AmyMay
Situation normal
I know I’ve always said I wouldn’t.
But, chemo for dogs. Thoughts experiences?
But, chemo for dogs. Thoughts experiences?
Chemotherapy
- Thread starter AmyMay
- Start date
Barton Bounty
Just simply loving life with Orbi 🥰
I dont have any experience of a dog having chemo but someone at my last yard gave their horse chemo and she lasted a good few years after it
Birker2020
Well-Known Member
No experience but in my opinion I'd say you need a realistic idea of what additional time it will give the animal and also the quality of life it will give them. And whether any additional time can be measured in weeks or months instead of days.
And whether by giving this extra time/quality of life you need to try to determine if the payoff exceeds the potential side effects.
I'm sorry you are in this situation.
From an ethical POV maybe this might help: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6681408/
And whether by giving this extra time/quality of life you need to try to determine if the payoff exceeds the potential side effects.
I'm sorry you are in this situation.
From an ethical POV maybe this might help: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6681408/
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Sandstone1
Well-Known Member
I had a dog that had chemo for lymphoma a few years ago. She had six months and no real side effects from it. It seems dogs do not get the same side effects that people do.
CorvusCorax
'It's only a laugh, no harm done'
Whilst it doesn't seem to be as hard on dogs as it is on humans, it is not something that I would consider. Sorry you are in this position.
leflynn
Well-Known Member
Yes been through it for my last greyhound for single site lymphoma, lived another 18 months and may have gone on longer if it wasn't for an accident (he was 12 when i lost him, 10 when he went through chemo). Would I do it again - maybe depending on the circumstances, likely outcomes, cancer type and severity and maybe more importantly the dogs character and how much they cope with vets
SilverLinings
Well-Known Member
Ten years ago I had a bitch diagnosed with bone cancer and was offered chemo. At the time (and the drugs may have changed since) I decided against it as when I asked the vet they said they wouldn't put their own dog through it as it makes them feel very ill, but unlike a human they don't understand that it is benefiting them. It would also have involved stays in a vet hospital in Bristol which was a 2hr drive away, she was elderly and would have found staying away from home stressful. She had steroids instead and amazingly lived another 2yrs (to 13), very comfortable and healthy until the last week. People who didn't know her couldn't tell that there was anything wrong with her until right at the end.
If I have this situation again then I will have a frank conversation with my vet, including asking what they would choose to do if the dog was theirs. Veterinary medicine has come on a lot in the last decade, and Jack may be offered completely different drugs to my dog. My decision would be based on whether the chemo would cause my dog suffering, as you are only ever buying a little extra time, and the dog doesn't know why they feel ill. If the drugs usually have minimal (or no) side effects then yes, I would go ahead, but monitor my dog carefully to see how they were coping.
I would ask your vet's advice, particularly around side effects, and whatever you choose I am sure that you will monitor Jack's ongoing wellbeing as you do that anyway. It can also depend on the personality of the dog and the ability of their body to cope with the treatment. There may also be medication available to offset side-effects (such as omeprazole), so that is worth asking about too.
It is a decision that may take a little time to make, and you may need to go back to the vet with more questions. I hope that when you have all the information you need the decision will be easier.
If I have this situation again then I will have a frank conversation with my vet, including asking what they would choose to do if the dog was theirs. Veterinary medicine has come on a lot in the last decade, and Jack may be offered completely different drugs to my dog. My decision would be based on whether the chemo would cause my dog suffering, as you are only ever buying a little extra time, and the dog doesn't know why they feel ill. If the drugs usually have minimal (or no) side effects then yes, I would go ahead, but monitor my dog carefully to see how they were coping.
I would ask your vet's advice, particularly around side effects, and whatever you choose I am sure that you will monitor Jack's ongoing wellbeing as you do that anyway. It can also depend on the personality of the dog and the ability of their body to cope with the treatment. There may also be medication available to offset side-effects (such as omeprazole), so that is worth asking about too.
It is a decision that may take a little time to make, and you may need to go back to the vet with more questions. I hope that when you have all the information you need the decision will be easier.
Clodagh
Well-Known Member
I know one dog that has had it. Life was extended for 3 months. Dog wasn’t ill with it but got very negative about getting in the car.
Personally I wouldn’t.
Personally I wouldn’t.
ihatework
Well-Known Member
I think it would depend on the type of cancer, extent of cancer, side effect profile of drug, mean expectation for prolongation of life, dog compatability with vet intervention.
On the whole I’d say probably no, but if you have a localised cancer/low spread/ low aggression cancer and a dog who is likely to tolerate side effects then I may consider it.
On the whole I’d say probably no, but if you have a localised cancer/low spread/ low aggression cancer and a dog who is likely to tolerate side effects then I may consider it.
blackcob
🖖
Just caught up with the other thread and wanted to say how sorry I am to hear the news. I hope you get the answers you need from the referral centre x
I agree with others that although my inclincation is naturally towards 'no' it does depend so much on the type of cancer, likely prognosis, projected outcome and the demeanour of the dog. It's perhaps not right to speculate just yet until you've seen the specialist. FWIW I've recently had to make a similar choice (although not chemo) and, going through the very sad and quite blunt process of essentially doing a cost benefit analysis on a dog's wellbeing, elected against further treatment.
I agree with others that although my inclincation is naturally towards 'no' it does depend so much on the type of cancer, likely prognosis, projected outcome and the demeanour of the dog. It's perhaps not right to speculate just yet until you've seen the specialist. FWIW I've recently had to make a similar choice (although not chemo) and, going through the very sad and quite blunt process of essentially doing a cost benefit analysis on a dog's wellbeing, elected against further treatment.
Pearlsacarolsinger
Up in the clouds
When our 8 yr old Rottweiler had bladder cancer, we opted for palliative care and Conservative treatment with Metacam which the vet said can reduce the growth of the tumour. She had 6 happy months post diagnosis, enjoying being part of a wedding celebration, a Scottish holiday with beach walks and starting off a new puppy who lives with one of her best friends.
A colleague had a small dog with the same cancer and opted for chemotherapy. Vet said it would give another 6-9 months. Poor dog who had been an enthusiastic traveller previously, started to baulk at getting in the crowd to go anywhere. I lost touch but the last I heard at 6 months post diagnosis was that they didn't think they would get to 9 months.
I really wouldn't go down the chemo route, sorry.
A colleague had a small dog with the same cancer and opted for chemotherapy. Vet said it would give another 6-9 months. Poor dog who had been an enthusiastic traveller previously, started to baulk at getting in the crowd to go anywhere. I lost touch but the last I heard at 6 months post diagnosis was that they didn't think they would get to 9 months.
I really wouldn't go down the chemo route, sorry.