Canine Lymphoma

[Ronbo]

Our Great Dane was just diagnosed with lymphoma. We're making an appointment with an oncologist (at Animal Specialty Group in Glendale) for treatment options.

Has anyone here dealt with this? I'd be very interested in any advice you can give. I'm just beginning my internet research.

Thanks for any help!

[Rikao4]

sorry to hear that..
how old & were is it located..
it's pretty common in large breeds these days..
lost my Rott's to this..
Chemo & all that was not an option..
one.. it's not really that effective..
two..their quality of life comes before my want's ..

Rika

[lowyder993s]

Yep...pricey...5-6k for a $900 dog. But Enzo is part of the family and its coming on 3 yrs now. He's still got some lumps and skin tags...but it beats the alternative...(tho I'm jonsin' hard for another German Shorthair Pointer)...Don't tell Enzo that!



As far as advice...you need to go with your pocketbook and your heart. How old is your Dane? As I recall they don't get many years...correct?
I'm glad I did it tho...the 1st pic above was the 1st time I took him out and he found that quail that the other one had given up on it...right then I knew it was worth it. I still take them out 1-2x a year for canned phesants since they'll hold longer than wild birds. Best of luck!

[craigster59]

Went to these guys when my German Shepard had bladder cancer. very good and thorough, although elected not to go through with treatment since quality of life would be greatly diminished vs. outcome. They have an office in Woodland Hills and some info on their page about lymphoma: Veterinary Cancer Group | Home

[TRE Cup]

Two of our family dogs succumbed to this. On the red golden retriever , when we discovered the lumps (tons of hair hides them) it was too late. We made him as comfortable as possible with meds for a few more weeks, then he told us it was time to go. Tough, very tough.

Wish you the best and there is no wrong decision as long as your friend does not suffer

[911Freak]

What are the symptoms? Lumps on their chest and lumpy skin tags? . My 10yr old husky/German Shepard mix has been getting these lumps on his chest for years and has a wild skin tag!?

[911Freak]

He's still very active and thinks he's a puppy. What's the diagnosis procedure?
Bye. Thanks for the Woodland Hills link. That's close to us...
Fingers crossed!!

[Ronbo]

His lump is on his neck just behind the jaw. He's about 5.5 years old, which is middle aged for a dog his size. We have an appointment scheduled for tomorrow with the oncologist.

What I'm seeing so far is chemotherapy is the accepted treatment, tends to effective at sending the cancer into remission, and could give him another year or so of quality life.

Thanks everyone for your comments and advice.

[911boost]

My 8 yo German Sheppard Samson was diagnosed with a type of lymphoma. His lumps apeared on his neck behind his jaw almost over night.

Fortunately we live right next to Colorado State University and their vet hospital. We worked very closely with the Oncology Department and did a combination of surgury and chemo. Since he was the first pure bred GS they had seen with this specific type of cancer, we elected to allow him to be used for a few new types of treatments. We were fortunate to have Pet Insurance and had very little out of pocket expenses.

Samson lived a little over a year after the initial diagnosis, and was very active right up until the lumps returned and we decided to put him to sleep. It was a very difficult and stressfull time, but not long after the diagnosis we adopted a young female GS and named her Delilah in his honor. It made the transition a little smoother for my young children and for us. Del and her little buddy Casey Jones (11 yo black pug) are with me primarily now, but are both wonderful parts of the family.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Samson and Casey Jones



Bill

[Baz]

Hey Ron, I have no experience thankfully with this health issue but just wanted to wish you and yours best wishes in helping your companion.....GOOD LUCK!

[Don Ro]

One of my Tibetan Terriers was treated for Canine Lymphosarcoma and I couldn't tell you which protocol she (oncologist) used, but I recall her saying that it was the best at the time (2001).

Once/week for 4 months...finally I called a stop because he (Augie) was getting tired of being poked (the last month it took 3 of them to hold him down). My cost was ~$5k ($2,500 up front) but was worth it to me...I just was not ready to part with him. He lasted 16 months but oral cancer (unrelated) finally got him.
.
I've read that dogs can get cancer from sub-optimal dog food...some canned dog food has some bad chit in it.
Lots of info out there on this.
The Poodle I now have eats as good as me...he was raised on raw chicken his first 4 yrs.

Good luck, Ron.

[dewolf]

Cost can never come into the equation when dealing with an ill pet. You are their custodians and they trust in you for everything, including their lives. I would have mortgaged my house if it would have helped my beautiful German Shepherd. Sadly lung cancer took her at 8 years old. I still somedays shed a tear for her.
Good luck with this Ron, I hope you all get through it ok but remember that your dog must die with dignity. A very difficult time ahead unfortunatley. Again, best wishes.

[Chocaholic]

Bad advice above. Yes, cost is, and should be a very valid consideration. These are pets....food in other parts of the world. These are not your spouse or children. Common sense and the comfort of your pet must come before unbridled emotion.

Never easy.

[Don Ro]

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Bad advice above. Yes, cost is, and should be a very valid consideration. These are pets....food in other parts of the world. These are not your spouse or children. Common sense and the comfort of your pet must come before unbridled emotion.

Never easy.

No, never easy.

In my case, I didn't see it as a money deal; whether or not I was faced with putting down a pet or putting money into a pet to keep it around. It was a relationship that was at stake. In fact, what my Tibetan Terrier (my first dog) brought to me was an opening of my heart to the extent that I altered how I treated my employees and how I related to my g/f. My friends and g/f noticed it and stated it to me. I spoke to him with words that I had never said to any Human Being prior to that time. He was the entry into the core of who I eventually matured. To me, he was the harbinger of The Good.

I had just purchased a Ducati 996S for $21k and I was prepared to sell it for the chemo cost, if it came to that.
I remember thinking that if he was my flesh and blood I would do anything to have him survive. Well, he meant as much to me as I would imagine a child would - I've never had a child, BTW. I was surprised, myself, by the extent and depth of my love for him and the bond that I felt.
.
I have never thought of that $5k chemo cost as a loss, but I have for the $3k I spent on a road bike.

His oncologist said his chance of living another 2 years was good...that prompted me to do the treatment.
.
At difficult times such as this, we are presented with the opportunity to look into the meaning of the phenomenon we call relationship.
YMMV - We're all different.

[Ronbo]

Thank you all for your advice and concern. We're taking him to the oncologist in a couple of hours. We're fortunate in that we'll be able to cover the cost of whatever treatment he needs. He's sitting at my feet right now and obviously has no clue. I wish there was a way to make him understand. Here's a pic of the big guy:

[Rikao4]

hoping for the best..
careful..
he will pick up on your feelings quickly..
we know you will do what can be done..
perhaps must be done..
I like others will stand in your shoes down the line again..
thankfully ..
not today..

good luck..

Rika