[katdog5911]

My heart is breaking. What was originally diagnosed as pneumonia a week ago, is now being changed to probably cancer. Will be getting an ultrasound on Thursday.

I am devastated. I was hoping for a few more good years....she just turned 7 in June! Now I am hoping for a few more good months!

This just seemed to come on so suddenly. One day last week she just started coughing...

Vet said to keep her on the antibiotics for now...at least until we see what the ultrasound shows. I hate to give them to her if she doesn't need them. She always does so poorly on them...stops eating and drinking. We had to go through this when she was on doxy for anaplasmosis...

Trying to think what to do if the ultrasound confirms a mass. I just want to give her some quality of life if quantity is not going to happen. What sort of pain meds or supplements can help?

 

[Stevenzachsmom]

I am so sorry you are dealing with this. Praying that the ultrasound shows that it is NOT cancer.

Wishing you all the best and sending hugs!

 

[Magwart]

Oh no! If you get a definitive diagnosis of cancer, then you decide whether to fight by first consulting with an oncologist -- don't give up without doing that. My dog got a melanoma diagnosis in May -- we fought. His most recent staging shows him to be cancer free. The surgery and ground-breaking melanoma vaccine are working, so far.



Here's a clinical trial on canine lung cancer:

https://petcureoncology.com/clinical-lung-trial-information-sheet-pet-owners/


There's also a lot of research on immunotherapy and lung cancer (Dr. Yennelli) -- immunotherapy means cancer vaccine (teaching the immune system to seek and destroy particular kinds of cancer cells).
https://www.americanveterinarian.com/news/wvc-2017-an-immunotherapy-vaccine-for-canine-cancer


Surgery alone can also sometimes treat this cancer in pets:
https://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedail...cancer-pets-serious-but-often-treatable-33236


You might also want to take a look at the work KetoPet Sanctuary is doing -- and their diet. I'm feeding Dr. Harvey's Paradigm, which is based on the same general thinking.
Keto Pet - Human-Grade Cancer Therapy for Dogs
https://www.drharveys.com/products/dogs/450-paradigm-a-green-superfood-pre-mix

 

[middleofnowhere]

I know one person (perhaps she'll weigh in later) who used medical marijuana for their dog. It worked well for pain management. If it's legal in CT, that might be an option.

 

[newlie]

My Newlie was diagnosed with inoperable cancer. It came out of the blue and I was blown away. The vet hinted about putting him down the day of the diagnosis, but I had to have a little time. The vet put Newlie on a steroid and I got to have a month with him, without apparent pain, before I had to have him put down. I made those days as special as I could for him and those memories are something that I will always treasure.

 

[Jenny720]

Just remember to breath. You have great reading information to keep you busy that was posted by magwart -until you have more test you will have more answers. If it is cancer determining if it is in the lymph nodes and has spread will determine your treatment plan. It is important your dog stay hydrated and eats food - if you wish to change your dogs diet it’s most important she maintains calories. The most important thing is she continues eating. Being calm for your dog is so important - many prayers for the best possible outcome.

 

[CometDog]

Definitely read up on what Magwart posted. There is a saying...don't borrow trouble. Read up on what you can for the just in case, and just hope this is a scare. I'm sorry, I know how on edge you must be <3

 

[huntergreen]

I hope the ultrasound brings you good news.

 

[katdog5911]

Medical marijuana is legal here. What about CBD oil for pain relief and to increase appetite?

Her poor stomach is such a mess from the antibiotics. I have bought some raw goats milk but I am concerned that it blocks the absorption of the antibx.

I guess we will see what the ultrasound says tomorrow....

 

[Magwart]

One of the oncologists that I consulted with was very knowledgeable about CBD in dogs to help during chemo. Specialist vets seem to be learning how to use it; generalists not so much.


Can you offer the goats milk at the halfway point between your abx doses so at least she keeps taking in some nutrition?

 

[katdog5911]

i have fed her the goats milk with a syringe a few times a day. She decided to eat a hot dog this afternoon and when I pill her, I get some pumpkin into her. She did drink water on her own today.

 

[Bcannie]

Medical marijuana is legal here. What about CBD oil for pain relief and to increase appetite?

Her poor stomach is such a mess from the antibiotics. I have bought some raw goats milk but I am concerned that it blocks the absorption of the antibx.

I guess we will see what the ultrasound says tomorrow....

I am the one that middle referenced. I haven't posted for years, but here goes....

I lost my girl a year ago. She had just turned 8. She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She went from acting completely normal one day to not eating the next. I took her in to the vet, and basically they said she had days left.

I was told to take her home and enjoy whatever time I had and give her whatever she wanted, and I would know when it was time to bring her in. She didn't want to eat, and was in bad shape. I went to the cannbis store to get some human grade CBD oil as a last resort to keep her comfortable.

It works much much better than pet grade, which doesn't have the active thc. The trick is knowing what dose to give. It affects dogs much differently than humans. But my thought was I knew she was dying and couldn't change that, but if it could help keep her comfortable it was worth a try.

The guy at the store didn't know either, and thought it could be based on comparison of weight ratio to human dose. I went on a pet cbd oil forum and got some advise on dosing. (At the time, the meds the vet gave me seemed to make her worse and she didn't want me pilling her at all). I gave her less than what was recommended on the boards, rubbing a little into the folds of her lips.

I only had a week with her, but it was a good week. 30 minutes after giving it to her she got some energy back. She pranced around a little. Played some tug. She ate some. (She would eat Only once a day though, as she acted like whatever she ate once made her sick and she wouldn't want the same flavor again)

We took a few short hikes, spent time in a few favorite places, and most importantly she seemed to not be in pain. Within a week, she was fading fast and I knew it wasn't making enough difference and it was time to let go. But we had a week of last memories and I cherish it. It gave me some time to wrap my brain around the inevitable, and allowed me to say goodbye.

I'm sorry this was so long, and I really hope your girl is spared this. CBD wasn't a cure, but I don't regret using it at all.

 

[katdog5911]

I am the one that middle referenced. I haven't posted for years, but here goes....

I lost my girl a year ago. She had just turned 8. She was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. She went from acting completely normal one day to not eating the next. I took her in to the vet, and basically they said she had days left.

I was told to take her home and enjoy whatever time I had and give her whatever she wanted, and I would know when it was time to bring her in. She didn't want to eat, and was in bad shape. I went to the cannbis store to get some human grade CBD oil as a last resort to keep her comfortable.

It works much much better than pet grade, which doesn't have the active thc. The trick is knowing what dose to give. It affects dogs much differently than humans. But my thought was I knew she was dying and couldn't change that, but if it could help keep her comfortable it was worth a try.

The guy at the store didn't know either, and thought it could be based on comparison of weight ratio to human dose. I went on a pet cbd oil forum and got some advise on dosing. (At the time, the meds the vet gave me seemed to make her worse and she didn't want me pilling her at all). I gave her less than what was recommended on the boards, rubbing a little into the folds of her lips.

I only had a week with her, but it was a good week. 30 minutes after giving it to her she got some energy back. She pranced around a little. Played some tug. She ate some. (She would eat Only once a day though, as she acted like whatever she ate once made her sick and she wouldn't want the same flavor again)

We took a few short hikes, spent time in a few favorite places, and most importantly she seemed to not be in pain. Within a week, she was fading fast and I knew it wasn't making enough difference and it was time to let go. But we had a week of last memories and I cherish it. It gave me some time to wrap my brain around the inevitable, and allowed me to say goodbye.

I'm sorry this was so long, and I really hope your girl is spared this. CBD wasn't a cure, but I don't regret using it at all.

I don't even know how to obtain medical marijuana.... Doesn't it need to be approved by a dr? In any case I will at the very least try CBD oil.

Obviously I want more than anything to have a lot more quantity of time but if that is not to be than I want the best quality possible. It breaks my heart to see her so unhappy.

I hate pilling her.... She has always been a very picky eater and trying to hide things in her food never was successful. And now she doesn't really want to eat and I think she has a little just to please me. It is just so sad.

Obviously this didn't happen suddenly but it sure seems like it. One day she is her usual self, the next she is coughing and lethargic. I keep wondering if maybe I missed something and this could be have been prevented.

Trying not to jump the gun before the ultrasound later today but it is hard to stay hopeful when I see how she is acting.

 

[Magwart]

I know you're hurting but please remember: she senses your emotions. You need to keep her engaged in the fight right now, especially if it's pneumonia -- they die of it when they give up. I know that you are hurting (I've been there!), but you cannot entertain these hopeless thoughts and go to that dark place right now because she will follow you.

 

[katdog5911]

I know you're hurting but please remember: she senses your emotions. You need to keep her engaged in the fight right now, especially if it's pneumonia -- they die of it when they give up. I know that you are hurting (I've been there!), but you cannot entertain these hopeless thoughts and go to that dark place right now because she will follow you.

Thank you. I know this is true. And she is so tuned into to me. I also have a 2 yr old GSD male and I swear he is oblivious. Just a real knucklehead. I need to put on my big girl panties now....

 

[katdog5911]

Ultrasound was normal. Radiologist is suggesting possible pulmonary lymphoma. I have the option of more invasive testing but I don't know that it will change the course of the future. Since we really don't have a definitive diagnosis, the vet suggested finishing out the antibiotics and treating her for pain (back/hind leg issues). Also giving some pepcid to help her tummy feel better....

I have been reading about the keto diet but any diet will be hard to follow if she isn't eating....

 

[Jenny720]

You can always revisit further testing at a later date. Getting her eating, comfortable and finishing antibiotics sounds like a plan. One thing at a time.

 

[Jax08]

Ultrasound was normal. Radiologist is suggesting possible pulmonary lymphoma. I have the option of more invasive testing but I don't know that it will change the course of the future. Since we really don't have a definitive diagnosis, the vet suggested finishing out the antibiotics and treating her for pain (back/hind leg issues). Also giving some pepcid to help her tummy feel better....

I have been reading about the keto diet but any diet will be hard to follow if she isn't eating....

A friend's dog has lymphoma. It's treatable with a good prognosis.

 

[katdog5911]

A friend's dog has lymphoma. It's treatable with a good prognosis.

What sort of treatment?

 

[Jax08]

Not sure. I know her dog was diagnosed 2 years ago and she is just now retiring from agility. I think prednisone is part of the treatment. they've come out with some new treatments for lymphoma recently. I would call an oncologist if I were in your shoes. Get a definitive diagnosis and work from there. This does not need to be a death sentence for her. There is hope if this is what she has.