My schnauzer with lymphoma cancer

[bitterrootbullies]

Originally Posted by palehorse

Almost immediately after treatment started she got better. We are using the "Modified Wisconsin" protocol. Even though she's not doing good right now, all of my research led me to believe this is the most effective treatment possible.

Now, in Bitsy's case we became aware of her cancer because the lymph nodes got very swollen. BUT in your case with Samantha, you could not see the glands swollen correct? This means you have caught it MUCH sooner then I did.

I was able to get her to eat today. I had to get some "moist and meaty" because she doesn't have the energy to crunch the dry food, and switching to canned food is too radical a diet shift. Moist and Meaty is like a cross between canned and dry food. Plus it is the same company and the same flavor, so switching to this was not a negative thing. The only way I can get her to eat is by hand feeding it to her...

I would recommend if Samantha is eating dry food to start getting her used to canned or a "moist and meaty" type food. This way if she ever gets real weak like Bitsy she will still be able to eat.

We have not given up the battle. My Veterinarian called the Veterinarian in Auburn University today, and if I can get her strength back up there is a "rescue" treatment which I intend to give her.

I think you might have better luck then I have because YOU had far earlier warning then I did, and catching it early is a real big deal with cancer.

Actually, we probably didn't catch it sooner than you did. It has taken us about 2 months since her first symptoms to find it. Her spleen is loaded with masses, it is enlarged and is approximately 60% infiltrating lymphocytes. She has never developed the external symptoms which is why it took so long to diagnose it. Some dogs never develop the enlarged lymph glands.

In fact if I chose to do nothing, I believe she would only have a week or so to live.
She is also becoming hypercalcemic again which is a bad sign, hypercalcemic dogs tend to not do as well even with chemo. We are hoping she goes into remission very quickly, otherwise she will likely die of complications from the hypercalcemia.
She has not been eating well now for a couple of weeks (which is what led me to get the ultrasound done).
I have actually been cooking for her to get her to eat.
I found a good cancer diet at www.caninecancerawareness.org/diet.html#recipe

So basically I take boneless/skinless chicken breasts, brown rice and vegetables and throw it all in a crockpot with some water and a little garlic and olive oil. Let it cook for several hours (5-7 hours).

She's been eating this fairly well and I add a high quality canned dog food for additional balance (Merrick's is the brand). So far she will eat these meals. I've also been feeding her at least three times a day so she can eat smaller portions but still get the same total amount, she seems to keep this down better.
We started the prednisone last night and this morning she has a much better appetite already.
We are starting a COP protocol:
Cytoxin, Vincristine and prednisone

I'm hoping that both of us will have good luck and get some good quality time with our pups.
amanda

[palehorse]

Hopefully she will go into remission pretty fast, Bitsy did. Today she is lethargic again and get cold (when it's warm) and shakes, then after you have a blanket on her a while she gets hot and starts panting.

Oh btw the recipe sounds great with the exception of the garlic. See this: http://www.pethealthforums.com/forum...food-dogs.html

Everything else in the recipe sounds great, I might make some for Bitsy, thanks. Also your link above goes to a "page not found".

If the COP protocol is like the L-COP (discussed in the original post of this thread) then it is the quickest to work BUT rescue therapy, exactly what I am going to have to do with Bitsy, is not effective if they are on L-COP. Might want to consider that, this is why I went with modified wisconsin.

The small animal clinic in Auburn AL at the University is: 334-844-4690

This is supposed to be the best place in the US for treating lymphoma. They are really great and caring. Just phone them and discuss it with them if you want a second opinion (ask for Dr. Smith, she treated Bitsy) I am sure they will be happy to talk to you. They have the only radiation for pets equipment in the country I believe, that is an option too. I choose MW over this because they are both as effective, and I could do MW from Florida. Radiation meant I would have to stay in AL.

I am considering going back to AL anyway though, for a radiation treatment if she doesn't get any better.

[palehorse]

My sweet little girl passed away today. The swollen nodes got so bad she could hardly breath, the only possible thing to save her would have been to take her back to Auburn. I have no problem taking her, but the amount of pain she is in now, AND the amount of pain that awaits her in auburn... I cannot justify it, keeping her alive at this point would be far more for MY benefit then hers, I cannot be that selfish. Both the Veterinarian here in FL and the one in AL advised me that the level of pain she will be having from this point out is not worth it, life would be agony.

With a heavy heart I let go of her... I guess God needed a shnauzer...

Rest in peace my sweet little baby, rest in peace.

[elisi989]

My heart goes out to you. I am so very sorry for your loss.

[palehorse]

Originally Posted by elisi989

My heart goes out to you. I am so very sorry for your loss.

Thank you, I appreciate that.

I attached a movie of Bitsy for anyone who cares to see her:

http://www.sleeps.com/bitsy.mpg

[latergatorj]

i'm very sorry for your loss. :-( She was a beautiful dog.

[bitterrootbullies]

I'm so sorry! I know you did everything you could. Thank you for being stong enough to let her go when it was time.

Samantha is still doing ok, but is having a hard time with the chemo. She seems to be extremely sensitive to the drugs. All her cell counts dropped dangerously low after the first injection, the white count has started to rebound a little, but we haven't hit the peak effectiveness of the oral drug yet so they may drop again in the next couple of days.

I hope that time will soon heal your pain and you will be able to focus on the happy times you had with your sweet girl.
amanda samantha sydney murphy foster and kipling

[Tucker'sMom]

I am so sorry for your loss. I wish I had seen sooner, I just couldn't log in much after mine died March 2. I had to let him go, also. I understand what you are going through. The best advice I have gotten lately was in a card from my Veterinarian. His words of wisdom are..."Please know that choosing to let them go is the last way to show them they are loved." He is right. I know it's not a lot of comfort now, but maybe later it will be. My Tucker was loved, and I know Bitsy was loved also. May they both rest in peace.

[OrangeBlossom]

Although very belatedly (I'm new to this board), my heart goes out to you. As one poster wisely wrote, sometimes the final act of love we show our beloved pets is to release them from their suffering.

We lost a wonderful black lab mix that was our son's first dog (she was a rescue dog around 10-11 years old) in March 2006. She had mitral valve problems, but had to be put down because of massive cluster seizures that struck suddenly one day...first blinding, then paralyzing her. I was a dreadful time for all, but we were so concerned for our son, who was disconsolate, that within one week we adopted another rescue dog in her honor. About 6 months later, we adopted a second rescue lad...and now we've temporarily taken in a very elderly and sick dog to see him through his final days.

No matter the length of time these guys spend with us, we come away richer for the experience. The love always goes on. My best wishes to you.

[swimgirlmary]

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss! My dog Mona was just diagnosed today and they started her on prednisone. I know she has a short time to live and I hope it gives her a better quality of life. She's only 4 years old. A beautiful Ausie.