nell.m Posted March 2, 2008 Share Posted March 2, 2008 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cockerlover Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 So sorry to hear about your little friend;my thoughts r with you hanvin gone through a similar situation but the dog in ? was only just over ! yr old ;he was given kemo but only stayed in remission for 3 mnths @ least your boy has had a good inings ;although that dosnt help with your pain i know ;please keep us posted with the outcome ;hope its good news Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavandra Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 (edited) There can be hope! Not sure where you are situated, but a freind of mine in Adelaide had her dog diagnosed with Thyroid cancer & the GP Vet said she would be lucky to see 3 months out. Not being happy with that my friend went to a Holistic Vet in Adelaide, and 12 months later her girl has never been better, and the tumour has shrunk so dramaticly that people dont believe the dog ever had cancer now!!! It involved detoxing, special natural diet containing specific things & avoiding specific things, NO MORE VACIINATIONS or chemicals......... Edited March 3, 2008 by Cavandra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Firstly, take a deep breath. Relax, there is no point getting upset until you know for sure what is going on. I have a 10 year old stafford that was diagnosed with MCT grade 2. no clear margins and he is still here more than 2 years post dxd. Once your pooch is diagnosed with lymphoma, there are a couple of different routes you can take; Conventional medicine - usually chemo Holistic - lots of chinese herbs, vitamins, diet changes etc or Both - a combination is what has worked for my boy But I know of others that have had success with others as well. Let us know how you get on with the diagnosis and I am sure we can steer you in the right direction. Best of luck and hoping it is only because he has an ear infection Jodie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucknow Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 I am so sorry you obviously love Jasper soo much! I agree with previous posts - take a deep breath, cross some fingers and hope to get some good news when the results are in. I am not sure if a ear infection could cause multiple enlarged lymph glands away from the site of possible infection, this is something you need to discuss with a trusted person who is knowledgeable about the disease. All I can advise atm is if it is Lymphoma don't write him off, get further tests to check internal organs (liver and spleen specifically) and get a referral. GP's are often very good at their job but not experienced enough to really give you an informed picture of your options. And a good specialist will be able to give a clear picture and work with an alternative practictioner to give maximum results if this is your choice. I think almost everyone on this forum has lost a pet (I lost 3 last year) and know how hard it is to stand by and feel a little helpless. I truly feel for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nell.m Posted March 3, 2008 Author Share Posted March 3, 2008 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! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mizzi Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 Hi Nell, I lost my beautiful border collie from lymphoma two and a half years ago. When she was diagnosed, our vet gave her no more than eight weeks (and that was optimistic). About a month after her diagnosis, in desperation I gave her a dose of Macrolone (a medication she had been on for a previous illness). The results were amazing - her lymph nodes disappeared totally within 48 hours. Combined alternately with various herbs, the Macrolone kept her lymphoma in check for many months. Eventually her body built up an immunity to the drug and it lost its effectiveness. Ten months after diagnoses she suffered a stroke and we had to put her to sleep. In those ten months she was still an active, happy dog with a healthy appetite. She wasn't in pain, she just aged very quickly. According to our vet, she was the only cancer dog she has ever known to put weight on! I kept a daily record of her treatment - let me know if you would like me to pm it to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 I understand how worried and stressed you are. My much loved dog has recently been diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Her cancer is very aggressive and she was not expected to live beyond the beginning of January. She turned 7yo in January, they didn't expect that she would see her birthday. I changed her diet to a cancer starving fat and protein diet with no sugars or grains. We are seeing an oncologist and she is on a multi drug regime with one of her tablets being a chemo drug. Here we are at the beginning of March and she is still strong and happy. Though she has had a set back in the last week or so but we think/hope that this is due to the chemo drug which we will need to stop for a while. She also has couple of herbal supplements. I know only too well that it's easy to say don't stress out but not quite as easy to achieve. I hope the problem is with his ear but if not there is a lot you can do to make his life and yours much easier and you can enjoy eachother whatever the diagnosis. Denial, anger and shock are normal reactions to the information you were given. I had that in spades and I was racing around trying to find a way to make her better. I was angry that people didn't get my point of view and had a few disagreements. However true friends understand... the others drop away. This is the way it's meant to be. Good, understanding friends stick around and give you much needed support. Don't be afraid of your fear and emotions...they are normal. I went into panic mode when the pathology results came back. What my behaviour did was not only stress me out but it also caused anxiety in my dog because she knew I was very upset. Try to take it easy and know that you will do the very best you can for your dog whatever the diagnosis. I wish you well and you and you Jasper are in my thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted March 3, 2008 Share Posted March 3, 2008 According to our vet, she was the only cancer dog she has ever known to put weight on! Forgot to mention in my last post. My dog too has put on weight since her cancer diagnosis. I've always kept her at 42kg. At her weigh in last Thursday she tipped the scales at 46.6Kg. I think this is due to the change in diet. It's a good sign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nell.m Posted March 3, 2008 Author Share Posted March 3, 2008 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... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nell.m Posted March 4, 2008 Author Share Posted March 4, 2008 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... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 I'm sorry to hear of your boy's diagnosis - although in some ways it's better to know exactly what you're dealing with - then you can plan. Sounds like it's a very good thing that you're able to have him evaluated by the oncologist so quickly - again, it enables you to build up a clear plan. A friend went through this with one of her Border Collies a few years ago. Chemo was successful in giving her girl quite a long time of good quality. And I do remember her saying that the dog had no problems with the chemo - in other words, it doesn't seem to be as dire for dogs as it can be for people. From the experience of other friends, I would certainly be discussing combination therapies. It's such a shock when you get a seriouis diagnosis apparently out of the blue in what had looked like a fit dog. I had it with hemolytic anemia in my previous Border Collie boy. So there are lots of us here who can imagine what you're feeling - plenty of good advice, and plenty of shoulders when you need them. Good luck to you and your lovely Jasper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 According to our vet, she was the only cancer dog she has ever known to put weight on! Forgot to mention in my last post. My dog too has put on weight since her cancer diagnosis. I've always kept her at 42kg. At her weigh in last Thursday she tipped the scales at 46.6Kg. I think this is due to the change in diet. It's a good sign. Ollie gained a considerable amount of weight because the chemo stopped his thyroid from working - he is now on thyroxine to counter this. The chemo has also upset his stomach and he tends to drink copious amounts of water and regurgitate it (not vomit it as there is no contraction of his stomach at all). 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... Oh I am sorry to hear this. I am in Canberra and I deal with All Natural Vet Care in Sydney - we liaise via phone/email and out local vet and oncologist. Our vet deals with the oncologist and sends copies of all reports to the holistic vet, so she is kept up to date with other drugs being used. They have a website and they come highly recommended. They also have a good deal of experience with cancer patients. Website all natural vet care Best of luck and there are a lot of us in the same boat, so ask lots of questions, we are all in it together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nell.m Posted March 4, 2008 Author Share Posted March 4, 2008 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 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 :D 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. It is better if both the vet and the holistic vet know what each other is doing so they can work together - you will need to coordinate between them all, to make sure that everyone is up to date with what the other is doing. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 Nell.M. I'm sorry to hear of the positive diagnosis. Seeing an oncologist is a good thing to do. I don't think my dog would still be alive without the care of her oncologist. Sophie does not have chemo as such but has one chemo drug in the metronomic protocol she is on. She also has herbal medicines. In the Health section of this forum we have a Palliative Care thread. You may like to start a thread about Jasper and keep us up to date about him in there. It's an gentle place to go when you need some extra support. We are all in the same boat in that forum so we understand what you are going through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucknow Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 I have no practical advice to give, just sympathy. I hope treatment can increase Jaspers quality and quantity of life. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cockerlover Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 My heart goes out to you & your boy stay as strong as u can ;your not alone ; Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiahzen Posted March 4, 2008 Share Posted March 4, 2008 I'm really sorry to hear your sad news.... I can understand where you are comming from hearing the shock news that your dog has cancer... We have only just lost our 6 y.o Rotty to Osteosarcoma There is a really great cancer specialist in QLD.. When we heard of our girl and after we had her x-ray results my OH called him and spoke with him over the phone as we are in SA to see what he recommended.. We don't really have any canine cancer specialists here in SA so we didn't really know what to do... You should PM Troy and ask if your thread can be moved to the paliative care section so that we can keep track of the progress and how you are going.. I have loads of Links on Canine Cancer and information if you need anything i can give you all the links that i have found... There is loads of information out there... Goodluck and hugs to you and your cute little dog, thanks for sharing your pics.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nell.m Posted March 4, 2008 Author Share Posted March 4, 2008 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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