Spoony

Thanks for the info. She's now on 1x 20mg prednisone and 2x 250mg amoxicillin per day. The antibiotic dose seems reasonable (last time I was on them, the same stuff just 500mg, though I'm nearly 4x the weight), I think the anti-inflam dose is fairly low though? Harv's had a higher dose of pred before with chemo combined. I'm so so hoping there is a positive reaction using the above. Interesting input about removing they eye. I guess going straight in that way and then removing the 'issue' does it all at once and saves a possible non conclusive MRI. That word lymphoma seems to haunt us though. It was mentioned but they really thought it extremely unlikely at under 2 years of age? Knowing a bit about it now having dealt with Harv's for over a year I didn't even realise it show up in such a place, scary.

Thank you all for responses and kind words. Certainly not feeling very lucky with my adopted family at the moment. persephone, I reposted this in General, hopefully a mod will merge the threads http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/253888-eye-socket-orbital-disease-exophthalmos/ Anne, interesting mention of the Shar-pei in that article. I had done a bit of searching and first mention. I am actually on a shar-pei health Facebook group, posted also but before knowing the details, will update them. Chilli is obviously a cross though sharing a few Shar-pei features, ears, a tiny bit of head jowels but no real extra skin/folds or coat from a Pei, build is a bit ligher too. Few pics below. I get a few people asking if she's a Dingo or something at times haha. (RSPCA girl did 'indicate' the cross that way who knows, legalities in QLD it certainly wouldn't be stated lol) I am quite a aware of the greater problems poor Western (Meat Mouth) Shar-pei's have, and as such have steered clear of a pure breed of this Pei type. In saying that would be good to know more info on what is the cause when it is 'common' in Shar-pei's, she may have been unlucky to still inherit this or something if it can happen that way. AMS, that has crossed my mind as a fix. However the issue at this stage is 100% behind the eye, the eye it self is fine. The eye itself and the skull obviously make diagnoses and access very hard.

It's been suggested I repost this thread in general due to the light traffic the area I posted in sees. I hope this is OK, perhaps a Mod can just merge the threads. http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/253879-eye-socket-orbital-disease-exophthalmos/ Reposted below also ........... Anyone had this sort of thing happen to their dogs? My 1 year 11 month old Shar-pei Cross (Dingo...... maybe kelipie, looks like a dingo a bit lol) Chilli, has been diagnosed. https://dl.dropboxus...1204_073412.jpg The problem is the cause is unknown. With this issue it is to do with something behind the eye pushing the eye forward, causing bulging eye, plus protruding third eyelid. Causes are varied and many http://www.critters3...s-in-dogs-2860/ Being past the local vets abilities she's been to the specialist centre (VSS Brisbane (Underwood)........I practically live at the place, my other dog has Lymphoma and goes there for Chemo). Today they did a local and used an ultrasound finding two areas beside each other behind the eye that were not normal, but were not appearing to be an abscess type infection that could be drained. With this inconclusive info there were not keen to put her fully under and go sticking needles behind into the unknown areas for fluid sample. For 'more info' they recommended and said an MRI is really the best bet to get an 'idea'. $2000. Now normally I would have said, yes do this, but my other dog (6 year old Traditional Chinese (bone mouth) Shar-pei) has Lymphoma, and this got me adding up costs, $17,000 (at the same centre) so far so understandably I'm not the most flush in funds these days. The only alternative given (which in hindsight now the Vet said 'could try') is a course of anti-biotics and anti-inflamitories to see if it helps. There's a 'chance' it could work, as it is the treatment given for some of the causes. But no one sounds very confident in this. From what I've assessed from the info at hand, an MRI would give a better idea of the issue, but the issue may well be still not treatable or possibly involve major surgery (ie skull/bone grafting etc), or the MRI could still not tell the story. My logic now being if drugs work or help a bit, it does eliminate a few things on the list that don't respond to the drugs. Though still puts things in a very hard place. While it's a rare condition keen to hear from anyone that's had experience with this.

I have posted this on another dog forum, though I've found through searching this one has some really good info and clued up people so figured toss it up on here too :) Anyone had this sort of thing happen to their dogs? My 1 year 11 month old Shar-pei Cross (Dingo...... maybe kelipie, looks like a dingo a bit lol) Chilli, has been diagnosed. https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/30992402/pics/20131204_073412.jpg The problem is the cause is unknown. With this issue it is to do with something behind the eye pushing the eye forward, causing bulging eye, plus protruding third eyelid. Causes are varied and many http://www.critters360.com/index.php/causes-of-exophthalmos-in-dogs-2860/ Being past the local vets abilities she's been to the specialist centre (VSS Brisbane (Underwood)........I practically live at the place, my other dog has Lymphoma and goes there for Chemo). Today they did a local and used an ultrasound finding two areas beside each other behind the eye that were not normal, but were not appearing to be an abscess type infection that could be drained. With this inconclusive info there were not keen to put her fully under and go sticking needles behind into the unknown areas for fluid sample. For 'more info' they recommended and said an MRI is really the best bet to get an 'idea'. $2000. Now normally I would have said, yes do this, but my other dog (6 year old Traditional Chinese (bone mouth) Shar-pei) has Lymphoma, and this got me adding up costs, $17,000 (at the same centre) so far so understandably I'm not the most flush in funds these days. The only alternative given (which in hindsight now the Vet said 'could try') is a course of anti-biotics and anti-inflamitories to see if it helps. There's a 'chance' it could work, as it is the treatment given for some of the causes. But no one sounds very confident in this. From what I've assessed from the info at hand, an MRI would give a better idea of the issue, but the issue may well be still not treatable or possibly involve major surgery (ie skull/bone grafting etc), or the MRI could still not tell the story. My logic now being if drugs work or help a bit, it does eliminate a few things on the list that don't respond to the drugs. Though still puts things in a very hard place. While it's a rare condition keen to hear from anyone that's had experience with this.

My boy (Harvey, Traditional (Bone Mouth) Chinese Shar-pei) has Lymphoma . His also is B-Cell (B Cell responds better to treatment than T Cell). His Stage 4-5 though, with indications of Leukemia in his blood. Generally Lymphoma is not cureable in dogs. But a life extension is possible and a happy healthy one at that too. I’ll give you a little run down of my experience, hopefully it helps. I found myself overwhelmed with info and perhaps read too much almost haha. He was diagnosed early November last year and has been on Chemo for treatment. The first 'round' is a 6 month protocol, initially starting weekly for the first 9 weeks, then it drops to fortnightly. It certainly isn't cheap, and when one looks up the massive profits they make on the drugs it's sad. Little doubt most vets or specialist vets in my case are all about getting fat from the money trough. Harvey struggled for the first month. As it was fairly advanced (annoyed the vet didn’t pick up earlier) he was still in good health but certainly lacking energy and bounce. He had a few sick reactions to the drugs and getting him to eat was a struggle. He went from 24kg down to 17kg. Once there was a week ‘off’ in the treatment I managed to get him back up and eating better and kept improving from there. It’s certainly a learning experience and from that point I manage to keep him kicking along really well. He had the odd off day 3 days after treatment but at most he was just a bit flat. The rest of the time he was 100%+ Sadly only 6 weeks after stopping the first 6 month ‘round’ the cancer had already come back. I started him back up again and he responded really well, and the treatment didn’t phase him at all. (I told myself if he reacted bad, I wouldn’t put him through it, thankfully it’s a non issue). A month ago now this this treatment started to become non effective so a new tablet drug has been added in and other dropped. But it’s all only ‘just’ holding the terrible thing off now, and the sad reality that time is getting short for the poor fella. So for me, it’s all still been worth it. Sure it’s cost me a mint, I have a folder of invoices that’s thicker than my tax history haha. But his my best mate, and money’s only money, getting to spend what hopefully will push to a full extra year with ones best mate is worth it to me. It’s a learning experience and I would say managing how you dog handles the treatment is the biggest factor. Diet diet diet. Something I never really thought of, Harv simply got crappy Supercoat and the odd tin of sardines, that was it. Since getting cancer he gets a base of Blackhawk, cooked chicken and some other meats, sardines, fish oil, antioxidant supplements and some veggies. Once chemo stepped to 2 weekly people never believed me when I told them he had cancer and was on chemo. Simply and even today he is a happier and more energetic dog than before having chemo/cancer just because his fed well. The key also is to feed them up and keep them fed up so if they don’t want to eat, there are reserves. When they will eat feed them lots of good food so you don’t have to stress as much if there are times they do not. All the best to you brother and his Dane.

Sorry this is so delayed, I'd somewhat forgotten about the forum. Sadly it's taken my Harvey's cancer coming back this week to trigger the thought of this thread and poor Struppie. So very sorry to hear gwp4me. You both certainly put up a great fight. Hope you're coping well, thoughts are with you. -- Harvey is very much on borrowed time now, they've added mix of tablet chemo with the aim it will take over having some effect with the drugs already in use are now failing. His still plenty fit happy and healthy but certainly drumming home there isn't much time left. Your comment above got me thinking about taking time off work, something I'll aim at. Tricky thing I think is going to be timing it well with limited time off available.

First post, so Hi everyone. This thread caught my eye as your situation is so similar (just ahead) of my and my by Harvey (A Traditional Chinese Shar-pei). Glad to see Struppie is still fighting close to 6 months on a second round of chemo! Sad to read the struggles you both are having though. I’m interested to hear how Struppie handled the first round of treatment and if this time things have been worse? (excuse me if I missed that in the thread) My Harv had quite advanced Lymphoma in early November last year. His done a 6 month round of chemo, went into remission reasonably early on. As he was fairly advanced initial chemo hit him hard and he got really quite sick at times, lost about 26% of his weight etc. But he got through that and due to improved diet became happier and healthier than ever. Sadly yesterday I learned he has relapsed (5 weeks after final treatment), I’ve picked it up very early (one node) but I’m struggling as no doubt you did youself with what to do now. Your thread helps a bit, gives hope but at the same time concern. I don’t want to prolong his life only to have him suffer and be sick. I’ve pretty much decided to re-chemo but only run it dependant on his health. I’m hoping this time being far healthier and fit, earlier that he’ll handle initial chemo like he did later chemo and it won’t bring him down again, but as you no doubt know yourself, these things are a scary lotto. All the best with Struppie, I might start my own thread on here for harv and toss a few pics up.