zaxmum

Thanks so much for your support guys. It's great to know about that diet as I was wondering about how we could help battle this with some nutritional weapons too. It's something I was going to ask the oncologist about this week, and also try for some help from a holistic practitioner, perhaps. Nell it sounds like your dear foxie and Zach will be having their chemo over the same time - I do so hope it turns out well for both of them. Do you know much about the outcomes with lymphoma? I know we're supposed to expect issues like this as they get older, but my boy is in such good shape in every other way - no arthritis, great coat, teeth, endless energy levels - it is just so hard to accept there's something there which could potentially take him. We need to stay strong and positive and I know they pick up on that. Let us know how your foxie goes. Fingers crossed. And thanks to you too, Loraine, for your kind thoughts. A

Yesterday was a tough day. We'd had Zach in at the vet's for an ultrasound, cell samples and X-ray after I noticed some drops of blood coming from his private parts, and it turns out he has a prostate tumour. It could be one of two cancers: transitional cell carcinoma, or prostatic - the first , our vet says, has a better prognosis and the second is very aggressive but a lot more rare. Zach has further X-rays and scans on Monday to see if there is any spread to other organs. It's unlucky for him, as he is a desexed boy and this is apparently more common in intact males. There was an option to do a biopsy to find out more about which cancer it is, and remove the surrounding lymph nodes, but as Zach is 12 and we wanted to spare him the painful and invasive op, we opted to go straight into chemo treatment as soon as possible. Our vet has referred Zach to an oncologist, who will decide on the exact drugs etc. The good in all this bad is that the tumour has not affected so far Zach's ability to wee or poo and he is in great spirits and seems unaware of anything being wrong with him. This is the most important part of it all - his quality of life. He is such a happy, exuberant little fellow. So far, that's where we are at, and I'm trying to stay positive. I'd love to hear from anyone who has experience of this type of thing, and hear how you got on. Any tips or knowledge are so welcome at a time like this, and all healing vibes are very much appreciated too! Thanks so much.