Anyone have experience with a dog with lymphoma?

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 5/14/10 at 8:14pm

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.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 5/14/10 at 8:57pm

Quality of life is always the biggest thing to take into consideration. I have known people who have put their pets through chemo for lymphoma and have regretted it. Tghe gains are not worth what the poor animal has to go through. Steroids and lots of love. Make his final months as happy as possible then let him go without heroic measures. Animals have a keen sense of when their time is approaching and will send you signals that it is time.
Never an easy thing to go through. They bring us such joy and unconditional love (well except for the conditional belly rubs. dog treats and two squares a day).

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 5/14/10 at 9:45pm

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

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 5/14/10 at 9:47pm

I gotta agree with Snafu. Unless the Vet can provide some assurance that there will be an extended quality of life after the treatments, I have always thought some of the more heroic efforts are more for the benefit of the pet owner (to prove how much the pet is loved).

With the prognosis you have been provided, I think the non-chemo option is probably the more humane choice (for your pet and for your mom).

I am so sorry JG2.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/15/10 at 9:05am

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

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/15/10 at 12:27pm

I hesitated on clicking for the same reason. And PJ, what you added made me cry even more, but in a great way. Sending you and your mom love, JG.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 5/15/10 at 1:25pm

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.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 5/15/10 at 2:03pm

Thank you all so much. This thread is a comfort. The vet told her this morning that there is a cheaper version of the chemo that can be administered here instead of driving to Nashville. I think they are considering it. I haven't spoken to my dad about it yet.

But, our little man's name is Buzz.


Don't judge him by his choice of reading material. :) (or my mother's attempt to be included on Tacky House.)

Updated On: 5/15/10 at 02:03 PM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 5/15/10 at 2:31pm

What a cutie!

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

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 5/15/10 at 6:44pm

I swear, his little under bite is the cutest thing about him. He's so smart. The first time I brought my fiancée home to visit, my mom made a big breakfast. She told him, "Go get Amber and Cami so we can eat!" We didn't know this and were just sitting on the bed talking. He came running in and just looked at us. When we didn't move, he just gave this little bark. Then he ran about three feet, stopped, ran back to the bed and did it again. He didn't stop until we both got up and followed him. He does that kind of thing all the time. When you ask him where someone is, he goes and finds them. lol

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 5/15/10 at 7:56pm

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.

[wonkit]

Posted: 5/15/10 at 8:47pm

What an adorable dog! He is so lucky to have a family that loves him. Whatever the decision is, if it is done with this much love, it is bound to be right. Kisses and hugs to Buzz and his family!

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 5/15/10 at 9:03pm

Perfectly said, wonkit!

[wonkit]

Posted: 5/15/10 at 10:58pm

Thanks!

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 5/16/10 at 1:53am

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

[wonkit]

Posted: 5/16/10 at 10:04am

Well, Buzz is right. After all dogs are people and if you are having your ice cream in a cone, that's what he wants too! Wonderful photos -