any experiences of dogs having chemo

[paddythepooch]

Have just found out that there is a strong chance my dog has cancer (awaiting results of biopsy - they couldn't remove the lump where it is) He's 3. I can hardly breathe I am so upset. If it is cancer, then there may be the option of chemo. His quality of life is all that matters to me. I could not bear to see him suffer. Does anyone have any experience of their dog having chemo they can share?

I was recently at an animal cancer centre for work - my bit is the radiotherapy - and the vets were telling me that the dogs sail through chemo as they use much lower doses relatively than for humans

Not a dog, my cat has been having it for 3 years.

She gets 2 tablets once a fortnight alongside a steroid tablet every second day. She has a blood test every few months (it started as every 3, but the vet has gradually increased the gap as time has gone on)

Her fur is a bit finer and paler, she seems to feel the cold more...but, you know, she's a cat and was never exactly fond of it.

Other than that she's well, it's lymphoma she has with masses on her spleen and intestinal tract, they're still there but they are smaller. That was the aim though, extending her life without affecting her quality of life rather than trying to get rid of it (lymphoma is I believe hard to actually put in full remission anyway). If the treatment hadn't agreed with her, it would just have been stopped.

I know with dogs they can try things that are a bit more invasive as they'll tolerate being taken into the vet and being put on a drip without getting as stressed as cats do.

Also what the treatment involves depends on what type of cancer it is.

But the oncologists were much better at spelling out everything than my vet was as understandably my vet wasn't clued up on all the treatments available.

Oh no! Not the gorgeous Paddy.

Not had a dog have chemo myself, but know a few people whose dogs have and in each case the dog has barely seemed to notice they're on it, although I believe there was some loss of appetite with one or two and in one case some diarrhoea. Afaik, most breeds don't lose their fur like we would our hair.

I will be keeping everything crossed for a benign biopsy result.

Thanks all. Won't find out biopsy until next week. Off to pick him up from vets to take him to overnight em vets for overnight. Am so shocked. As are the vets.

The goal of veterinary oncology is to improve quality of life not quantity- so much lower doses used than in humans. Hence much less side effects. Most pets do really really well on chemo. Best to get advice of veterinary oncologist as like another poster said it's a specialist subject. Most of them offer free advice to vets in general practice. I would have no hesitation using it on my own pets.

A close friend has recently had her greyhound on chemo for a thyroid tumour. He did very well on it. There are specialist vet oncology centres and they go through the issues very carefully and in a lot of detail. My friend's dog recently passed away through an unrelated cause and she was incredibly thankful for the care he received which enabled him to have a fantastic quality of life literally until the morning he died. I saw them both regularly and he was still bouncing around, enjoying beach runs and having fun. Having seen their experience, and heard how caring and helpful her specialist vet team were, I'd have no hesitation, if that is what our vet recommended in our particular circumstances.

Our dog had lymphoma aged 10. He was not unwell with the symptoms just had noticeable lumps. He went on chemotherapy via a day case at the vets plus was on steroids and chemo tablets. He coped well - no side effects - went into remission and then it came back. He had the same treatment again and coped well again. The only side effect was his coat went a little fuzzy and softer but he ate throughout, greeted you, wanted walks etc. He got second remission and it came back quickly and we had to have him PTS once the symptoms started to show. He got an extra year with little physical intervention other than tablets and two days in the vets. I was insured but I had to pay 20% due to his age. It cost over £1000 in total for my 20% so check what you can afford. I don't regret the treatment at all

It's lymphoma. A horrible large mass. Our vet is going to talk to specialist but sounds like even with chemo it will be a matter of months. He's barely eating and doesn't want to go for a walk. Still sore from his op. Vet says she wouldn't put her own dog through chemo in this situation. Am completely devastated. My beautiful, beautiful boy

Oh no, I am so sorry. I was really praying for good news.

I know it's not very mnetty, but have a huge ((hug)) anyway.

Do really have a look into chemo though...even if it's just to make a few months more comfortable.

Like I said, my cat has had 3 years so far, but, more importantly she's been well, happy and actually more comfortable than just before starting it.

Providing the chemo protocol isn't a really invasive one, it is worth considering just to extend the time where they are comfortable IMO anyway.

I'm so sorry :(