probrox Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 After a few days of my dog not eating I took my dog to the vets on Tuesday. He has now been diagnosed with Lymphoma cancer and has deteriated dramatically since the beginning of the week:(. We have got the option of chemotherapy starting as early as monday next week, but after alot of reading on the net this will only push the cancer into remission for anything from 3-12 months, at which point it will come back and be alot harder to treat. Without the chemo he is expected to last a couple of weeks, if that. Obviously I am absolutely devastated, and money for treatment is no object. I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience of this, and knows what sort of quality of life he will have during and after the chemotherapy. It would kill me to have him put to sleep but I dont want to see him suffering like he is now. Any advice would be much appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 Sorry to hear that. When my old dog developed cancer, we decided to help him slip away peacefully, than go through the trauma of chemo. There are also several types of lymphoma, so depending which he has could sway your decision. If it is the agressive form then putting him to sleep would probably be the best decision, as due to its nature it can spread around the body very quickly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
probrox Posted July 31, 2009 Author Share Posted July 31, 2009 I'm starting to sway in that direction. Last night he had 4 little accidents around the house. He was obviously embarrassed and wouldn't come near me this morning. I made a big fuss of him but I feel so bad for him. I just really don't know what to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keancy Posted July 31, 2009 Share Posted July 31, 2009 One of the hardest Decisions to make ever, but it might be kinder for you to let him go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
probrox Posted August 1, 2009 Author Share Posted August 1, 2009 Anyone else had any first hand experience? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Wilson Posted August 1, 2009 Share Posted August 1, 2009 Not first hand, but second hand. If it were my dog I'd euthanase it, I am sorry to say. Treatment will be costly and unpleasant for you and the dog, with little realistic chance of any long term cure.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merckx Posted August 1, 2009 Share Posted August 1, 2009 The poor thing. I wish I could help, I can imagine a decision like this would be so difficult. Is he very old? I would probably just ask the vet what they thought would be the right thing to do as they're obviously in the best position after examining your dog, it would be wrong to treat every dog the same when they're inflicted with this cancer. I'm sure just like any owner you wouldn't want to see him suffer at all so I would just ask the vet for their honest opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted August 1, 2009 Share Posted August 1, 2009 I have recently put two of my dogs to sleep rather than watch them suffer. It was the hardest thing to do, but I knew in my heart that it was also the kindest. If money were no object, I think I would have chosen the same path. Why prolong their suffering. You must come to terms with this. A Vet would see your dog as a "cashcow" raking in money on a lost cause if it were aggressive, I am not belittling what vets do, just when we were in your position the vet was thinking of all new things to try, when the kindest was to let the dog go to sleep. If you tell the vet that you are considering putting your dog to sleep, he may agree it is the best course of action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer Posted August 1, 2009 Share Posted August 1, 2009 if you treat the little fellow "is it for your human satisfaction" i over the years have nursed at home but you must think of him and not your self. good luck mate i've been there and my j russel is 6 and i fear that day again. but you've had good times and his time is close. take care. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b_have Posted August 1, 2009 Share Posted August 1, 2009 My heart goes out to you fella. Lost my Springer to cancer and was devastated. Sounds like he was hugely loved and had a great life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
probrox Posted August 1, 2009 Author Share Posted August 1, 2009 I still haven't decided what to do yet. I'll be letting the vet know on Monday. All week he has been lethargic and not eating, but today he appears like he is completely back to normal. He's eaten loads and not stayed still for two minutes. I can't believe the difference. The vet has told me that if he has the chemo there is an 80% chance the cancer will go into remission and that when in remission my dog will most likely return to how he was before. Assuming this is the case I think i'll proceed with the chemo this time but when the cancer returns i'll let him go as the second round of chemo can be alot more traumatic for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Headroom Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Please keep us updated on the old fellow's condition. Good luck and I hope it turns out OK for him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Good luck mate, hope it works out for the fella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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