Anyone have experience with a dog with lymphoma?

My mother's Shih Tzu is almost three and we noticed some swelling in his lymph nodes last week. He had to have a biopsy which has been bad enough. Our normally bouncy guy has been dealing with a shoulder wound with five staples. Well, we got the call a few hours ago that he has high grade lymphoma. The vet said untreated, he probably has 4-6 weeks. With steroids, he could live three months or so. With chemotherapy, he could live up to a year, but it can be VERY costly and money is really tight right now. I read most places that the prognosis untreated is up to 30 days, but in other places it says 9-12 months. Does anyone willing to share have any experience with lymphoma in dogs?

This is just horrible. He's is the most amazing dog and has to best personality. I am moving to another country on Wednesday, so my mom is already wrecked. The timing is really sh*tty.

---

Thanks, SNAFU. That's what I figured about the chemo. It's too raw for my mom to even think about at this point. I'm taking him to the vet in the morning to start the steroids. I have noticed that he is more lethargic on this visit, but I was praying it wasn't lymphoma. He has helped her deal with everything this past year. I don't know what she'll do without him. I guess I'll just encourage her to focus on spoiling him instead of thinking about losing him.

---

Updated On: 5/14/10 at 09:45 PM

I didn't open this thread when I first saw it because I knew it would make me cry and it did.

First off, I'm so sorry for your mom and that little Shih Tzu. And I'm sorry that your exciting move has to be tempered with this sadness, but that's life. It seems like we only get joy with some kind of sorrow.

As for the treatments, I believe in aggressive treatments for humans. I have stood by friends and relatives and bolstered their spirits while they waited and prayed for chemotherapy and radiation and toxic drugs to do their magic. And when that person made a decision to stop the treatment, I have been supportive too, despite my grief.

But not with animals. Animals cannot understand the paradox that these highly debilitating drugs can make them "better." Miss Holly is almost 14 and frail and blind. I know the day is coming when I will have to decide about some kind of treatment to extend her life, and I will choose to keep her comfortable and happy and not put her through an even-more-painful regime.

One of Shakespeare's lines from Hamlet haunts me: "There is a special providence in the fall of a sparrow." We can't prevent all the sparrows from falling, but each one's life and death is special. All we can do is stop and take note, and maybe ease their passage.

If, as you say, the little Shih Tzu (what's his name?) helped your mother deal with things this past year, maybe that's why he was sent to her: so she could, in turn, help him through his last few months.

We only get the love of animals for short periods of time, compared to human lifespans. I'm convinced this is so to teach us how precious every moment is while we have it.

---

Updated On: 5/15/10 at 09:05 AM

I just add a "what they said" referring to everyone who has posted in this thread. If your mom had unlimited funds I be more inclined to think you guys should just go for all treatments, but even so, you're still probably not buying much quality time.

I'm so sorry you and your family are dealing with this.

What a cutie!

I love those gritted buckteeth. I bet he's little, but he can be a tough guy too.

---

I don't think I've ever wanted to plant a big fat kiss right on a dog's nose more than I do Buzz.

Thinking of him and your family.

Perfectly said, wonkit!

Not that Buzz isn't already spoiled. He loves Frosty Paws doggie ice cream, but my mother puts it in a damn cone so he can have an ice cream cone when Daddy does. She will put it in a bowl and he will look up at her like, "What is this crap, mommy?!" lol



What's not to love?

---

Updated On: 5/16/10 at 01:53 AM