lymphoma? - Doberman Forum : Doberman Breed Dog Forums

axle · 11-27-2012, 07:58 AM

a few months ago my dog 'Axle" became very sick. He was vomiting up clear foam and had an awful hacking cough. I took him to the vet and they took a stomach x ray and did blood work. They said his stomach is "starting to twist" His white cell count is 96000, And his lymph nodes are swollen. They told me he most likely has lymphoma based on his blood tests. I took him home and a few days later and he seemed to get better. He was doing good for about 2 months now. Then the other day he started coughing/hacking real bad which would lead to him throwing up a thick clear foam. He was throwing up at least 5 times per day. This was awful to watch. He was even throwing up suddenly when he slept. I took him to the vet again and they said it was time to put him down.

I feel awful about this. I keep reading things about lymphoma symptoms and he didn't really have many of them. Has anyone had any experiences with lymphoma? I'm not sure if the "stomach turning" was the reason he was vomiting? I would've had surgery done on him for it. But the vet said it wasn't worth doing because of the lymphoma.

The part I don't understand is that the dog was eating good. He would run outside and jump into my truck without any problems, and he didn't have a fever. If the dog was dieing of cancer, wouldn't he not eat or have any energy?
And why would he get better for 2 months without any treatment?

I keep thinking maybe I made the wrong decision? Maybe I should've tried something else? This was the hardest thing I've ever been through in my life. He was 9 1/2 years old. And my best friend.

4Dobes · 11-27-2012, 08:19 AM

Hi
I lost Skye to lymphoma. She never showed any symptoms at all. Even whilst going through chemo.
She was always happy and wanted to go for her walks. She kept up with my others right to the end. The day before she passed away she had been to her favourite wood, chasing squirrels and rabbits.
That night she kept wanting to go outside and lay in the garden. I rushed her to the vets and apparently all her major organs were shutting down.
My partner flew home from London to be with her as we knew we had to make the decision to let her run free,
The only reason we found out she had Lymphoma was I had notice a small lump on her bag leg and asked the vet what it was during her routine health check. They suspected Lymphoma and were going to do a needle biopsy, I insisted the did full biopsy as needle biopsies can sometimes be inconclusive.

There isn't a day goes by where I don't think of her. God I miss my wee girl.

This picture was taken of her with my partner. She was on her 2nd course of Chemo and we had taken her away on holiday to her favourite hotel near the sea at Whitby. As you can see she looked healthy and happy.

Attachment 19380

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smudgeid · 11-27-2012, 08:24 AM

I know a lot more about people lymphoma than dog lymphoma - but I suspect that some of it is similar.

Lymphoma is a blood cancer. If your dog's white cells were affected (and possibly his red blood cells too?) there is a good chance that it was in his bone marrow as well as in his lymph nodes. Lymph nodes aren't just in your neck, they are all through your body. One of the things that people have trouble with is lymph nodes near the kidneys enlarging to the point where they cause issues - there is a possibility that your dog's stomach & internal organs were being squashed by enlarged nodes. (Please note, I'm not an expert & I didn't discuss with your vet, I'm making a guess at a possibility.)

I really think that it comes down to trusting your vet. If you trust them & they felt that your dog shouldn't be put through surgeries or cancer treatment then you made the right decision. It's a very difficult one & hard to make - but better than having him suffer, especially when he couldn't understand why.

I'm very sorry for your loss.
Kate

4Dobes · 11-27-2012, 08:30 AM

Sorry I'm trying to rely using my phone and I find it hard to write about her as I too wish we could have done more and feel the guilt you are feeling.
We did the chemo and all the treatment possible but the end was the same. Sometimes I wished we would have wrapped her up in cotton wool we may have had her a little longer ?!!

Think of all the happy times I'm feeling your pain

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dapple · 11-27-2012, 09:05 AM

I lost my Strider to lymphoma last year. He was diagnosed and the next day he had his first chemo treatment. He did a full 6 months of the Maddison Wisconsin treatment and 2 half body radiations. He was in remission from the first treatment.
I had a lot of extra time with him because of it. The only symptom Strider ever showed was enlarged glands/nodes in his neck.....which is how I discovered it.
He never acted sick one day until the end. Even through treatment.

Unfortunately, if your dog was diagnosed a few months ago, and no treatment was started, they usually only give 4 months from the day of diagnosis.
Lymphoma is one of the more 'treatable' cancers, but will move fast if left un touched.

Once they start showing real effects of the cancer, I'm afraid it will only be downhill from here. You know your dog best, and will know when his quality days are over.

Strider was sick for only around 4 days. But when the time came, I helped him cross to the bridge. He was surrounded by love, with my arms around him.
Here's his tribute.
Strider

Lymphoma sucks.
I'm sorry you are finding this out too.
Let me know if you have any more questions.