found out Casey has leukemia :(

[casey]

Hi,

I just found out today that my dauschund has leukemia. Her plateletes are at 10% and should be at 50%. Apparently, the kind she has is rare and my vet said that she has never seen it before in a dog. My vet offered no type of treatment other than B12 shots and she didn't seem to think that would be helpful. She said when she reaches about 6% she will start to pass out. Does anyone have any idea how long it takes for a dog to lose plateletes? The vet gave me no idea of how quickly she would deteroriate but said that it could be rapidly. She is still acting ok, eating, playing and up and about. Also, any opinions about whether or not to put her to sleep and when that would be appropriate would be helpful. Actually any info about canine leukemia and what to expect in the end days would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Schwe]

I am sorry, I do not know anything about Leukemia. I only hope that Casey hangs in there and lives a long and comfortable life with it. When to put her down? I'd say when you see that she is suffering, and her quality of life is deteriorating.

My thoughts are with you.

[Cassiepeia]

Oh no that's terrible. I'm so sorry.

Cass.

[IceyBlueSibes]

That is so horrible to hear! My thoughts and prayers are with you, and I agree with Schwe.. when you see she doesn't enjoy her normal things (favorite treats, favorite walk, rides in the car, etc) and he quality of life is down to nothing, is when you should have her PTS. But in all honesty it is your decision of when you think is the right time.

I wish I could help more!

Best wishes...

[Kade]

I'm so sorry!

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

So very sorry to hear about Casey. Its always difficult to have anyone we love terminally ill. We're always here for you to talk to but as far as when is the right time if at all to PTS I've always felt that is a decision that only an owner can make, only you know when that time has come and yes you will know even if you have never been through something like this before.

While here, make every day special and make every day full of love and memories. **hugs to you both**

[feinwerkbau]

I'm so sorry to hear about this.

I have been involved in chemo treatments for dogs before, including preparations and administration of chemo, but in general, the level of recovery, and the numbers of recovery are far lower and at much greater cost, in terms of prolonged pain, psychological impact as well as financial costs, not only during the course of tretment, but also during the convelesence of the patient. As with human patients, treatment is very often painful, delibetating as well as places great emotional and financial burdens on all involved.

I do not think that treatment for lukemia is available for canine patients.

What can be expected is either a gradual or rapid failing of health. The simplest , and I hope, kindest word I can share with you is to avoid prolonging the duration before making your choice.

It's never easy, but to truly love is to be able to let go - in the kindest, gentlest way possible, and I believe, when your pet can still muster a last smile ... not later.

My heart is with you and your family Casey.

[casey]

Thanks guys for your kind words and encouragement. I found out that she had leukemia while she was staying with my mom. I was away on vacation for two weeks and my mom took her to the vet while I was away. I just saw her again on Friday after two weeks. My mom started giving her vitamins and she has a lot more energy and pep than before I went on vacation. I know it is providing me with false hope, but I have been able to enjoy the past couple of days with her as she wants to play and has been wagging her tail. I guess I just need to be glad that I am having some days with her where she seems like her old self b/f she goes down hill significantly. The vet told my mom that she couldn't believe that she had so much energy for her condition. Thanks for all your support!

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Sounds like your having some great days. Hug her often and enjoy your time together.

[feinwerkbau]

That's great to hear!

Some owners have had encouraging success in providing for a much more energetic, and improved state via synthetic supplements, holistic supplements/practises as well as total changes in diet.

While this may never (and I don;t agree with the practise of building any sense of false hope) cure the dog, there is an area that you may want to look into which involves 'gluconutrients'.

A client who's a biologist with a dog suspected to have cancer mentioned this to one of the vets I was working with, and we discussed it. Do a search and see if it helps.

HUGS!

[casey]

Hey guys,

I took Casey for a second opinon b/c she was making huge improvements just from me giving her vitamins. The vet redid her blood work and her white blood cell count is now normal and her red blood cells have gone from 10% to 21% and 35% is normal. So, as of now she is moderately anemic and is no longer severely anemic. The vet is not sure that she has leukemia and is suggesting that I continue to give her the vitamins for the next month and have her bloodwork redone at that time. This is quite different from being told by the previous vet that she only has several weeks to live. She did have a two day ordeal of vomiting and diaherra. It was awful. I had to get her some medicine which she is currently taking and it has calmed her stomcah down significantly. Although, now I think she is constipated and she has awful gas. Yeewwww!!!! I'm really pleased with her progress and the rapid increase in her bloodwork in a just a matter of less than two weeks. Thanks for being so supportive. Keep your fingers crossed for her that she keeps improving.

[richnrissa]

casey,
Thats good news! well, except the gas part,
*crossing fingers*

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Thats wonderful news, I hope she continues to improve and please give her hugs from me!

[holly02]

Have you had the dog xrayed in the chest and abdomen ? Sounds like it could be similar to my dog Keena...liver and spleen cancer "hemangiosarcoma"