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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Dog struggling with chemo - any tips

36 replies

ThePowerOfTheDog · 18/04/2022 10:39

My dog is on her first round of chemo. She had it on Tuesday last week. She is an eight year old Labrador and it's knocked her for six. I have already had her anti sickness meds increased but she is lethargic, has been sick and has been off her food for 3 days now (and she is a typically greedy Lab). She drinks water and has developed an obsession with hiding in bushes in our garden.

Any tips or advice? I'm close to ringing the emergency vets.

OP posts:
Annoyedandirritated · 18/04/2022 10:40

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BlanketsBanned · 18/04/2022 10:42

Poor girl, is the chemo working. The vet would know if she needs iv fluids and anti sickness or if its time to say goodbye.

Silkierabbit · 18/04/2022 10:53

I would ring emergency vets. I am on human chemo so don't know what can do for dogs but with humans important to eat little and often and drink a lot more than normal and there are many different anti-sickness meds. With a really bad reaction its iv fluids / A &E. See if vets can do anything to help as its really awful being that ill or is there a milder chemo?

Original poster
ThePowerOfTheDog · 18/04/2022 10:55

It's too early to tell if it's working or not. She has only had her first dose.

@Annoyedandirritated not a helpful response.

OP posts:
whenwilliwillibefamous · 18/04/2022 10:59

Ring the vets, they should at least be able to reassure you about when she's likely to start feeling better and relay tips to keep her more comfortable meanwhile.

villainousbroodmare · 18/04/2022 11:52

Do call them. Tell them what meds she's on and see if they can add more anti-nausea and pain medication, as she is obviously feeling very unwell.

Original poster
ThePowerOfTheDog · 18/04/2022 12:03

@Silkierabbit I'm sorry to hear you're on chemo. I hope you aren't experiencing too many horrible side effects.

Vet is ringing me back.

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 18/04/2022 12:08

I would be discussing with my vet if Chemo was the best thing to do.
I am sure you love your dog very much OP but she can’t understand what is happening and I am not sure I would put my dog through it
I’m sorry,it must be heartbreaking for you

secretnutter · 18/04/2022 12:16

You could try a probiotic paste? When our boy was having chemo, he was on the anti-sickness tabs and probiotic paste for about 5-7 days after each chemo session, he had sickness and bloody diarrhoea after his first dose but then coped well with subsequent doses once we had got all his supporting meds at the right levels. Fingers crossed for your girl Thanks

secretnutter · 18/04/2022 12:18

Also....try her with different foods, I know it's not generally recommended to alter food but if you can tempt her with anything else, you should!

Hugasauras · 18/04/2022 12:21

Talk to them and let them know and they might turn down the dosage. With dog chemo, quality of life is the main concern, not life extension. So they need to know she's not taking to it well as they might have to lower the dosage. Chemo shouldn't make dogs anywhere near as sick as people as they use much lower dosages to avoid it.

oakleaffy · 18/04/2022 12:26

We had a beloved dog who had Osteosarcoma, as she was approx approaching 12 yrs, at that time chemo wasn't an option given, only amputation of the limb.
She was diagnosed early, but after speaking to the chief vet, we decided on palliative care and home visit by vet for euthanasia when the time was right {within weeks of diagnosis}.

However... In a young dog, and 6 is still ''Young'', and I've read that 'Chemo' side effects in dogs is not as bad as humans.

Every case surely has to be considered own it's merits.. I do know of two hound types, one 12 and the other 6 who have had amputations and chemo, and {Touch wood} they are alive more than a year after diagnosis.
They appear to be enjoying life {From social media posts anyway}

Best wishes to your poor dog....and to you.

A vet is really the only person able to give proper advice...randoms like me can only give 'Anecdotal evidence'.
An American FB group I was on specifically for Osteosarcoma I had to leave{I'm in UK}, as it was just so utterly awful to witness the selfishness of the owners in some instances.

Owners would ask ''what can I give for vomiting and coughing and crying'?'' .......people would chorus ''CBD oil and lavender''

videos would be posted of grotesquely limping dogs with distorted limbs, with ''Kicking cancer's butt'' in the comments.

Dogs hide their pain so well when very ill... it was clear that many of these owners put their own needs before the dog, in that they would rather have the dog in any condition than not at all.

This is definitely the worst part of being a pet owner, having to make these decisions.

EssexLioness · 18/04/2022 13:04

Unfortunately I agree with @Hoppinggreen. So sorry you are going through this OP

secretnutter · 18/04/2022 13:43

To all those commenting on whether chemo is the best option for the OPs dog, please remember that whilst we are responsible for our pets welfare and should be acutely aware of putting their needs before our own feelings, treatment for any illness or injury often requires side effects or a period of recovery to be tolerated and managed, of which the animal is unlikely to understand, I'm sure op will not have taken the decision to try chemo lightly.

PragmaticWench · 18/04/2022 13:48

Our DDog had about 9 months of chemo and the first dose was the worst. After that he was tired on the day of each dose but running around like crazy by the next day. It may be the vet needs to either adjust the dose or the medication for side effects.

If it helps, after all those months of DDog maintaining a very good life on chemo, he went downhill fast and it was clear we'd reached the end. Thought it might reassure you it's possible for them to have a good quality of life on chemo but you'll know when the right time is.

Mandy8888 · 18/04/2022 13:48

I wouldn't put my dog through it but take vet advice

PollyRoulllson · 18/04/2022 13:58

@Mandy8888

I wouldn't put my dog through it but take vet advice
Well it would have been a vet that administered it Confused

OP I would ring the vet to get advice, hopefully they can help to make your dog more comfortable.

None of us can comment on whether it was the right thing for the OP to do - they obviously have taken medical advice which is way better advice that any of MN posters advice

NashvilleQueen · 18/04/2022 13:59

Such an incredibly sad situation OP Thanks

I am sure you have thought long and hard about it but I will only say that a friend who is a vet nurse feels strongly that dogs should not endure chemo. It can make them so unwell and they just don't understand why it's happening. I hope that she settles and, as I say, I totally get why you are trying to save your dog.

collieresponder88 · 18/04/2022 14:00

I know you are meaning well but please put this dog out of it's suffering it's really not ok. Laying in the bush means they want to die. Do the right thing and let him or her go peacefully. Animals shouldn't be put through chemo there is no need.

StrongTea · 18/04/2022 14:02

Long time ago our dog had chemo, sure it was every 3 weeks, 1st few days was off food etc then next 2 weeks was back to usual self. Worth speaking to the vets they may be able to tweak things a bit. Good luck.

BiteyShark · 18/04/2022 14:08

My understanding is that the majority of dogs tolerate chemo (unlike humans) so it sounds like yours is one that unfortunately doesn't therefore yes I would be back on the phone to the vets for advice.

SlatsandFlaps · 18/04/2022 14:24

Why would you put a dog through Chemotherapy? It's absolutely horrendous, 24/7 nausea, dizziness, pain, feeling constantly wiped out and the rest. Utterly, utterly awful even for a human who fully understands and expects it. To put a defenceless, clueless animal through is cruel. I'm sorry OP and I sympathise. I know they're a part of the family etc but it's just not kind to put him/her through it. Please don't

Original poster
ThePowerOfTheDog · 18/04/2022 15:02

We are at the vets now. She's having blood tests and a rehydration drip.

We will review everything on a daily basis and will not continue this course of action if it means that she struggles to tolerate it. I will be taking my vets advice regarding her ongoing care.

Thank you to those whose advice was to contact the vet. It was one of those moments where I was a bit of a rabbit in the headlights.

OP posts:
Unforgettablefire · 18/04/2022 15:53

Just to say good luck OP. Your poor girl, animals hide away when they think they’re dying so this is how ill the treatment is making her feel.
I hope your vet is a good one and values the animals well-being more than money, there are some that will push anything no matter what. I know this from experience.
Sorry you’re going through this.

Hoppinggreen · 18/04/2022 17:12

A close friend is a vet and through her I have met quite a few vets.
They say that when they qualified many years ago they were told that it was ok to tell an owner that their pet should be PTS rather than face some treatments but that in recent years there has been a shift and younger vets Seem to have been taught to always push for treatment.
They all hate Noel Fitzpatrick as well!!

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