Antibiotic - Zeniquin 100mg

mhowd · 11-28-2006, 08:34 PM

They told me that there could be a mass in her liver and/or spleen, but all the lymph nodes were enlarged. The lining of her stomach has thickened. He pointed out each of the lymph nodes that are internal and how they are enlarged, size, etc. They then took the lymph node out of her left hind leg and that is the one being biopsied. At this point, we've decided not to biopsy the liver or spleen, but he does suspect there is a mass in either or both of those organs. I guess the ultrasound isn't able to totally detect that. The biopsy should take up to three days, possibly more. They put a "stat" on the biopsy, so perhaps it will be quicker than the usual week. She's sleeping now, but began crying a bit. I took her outside and she urinated, then we came back inside and she drank some, and then wanted to go out again, and prompted vomited the water she drank. I bought her back in and gave her a little water and she's sleeping again. I just don't know how long to wait. I refuse to see her in any pain, and obviously don't want her to suffer any. The vet related her pain/discomfort to flu like symptoms - just feeling under. I'm hoping the biopsy will tell us the type and stage of the cancer. I wish she would eat - I tried looking for El Pollo Loco, but suppose in Pennsylvania Dutch country, that doesn't exist. I guess I could try scrapple next, but that can be too fatty. Vet suggested a can of tuna fish, so I will try that next.

mhowd · 11-30-2006, 05:25 PM

The vet called back and the biopsy results came in. Positive for Lymphoma. Biopsy showed it is a high grade and probably will not respond to chemo. The best we can do now is give prednisone and enjoy the next month or two with her. The cancer is in her liver and spleen. Not much more to say at this point, other than she did start eating for the first time last night. I gave her some baby food and she now seems to like that. I added some boiled chicken to it tonight (ran it through a food processor).

Thanks everyone for your kind words.

Dogged · 12-01-2006, 12:14 AM

All the signs were pointing to that. I'm sorry. At least you have an answer, and yes Prednisone is about all you can do at this point. Since her liver is already involved, and isn't functioning great (jaundice), she may have trouble with the Prednisone because I believe it affects the liver in some way. It is normal for a healthy animal to have higher liver enzymes and an enlarged liver if they have been on Prednisone for awhile.

At this point though, it is all you can do. I'm glad she is eating. Eating is an important factor in quality of life. Prednisone can also make them want to eat more sometimes. Also drinking more, peeing more, and sometimes panting more are other side effects.

Good luck.

mhowd · 12-01-2006, 04:39 PM

Thanks Dogged for all your help and advice during this time. I truly appreciate it - you're a great person.

pupskersandhutch · 12-02-2006, 02:07 PM

Hey have you found out about the ultrasound

Dogged · 12-02-2006, 04:35 PM

Pups--mhowd states earlier in the thread that they found cancer in multiple organs, and now they have a diagnosis of Lymphoma.

There isn't much that can be done except to try Prednisone that may make heer feel better for awhile. Sometimes it won't work at all, but sometimes it can make them feel better for a little while, maybe days, maybe weeks.

mhowd · 12-10-2006, 07:25 PM

Dogged - if you're on the site, I was hoping you could help me with a question. Since you know a lot about my situation with Chelsea, I thought you might not mind helping me out. Chelsea has been on Prednisone for a little over a week. Today, something has changed. She seems to be very hungry, all the time. She also is wandering around and can't seem to settle into one spot. The vet put her on Prednisone - two tablets a day for 7 days, then 2 tablets every other day. Thursday, was her last dose of the every day dosage and I skipped Friday. Saturday, she was in terrible condition, but once I gave her the dosage, she perked up. Today, I was afraid not to give her anything, so I just gave her one tablet, and now she just wants to eat and eat, and can't seem to find a spot to settle down - she keeps walking around. Any thoughts?

Dogged · 12-10-2006, 07:40 PM

Hello,

A side effect of Prednisone is them wanting to eat more, so that could be normal, and since she didn't want to eat anything before, then I would say it is working. We never know how long it will work for, it could be a week, it could be a few months, you just never know.

The pacing and not being able to settle could be pain, although Prednisone can make them pant more sometimes and sometimes pace too.

Although what you are describing could be side effects of the Pred, I wouldn't think you would suddenly start seeing them after lowring the dose, so they could be side effects of the disease. It can be so hard to tell.

I think since you are seeing adverse effects after lowering the dose, I would be inclined to go back up to 2 a day again. The vets usually try to get to the lowest dosage that will still be effective, but that is different for every animal and situation, so you kind of have to play with it and see.

Of course this is Sunday so you probably can't call your vet, but I would call and talk to them about it as soon as you can tomorrow.

mhowd · 12-10-2006, 07:46 PM

Thanks Dogged - I will certainly call the vet tomorrow morning. I called the vet the other day - seems there is a tumor behind her left eye as well as liver and spleen and the tumor behind her eye is causing her eye to "bulge" out a bit. This is just so hard to go through - I'm glad there is someone I can go to during this time. Thanks so much for all your help.

Dogged · 12-10-2006, 08:00 PM

Wow. That is certainly something that could be painful.

I'm sure you are taking it day by day, but you will probably have to make the decision at some point on when it is time to end her suffering. Hopefully the Prednisone is helping right now, but even that sometimes can have so many side effects that it decreases quality of life to an unacceptable level.

I know you don't want to be thinking of these things, believe me I know how hard it is to make those decisions, I've been there many times, but you have to consider it for her well being. I'm not saying you are there yet, because I can't see her, and only you can decide when the time has come to end her suffering, but it is something you have to discuss with your vet and reassess daily.

Good luck.

mhowd · 12-10-2006, 08:08 PM

Thanks for the advice. I've been keeping an eye out for signs, etc. My vet did give me a name and phone number of a person of one of their staff who is actually going through a course in pet ministry and I've just been hesitant to make the call. She can come visit and assess Chelsea and give me her advice. She also deals with the owners to help them through this. I suppose I'm in some type of denial stage as this came up so suddenly - thanks again to all your support and terrific advice. You will probably never realize how much you have helped me.

Dogged · 12-10-2006, 08:15 PM

I'm glad you think I have helped, that is why I joined here, so that maybe I could help someone.

That sounds like a great program that your vet has, I have never heard of that being done before. What a great idea. Sounds like your vet really cares.

Don't forget to take care of yourself too, you have to stay strong for her.

mhowd · 12-10-2006, 08:23 PM

Will do - if I can get the information about the course she took in pet ministry, I'll try to get it posted to the site. It does sound like a great program and the fact that she can come to the house and exam Chelsea, is such a relief. It's difficult now to get her to the vet and I try not disturb her too much - just trying to keep her as comfortable as possible.

mhowd · 01-13-2007, 07:57 PM

Thank you so much for all your support during this time. Chelsea passed Thursday night at 7:15pm. I had my Pet Minister, Cheryl, present. We had a nice room at the Vet's office - almost like being at home. The room had wicker furniture and plants and a small area rug under a coffee table. Chelsea was in her bed on the floor of the room and I was lying next to her cradling her head. We dimmed the lights and had a candle burning. Cheryl read some passages from the Bible, then said a prayer. We then had silent prayer and Cheryl annointed Chelsea and gave her last rites. Cheryl then read Psalms 23 followed by a prayer. We then had another silent prayer. The doctor then came in and explained everything that would happen. Chelsea seemed very comfortable - I held her head and talked to her and told her how much I love her - what a good and pretty girl. She looked up at me and didn't take her eyes off me. The vet assistants made a paw print from Chelsea's right paw into a round piece of clay that had her name stamped into it. The doctor administered the medication and Chelsea went to sleep. We then had another silent prayer.

I made the decision to take Chelsea home as the next morning I was driving her to the pet memorial park. I elected to be present during the cremation. I arrived at the pet memorial park and they were very nice - they took Chelsea out of my Jeep and told me she would be ready in a little while. I drove down the road and purchased some flowers. I arrived back at the pet memorial park and they walked me into the room - the room was a "double" room - in one room I had a private viewing - which they laid Chelsea out so nicely - half covered with a blanket in a casket. I was able to stay in the room with Chelsea as long as I needed. I petted her head and told her I would miss her so much - I had a prayer and then gave her a kiss on top her head. I went into the other adjoining room (where I had placed the flowers and a picture of Chelsea taken in my backyard a year or so ago) and they opened the blinds that looked out into the crematorium. They rolled Chelsea out into the room and the director, Chuck, told me everything that would happen. They put Chelsea into the crematory and the door shut. After a couple of hours - I had a nice marble box picked out (Rose Marble, since her middle name was Rose) - Chelsea's ashes were placed in the box and I was able to bring her home - the inscription I had etched on Metal had her name, date of birth, date of death and "Heaven has a new Angel".

If anyone is wondering why I decided to be present during the cremation - I decided Chelsea never left my side, not for a minute - she had a slight problem with separation anxiety and would get very upset if she didn't know where I was. I wanted to be with Chelsea every step of the way. I just couldn't trust anyone else with my girl. It's just something I felt I had to do and I'm very glad I did. She is back home with me and I didn't leave her side.

Thanks again - it's still very difficult for me, but writing down my experience above seems to help. I just wanted everyone to know how much this dog has meant to me. I've been through some rough times and Chelsea was always there for me. Always by my side - a true friend.

Dogged · 01-14-2007, 03:20 AM

That was very nice, Mhowd. Very sad, but very nice. You certainly did all you could, but there just wasn't anything else left to do except to release her to a better place when this one was just to much to bear anymore. I know how hard this has been for you, and I am somewhat surprised that she held on as long as she did. I think she did that for you, but finally the time had come.

I'm glad you stayed with her. That's important. I have quite a few of those little urns myself, so I know how it is.

I hope that if you decide to get another dog someday, you will honor Chelsea by saving a dogs life in her name. That will give Chelsea's life even more meaning and make her live on.

Please take care, Mhowd