Ethical Issue: Cancer Treatment Decisions

[makjamz]

Lymphoma is manifested in various forms. Some are easier to treat than others. I lost my foundation dog part way into the UW - Madison Chemotherapy Protocol. He died as a result of a Spleenic bleed. In retrospect - I could have done a spleenectomy, done the Chemotherapy - and he may have gone into remission for a couple of years. But this is all retrospective commentary. My first dog died with this same diagnosis - from a spleenic bleed.

I have proposed to the UWM the recommendation that when dogs have Lymphoma - localized to the spleen - with spleenic enlargment - that the TX of optimum - would be a Spleenectomy then followed up by their Madison Chemo Protocol.

Rational for this postulation::: The Spleen is a highly vascular organ - if removed - the individual specimen can maintain a healthy life without this organ. When said Spleen is enlarged or there is erosion of the normal spleenic tissue - there is the danger of bleeding. Blood loss may be gradual - chronic - or acute - causing massive shock - and if not treated - demise (death).

It is a heart break to go through this. I have learned much from it. Not all Vets will give the best advice. I pretty much do my own research - then carefully go from there.

I did not like the local Oncologists - and all the "things" they were saying. As a highly specialized health professional - my degrees were done in Vet school, then Med school, === I was totally turned off by the laymans information I was being fed.

I have said enough for this moment. My loss is fresh.

Hopefully we can all learn from this.

Be Blessed,
Mary-Ann Kerrigan
Haus Makjamz Rottweilers

[tom134]

Our girl was diagnosed with bone cancer back in April and is approaching her final days. We did do a palliative radiation treatment and it worked well for a couple of months. Tramadol and rymadyl (sp??) are what we are using now. She certainly limps when she walks but doesn't appear to be in significant pain otherwise. She still eats and loves to be pet and when she does walk, she seems to forget about it. It's tough to tell when the time is right to let them go. People say they let you know . . .

[Stig]

Mine early last February. She went from running and bumping, playing with my boy. To suddenly not being able to jump up into the back of my SUV the next day. Thought my boy may have played to rough and then noticed she had trouble walking up hill. And she seemed to hold her head to one side. Took her to the vet, thinking broken, sprained or some other injury from playing a little rough. Took the vet about 4 minutes to say: "I'm certain this is cancer!" I was in shock and a little disbelief. Asked for treatment options and did not like vets reply: "well its very expensive!" Felt he was hinting the just put her to sleep. My definition of expensive is fairly high. Thinking $50,000+ and still want treatment. Next day had her at the University Of Washington Vet hospital and one day of testing confirmed my vets cancer diagnosis. One week latter and 3 days on chemo she showed signs of organ failure. A Friday and vet confirmed that her body organs are shutting down. Made decision to do the right thing following Monday afternoon. Laid with her alone all morning and noticed how sick she was. Even thought she would pass on her own a few times.

I still have trouble speaking or writing her name. One thing for sure...... I should have done the right thing after the University confirmed! Should have spent the last week before chemo made her a lot sicker. Enjoying quality time with my girl.... Not selfish arrogant trying for a miracle!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Anne]

My girl has had osteosarcoma for a year. I declined surgery and chemo and she's been doing well on natural and herbal therapy with prescribed drugs. Though she is still happy and playful a lymph node has, within the last two days, grown from the size of a small grape to a baseball.

I've made arrangements to have her put to sleep tomorrow. I think if the cancer is invading her lymph node at such a rapid rate then it would also be affecting other organs so with great sadness I will let her go to save her from pain and suffering.

[Stolker]

Stolker has had osteosarcoma for eight months (that we know of - I understand the cancer has usually spread a lot before the indications actually show up). He broke his leg and that is how we found out. We did the amputation. We did the chemotherapy. At times it has been very rough and everyone in the family has had to adjust. He will be 11 in February 2009, so he was already 10 when all this was happening. I am glad we went through with the amputation and chemotherapy. I think you do know when your friend has had enough. We thought it would be harder for him, being older, but I learned that older dogs generally have a better survival than younger ones - sadly the disease is very aggressive with younger dogs. I think each person needs to do what's best for their pet. Just know that, sometimes the treatments do work. Stolker is really happy and runs and eats and plays and we are glad we still have him. And I know that, for now, he is still glad to be here.