My boy diagnosed with Lymphoma

[malakai]

I am really worried about my dog. I can't get him to eat and he looks awful. Here are the details, any questions please ask...

Here is my situation, as of last night:

My 6.5 yr old male always had a good appetite. I have fed him Canidae for most of his life. About a month ago he stopped eating and lost weight. I took him to the vet and they told me his "calcium content" for his blood was 15, normal is 8-12.

I took him to another vet, all records faxed over, where he had another exam and ionized calcium test and blood work. That vet referred us to an specialist, who ran more test and extracted cells from his lymph nodes. He was diagnosed with Lymphoma. He was prescribed 40mg Prednisone/day.

Recently we have been contact with an intuitive animal therapist. She recommended a new high-protein dog food (Orijins Fish-based), Super Immunity (mushroom blend), Kyo Green, Raw Pro-biotic enzymes and Flor-Essence (a detox). We are supplementing meat and veggies into his food. He is also drinking alkaline water.

Lately, specifically today, things have not been so good. He won't eat anything, not even chicken or salami held right in his face. He has lost over 12lbs in a month, and his skin's elasticity is ridiculously bad. He seems dehydrated, but pukes water immediately after drinking. He puked 6 times today, mostly water. His Lymph Nodes are swollen in his neck. He is lethargic and won't even come across the room when called. He is not even interested in his ball. He hasn't eaten much in the past 3 days and nothing at all today.

My girlfriend and I have spent a lot of money already and he is deteriorating fast. At this point, all I can see is an IV hook up and ER visit to the vet. I have already taken opened a credit card to pay for his expenses, but I don't see him getting any better.

If there is anyone out here that could offer advice, please let me know. Malakai is my best friend and the best dog I could ever ask for. It is destroying me and all I want is for him to feel better, at least eat and hold his food down.

[jamielvsaustin]

I had this big plan to give you a bunch of information and share stories of others who experience Lymphoma...but when I put it in the search engine in the Health Issues section, the posts that came up were not good news posts

I'm very sorry for what you're going though, I hope that you can make Malakai as comfortable as possible. I don't pray but I'll send you a bunch of "strength" thoughts/vibes.

[star_frances]

I have no experience with lymphoma so I can't speak to that, but I would say at the very least get him in to the vet for some IV fluids. It will make him a little more comfortable. Dehydration is terrible.

So sorry you are going through this with your boy. My heart goes out to you.

[jamielvsaustin]

I would say at the very least get him in to the vet for some IV fluids.

My husband's childhood cat went down hill very soon after I moved to Florida. He had cat AIDS and a very large tumor in one of his kidneys. The vet that saw him explained that really there was nothing we could do except make him comfortable. He sent us home with IVs and fluids. He gave Cat Daddy one while we were there and showed me how to do it, and then sent us home with all the supplies. I'd see if your vet would do that for you as well.

[AllisonPitbullLvr]

Ditto to the above posts.

Unfortunately, lymphoma is an aggressive form of cancer that can take our pets from us very quickly.

I would suggest getting him to your vet ASAP to at least ensure that he is hydrated and comfortable.

[julie64]

I'm so sorry you are going through this. This is how my Shay was and I knew she had fought as hard as she could, but it was time to say goodbye. I agree with seeing your vet. You and your boy will be in my thoughts.

[Ilovethepits]

I am so sorry about Malakai. You, your girlfriend, Malakai and his friends/family are in my thoughts today.

[malakai]

Thanks for all of your kind words and thoughts. We will get him on an IV this afternoon.

It's really hard to think of life without my best friend. Can't tell you how many times it's been me and Malakai against the world. I remember fishing trips, sleeping in the back of my Subaru just him and me, happy as a clam. I just want him to be as comfortable as possible, and to be eating/drinking.

Thanks again. If there's anything else I can do, please let me know.

[AllisonPitbullLvr]

If this was my dog, this is what I would do.

I would take the day off and let her snuggle on the couch with me all day. I'd go to mcdonalds and get her her own happy meal and ice cream cone. I would sing her a silly bedtime song and sleep with my arms wrapped tight around her. I would thank her fir coming into my life. Then I would let her go.

He is being taken from you much too soon, dogs always are.

Thinking of you tonight.

[PitFriend]

In my experience with lymphoma, it will get to a point (and it sounds like you are already there) when the prednisone will not be enough. In order to prolong the dog's life for any real length of time, you will need chemotherapy. After a diagnosis of lymphoma, my senior lab was able to live 2 quality years with successive chemotherapy treatments. We had to let her go last year and I am so grateful for the extra time we had, but it was not a decision my family made lightly - chemo is crazy expensive and the caretaking of a dog going through it can be taxing and stressful. It is understandable that chemotherapy may not be an option for you, and in that case I agree with Allison. It may be time to think about giving your boy some peace. I'm so very sorry you're going through this. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

[mypuppyJack]

so sorry for everything you are going through. thinking of you and your boy tonight. hugs

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[Sarah]

If this was my dog, this is what I would do.

I would take the day off and let her snuggle on the couch with me all day. I'd go to mcdonalds and get her her own happy meal and ice cream cone. I would sing her a silly bedtime song and sleep with my arms wrapped tight around her. I would thank her fir coming into my life. Then I would let her go.

He is being taken from you much too soon, dogs always are.

Thinking of you tonight.

x2

I'm so sorry about your dog. Lymphoma is a terrible disease, I wish this hadn't happened, especially to a caring owner like you.

[pblove]

I too, am in agreement with the above advice .
I lost my first pit bull to this same stinking cancer many years ago. I did basically what you have done, went to our regualr vet, went for second and third opinions, then switched to a holistic vet . From the day my dog was diagnosed until it was time to let him go was 6 weeks , he was 13 y/o and I did not want to do chemo because of his age, plus it was fairly new to treat dogs with chemo back then.
This is the worst part of loving a dog and I am sorry you and Mal are at this crossroad. It is the most selfless act of love when you respect, love and cherish him enough to set him free.
I hold them, tell them it is alright to leave me or leave here, tell them how much I love them, will miss them and tell them what beautiufl and wonderful dogs they were.
I am so so sorry.
Praying for Malakai, you and your gf.
sending you all gentle, comforting hugs

[Murfins]

I am so sorry you, your family and Malakai are going through this - my heart goes out to you.

We went through lymphoma with both my dog, Sully, and my cat, Squirt ...

I agree with the advise already given.

[patty]

Thinking of you, your girlfriend and Malakai.