Leslie Posted September 14, 2004 Report Share Posted September 14, 2004 Hello, I haven't posted here in ages, but I was hoping for some feedback. My 7-year old male BC was discovered to have swollen lymph nodes on his neck last week during a routine trip to the vet for his rabies and distemper shots. The vet put him on antibiotics for one week, but the nodes are still swollen, even more so than before. The dog seems to be fine otherwise, except for some itching and excessive shedding (seasonal allergies for which he takes benedryl); he is eating well and romping around as usual. The vet next wants to do a dental cleaning (he had one last year) and a biopsy of one of the nodes. I have read up on lymphoma in dogs and I know the prognosis is not good. What I am wondering is if there is anything else that could cause swollen lymph nodes in an otherwise healthy dog (allergies possibly?), or should I prepare for the worst? Thanks. Leslie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rave Posted September 14, 2004 Report Share Posted September 14, 2004 Leslie, Has the vet run a blood panel yet?? If so, did that indicate anything? Are just his neck lymph nodes enlarged, or are the other ones as well? From what I understand, lymphoma is very treatable if caught early enough, but I hope it's not that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Devils Posted September 14, 2004 Report Share Posted September 14, 2004 Leslie, I lost my bc/mix last month to lymphoma of the GI Tract at the age of 4. She showed no symptoms until the end. Lymphoma is very treatable if caught early as Laura stated. I do believe that other things can cause swollen lymph nodes but don't procrastinate trying to figure it out. Please have the lymph node biopsied asap that will be the only thing that eases your mind. I am not trying to scare you because it could be nothing and I really hope that is the case. Good luck, Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie Posted September 23, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 Hello Again, Rusty had his biopsy today. His bloodwork looked good, but the vet saw suspicious dime-sized spots on his x-rays in places other than his throat area, which he suspects are other involved lymph nodes, so I guess neither one of us will be surprised with bad biopsy results. He will get a steroid shot today before I pick him up after work to make him more comfortable in the meantime. My husband and I have decided against chemo if the results come back malignant, especially now since it looks like the disease has spread. My understanding is that the dog will have about 6-8 weeks. We are wondering what else we can do to make him comfortable as long as possible, and how will we know when it is time to let him go. Any thoughts? Thanks. Leslie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Devils Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 You can always hope for the best and that it is not cancer. We decided to make Charlotte as comfy as possible and spoiled her rotten. She received lots food, treats, etc... She was a food-a-holic. She even got some people food. She was in heaven. We knew it was time for Charlotte when a couple things happened. She seemed to look so pitiful and miserable AND the final straw was she decided to not to eat one morning. That was the one sign we decided would be the deciding factor because she loved food more than anything. In the end, you will know when it is time. Your dog will tell you by the way it acts or doesn't act, whether it eats, etc... I will pray for good results Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie Posted September 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2004 Thanks for the kind words Kim. Rusty is definitely not his old self of late. He lays around a lot and is doing a lot of panting. Something is definitely wrong, but he does still have an appetite. We are anxiously awaiting the lab results and I will post again once we get them. Leslie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie Posted October 1, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2004 Well, the results are back and the news is bad. It is lymphoma. The vet says it is spreading based on what he saw on the x-rays. Rusty has started taking prednisone to help relieve symptoms. Right now he is panting a lot and breathing heavily. We are hoping the prednisone will help with that, but the vet says sometimes the panting is aggrevated by the prednisone. He still has a healthy appetite, but we have noticed a definite slowing down in his normal activity level (he tires easily when chasing balls, etc.). We have opted to make him comfortable as long as possible and spoil him rotten in the meantime. If anyone has any suggestions about how we can make his remaining time more comfortable, please let me know. Thanks. Leslie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rave Posted October 1, 2004 Report Share Posted October 1, 2004 Bummer Leslie. Is there an oncologist near you that can help you make treatment decisions?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
urge to herd Posted October 1, 2004 Report Share Posted October 1, 2004 Leslie, I'm so sorry for the news about Rusty. I hope that you have a wonderful time with him, I know you'll take very good care. When Sammi has been on the inactive duty list, sometimes I'd sit on the floor and push a larger ball to her, that she could then push back to me with her nose, without getting up and moving around. It was a sort of armchair soccer kind of thing. Rusty might enjoy doing that. We're thinking of you, give Rusty a good scratch for me. Ruth n the Border Trio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailrider Posted October 2, 2004 Report Share Posted October 2, 2004 Last November I had rabies given to my dogs, and one was a rough collie. He started having enlarged lymph nodes withing a few weeks. I was sorry I had done the rabies on a 7 year old. Neither the vet nor myself had seen the lumps at the time, so we did rabies - but wish we had not. We made him comfortable with steroids, also. So good luck and give lots of hugs. My boy was pampered, had treats all the time, and was as happy as I could get him to be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailrider Posted October 2, 2004 Report Share Posted October 2, 2004 The vet next wants to do a dental cleaning (he had one last year) and a biopsy of one of the nodes *(dental cleaning)* N0W??? Sounds like a redundant idea to me. Many years ago I had biopsies done for two dogs at different times, and they just showed what we already know. I think this stuff just gives unnecessary stress to the dog. This time, I didn`t make the dog go through the discomfort. Love your dog, give him lots of your time. That`s what he needs and wants and what will give him the best quality of life. My thoughts are with you as tears of love bring back the memories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabreur Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 Oh bummer. I lost a dog to lymphoma about four years ago. My thoughts are with you. MR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Devils Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 I am sorry about the diagnosis. I was there in July and it sucks. We lost in 3 weeks later. Luckily, I can still remember Charlotte and the good times. Keep your chin up Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie Posted October 4, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 Thanks to all for the kind words. Rusty had a terrible weekend. He is barely eating and really struggling with his breathing. I guess I expected to have a little more time with him, but it just didn't work out that way. We have an appt. with the vet this afternoon to put him down. It just breaks our hearts, but we can't stand to see him suffer. I plan lots of hugs and spoiling for the remainder of the day until he travels to the Rainbow Bridge. Leslie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Devils Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 Go buy him some really tasty, terrible for you kind of treats. I fed Charlotte those all the way to the vets... they were terrible for her but who cared at that point. She loved it and so did we. I spoiled her until the very moment. I think she ate almost 2 bags worth. She wouldn't eat anything else but the treats. I am sorry it has gone so quickly. Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted October 4, 2004 Report Share Posted October 4, 2004 That's sad news, Leslie. I guess your cyber friends were hoping for a little more time for you and Rusty too. Thinking of you and feeling for you - and the others with recent losses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie Posted October 5, 2004 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 Thanks to everyone for all the kind words and thoughts, both on this message board and in private emails. Our Rusty passed peacefully at the vet's office yesterday evening, surrounded by his loving family. We really miss him, but it is a relief to know that he isn't suffering anymore. I hope that everyone will give their pets a big hug in memory of Rusty, who was only here for a few years, but brought us so much joy. Best to All, Leslie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oreo's mom Posted October 5, 2004 Report Share Posted October 5, 2004 Leslie, I'm so sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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