Our dog has cancer

[r3saving]

I'm so sorry for your pup, you and your family. I too lost my elderly pup late last year to cancer and did not opt for chemo nor did I find a solution. For her, a larger pup:

I found that I could buy a giant roll of yoga mat and rolled that on the hard floors from bed to bed, rug to rug, rug to carpet. Weakness makes a hard floor slippery for them and the mats certainly stopped any of that.

I allowed any food that I thought would make her happy. Chicken cooked at home, Chick-fil-A, hamburger, etc.

She no longer wanted to go for walks so we just sat out on the patio for as long or as short as she wanted and whenever she wanted. Loved her to pieces. Like others mentioned, having a vet out to the house for hospice care and when it was time for her to go was invaluable.

Again, I'm so sorry.

 

[Mr. Tightwad]

I have nothing helpful to say, but I'm typing this with my right hand only, because I have 2 Yorkshire terriers on my lap and left arm.

 

[OldShooter]

Retired vet here. Your veterinarian is certainly giving you his/her best advice, but with a diagnosis like this, a second opinion from an cancer specialist is a good idea. Check out this website:
Veterinary Cancer Society | VCS

This. If you have a nearby university with a veterinary school, check with them for a clinic appointment and/or recommendations.

 

[daylatedollarshort]

We've giving our dog with cancer anti-angiogenesis foods from the book Eat to Beat Disease (the dog safe ones) and working with a vet on his diet. We also turned down chemotherapy. He's an old guy and won't live forever but so far he has lasted much longer than the vet predicted, is pretty active for his age and has actually put on weight. Cancer cells depend on angiogenesis to grow and certain foods can help block that growth. This is the Tedtalk from the angiogenesis researcher who wrote the ETBD book, William Li, Can we eat to starve cancer?

https://www.ted.com/talks/william_li_can_we_eat_to_starve_cancer?language=en

 

[Koolau]

Our vet always advised us to enjoy our pets until they stopped eating or were in obvious pain or stress. Then, say good bye to them and let them go. It's always difficult to lose a pet, but we always felt good about our decisions to release them. God bless.

 

[travelover]

I'm so sorry to hear this. We lost our 14 year old greyhound in May from lymphoma. Given her age, we didn't seriously consider chemo, but did the prednisone treatment and gave her extra tasty food to keep her appetite strong. She had two more good months, then one morning, just completely failed and we took her in to end her suffering. All one can do is try to do the right thing for the pet and leave your own feelings of loss out of it.

 

[AreWeThereYet0]

I am sorry to hear about your sick family member. I have no advice. I had to let my fifteen year old mutt go about a year ago and I am in tears thinking about it. I wish you the best finding alternative treatment for your baby and hope that you manage to squeeze in several more years with your pooch.

 

[CardsFan]

We did the Chemo with our previous dog (a welsh corgi). My insistence. She did well, but as the Doc advised, it was short term. We lost her a year later.

Current pup is a Corgi mix, 13 years old, and starting to have issues (drinks more water, more frequent peeing, etc). Vet has here on a special diet, but we still cheat a little.

Lately, I need to take her out at least one time overnight. Not usual. But, then again, I get up at least once, and usually twice per night for the same thing.

Why should I expect a 13 year old dog to "hold it" longer than a 65 year old person?

Anyway, as long as she jumps at the chance to take a walk (and I do mean jump), we will take it day by day.

So to OP: Enjoy the time with your friend. I would not opt for Chemo again, and I think the best homeopathic treatment is your love for the dog.