow afternoon, hopefully!

Hi everyone, I decided to join this forum out of a need for support from other loving dog owners as I am quite beside myself at the moment... I have an 11 year old Fox Terrier named Jasper (smooth hair) who is as active and happy as he was 10 years ago. About two weeks ago he had an off day-was not eating, he has had the occasional off day for years now and the vet said it was nothing to worry about. I was not too concerned until I noticed his lymph nodes were swollen under his jaw. I took him to the vet and the vet wasn't too concerned, saying that Jasper might be fighting some infection, and that was that. Two weeks later, the glands were still swollen, so I took Jasper back, thinking it was due to an ear problem he was suffering. This time the vet was very surprised to find Jasper's other glands were also swollen and immediately took Jasper away for a biopsy. Two hours later he told us he was 90% sure Jasper had Lymphoma. I won't find out for sure for another day or two. That was on Friday and I have had the most hellish weekend. I have been doing lots of research and am reading a lot of good and bad stories alike. I have already started jasper on fish oil tablets, cut out all grains and am giving him a semi BARF diet. I seem to be in denial because he has shown no other symptoms of having cancer. He is very happy, energetic, naughty and has a healthy appetite. One of the reasons I am in denial is because at the moment Jasper seems to have a problem with one of his ears. The last week or so he has been scratching his ears and walking around with his head on the side. Then in a few hours he seems fine. Then on Saturday night his ear seemed very painful and he yelped when I tried to have a look at it. I had half a mind to call the after hours vet, but the next day he seemed a little better. I feel very annoyed because the whole reason I took Jasper back to the vet is because I had an inkling his glands were up because of an ear infection. Call it miscommunication or something, but the vet didn't end up looking at his ears. I can't take him back until I get his results because of money. Am I clutching at straws thinking his glands are up because of his ears, or is it just a side affect of his immune system being down? Sorry for such a long rambling post, but I would REALLY appreciate any advice or support! My whole world has been tipped upside down and I am absolutely devastated. I spent much of yesterday searching this forum and reading all the lymphoma posts, so I know I am in good company Thanks heaps guys, Nell.