Dog struggling with chemo - any tips

[ThePowerOfTheDog]

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.

I hope your girl finds the strength to push on. Our girl has aggressive osteosarcoma in her jaw and after her surgery we have been given weeks now rather than the initial hope of months.
Whatever path you choose, cherish every moment 🌸

@Hoppinggreen I have not used Noel Fitzpatrick (although my daughter was obsessed with his show) but our dog required emergency surgery at a specialist Supervets- type clinic (Davies Vets) as a tiny puppy due to a freak accident. No ordinary vet could perform such a complex surgery on such a small puppy. I am eternally grateful to Davies Vets for having saved his life (and his leg) and our dog has an amazing life. He's now 14 months and is the most spoiled dog there is and no one would be able to tell he ever had such a serious surgery. He is full of life and is sooo fast for a small dog - he was even racing my daughter's pony recently. Just like with humans, advances in veterinary medicine mean that more animals can be given a second chance at a great life.

Talk with your vet. Follow your vets guidance. Dogs shouldn't be allowed to suffer.

It’s not about what Fitzpatrick CAN do, it’s about whether he SHOULD
Unlike humans animals are able to be peacefully helped along their way when treatment or the end of their lives is going to be too painful to traumatic, however certain vets are too egocentric and/or too find of money to always do the right thing
I have been guilty myself (on my vets advice) of allowing a beloved pet to go through treatment when they should have probably been PTS and let a pet struggle on too long instead of letting them go peacefully so I do understand but I would probably make different decisions now.

Sorry to hear OP - hope your vet can make your DDog more comfortable and the chemo works.

For those slagging off Fitzpatrick, I was of the same opinion until I was referred to him for specialist treatment for my DDog. Once he'd opened him up, he phoned and we agreed that the best course of treatment was to PTS rather than putting him through treatment so he does do 'the right thing'. I found him incredibly easy to speak with as well as compassionate. Bloody expensive though!

Just read your last post and hope she starts to feel better soon.

Don't ever worry about phoning the vets. Remember it's private medicine and not the NHS if you are in the uk so don't worry about going back if they are in pain or uncomfortable.

@Hoppinggreen

It’s not about what Fitzpatrick CAN do, it’s about whether he SHOULD Unlike humans animals are able to be peacefully helped along their way when treatment or the end of their lives is going to be too painful to traumatic, however certain vets are too egocentric and/or too find of money to always do the right thing I have been guilty myself (on my vets advice) of allowing a beloved pet to go through treatment when they should have probably been PTS and let a pet struggle on too long instead of letting them go peacefully so I do understand but I would probably make different decisions now.

Every case on it's own merits. When our dog had terminal Osteocarsoma, {A tiny , almost imperceptible limp that didn't respond to rest}, the young vet wanted to ''Amputate'' But the chief vet {who also taught at a Vet school} when I asked her ''What would you do if she was yours?'' Just said ''I'd take her home, and PTS when the limp gets worse, or she begins to cough, whichever is the sooner''

This is from Fitzpatrick's site, 15 yrs later.
At least it is ''Honest''.

*Median survival times have been reported for the following therapies. It is important to realise these numbers are averages – half the patients will do better than these figures, but half unfortunately will do worse.

Amputation and chemotherapy – 10 to 12 months
Limb spare and chemotherapy – 10 to 12 months
Radiation and chemotherapy – 8 to 10 months
Amputation alone – 4 to 5 months
Palliative care – 1 to 3 months

The outcome of OSA can be improved if early diagnosis and treatment is achieved. One of the most important goals to treatment is to remove pain from your pet and ensure their quality of life is the best it can possibly be*

Edit...Osteosarcoma.

No advice from me, only hugs to you and your girl. Nobody knows whats round the corner with our dogs, we have to be guided by vets and the dog itself.

I'm sorry we all love our pets and would like them to live forever. However I would not put a pet through chemo. It's bad enough for people and you cannot explain to a dog what is happening. I have been through chemo myself and could not put an animal through it.

Hi. Please don’t give up on her! Our lab was diagnosed in Feb and he had 4 rounds of chemo. Make sure she has all her meds and especially anti sickness even if she’s not being sick and the paste they give you for gut health.

Our first round was a nightmare! Our lad curled up in his bed just shaking. I wanted to cry and was so hard on myself for being selfish and putting him through it. He wouldn’t eat for the first couple of days so give her anything (steak etc) so long as she’s eating something. Be prepared she will be 💩 img through the eye of a needle in a couple of days. It’s awful cos it’s so toxic and you need to pour water on it/keep kids away. It seemed like our lab was just pulling through it when it was time for his next 4 weekly round.

All dogs are different, we were lucky in that with every subsequent treatment our boy suffered less as he became more tolerant. He’s still happy and he’s had as much treatment as they can give him and he still has a massive joy for life. Don’t give up on her and let her go, see how she comes through it. It is genuinely a no pain no gain situation and it will get better.

Goes without saying though to call and chat to the vet for advice if you think she’s dehydrated or suffering, but just give her a little slack right now and let her curl up in her bed and feel sorry for herself