My Dog and Lymphoma- asking for advice

TiffanyH

Hi, everyone...

I have a 9 year old shar-pei named Kahlua. She was diagnosed with lymphoma back in March and has been going through chemo ever since. My vet has given her 6-18 months, which is pretty much a sentence for torture, because the six months have already passed and it's almost like I'm dreading the day that she goes downhill.

My dog's lymphoma came out as ulcers on the skin...the biggest ones being under her chin and on her anus. Recently, the ulcers have started to come back and, naturally, I'm becoming worried....the thing is, she's perfectly happy, has a great quality of life, and I've seen little spots show up on her and dissapear within a week. Has anyone else had this sort of experience? She keeps scooting on her butt because she's uncomfortable, but she's still a perfectly happy dog. My vet says the chemo has undoubtedly given her more time with us.

Please understand that if she was already sick, or if she really wasn't doing well, I wouldn't put her through this. She's a perfectly healthy dog with this microscopic thing taking over her life. How do I know when she's coming out of remission? Can anyone else tell me about their experiences with lymphoma? I'd appreciate the stories and the advice. My two shar-peis are the first dogs I've ever had, so this constant bout with cancer (in both of them - her sister has nasal adenocarcinoma) has been really scary and stressful for me.

LoveLilly

I have never known lymphoma to surface as skin patches, that just sounds like skin cancer. Lymphoma is cancer in the lymphnodes and it effects the entire body & the organ functions.

One note to say....I understand this is very very hard and my eyes are welling with tears for you.....but look at your sentence that says "she scoots her butt b/c it is uncomfortable". If she is uncomfortable with something terminal, versus a rash, its not a good quality of life. Also, chemo makes them sick and is painful.

Ragmop53

Hi Tiffany,

Poor Kahula, I can fell your pain to Tiffany. I had a bassett that had Lymphosarcoma, every lymph node in her body was effected. She was also 9 years old. We didn't want to put her through alot of pain and suffering with treatment, for it to only give her a few months more of pain and suffering.
How well I remember this...it's been over 25 years ago. Just keep her as comfortable as possible and I asked my vet what were the last stages of this disease and he told me, blindness and swallowing difficulty, which she had both. Just do what you think is right in your heart, and you'll know you made the right one.

Take Care Tiffany and give Kaluha a big hug.

Ragmop53

3dogsplus

Hi Tiffany
I am sorry to hear about Kaluha. Lymphosarcoma can affect the skin - called cutaneous lymphoma or mycosis fungoides. Chemotherapy will definitely give you more time with Kaluha but unfortunately you rarely cure lymphoma in dogs. Luckily, as you have experienced, most dogs handle chemo better than people and you acheive quality time, rather than just quantity.

I would be concerned that the ulcers coming back on the skin could be recurrance of the cancer. Have your vet check them out as it could indicate that Kaluha is becoming resistant to the current chemotherapy and may need to try a different protocol (known as rescue protocols). If you are not seeing a veterinary oncologist or internist, you may want to ask about referral or at least see if your veterinarian can consult with them about current recommendations for cutaneous lymphoma.

I know this is a difficult time for you and that you are doing what you know is best for Kaluha.

Trina

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