4yr Old Dusty Lymphoma

[evjorgo]

Hi, I have posted this on another forum but it can't hurt to post it here too.

This is my mate Dusty

He is a four and a half year old Australian Shepherd.

Two weeks ago (Fri 3/6/11), he started eating less and became picky in what he ate, prior to this he wouldn't hesitate to eat and didn't stop until his meal was finished.

Last Tuesday (7/6/11) we took him to the vet and the vet prescribed antibiotics. By Thursday he was getting worse so we had him admitted to the vet clinic and put on a drip.

I visited him each day and whilst he was energetic and happy, he would eat very little if anything.

On Friday we had blood samples sent off and yesterday (14/6/11) we received news that dusty most likely has Lymphoma but they would need more blood samples to confirm. We will apparently get these results tomorrow.

It was such a shock because he is 4 years old, well looked after, very healthy and I'm certain he had never had swollen lymph-nodes at least in the neck before as I regularly check him for ticks and grass seeds.

On the good side of things, he returned home yesterday and I gave him a bath after which he was very happy and ate a good amount of chicken and later on a bit of lamb. Today he has also eaten well but does require a bit of encouragement. Apart from the eating he seems pretty normal.

I have done a lot of reading and searching but it is a lot to take on in such a short time so I have a few questions and I welcome any feedback at all.

My questions are;

Can they confirm Lymphoma with just blood tests?

What are my options for treatment? ie a. no treatment b. chemo c. ??? d. ???

Does chemotherapy have to be done by a specialist as we live in Cairns and from what I understand there are no specialists?

I'm sure the vet will tell me more when they receive the test results but I'm anxious to know more now.

Thank you very much

[evjorgo]

The blood test results came back and they confirm he has Lymphoma.

The vet is going to speak to the specialists in Brisbane about treatment and get back to us with the details. She did mention two alternatives that were in tablet form I think but she said they didn't have the life extending ability chemo has.

I'll be expecting an email tomorrow with all options laid out. Until then any comments are welcome.

Thank you

[harley]

Dusty is beautiful!

I am sorry I don't have anything useful to say other than good luck with whatever course of action you take.

[Bullbreedlover]

Hi E

Yes you do have a few options.

As your dog is still quite young these options would help in prolonging Dustys life. But as I am sure you have been told, there is no cure for Lymphoma. While it is a disease which is generally found in older dogs, sometimes it strikes younger ones. I hve had an 18 month old Bulldog develop Lymphoma many years ago, and just last month my older Bullmastiff was given his wings because of this.

In both cases I chose not to start chemo. With my Bullmastiff his lymph nodes, submandibular , prescapula and popiteals were greatly enlarged. I also chose not to xray to see what damage was being done to his internal nodes and organs. Blood tests can come back inconclusive, but I see you have posted that it has been confirmed. X rays will determine what is happening with his internal nodes. Check with our vet on that one.

I could of done chemo, but the cost can be huge. Thee is also prednisone tablets which can be given, but in talking to a very respected friend who has lost a few dogs to this disease, she said that it is not a nice experience.

Chemo may very well work for you and Dusty. Dont discount it until you have been given all the options. You may extend Dustys life by six months, or it could be several years and he could go into remission. If you dont treat then time is limited.

From the time I found the lumps on Alex's neck(we first treated with antibiotics believing it could be a bacterial infection, which sadly wasnt) until the time we said goodbye to him, was three weeks. 3 short weeks. In the last few days of his life the lymph nodes at the bottom of his jaw had grosely enlarged to the point where he was having trouble eating and drinking. He was rapidly losing weight and I wasnt going to let him suffer any more.

The short time before he really started to go down hill, my friend assured me that he wasnt in any pain. But when they do deteriorate, it is rapid so be warned.

I wish you all the best of luck.

[CareyJ]

So sorry you and Dusty are having to go through this. We have just had some experience with something similar which was originally diagnosed as Lymphoma which unfortunately turned out to by multisystemic hystiocytic sarcoma (much worse!). I'm not a vet and only talking from experience and knowledge gained when Leila was sick.

I believe initial diagnosis could be done with a blood test but should be followed up with a multitude of other tests to determining staging and therefore the appropriate treatement.

It sounds like you have caught things early if he doesnt have any visible enlarged lymph nodes - this was the first symptom we had that Leila was now well.

There are a multitude of options available and the only person that can make the right decision is you with support from your vet (and other vets if needed). We didnt get the opportunity with Leila because it was all so rapid but I have heard some really great stories about success with diet change and the use of a holistic vet.

Good luck with whatever you do.

[evjorgo]

Thank you for your thoughts. The little fella is showing good health and having a great time.

We are getting a biopsy done on Monday and there may be a possibility we can do chemotherapy in the cairns region. For now though we plan to give him a great weekend

I'll keep you posted.

[Staffyluv]

Check out the palliative care section here in the health forums. There is a lot of info to digest.

Rod Straw in Brisbane is one of the best canine oncologists and treated Ollie when he was dxd nearly six years ago.

Options and treatments will depend on the stage of cancer.

Chemo is one option and just so you know, it does not make them sick like it does humans because animals don't normally have the option of a very expensive bone marrow transplant, the doses of chemo for dogs is quite low.

Holistic therapy can be used along side conventional medicine. We have had great success using the two together.

Diet is as important as the treatment and a good holistic vet can explain the ins and outs of a good anti cancer diet for dogs. But basically you will be removing all grains and starchy type carbs from the diet. So most commercial dog food is out because they nearly all contain grains and fillers.

We cook human grade organic meats and veg and he has cottage cheese, eggs, fish, fruits and a few jerky style treats. Cooked because when he was on chemo we could not afford for him to get sick, so it was all cooked and now he won't eat it raw. But the time needed to do this is well worth the effort. Be careful if you change diet though as you need to do it gradually so you don't upset their stomach.

Good luck

[Staffyluv]

Forgot to say that most vets can do chemo

Our protocol was over three weeks.

We would go in for blood testing on Monday and if his cell counts were ok he would have chemo via drip on Wednesday, he would stay at the vet for the day.

Then more blood tests the following Monday and if all ok chemo via tablets on the Wednesday. Then the third week he would have no treatment.

Then it all started again for six months.

Our protocol was vinblastin and lomustene (sp?)

Our vet worked and liaised with the oncologist and the holistic vet but he was the main carer

[evjorgo]

Forgot to say that most vets can do chemo

Our protocol was over three weeks.

We would go in for blood testing on Monday and if his cell counts were ok he would have chemo via drip on Wednesday, he would stay at the vet for the day.

Then more blood tests the following Monday and if all ok chemo via tablets on the Wednesday. Then the third week he would have no treatment.

Then it all started again for six months.

Our protocol was vinblastin and lomustene (sp?)

Our vet worked and liaised with the oncologist and the holistic vet but he was the main carer

This is the info I have been after.

The vet we have been using say they can't do it but another vet who is an hour away say they can but need to consult with the Oncologists in Brisbane.

So I guess we will probably go to the close vet for blood tests then to the other vet if his cell counts are okay for chemo.

We will sort something out after his biopsy on Monday.

Apart from all that, he had a great time at the beach this morning. If I didn't know he had been diagnosed with Lymphoma then I honestly wouldn't be able to tell there was anything wrong with him.

He ran just like he normally would the whole morning and even ate a bit of dry food.

[Staffyluv]

They are amazing creatures... I would like a dollar for each time Ollie has been unwell but he still soldiers on and even seems to have a good time.

Good luck with it

[evjorgo]

Quick update;

He had a great weekend running around beaches etc. Wouldn't even know he was sick.

Then he had a biopsy done on Monday. What a terrible day that was. He look awful after the biopsy and was in the worst state he had been in. Thankfully he had recovered by Wednesday.

We got the biopsy results back today and chemo will start by next Tuesday in Cairns. Today they also started him on a PREDNISOLONE just until he starts chemo.

Thank you guys for all your comments

[darlingdog]

Quick update;

He had a great weekend running around beaches etc. Wouldn't even know he was sick.

Then he had a biopsy done on Monday. What a terrible day that was. He look awful after the biopsy and was in the worst state he had been in. Thankfully he had recovered by Wednesday.

We got the biopsy results back today and chemo will start by next Tuesday in Cairns. Today they also started him on a PREDNISOLONE just until he starts chemo.

Thank you guys for all your comments

I wish you all the best, what a gorgeous doggy ! Please get in touch with Rod Straw as has been suggested by a previous poster. He is a leading world authority in the cancer treatment of dogs. I had dealings with him many years ago when my dog too had lymphoma. I think very highly of him. Big hugs sent for your lovely lovey dog.

[Curlybert]

Quick update;

Today they also started him on a PREDNISOLONE just until he starts chemo.

My 14 year old crossbreed dog was diagnosed with lymphoma in early November last year. I decided she was too old for chemo and just wanted to keep her comfortable until it was clearly time to go. While the prednisalone only masked the symptoms, it gave her a good and active three and a half months before it was time to let her go.

Your Dusty is just a young fella and I do hope the prednisalone and the chemo ensure a long and active innings for him. XXXX

[Kia]

So sorry to hear about your boy. I had to give my red tri aussie her wings 3 years ago due to lymphoma. I noticed the lumps in the neck and when we got to the vets the next day they aspirated several of the glands that were enlarged. I made the choice not to go the chemo path. We did get over a month without any medication before she started to show signs of being unwell. But then the aussies can be very stoic.

Best of luck with his treatment.

[Kia]

evjorgo....have you been in touch with Dusty's breeder?

As a breeder I know that I appreciate puppy people letting me know and I try to give them the support they need.

[Sayly]

I don't have any addition info for you but I have been watching your thread with interest, Dusty is just gorgeous and I'm sorry you have to go through this. I am thinking of you and Dusty.

evjorgo....have you been in touch with Dusty's breeder?

As a breeder I know that I appreciate puppy people letting me know and I try to give them the support they need.

I agree.

[evjorgo]

I'm sorry I don't have time to reply to every comment but as for a quick update;

He is looking really good as a result of the steroids. Took him to the beach last night and went crazy ripping into coconuts and running around like a mad man

The Marlin Coast vet in Cairns are doing the chemo. I met the vet today who I think is also the owner, Rod something. Seemed confident and genuine about what he was doing.

I dropped him off this morning and they will do blood tests then follow up with chemo via intravenous if all is well.

I will also try to get in touch with the breeder and let them know about dusty.

Here are some pics of my buddy;

Thank you

[Curlybert]

Wow - once he's over this hurdle he surely has a career ahead of him as a stunt dog. And he's soooo handsome! :cool:

[jackielee]

Hi E

Yes you do have a few options.

As your dog is still quite young these options would help in prolonging Dustys life. But as I am sure you have been told, there is no cure for Lymphoma. While it is a disease which is generally found in older dogs, sometimes it strikes younger ones. I hve had an 18 month old Bulldog develop Lymphoma many years ago, and just last month my older Bullmastiff was given his wings because of this.

In both cases I chose not to start chemo. With my Bullmastiff his lymph nodes, submandibular , prescapula and popiteals were greatly enlarged. I also chose not to xray to see what damage was being done to his internal nodes and organs. Blood tests can come back inconclusive, but I see you have posted that it has been confirmed. X rays will determine what is happening with his internal nodes. Check with our vet on that one.

I could of done chemo, but the cost can be huge. Thee is also prednisone tablets which can be given, but in talking to a very respected friend who has lost a few dogs to this disease, she said that it is not a nice experience.

Chemo may very well work for you and Dusty. Dont discount it until you have been given all the options. You may extend Dustys life by six months, or it could be several years and he could go into remission. If you dont treat then time is limited.

From the time I found the lumps on Alex's neck(we first treated with antibiotics believing it could be a bacterial infection, which sadly wasnt) until the time we said goodbye to him, was three weeks. 3 short weeks. In the last few days of his life the lymph nodes at the bottom of his jaw had grosely enlarged to the point where he was having trouble eating and drinking. He was rapidly losing weight and I wasnt going to let him suffer any more.

The short time before he really started to go down hill, my friend assured me that he wasnt in any pain. But when they do deteriorate, it is rapid so be warned.

I wish you all the best of luck.

HI I HAVE A 3 YEAR OLD PURE BRED BULLMASTIFF. I FOUND OUT A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO SHE HAS LYMPHOMA IN ITS HIGH STAGES, HE HAS GAVE HER LESS THAN 6 MONTHS TO LIVE, IT IS VERY HEART BREAKING SHE MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME. SHE WAS A VERY HAPPY HEALTHY DOG TIL THIS. SHE IS STILL WITH ME BUT SHE IS ON TABLETS TIL THEY STOP HELPING HER GET AROUND. I'M HOPING FOR A CURE ONE DAY. THOUGH IT IS GETTING TOO LATE FOR LUCY

[evjorgo]

Hi Jackie

I am sorry to hear your news.

I have just checked over these forums for the first time in ages but this is what I already posted on another forum;

"Dusty has finished what is basically a 25 week chemotherapy course. It takes longer as before they receive the chemo they have a blood test and if the white blood cell count is low they put the chemo off until next week when another blood test is done.

Overall there was very little negative reaction from the chemo. On a few occasions he vomited the night after the chemo and maybe a little the next day too but nothing serious.

It was an expensive (approx $6500) treatment but ever since he started the chemo he has looked 100% and is still going very very well.

It was the most painful moment of my life when I was told my mate had lymphoma but things have worked out well for dusty so for anyone out there facing the same situation there is hope! This is just a quick update but if anyone needs more information feel free to private message me or email me at [email protected]"

So if you have any questions please feel free to contact me at [email protected]