mythreeiggys

Hi all. My name is Danielle and my dog Cooper (Italian Greyhound) was just diagnosed on Wednesday with "some type of cancer". Heres how it all started: I noticed Cooper not eating, sleeping a lot, no energy, drinking excessivley and when he had to pee, it was an emerency! In August '09, he had surgery on his rear end for a fatty tumor and also for malinoma on his side. The surgery went well and no signs that the cancer had spread (all though I have been told that "that" cancer has nothing to do with "this" cancer). My doctor told me that he knew the fatty mass on his read end was going to come back and sure enough, it did. It has gotten larger over the last 3 weeks so I associated all his problems listed above with the fatty tumor. I took him to see the doctor and immediately the doctor seemed concerned about his abdomin. He ordered x-rays. When the x-rays came back he was surprised at the size of the tumor in his abdomin. He immediately sent me to a specialist to have an ultrasound done. The specialist came back and said it was some type of cancer and that he wouldn't know unless he did further testing (he used a specific term but I can not remember what it was). He advised me that he was 99.99999% sure that it was not the type of cancer that was curable due to the location. He said that if it was in a paw, they could do radiation but he would not do whole body radiation. He said that I would need to make a choice with in the next few days to have him put down. I was sent home with a broken heart and a very hard decision to make.

Well, I have not and will not give up on my baby. Making a decision to put him down within the next few days is totally out of the questions unless his quality of life goes down hill. He's still walking, using the bathroom outside, his tail still wags and he still barks. He's not eating but I have been hand feeding him a little at a time. He does however, take chicken treats from me which to me is a good sign.

I feel as though I am all alone in the battle. No where to turn and no one to talk to that can relate to me and my feelings. I just need some reassurance that what I am doing is ok. That I am doing all I can. This has totally consumed my life, which I am ok with but my head is spinning in a million different directions.

Heres what I need help and support with:

Since the grave prognosis, I have taken it upom myself to do research and try other options. I am trying the Budwig diet (cottage cheese and flax seed oil-4 Tablespoons a day) along with a multi vitamin twice daily and 1/4 tsp of Enzyme/probiotic powder. He also gets some type of protein daily. I ordered BSST Herbal Formula (Essaic Tea) and also CAS Options (immune booster). He gets the CAS Options twice daily and the BSST three times a day. I added, last night, a 1/4 tsp of fiber because he is straining to go number 2 and when he does, it is a dime size amount and not normal. Mind you, he has only been on this since Thursday night. I think I am hoping for an overnight miracle and expecting to much. I haven't seen any improvements (except for lifting his leg instead of not). If anything, I think maybe he is going down hill a little. I fed him the Budwig diet this morning and he threw it up...all of it. The doctor said the tumor was wrapping around the aorta in his abdomin. I noticed vein his his hind end and belly popping out. They have gotten worse everyday. Almost like the tumor is cutting off his blood supply little by little. His breathing seems fine and I checked his heart rate last night and it was within normal limits.

I love my dog with all my heart. He is only 7. He (and I) is not ready to leave. I need help. I am so very desperate to save my baby. This is my kid.

Anyone have any suggestions? Am I doing all I can? Anyone else going through what I am going through?

Meesh

Hi Danielle,
So sorry you're having to go through this. My Hamlet has lymphoma; just diagnosed the end of January. So, I'm not familiar with exactly the type of cancer you're dealing with, but I can tell you that you will find plenty of support and help here. Here's hoping that the results come back quickly so you can make some informed decisions. If the tumor isn't treatable with western medicine, go to the American Holistic Veterinary Medicine website to try to find an HV in your area who can give you more specific treatments for your guy. Good luck and positive energies your way!

Michelle, Rufus & Hamlet (dx 01/29/10 tx 02/01/10)

Brian Riddle

Hi;
Sorry to here that your dog has cancer,that's why we are all here.My Molly has been doing real good.She has a nasal tumor and this has been going on for over 2 years.I started her on Maritime Pine Bark Extract that I got from Robert McDowell Herbs in Austrailia.The Maritime Pine Bark Extract is supposed to be one of the best antitoxitants and the strongest.Look up robert mcdowell herbs on the net.They will email you back and they will want to know the exact conditions so they can prescribe a herb to help.This is their main thing is fighting cancer.I also took my Molly to a Traditional Chinese Medicine Vet. that is doing wonders for her.I suggest you get in touch with robert mcdowell and see what they can do.I have all the faith in the world in them.They helped me so much.

Brian

TJandDante

Maybe the dairy is making him sick, or the flaxseed oil. Once I started offering my dog the ground beef/turkey diet he ate well. Try lightly cooking some ground beef and throw in a little rice. Or some chicken with a little rice. My dog would always eat that. Whatever your dog will eat at this point, feed him that. A couple tablespoons of plain yogurt in the dish and the dog may lap that right up. Just anything.

My sweet Dante was only 8 years old and the light of my life. He was healthy and vital his entire life. Cancer robs them of all that they are but it can't take their sweet loving spirit,which was with him until his last breath.

I will keep you and your dog in my prayers.
TJ

Benpaws

Dear Friend,

This is the site which Brian mentioned to you:`Lymphoma or Lymphosarcoma Cancer Support . Herbal Treatment Programs for Cancer Patients, Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy Support with Herbal Medicine and Information on alternative (herbal) treatment for cancer in people, horses and dogs.

Many here have had excellent results from Dr. McDowell and the "Maritime Pine Bark" seems to be one of the best things you can give your dog to help boost the immune system and is one of the strongest antioxidants available. Using this can even put your dog's cancer into remission!! That is great news!

Our Benny had Mast Cell Tumour Cancer and lost his brave fight on April 2nd, 2009. He was only 6 and the "love of my life" and he wagged his stump of a tail even as he walked into the vet's office for the final time. My heart still breaks when I think of him which I do every day! He is free from pain, but like you, I didn't give up either and we had many wonderful months "living in the moment" together" because of the help I was able to get and I also benefited from the constant support and comfort from the kindest people here.

Prayers go out to you in this fight.

Joanne

rockytola

I agree with the above links. Sometimes the Budwig can make the a little sick but we had success with it. Rocky had a holistic vet who was wonderful and worked in conjunction with his oncologist. There is some really bland food that is good for their diet that you can get from the vet by prescription only. It looks awful but it was the only thing that Rocky could eat and keep down. K9 immunity may be another source of vitamins but of course you don't want to overload his system with a bunch of stuff. My choice would be look at the holistic approach and see if they have any input. Thoughts and prayers to you both!
John

Benpaws

Dear Friend,

When dogs here have refused to eat sometimes a jar or two of baby food gets them started and interested. It is worth a try for Cooper, but ask your holistic vet. They know what is best!

We didn't have an holistic vet for Benny but had awesome help from another friend which gave Benny the BEST of food and supplements and prolonged his life many more months.

Good luck!

Blessings,
Joanne

Alicia

Hi Danielle,

I'm sorry to hear about your dear friend. Our Golden was diagnosed with Lymphoma 4 weeks ago and they gave him 12 weeks to live. Like you, our life was turned around. We choose not to do the chemo and instead opted for the cancer diet and supplements.

We are following Dr. Dressler's cancer plan which consists of many things. I feed Ranger twice a day ground beef or ground turkey with brown rice. I include fish oils and K9 Immunity. I also include 4 tablespoons of parsley in every feeding. I give him many other supplements which you can reference in his book. I also starting him on the flaxseed oil with cottage cheese. I figured it couldn't hurt.

I know it's overwhelming!! But you'll figure out what works for you and him. Just hang in there and don't give up.

My thoughts are with you!!
Alicia

DawnP

My dog Cassie is going through every symptom that you described. You also might want to add some Yunnan Paiyao capsules. My vet recommended them 1 time a day, but with your dog's size, you might have to give them 2 or 3 times a day. There is a link under one of these threads that will tell you how to order them. I'm sorry about Copper

SirMadison

I felt so terribly sad when I read your story about Cooper. Where are you located? Did your vet suggest (or have you asked him about) an oncologist in your area? I have a cocker (Madison) who was recently diagnosed with a Mast Cell Tumor which (I understand) is the easiest form of cancer to treat. The only problem is that the excission was incomplete, so he's currently undergoing chemo at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine.

Like you...as soon as I learned about Madison's condition, I began online research. I was devastated because I had lost another cocker to cancer just five years ago and Madison just turned five on the 5th of April. The few things I learned were: NO carbs and LOTS of protein because, from what I understand, cancer thrives on carbs.

I give Madison 2000u of fish oil each day (which helps the heart); sardines in oil as well as tuna fish in oil once a week; I do a lot of hand-feeding as well because it's important to keep their weight up during this time. You might want to check out K9 Immunity and Transfer Factor at Dog Cancer Treatments: K-9 Immunity + Free Shipping, K-9 Omega, K-9 Transfer Factor by K9Medicinals.com

Try not to let Cooper know about his horrible diagnosis. They (our 4-legged friends) can sense our grief, and this does them no good. I'll pray for you both.

God bless!
Jan