14year old Border terrier query stage 1 lymphoma

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oldie48

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My elderly Border T has just had sample taken from swollen lymph node, I'm obviously worried about him and just wondered what experiences other dog owners have had. I think he probably has stage 1 lymphoma, want to do the best for him but don't really know what to expect. i'm not into keeping him going unless his quality of life is really good. Thanks for any insight into this disease.
 
Hi
No experience of lymphoma just wanted to say how sorry I am. My dog has just been diagnosed with a nasal tumour so I know how you feel. When do you get the results?
 
Hi, results prob Monday of next week, if sample is good enough but if not a biopsy under general anaesthetic, not sure if I want ot subject him to that. He's currently well enough but has slowed down a lot in the past few months. he broke a cruciate ligament a few years ago which was repaired but left him with a limp and arthritis has just set in, so he's on metacam. He's towards the end of his life and it's just so difficult to know what is the best for him, so just trying to take it step by step.
So sorry to hear about your dog, can you have it removed and will dog then be OK?
 
Lymphoma in dogs is progressive,sorry to say,when his life quality is not what it should be it is time to say goodbye.Up to six months from diagnosis is my experience.
 
Thanks, I've been doing a bit of internet research and my dilemma is "should I go down the chemo route" if it is appropriate? If anyone has done this I'd welcome your thoughts and experiences.
 
Our little JRT we had a few years ago had a lump come up behind her shoulder; we took her to the vets and they said "operate".

So we did, and wished we hadn't. The whole thing, the trauma etc of what was major surgery for her, took its toll, and she was a shadow of her former self.

She only lasted for about six months; the op didn't prolong her life one little jot, it only made the dog unhappier and the vets richer (OK so a LOT richer :().

We wished we sought a second opinion from a more humane vet TBH; and feel that we put our poor little dog through a lot of unnecessary suffering, with zero result; and we still feel guilty that we didn't stand up the vets enough on her behalf.

Sorry, I'm not being very hopeful here: but all I can advise is to PLEASE don't let yourself be bullied by vets who will try to persuade you to operate on this. It won't prolong the life of the dog and will only drag them down and make them unhappy, and you feel guilty for ever after.

Let yours have lots of TLC, lots of love, and then when it becomes untenable/inhumane to prolong the thing, then do the right thing and know that you've done the very best you can.

Its awful, I know, we've been there. But if we had the time again with our little dog, we'd do a very different thing to what we did.

So sending hugs.
 
MiJodsR2BlinkinTite said:
Sorry, I'm not being very hopeful here: but all I can advise is to PLEASE don't let yourself be bullied by vets who will try to persuade you to operate on this. It won't prolong the life of the dog and will only drag them down and make them unhappy, and you feel guilty for ever after.

Let yours have lots of TLC, lots of love, and then when it becomes untenable/inhumane to prolong the thing, then do the right thing and know that you've done the very best you can.

Its awful, I know, we've been there. But if we had the time again with our little dog, we'd do a very different thing to what we did.

So sending hugs.
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Thanks for your honesty. My dog is 14, treatment will only add months to his life ( if that) and lymphoma can't be cured.I suppose I'm going through the process of accepting that I probably won't have him for very long. He's in good spirits at the moment but gets tired quickly. He loves the sunshine and is still up for a walk as long as it's not too far, so hopefully he'll continue to enjoy life for the summer. i've pretty much decided against chemo.
 
He has had a long happy life already,just make his last months the best for him,with no vet interference to mar it.
 
oldie48 said:
Hi, results prob Monday of next week, if sample is good enough but if not a biopsy under general anaesthetic, not sure if I want ot subject him to that. He's currently well enough but has slowed down a lot in the past few months. he broke a cruciate ligament a few years ago which was repaired but left him with a limp and arthritis has just set in, so he's on metacam. He's towards the end of his life and it's just so difficult to know what is the best for him, so just trying to take it step by step.
So sorry to hear about your dog, can you have it removed and will dog then be OK?
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Hi - because of it's location they can't even do a proper biopsy as it's inaccessible - so they had to do a blind biopsy under general anaesthetic when they had done the x-rays to locate it. They put a needle in through the roof of his mouth. The test results came back showing increased white blood cells and some other cells (can't remember what they are called) showing a high indication of a tumour. Vet said he is 99% sure that it is a tumour but is speaking to the vets at Liverpool next week about the results.
It's inoperable because of its location and I put a thread on the other night asking about chemo, but having thought about it, we've decided not to put him through any invasive procedures just for our benefit. We're going to give him a great quality of life until the time comes.
 
My little JRT had lymphoma. She was 9. I caught it very early. I decided to go for the Chemo.

I don't know if it was just that we were unlucky. The treatment was quite harsh. She did not respond well to it, there was a complication.

I don't really think you would appreciate the details; but I will if you want. I will say thou; that the treatment, even when it was going well, seemed to me to cause her considerable distress.

In some ways I don't regret trying, because it seems her chances of quite a few more years was good. And in some ways I regret trying; we would have had quite a few months of fun and happiness, and a dignified end at the right time.

She died in my arms; and took a big piece of my heart with her. RIP Little Bean.
 
Thanks for your reply. i had a chat with a friend who is a vet nurse who deals with lots of dogs undergoing chemo etc. I asked her what she'd do and without hesitation she advised against chemo at his age. We are just going to enjoy what time he has left and pts at the first sign he is not enjoying life anymore.
 
Well the sample came back and showed lots of fatty cells rather than anything nasty! As he has several fatty lumps vet thinks that this swelling may be another one rather than an actual swollen lymph node. i've vetoed having a biopsy as it would require a general anaesthetic so we can't be certain but as dog is lively and not showing any imminent signs of illness, i'm keeping my fingers crossed! Thanks to everyone who contributed to the thread and your support.
 
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