My vet has suggested chemo for my dog?

Question

can anyone shread any light on wheather this is a good idea...i have heard it only prolongs the dogs life for a few months or so..but i need to weigh this against the stress an anquish of treatment and a peaceful last few weeks

many thanks for all your kind words...my dog is 10yr old...has cancer of the glands(all over his body) though not suffering too much at mo..i agree with those who say let him live his life out peacefully,and when time comes have him put to sleep

Answer 1

Think of chemo on a person and what they go through.

Will your dog even understand what is going on and what you are having done.

Answer 2

I am sorry that you have to go through with this. It is difficult no matter what. I have a much different opinion then most however. have had two beagles that have had (have) lymphoma and we decided to try chemo. My male beagle had a very early stage 2 lymphoma and he is still here with us 2 1/2 years later and doing very well. My female beagle had stage 5 cancer and she lived 2 years (we treated her a second time for a reoccureance this spring) and she recently was put down.

Chemo was very well tolerated by both of my dogs. They had very few side effects and the little side effects were easily treated by medication. I would say that they were sick from the chemo about 10% of the time in the days following a treatment. My female beagle Bacall loved going to the vet for treatment so it could not have hurt her or bothered her. She would wag her tail in excitement when she knew it was treatment day. My male beagle seemed to handle it well also.

Chemo is very expensive and that is the only reason that I might not recommend it to people. We had the means and it was good for us. However, many people don't. To most people I recommend that you put your dog on Prednisone. It is a steroid that will not kill the cancer but it will help with the swelling. That will help with the quality of life of your dog for a few weeks or maybe even months. It is very cheap. Probably 15 to 40 dollars for a months supply depending on the size of your dog.

Take care and I wish you well.

Answer 3

We had a white, rough Collie who came down with leukemia when she was around eight years old. We took her to an oncology specialist (100 miles away) who happily coordinated the treatments with our local vet.

She did well on chemo for several weeks as was evidence by the lymph nodes shrinking. She did not become ill, did not lose her hair, and remained her normal energetic self. The treatments were surprisingly affordable ($25-$35 range) for a med that was used in human oncology.

What did kill her was septic shock. She was also on prednisone which suppressed her immune system. What none of us knew was that she had the beginning of an impacted tooth. Without an immune system, the infection took over in a matter of hours, causing septic shock and she passed away.

Unfortunately, only you can make the decision. But please remember this; you can always start chemo... if things get worse, then you can discontinue it and let nature take its course. If you don't, you may always wonder if you did the right thing. What shape your dog is in now, what your vet thinks the prognosis is, your financial status, etc. should all factor into the decision. It may be worth it to get an oncologist's opinion.

Good luck, I sincerely hope that things work out...

Answer 4

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. My 1st dog had cancer round her neck and she was 10yrs when diagnosed. This was a long time ago so treatments have progressed. The Vet put my dog on chemo which was in the form of a tablet which had to be given in a piece of cheese or butter. NOT TO BE TOUCH BY HUMAN HANDS! She was on it for about three weeks (alas) and the cancer suddenly took over and I had to make that dreadful decision. It is obviously up to you but if your dog is comfortable and eating, hang on. You will know when the time is right and your dog will almost always let you know as well. It is not a nice time but I have happy memories of a wonderful dog, a great friend and protector. She is buried in the garden with my 4 cats and I talk to her when I put the washing out and I DO cry sometimes. I miss her terribly. I wish you and your dog all the very best.

Answer 5

Chemo very much depends on the tumour type. From what you describe tumours in glands it sound like lymphoma. If it is lymphoma chemo therapy is worth considering as many dogs can be brought into remission (cancer free for 2 years) but it depends on the cell type and whether the cancer has moved out of the lymph system. Other forms of solid tumours do not respond well to chemo so the risks probably out weigh the benefits.
The drugs used for canine chemotherapy tend to be the same as those used for people but at much lower doses so the side effects are much less severe.
Cost are very variable and depend on the protocol used there are various drug options and these should be discussed with you're vet. The treatment I tend to use is the COP protocol which consists of a weekly injection of vincristine, and alternating tablets of prednisolone and endoxana, which is not too invasive and only needs weekly appointments. There are many other options but I've found this one to be effective, with few ill effects and cost effective.
I hope this helps.
As to the new car if any ones getting one its the drug company.

Answer 6

I had a conversation with my Vet about 16 months ago regarding treating a cat with Cancer. They said the best thing to do was put the cat on Steroids. I asked about Chemo and they said that they had sent 6 dogs to a specialist in previous 12 months for Chemo and it hadn't extended or done the dogs andy good. They also mentioned that the huge cost of Chemo especially if the dogs weren't insured. I lost one of my dogs recently I discovered she had a problem at 0600 hours and she had been put to sleep by 0840 hours, not enough time to say good bye to her.

You have to do what you feel is best after taking the correct medical advice, these areonly opinions on here. I would say the main thing is the quality of life for your dog. It is not an easy decission to make but, please make the right decission for the dog, not what you want as this can lead to the dog being in pain without you knowing.

Good luck whatever you decide, my heart goes out to you at what must be a difficult time.

Answer 7

It may prolong your dog's life, but it is costly and doesn't always work. I know you love your dog. They get into your heart and are a part of the family. Still, it wouldn't do it. You'll be out of hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars. I don't think it right to spend that kind of money on an animal when so many people cannot get medical treatment.
Ask the vet what can be done to keep your dog comfortable until the end of its days. Lavish all the love and care on your dog you can until such a time comes.
I am a dog lover. I lost my Jake because he didn't like kids much, and while he was on my rental property as he was everyday for a romp in the courtyard, a child came into the yard and got bitten. He was not mauled. He kicked my Jake and Jake nipped him and sat down. The landlord made a big deal about it (his nephew) and I had go to court, pay fines and eventually I had to move.

I couldn't find a place to take Jake too. He had regular care by a vet, all his shots and so forth, but he had to be registered as a biter and couldn't be adopted out. He was only one years old, so funny, my little heart and so beautiful. Still I had to turn him in to be put down. I spoiled him that day. Went to all his favorite parks, fed him his favorities, pizza and ice-cream that were not good for him, but he loved! I couldn't take him in, my son did that and we mourned that night like tomorrow would never come. That was three years ago, and we both still cry about missing him sometimes. So know I understand your anguish.

Keep your sweetie comfortable. Take lots of pictures. Let him/her go when it is time. My sympathy.

Answer 8

my staffi nora was diagnosed with cancer and the vet suggested chemo ,she was only 6yrs old,it never even entered mine or my wifes thoughts about having her put to sleep if there was a chance to prolong her life.i've seen some of your replys and the suggestion that a vet or vets are only thinking of the money in my case is utter rubbish.i had my dog treated because she was part of my family and should be treated no differently to any other member,she had to have one of her front legs amputated as well as the chemo,she manage to keep going for another 2 months and we could see no change in her after her treatment, she would still run and chase our other staffi when i took them up the playing fields and i believe she was happy till the end. but having said all this ,you and no one else has to make the choice,we know that we made the right one ,i wish your dog and youself well

Answer 9

Chemotherapy is costly, but I have seen it lend over a year of happy life to pets with treatable cancers. If you can afford it, and are willing to shuttle your dog to the vet regularly in order to gain some extra time together, it can really do a lot of good.

If you are unable or unwilling to accept the risks and the costs that is nothing to be ashamed of. There are times when chemo is not effective against the cancer, and the patient requires euthanasia sooner than hoped.

It is definitely a personal decision, but if you have more questions, don't hesitate to pester your veterinarian for more answers.

Answer 10

Even in human cancer cases chemotherapy might only prolong life for a few months. In fact, chemo is so horrid that it is the treatment itself that kills. The vet is trying to kill the cancer cells, but while he's at it, he's killing the dog as well. He just hopes that somehow the chemo will get rid of the cancer before the dog dies. It's a last resort.

Personally, aside from the expense of chemotherapy, I would rather euthanize my dog instead of putting it through such a horrible procedure. Chemotherapy is awful, it's painful.

Answer 11

Personally-I'd have the vet give you pain meds to keep the dog comfy and let him live out his life OR if he's suffering so bad, put him down, it's the mosy humane thing you can do.
It's quick, painless & peaceful.
Best of Luck & I am so sorry.

P.S. Chemo for a pet is going to cost a LOT, mind you.