shepherds

Currently having a dog with a major health issue (cancer).... Whilst the dogs didn't eat badly before, have completely overhauled his diet into feeding completely home prepared organic meals. Working full time, study commitments and now the added time to go and shop for the organic meat and veggies plus preparation each night, means by the time I've finished doing everything that needs to be done...Am too knackered to cook and we are eating crap. My OH is now starting to eye off the dogs meals.....if the OH hangs in there as I slowly get into a routine with the new regime for the dogs...he may get a decent meal sometime next week..... :D

Thats sucky.....any idea on when they are likely to come through? How are Boof and Monte doing?

Very sorry to hear this....hopefully it's nothing....and let us know how you go once you've spoken to the vet.

Gawd...you and your boys are having a rough trot... Good to hear though that Boof is obviously feeling better today and I hope they get Monte sorted quickly.

Words fail me.... I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Buddy . It must be doing in your head in...and I doubt there isn't a person here who wouldn't understand that and how shocked and devastated you must be. Again, so very sorry for your loss.

That's good, the one thing I've found is it never hurts to ask....and while our vets can do brilliant things, they don't seem to be taught or exposed to a lot of information around supportive therapies to help the over all well being of our animals, especially those that are extremely sick or have chronic health issues. I'm a big believer that both can work hand and hand and especially dealing with cancer our pets need all the help they can get.

Poor Boof....hopefully he will be feeling a lot better tomorrow after a good nights sleep at home.... Fingers and everything else crossed for clear margins....

Lovely Christmas photo, Lucy modelled the latest seasons outfit beautifully. Hopefully at home after her exciting week away she will pick up a bit. I have noticed Kobe tires easily, but while he's up, eager and ready to go and do....I'm not going to stop him. Are you using any supportive treatments to aide Lucy while she undergoes the chemo?

No...no chemo for Kobe....from discussion with Melbourne oncologist, Kobe's best chances were radiation first then possibly chemo if the tumour shrunk. Unfortunately the only equipment that could do the radiation (given the size and location of the can er) is in QLD and that is just not an option for us. Notwithstanding cost, Kobe does not do well away from home...he likes his routine, his spot on the couch and familiar comfortable things.

Love their names.....and what a great photo.... If I'm not mistaken that looks like encyclopedia's in the background and Struppie looks very regal, almost like he should have had a matching cravat to complete the scene :) Although I suspect in this case appearances are deceptive and Struppie is a larger than life character and was in best behaviour mode for the photo op :D And that's great Struppie seems lively and happier.....that alone will be helping you feel better. Kobe has bounced back just a little bit since his last IV and the couple of changes we've made and its been nice just to hear him being a bit more like his old talkative self (he's generally always had a lot to say about everything) over the last couple of days..... That alone has put a smile on my face.

Thanks Anne and thats great you will be able to get Boof into the clinic if you decide to go there. And even better news they are hopeful they can get clear margins, notwithstanding the location....Boof might just have to be quiet for a day or two long than he would like... :) All the best for Monday.

I am so sorry - I hate MCT.. Ollie's first round of tumours were all tested. Then 2 days later they had to go back in on the one on his rump as they didn't get clear margins. So the second time they took a lymph node as well and there were issues with that. He had multiple tumour sites. The next lot were found on his rump on the other side (3 years after the first lot were removed) and the needle aspirate showed Mast Cells - I decided he had had enough surgery and we left it alone. It went up and down as they do for 3 years before it eventually caught up with him. Grade 2 MCT, multiple sites, no clear margins on the first round of operations. No clear margins on the second op.. We treated with chemo (vinblastin and lomustein sp??) for 6 months. He was also treated holistically with 5 mushroom drops, lymphodran, Oxi something (it is in his thread), vit C (loads of it), fish oil and some other herbs.. The chemo damaged his thyroid and he had to have thyroxine for the rest of his life. He also ended up on carafate for his stomach (due to the chemo or the cancer, we don't know).. But he lived a pretty good life for over 6 years from his original diagnosis. Lots have changed since he was dxd.. There are so many new treatments available. Dogs can live with MCT these days even better than Ollie did.. Find a good holistic vet (we used Vets All Natural in Sydney) and a good oncologist is really important. Good luck for you and Boof, I hope it all goes well for you. Hi staffy luv and my apologies Anne for slightly hijacking your thread, I noticed you mentioned Ollie had lots of vitamin c....was it IV or administered orally? If it was IV, How much and how often and for how long did you do that for and what noticeable benefit did it provide? Thanks Both, he had 1000mg a day orally all the time and when he got flat he went to the vets for a while and had it via IV. From memory we did this about 4 or 5 times over the course of a couple of years (so not that often really). Huge difference. I would take him up, honestly expecting the vet to call with bad news, and pick him up as a completely new dog. It seemed to be the pick me up he needed and it lasted until the next time he was flat. When I say flat, you just know when the dog isn't themselves. He became lethargic, not eating, not really interested in much but a cuddle. So a call to the vet and an IV later he would be back to 'normal'. Thanks staffyluv I have been doing the IV with Kobe, initially the tumour slightly shrunk, but has been no further reduction in tumour size as such since the first couple, but I have noticed the IV'S certainly make a difference to appetitie and energy levels. They were twice a week, but will now be pulling back to as and when needed. He is very very very thirsty afterwards. I spend the IV time with Kobe (the vet makes up a comfy bed for us on the floor) and Kobe is generally happy to spend the time lying there with his head in my lap just watching the comings and goings. The IVs are one of the only few things he hasn't put up a significant fight against (ie change in diet, raw food and the liquid Chinese herbs).

I am so sorry - I hate MCT.. Ollie's first round of tumours were all tested. Then 2 days later they had to go back in on the one on his rump as they didn't get clear margins. So the second time they took a lymph node as well and there were issues with that. He had multiple tumour sites. The next lot were found on his rump on the other side (3 years after the first lot were removed) and the needle aspirate showed Mast Cells - I decided he had had enough surgery and we left it alone. It went up and down as they do for 3 years before it eventually caught up with him. Grade 2 MCT, multiple sites, no clear margins on the first round of operations. No clear margins on the second op.. We treated with chemo (vinblastin and lomustein sp??) for 6 months. He was also treated holistically with 5 mushroom drops, lymphodran, Oxi something (it is in his thread), vit C (loads of it), fish oil and some other herbs.. The chemo damaged his thyroid and he had to have thyroxine for the rest of his life. He also ended up on carafate for his stomach (due to the chemo or the cancer, we don't know).. But he lived a pretty good life for over 6 years from his original diagnosis. Lots have changed since he was dxd.. There are so many new treatments available. Dogs can live with MCT these days even better than Ollie did.. Find a good holistic vet (we used Vets All Natural in Sydney) and a good oncologist is really important. Good luck for you and Boof, I hope it all goes well for you. Hi staffy luv and my apologies Anne for slightly hijacking your thread, I noticed you mentioned Ollie had lots of vitamin c....was it IV or administered orally? If it was IV, How much and how often and for how long did you do that for and what noticeable benefit did it provide? Thanks

Good luck for the 2nd round of surgery. I agree wholeheartedly with staffyluv.....I have just had a phone consult with Dr Barbara Fugere from All Natural Vet Care for my boys inoperable rectal Adenocarcinoma which has spread to the lymph and she was brilliant. Very honest in terms of the realities and prognosis for my boy (which isn't good), practical, concise, easy to relate to and understand and her knowledge and experience is second to none. She has put together a treatment plan for him, combining holistic and traditional veterinary treatments. The treatment plan has been built around reports provided from my vet, the specialist in Melbourne who did the scans etc and then a general discussion with me on his current symptoms and from a TCM perspective his constitution and personality. Our aim at this point in time is to provide him with the best quality of life, whilst at the same time, just maybe....maybe.....keeping him well and holding the growth, spread of the cancer at bay. If we can do that and it doesn't spread any further then I'm hopeful my boy will be able to live, manage longer than the original prognosis. Dr Fugere has already been in touch with my vet and we have started Kobe on her recommended drug treatments and in addition I expect to receive on Monday the balance of the treatment program (herbs in capsule form as my boy will not tolerate or take the liquid variety). Throughout our discussion the over riding factor has been Kobe's quality of life and from which angle is going to provide the most effective outcome. I only had the phone consult with her yesterday and I just wish I had done it sooner..... The two changes we made yesterday on her advice have already made a difference as he is happier and brighter in himself...... We have another consult booked in two weeks as a follow up to see how he is going on the treatment plan. She has also provided advice to my vet on what things to look out for, what bloods to run and when etc etc. I'm not sure if you are in Sydney so you can actually visit the clinic, but if not, don't be put off by being interstate, especially if you have a supportive open minded vet (as I'm lucky to have) that is prepared to work with Barbara that has the experience in this area.

That's great news....so very pleased for you and Struppie....also sounds like he is enjoying life to the fullest.....and also the same for you gwp4me......long may good times continue :)

What a beautiful girl your Lucy is and it sounds like you had a lovely time, doing good things.... Long may they continue ....

Good luck and I hope it is positive news.

Struppie is a beautiful looking boy ........ and I feel for you and your boy. May the new year bring you positive news as you and Struppie fight the good fight together. One of my boys (my nine year old Shepherd) has an inoperable tumour and whilst we are trying different things to buy some more time, some days it just does your head in, doing everything you can and just looking for and hoping for some indication that what we are doing is going to help and get us that extra precious time. And some days it is overwhelming and I have struggled not to get caught up in and focused on life revolving around treatments, results, getting the right food etc etc (I to am trying to feed a meat/veggie diet) and whether he's a bit quiet or a bit off his food and not trying to read to much into anything as while I'm doing all those things and stressing about them...I've realized that I am missing out on just spending quiet, relaxed time with him. Someone much smarter than me told me not to forget to make the most of whatever time we have to spend doing enjoyable things and living well in spite of a diagnosis instead of always and only living that diagnosis.....very wise words which I repeat to myself every day particularly when things aren't going right or when I feel hopeless. Struppie is a lucky boy to be so obviously loved and to have you in his corner fighting for him.

Thank you..... can I ask what kind of treatment she had? I'll have to check with her case vet, but she was on a few different high strength drugs. When he comes from lunch I'll ask him. ETA - Vet just walked in, this client actually had two dogs with severe medical issues, the adenocarcinoma patient is still alive, their other patient had a different type of issue was the one whom we lost. Will PM you with the drugs she's on. Thank you... the stress of dealing with one sick dog is more than enough for me, I feel for the owner having to cope with two very sick dogs at once.

My shepherd was diagnosed as to yang (too much heat) and the holistic vet recommended in addition to the meats you mentioned chicken and lots of raw vegies - some of which are more yin than others. She wrote it all out for me and I will find the list and send it to you. Speaking to my naturopath, one of the best yin foods you can make is a whole chicken boiled/simmered in filtered water, with some vegetables added. Once the chicken is cooked, remove the meat from the bone and add the meat back into the water and thats the base for all meals.

Thank you..... can I ask what kind of treatment she had?

Hi Zeebie, thank you for the suggestions, unfortunately given his size the dosage is alot (20mls of each) and its liquid, sardines doesnt cover the smell of them, nor has anything else I tried (injecting sardines, meat balls, cheese balls, mixing in icecream 1ml at a time, stock etc etc). The minute he gets a whiff of it - its all over and he wont go near it at all. Interestingly the other three dogs (one of whom has alwayus been extremely fussy) dont care about the herbs. The gelatin caps are a great idea though and I will bear that in mind for future use.

Thank you!!!!

:thumbsup: If the treatment works the tumour will probably not completely disappear but it should shrink and remain dormant. Fingers crossed he keeps improving. Big Big Big to you dancinbcs......from Kobe and me

Some good news tonight, Kobe had another IV vitamin C and while Im trying not to get ahead of myself, vet believes the tumour feels slightly smaller and tighter. I can only hope that is the case..... He is certainly doing well in himself and weight is now holding...also another good sign.