Chemo...is it suppose to do this???

[juliefurry]

My husky started her chemo treatment three days ago . Ever since then she has been lathargic and sick. The vet said she might not be feeling quite herself but I didn't think it would be this bad. Is it suppose to take effect on her body this quickly and make her sick like that? I thought that it took like two or three treatments before they started getting sick. I'm very worried about her, worried and scared. This shouldn't have to happen to her, she shouldn't have to go through this. She's too young to have this happen to her. Does anyone here have any experience with chemo? I don't know what to expect really.

 

[Renee750il]

Chemo is rough on any creature, Julie.

You might find this thread useful: http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4359

There are quite a few here who have had to battle cancer with their dogs, so you should get quite a bit of first hand experience to help you.

We'll be keeping the two of you in our thoughts. Keep us posted!

 

[bubbatd]

Such a worry for you. Nothing is harder on us than a sick dog we love........wish they could talk. We're here for you, keep us posted.

 

[Adrienne]

One of the puppies I gave to my Best Friend (an APBT) was diagnosied with Lymphoma a few months ago. She is regularly receiving chemo and at first was quite ill with it. They did a double dose a few weeks ago and she lost all of her whiskers and some patches of hair. She was very lethargic and sickly. She is doing a lot better now and handling the treatments like a champ. SHe only gets treatments once every other week now so her body has some time to heal from one treatment to the next.
Can I ask what type of disease they are treating your dog for?

 

[Barb04]

My prayers are with you and your husky. Keep us updated.

 

[juliefurry]

Well the vet told us that she had a tumor in her bone, and that is why she had all the pain and probably the aggression that we were having problems with earlier. We had originally brought her in because we had found little lumps on her neck and a few afterwards on her body. Well the doctor did the x-rays and everything and found the bone tumor on her. He said he's seen in A LOT in littler dogs, but not so much in the larger dogs. She seems to be doing better now though, she doesn't eat quiet as much but for the most part she is doing ok. I forgot what the scientific name the vet gave us for the tumor he found, I have to take her back to him next week. She's laying up here on the bed now resting her head on my computer chair begging to get her head scratched. She's SO cute! I hoped there could be a happy ending for her but it doesn't look that way. It just sucks because who knows what her life was like before and now we have her and we are willing to work and make a good life for her and she has to go through this. The vet said that maybe we should think about removing her leg because it would take out the main tumor. So when we take her in agian next week I will seriously talk to him about it. Right now we are dealing with A LOT with her and she's being SUCH a good dog through all this, the nurses and staff at the vet's office said she was SO sweet to them but they could tell she was REALLY anxious to go home.

 

[Saje]

Awwww That's so sad. And she sounds so sweet. I'm glad you have her for this time. I hope you don't have any regrets about that. She's so happy to be in your family!

I don't know what it's like to have a dog go through chemo so I can't tell you what I find to be normal. I would consider Renee's recommendation of Essiac at the very least it can't hurt.

How are things going otherwise at home?

 

[juliefurry]

Things are going a lot better. All three of the dogs are settling in really good. Hubby is starting to share in the dog raising duties. He takes them out in the early morning (and lets me sleep) and then he'll take them out before he goes to work and when he comes home. He helps me feed them in the morning as well. He'll help me give them all bathes, and blowdry and brush Shelby. I think he feels more sympathetic for Shelby now and he babies her A LOT. He carries her up and down from the car, and helps her off the bed, he watches her CONSTANTLY when he's home.

 

[Saje]

AWWW that's so sweet. That's really good to hear. What a star everyone in your family is.

 

[juliefurry]

Shelby is the biggest star she is being SO brave through this. I'm glad that the vet took the blood and the x-ray because we probably never would have found this tumor. Me and my hubby are talking about removing the leg, but we're just trying to keep all options open for the present moment. We want to do whatever is best for Shelby and whatever is going to give her a longer and better life. If removing her leg will give her more life, that's worth living not life in pain, than we are probably going to go ahead and do it. The shelter that we got her from is CONSTANTLY calling here they said they will give us a free adoption because they feel sorry for what is happening with us. They also said they have a little can up in front to help take in donations for her and all the surgery and chemo she'll go through. So they are being nice and I can tell they are very sorry. I don't blame them, like I think they are thinking though, they didn't know she had anything wrong with her and if you adopt an animal I see it as you are buying "as is"

 

[Barb04]

Julie I really hope everything goes well for Shelby. I also want to say that I admire the shelter you got her from for their support, especially putting up the donation can for her. Please keep us posted.

 

[Renee750il]

I found this site. It might be helpful to you and anyone else who suspects or has found out their dog has cancer. http://www.caninecancerawareness.org

I'll have to see if I can't resurrect some files on the old computer. I seem to remember a site I had bookmarked about a Siberian Husky with bone cancer who had the amputation. Sometimes it helps to see what others have been through.

Just know we are thinking of Shelby and holding her in our hearts.

 

[juliefurry]

Thank you. Well we got back from the vets just a little while ago and we talked it over with him for awhile. We have decided to go with the amputation, we have decided that is the best way to give her a happier and longer life. Our main concern is just for her comfort, life isn't worth living if she's gonna be in pain all the time. So the surgery will be done fairly soon. We're a little freaked about how we're gonna pay for this but our vet is being really nice, he's giving us a discount and letting us make payments without adding interest to our total. He said usually they will add interest to the amount not paid but he will not charge us the interest. Thankfully we have a really nice, caring and understanding vet.

 

[EliNHunter]

Omigosh... amputation? What is getting amputated, a whole leg? Part of a lower leg? I commend you on this decision! Dogs adapt very quickly when they lose a leg! Sounds like the best course of action. My Eli had lymphoma and only made it through one treatment of chemo. It caused bloodclots in his lungs

 

[showpug]

I want to commend you for going through with the amputation for your dog. I will let you know that after working at the vet clinic for 5 years I saw quite a few amputations. Please know that if you can be patient through the healing and rehibilitation process that they actually do very well even after a leg is gone. It is sad to see them go through the pain, but they end up alive and well. This is the right decision, but be patient and expect to have good and bad times as you help her through this. I have see so many amputees that are fetching balls and playing like they used to months after their surgery. One side note...try to keep your pooch rested after he/she is healed. When a leg is missing, there is more strain on the other legs and that can mean potential injury, so keep your pooch off of slippery floors and don't wear him/her out too much at play time. Good luck to you and keep us posted

 

[juliefurry]

The vet said her entire leg would have to be removed. He said that is what he would recommend doing. So we are getting the whole leg amputated. I want to thank everyone for their kind words and support through this. This whole situation is very tiring and tramatic to everyone. I know that I can be patient through the healing process because we have been patient with her about some many other things. I don't think I will have to worry about her tiring herself out too much though. She has never been a dog that has liked to play or go on long walks. I have barely seen her go any faster than a jog. I know my husband will watch her like a hawk, he'll make sure she gets her nap times in. She's taking her 2nd or 3rd afternoon nap of the day right now on our bed. I've been trying to keep her away from our little puppy Hannah and our older puppy Mack. All they want to do is play and I don't want her to get hurt.

 

[Renee750il]

Love and hugs to all of you, Julie.

 

[bubbatd]

Bless you Julie,,,I know this is hard on all of you, but you're doing the best for your baby. Please keep us posted as you move on. My thoughts are with you.

 

[juliefurry]

I"ll be sure to keep everyone posted. She's licking my hand right now (I think she wants me to add her thanks to all of you). Renee thanks for all of the articles they were very good. I didn't know some of that stuff and now I can sort of follow along with my vet and he doesn't go too far over my head.

 

[Renee750il]

Give that big sweetheart an ear rub for me.