xfileluv

Please excuse my lack of introduction, but I am seeking advice and quickly, please.

We found out yesterday that our beagle has been diagnosed with high grade lymphoma. My local vet gave me the number of an oncologist about an hour away. I've read different things about the prognosis over the past 24 hours and am leaning toward not treating her due to the quick progression of this type of cancer.

Needless to say, I am sick to my stomach. I never had a dog before and didn't even want one. But someone dumped this girl at our business and we took her in and she and I are two totally messed up females who just happened to find each other and understand one another. I can't imagine how my life is going to change once she's gone. Not to mention the bond my husband and 10 year-old son have with her. We are all hearbroken..

My main question is…what can I do over the next few weeks to make the remainder of her life comfortable? I'll call my vet on Monday and ask about prednisone and some sort of pain killer. Is there anything else I should be doing? Our basic attitude right now is to just let her have what she enjoys—food (she's a purebred beagle), walks, and lots of cuddles.

If it helps, I'm including a post I made two days ago at another board when I was considering switching her to a raw food diet for her health. Obviously that's not an option now, but there is quite a bit more info in that post.

Thank you so much for any advice you can give me to help make these horrible upcoming days a little more bearable for all of us.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
I have a beagle with swollen lymph nodes and am going to try to give as much info as I can think of right now but am sure to miss something. So please be sure to ask me all follow-up questions needed.

• Purebred beagle named Millie
• Dumped at our business after being used as a breeder
• Had heartworm which was successfully treated after we took her in
• Spayed
• Approx. age is 5 years
• Weight 30lbs
• On Revolution for heartworm/fleas/ticks
• Has been on Clavamox for approx. 10 days with about 4 more days to go
• Had thorough dental cleaning yesterday; no extractions
• Previous needle biopsy showed benign lymph node fluid
• Surgical biopsy was taken yesterday while under anesthesia for dental surgery
• Pre-surgical blood work showed no abnormalities in liver or kidney function, white blood cells, or whatever else they check for
• Results will be in 7-10 days
• Biopsy taken on right node, which is noticeably larger than the left node (possibly due to swelling from biopsy)
• Left node is golf-ball size, right node is about double that
• Vet noticed minor swelling about 6 weeks ago, at which point I began monitoring the nodes myself with a noticeable increase within the past 2 weeks
• I can hear her having difficultly swallowing, so if this isn't painful, I know that it is at least uncomfortable for her
• Not lethargic, great attitude, very affectionate, completely pack-oriented, homebody, still loves walks—no major changes in demeanor
• On a pain pill 2x a day for the next few days post-surgery

My concern (and the vet's) is that we had hoped her glands were swollen do to the poor state of her dental disease. However, we both agreed that if there had been dental-related infection her glands would have improved while on the pre-surgical Clavamox. Since they are getting larger, the vet opted to take the surgical biopsy and send it to see what further info we can find.

While we wait for the results, I am researching possible prognoses and would like to put her on a better diet. I will be totally honest and admit that her diet has been very poor. Who knows what she ate in her previous life; they obviously didn't not care for her properly. She had been eating outdoor stuff between the time they dumped her and we took her in—she had worms, etc. Since being with us she's been on dog food, but it has varied. I have been broke the past few months and she's been on Beneful, which is hardly made of top ingredients. However, I am getting back on my feet financially and am making Millie's health a priority.

So while I can't come here with a definitive diagnosis, I believe that improving her diet can only help as we begin the process of figuring out what is wrong with her and put together an eventual plan of action. Should I go with a raw diet? Will a higher quality dog food suffice for now? And what are some basic supplements I can begin adding to her diet to help improve her immune/lymphatic system? Anything you can suggest will be greatly appreciated and I am happy to answer any questions regarding anything I've missed. Please help!

Benpaws

Dear Friend,
I am very sorry to hear of the possible prognosis of lymphoma in your precious Beagle. Our 6 year old schnauzer Benny passed away after a long and brave fight against Mast Cell Tumour Cancer. I had several months with Benny which you might not get and was able to switch him over to a marvelous food which I could get locally but it was sent from British Columbia, CANADA. I don't know where you live?
Benny was on many supplements which helped prolong his life and when he started taking the prednisone the tumours increased and bled and he gained so much weight. It was our last option.
You might want to check out Robert McDowell's website: http://www.herbal-treatments.com.au/..._mcdowell.html and it is filled with tons of information on canine cancer and has helped many others in this forum.Also you could check the website I found helpful with Benny:
The Smiling Blue Skies Cancer Fund - smilingblueskies.com
Other than that I can only suggest that you read the posts here on Food and Nutrition and vaccinations etc. We now have a new puppy purebred puppy schnauzer named Shadow and we will not be giving the annual vaccination protocol to him as our vet feels very strongly about the connection between canine cancer and vaccinations every year. He also believes in the diet we were giving to Benny and we are continuing this with Shadow. Commercial dog food is another culprit.
I don't know if any of this will help you but yes, this journey of cancer with your beloved companion is dreadful and sad and tears your heart away from your body.
Keep us posted.

Prayers,'
Joanne & Shadow

xfileluv

Joanne, thank you for your advice, kind words, and the links. I actually shot off a quick email to Robert McDowell in the event he has any further advice for me.

My husband asked me this morning if I'm going to be okay. I told him, "Probably not." He asked, "You never thought you could love a dog so much, did you?"

No, I didn't. :::sob:::

Benpaws

Hope you get some help from Dr. McDowell and yes, I do understand how deeply and how quickly a puppy gets into your heart. Keep the FAITH! My prayers are with you and your family.

Blessings,
Joanne & Shadow

alyson

So sorry to hear your sad news, we all share your pain and sorrow, i lost my little furry boy 6 months ago and the pain is still quite bad! I went to Roberts website and they were really helpfull and it was so good to be able to talk to someone who could advise me what to do re diet and suppliments! just the thought that i might be helping my billy gave me hope and id like to think a little more time with him! I did try the chemo treatment but we only managed to have 2 sections so im not sure if it helped or was it worth it to but him through the stress of having to stay in the clinic all day and have more tests and injections!! Its going to be a roller coster of emotions, but you have found the right place here to help you through it as nobody really understands till it happens to your pet!! people seem to think that oh its only a pet! but hey when they come into your life innocent,loving and especially yours as she seems to have had a crap start to life, theres no words to descripe the love you share.

All we can do is hope and pray for a mirical, your in my thoughts and prays
alyson.

dutchydawg

Hi hun.
I'll be quick ask vet to give your dog a shot of a glucocorticoid not expensive...not chemo either.It improved my Dutch's life so much.It wont cure but the quality of life is so very much better. Also..menhadens fish oil is fantastic for over-all well being..if you cant get it fast enough then just get an omega 3 fish oil.Good luck..let us know how you get on ...love from Glenda in london eng. ( dutchydawg ). xxxx

joyce

Dear Friend,
I'm so sorry that you, too, are dealing with this terrible cancer for a loving 4 legged companion. My dog has lymphoma and we did start her on the Madison protocol chemo since we were almost losing her and were desperate. Since then I have been doing lots of research and found that there are other alternatives to build up the immunity to fight off the cancer. We are going to a holistic vet tomorrow to check our complementary therapies - such as herbs, diet, acupuncture etc. You may want to research K-9 Immunity, K-9 Transfer, Robert McDowell's lymphoma formula (he actually called me from Australia), feeding mostly protein and little carbs - Instinct dog food is supposed to be OK but I haven't gotten that yet, I'm feeding her lots of protein - beef, chicken, salmon, eggs, - peas, applesauce, and Taste of the Wild high prairie bison dog food. In addition we are giving her B6 and prednisone. Even though she is 11 1/2 we are not willing to give up the fight. As I write this my brother in in the hospital being operated on for cancer, too. It is overwhelming and yet one needs to keep faith and do a lot of praying.
God Bless,
Joyce

Benpaws

God Bless you Dear Friend,
I am so glad you got some help from Dr. McDowell., He is quite amazing and very caring. I am also very saddened to hear of your brother's cancer. A cure for this dreadful disease just has to be found soon for both the sake of humans and our beloved pets.
Please try and take care of YOU as well while you are traveling this road.

Blessings & Prayers,
Joanne

jeffers

so sad to read this. robert is very helpful and you might find this new site i found today helpful also for your brother. just copy and paste.

Original | Essiac | 8 Herb | Tea | Formula | Information | Rene Caisse

we have all gone thro it on here and you are guaranteed loads of support and good wishes.

Judy G

my 9 year old goldlen has hemangiosarcomia , since august 1st.. a bloodvessel cancer that spreads very fast . Had the main tumor removed but it was wrapped in his ribs and the vet could not get it all... his chest is now filling with fluid and have had it drained once..... can't do it often and his breathing is very labored. He was in ICU for 8 days and my finances are gone... Vet thinks the cancer is invading his lungs.... he has stopped eating three days ago.... tried peanut butter, his favorite,and everything else known to man to get him to eat. He goes and hides when i present food of any kind. tried the unflavored pediolite and he walks away..... i think he is telling me goodbye but sometimes he brings me his toys, still drinks , goes out to the bathroom and wags his tail!!! read B-6 shots help????? anything else you can suggest? i won't force food .... I am out of ideas and money.
also there is a dr. in hawaii that does great research on dogs and cancer..... will send the info .