Leo / Chemo

Leolurcher · Master

Leo / Chemo

MojoTilly · Master

Unfortunately Eeyore had to be PTS as his lymphosarcoma was too advanced when it was diagnosed. He had seven weeks of chemo and steroids which helped reduce the size of his main tumour, prolonged his life and made him more comfortable. I think it all really depends on when the cancer is diagnosed, where the tumour/s are, how advanced it is and what sort of fight that the animal has. Eeyore was a real fighter and most of the time you wouldn't know that her had cancer, up until the last few days. We had a fantastic last weekend with him up North a few days before he died, it was really like he knew it was our last holiday together and made the most of it. After he had had his chemo you wouldn't know what he had been through and people who met him couldn't believe how ill he was.

Hope this doesn't upset you, all dogs are different and they deal with their illnesses in different ways. Hope that Leo continues to do so well and that he makes a full recovery.

Leolurcher · Master

Thanks for telling me about Eeyore,

Far from being upsetting It was actually very comforting. It ties in with the people's experiences that lost their dogs after six months i.e. that whatever time the dog has left can be made as enjoyable as is possible but when the end does come it comes very very quickly.

I am so glad that you had a nice weekend with Eeyore before you had to say goodbye to him.That sort of thing can make such a difference to grief. I know that having taken one of my elderly papillions on holiday just before she unexpectedly died one night from heart failure. The holiday and the fact that the during the morning of her death she had been pestering a plumber trying to fix something in the house by jumping in and out of his tool bag made things a lot easier to bear .We did wonder if the excitement of the plumber had been too much for her

For me happy memories of dogs that seem to be pain free, active and full of fun right up to the end count for a lot.

Love

Eleanorxxxxx

MojoTilly · Master

Glad I didn't upset you and that you found it comforting. We have and always will have fond memories of Eeyore as you will do with Leo. Really hope that he continues to do so well. If you feel like you need to talk to someone who has been through it all you know where I am and would be very happy to talk to you.

Debbie

Leolurcher · Master

Thanks for your kind offer Debbie. It is very helpful to know that you are out there and have been through this .

Eleanorxxxxxxx

Leolurcher · Master

Leo continues to live his normal "lurchery" life despite his having to have a bit more intensive chemo than we envisaged at this stage down the line. Our vet cut the i.v vincristine dosage slightly to try and ease him into a maintence dose but it became obvious that the lympho was starting to get a grip again and I got an emergency appt and we went back to ... well almost stage one again.

Just for interest...apart from being a bit tired in the evening after his iv shots there is no diminution in Leo's stamina. At 25" and approx 63 lbs he is not a sprinter of a lurcher. Someone somewhere has bred him for strength and stamina.

Eleanorxxxxxx

Teresa · Enlightened One

Hi. I'm pleased to hear that Leo is still lurchering well. Aren't they amazing ? Here's wishing you all good luck and more happy times with Leo, xxxx

FAJ · Enlightened One

Hi, Eleanor - I'm really pleased to hear that Leo is doing well, and still enjoying himself. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that his natural strength and stamina stay true for him for a very long time.

Fiona x

Amanda · Master

Glad he is still enjoying life and I hope he does for a long time to come.

Amandax

emma · Guru

Have just caught up with Leo's story and would like to tell you about my Charlie who we lost last September.....

He was suffering from an apalling case of upset stomach. After trying several different tablets during a two week period (after I starved him for 24 hours previously) he made no improvement. The vet took a sample and on sending it away he sent us home until results came through. Before the results came poor Charlie developed swellings all over it was absolutely horriffic. We took him straight back and the vet said it all makes sense - it's the later stages of lymphoma. All his lymph nodes were swollen - It was too late to do anything.

Charlie was a real character (I often write about him on here, he was a very, very special dog) He was a real fighter and obviously had been in discomfort for some time but refused to let it show. Out of the two dogs he was by far the older but to look at them you would have suspected it was the other way around - if there was trouble he would find it!

We knew that day when we took him home with painkillers that we didn't have long and about two or three days later he stopped eating anything at all. He had decreased his food intake over the previous three weeks (when the tummy trouble first started) and looked dreadfully thin (He was a large boy and perhaps a little on the heavy side although not unduly huge or anything before he became ill).I cooked him chicken (his favorite) and made him a cup of tea. He ignored the chicken but drank the tea. After a night of no sleep and discussion with my other half and constant crying from both of us we made the decision that we would visit the vet for the final time the following day.He did not want to go out to the toilet or move really, seemed very hot and bothered and was not eating, I think the decision was made really (to be fair to him).It was all so quick really, such a shock.

I think if you have a sick pet and if you are honest with yourself you know when they are still ok (ish) and when they have had enough. With what you have said about Leo I am sure things will be good for a long time to come . It really sounds like he has been diagnosed quickly and that he is a fighter who will take it all in his stride.I think if he is eating and drinking happy to go out and about and WAGGING then you have no worries!! All I will add is that if these things stop and he is really suffering then you owe it to him to make the painful decision on his behalf. I only say this because I witnessed a dog with the same condition getting sicker and sicker until it couldn't even walk last year. Despite this the owners insisted in keeping it alive, for the need in them and not at all for the poor dog.

My own Tiger has bone cancer and he is deteriorating every day.The first symptoms a bit of a wobbly leg followed by arthritis symptoms developed after we lost Charlie last year. We were walking miles at the time, it's how we coped with the grief. We put the trouble with the leg down to this, walking too far.It is strange but they were inseperable and it is like Tig wants to be with Charlie now.He cryed for weeks after we lost the big bear and that's why we got Chad, to keep him company.Thank god we did because I don't think we could cope without Chad. Every day I treat like it is Tiger's last, he has ever comfort I can provide and naughty food rather too often, don't tell Glendy or Siouxie! (even his own air conditioner as he is hot down here in Peterborough). He can still get about and is eating but he is unable to do a walk other than around the small park over the road. He is coughing slightly too (so I am aware of its spread to his lungs). I know we don't have long now but I really hope Leo is different and miracles can and do happen,Keep us posted on his progress, I am always here,

Thinking of you and Leo with affection Em,Tig and Chad XXX

Leolurcher · Master

Thanks for the replies they are very much appreciated.

Emma I empathise over your loss of Charlie. Leo has shown no sign of illness other than his glands swelling up. At present that seems to be sensitive to chemo....it is just a fingers crossed exercise that the drugs don't cause problems. Rest assured...the moment that Leo cannot live a lurchery life or he becomes very distressed by his iv chemo he will be pts with dignity. He is such a strong vital dog that it would break my heart to see him weakened in any way.

My thoughts are with you and Tiger......but if the worst comes to the worst I know that Chad will be a great comfort to you as I have Flash. My heart and head will turn inside out if I have to say goodbye to Leo but I know that Flash that will be there looking as if he is saying " You still have me"

Love to all

Eleanorxxxxx

max · Enlightened One

Eleanor you are a tower of strength and a very confident and positive person, I know you do not keep well yourself but your stamina would put many to shame. I hope that Leo continues to keep being lurchery and he is happy all the best to you all and just keep that positive and stong attitude.

Nora

Leolurcher · Master

Thanks Nora,

However Leo seems to enjoy life a lot and so I can afford to be confident as I am sure that he will use every ounce of his strength of mind and physical power to hold on as long as he can.

With a different dog I might not be so positive and confident. This is like rooting for an oversized temperamental bull terrier. May pose some handling problems in good health but in illhealth maybe one of the best types of dog with which to walk a difficult road

Eleanorxxxxxx

emma · Guru

Lots of love to you both I am thinking of you, it is so painful isn't it to think how they would be in good health.

I think we are nearing the end with Tig, next week we have planned to end his pain and booked a week off to recover. Don't worry I will write if I need support but looking at him I know it is for the best.

Em xxx

Leolurcher · Master

Em ....like you and Tig it looks as if we are now entering the "last furlong" with Leo.

Lots of love

Eleanorxxx

Gail · Big Cheese

Emma and Eleanor, i am thinking of you both and your lovely, brave dogs

emma · Guru

Eleanor (and the lovely Leo Lurcher),

I am so sorry to hear that Leo has taken a turn for the worse, it is heartbreaking isn't it. Lots of warm hugs and support are sent your way from us all, we will be here if you need support.

Tig is not moving from his bed much and has to be made to get up and go out (although he will always fit in a treat but you have to take it to him rather than him coming to you). It is so hot down here and humid too and Tig hates the heat. I feel sorry for him (and Chad a bit too) in the hot weather. They have their own room (which has the curtains shut to keep the sun out and its own fan). We have to take regular drinks in to Tig as he doesn't want to move much to get one himself. Chad on the other hand runs like a rabbit if he sees you with a drinking bowl, I think some evil so and so has thrown water over him in the past, he really is scared.

Let us know how the little chap is doing I think it helps to know that others on here can at least empathise (that's the councellor coming out, but I think I cope better with my training in these situations.) Eleanor keep strong Em,Kev,Adam, Luke, Tiger and Chad xxxxx

Gail - Thanks xx

Leolurcher · Master

Thanks Emma and Gail for your thoughts....

Gosh doesn't this sultry weather make it harder to assess how well a dog feels. Poor Leo I don't know how many times I have feared that he has slipped into semi consciousness on the sofa and have gone into the kitchen and rustled some paper just to see how alert he is. So far he has been into the kitchen like a rocket ...as ever looking for something to eat.

Thinking of Tig but I know that he is having the very best of care. Leo still thinks that he is fine but last week the vet sort of knocked on the head for once and for all any faint hope of a cure.

Love to all

Eleanorxxxxxx

emma · Guru

Eleanor, the good news is.... if he can still be bothered to run into the next room for food he is not yet in too bad- er way! At the end Tig did not get up (he ate) but certainly didn't come running and neither did Charlie. Char had lymphoma too and completely stopped eating before we had to have him put to sleep. Leo is doing just fine for now!!!

Tiger has been panting horrifically - we thought it was the heat and had 2 fans in his room. The vet said it can be a sign of bad pain but if Leo is still running around for food - no worries yet!

We let Tig go today (see my post) but that doesn't stop me thinking of you and your Leo, love to you both Em xx

Leolurcher · Master

Em my thoughts are with you,

Tig is now free from earthly suffering. I guess that you will probably weep when you see one of his hairs on the sofa or maybe his feeding bowl or a toy that he liked.

Me?...I have done all that but like to think that my dogs adored me so much that when they pass over their spirits watch over me and would freak out if they spied my being terribly sad and they couldn't shove a wet nose or a horribly scratchy paw in my direction as comfort.

Lots of love....Eleanorxxxxx

-- Edited by Leolurcher at 00:28, 2006-07-27

Leolurcher · Master

It is now difficult to post anything about Leo's progress as his condition goes up and down like a yo yo. E.g last week although a cure may now be out of the question the vet was hopeful that things could be brought under control with chemo.. Yesterday things were looking so grim that Leo not only has to has to remain on weekly chemo but had to have an increased dose of i.v vincristine. Yet again I am thankful that Leo has the sort of physical strength that at times I have found difficult to cope with in the past. Little did I think when I fought to keep my feet when on lead he suddenly used to want to yank me off in a direction in which I did not want to go....that one day I would bless that strength.

Leo still appears to feel well. We faithfully trot out to the vet every week. Leo gets his chemo and now he isn't even tired after it. Thought that after his big dose yesterday he would prefer to snooze rather than have an evening run. No chance...albeit it a bit later than is usual he was out of his bed and making it very plain that ...no the garden wasn't good enough ...and if he didn't get his evening run he was going to make our lives a misery.
LOL he has us over a barrel. I would prefer it that he rested the evening after chemo but his stress levels have to be kept as low as poss and there are few things that seem to wind Leo up more than refusing to take him out when he thinks he he should be leaping about
in the fields His whining, pacing, looking out the window and staring at us for absolutely ages can be stopped by rattling a plastic bottle with some stones in it but his reaction to that is to slink off to his bed looking so miserable that it would bring tears to a glass eye and now that he is likely to be in the twighlight of his life I don't have the heart to force him to rest if he doesn't want to. As my granny used to say. Better to wear out than rust out etc etc.

Must go now and take him to the river with Flash. Er computer has behaved rather well this morning and so I have been on it rather a long time. I hear lurchers stirring in the background oops no longer in the background....Flash is now by my side grinning and wagging his tail. What could he be saying? Probably something like....I know we have to rest after breakfast before we go out running ...but a rest this long is out of order

Love to all
Eleanorxxxxxx

Calatria · Master

It's great that Leo still has an appetite for life. Eleanor, I think you're right to be guided by him, if he wanted to rest he would rest.

As for the emotional blackmail, I think Greys and Lurchers have that down to a fine art. You might as well give in, they'll get their own way in the end anyhow.

emma · Guru

Eleanor,

Good to hear about Leo, big strong boy that he is. I am pleased that he is well enough to be hassling you for a run! It's good that he has the energy especially after upping the dose of chemo.

What a naughty Mum you are spending all that running time on the computer!

All my love to you, Leo and Flash xxx

Leolurcher · Master

emma wrote:

Good to hear about Leo, big strong boy that he is.

Jings I forget that most people in the forum will have greys. Compared to a grey Leo isn't very big. He is about 25" and 64lbs. It is just that what weight he has...he tends to throw around

Eleanorxxxxx

Leolurcher · Master

Hi All,

If anyone at the Gala today noticed a fawn lurcher with a black harness and muzzle accompanied by a grey rough coated beddie lurcher that was Leo. We popped in for a short time to meet Debbie and Andrew with Tilly the gorgeous grey from Fife and to get their reassurance that I wasn't in denial ... that despite everything Leo did indeed look well. Might seem odd but it isn't unknown for people very close to something being unable to see what they don't want to see. Thanks Debbie and Andrew for looking Leo over and putting my mind at rest.

I had wanted to talk more with Debbie and Andrew and try and meet more people from gal but it got a bit warm and we thought it best to take Leo home.

.although not before we had picked up a few bargains from the stalls. I bought my first Xmas present of the year....two lovely cat pictures for my Bhuddist cat loving friend and got a free dog towel....plus we got a good deal on Leo's Burns dog food and his favourite treats Burns Ocean Bites....the only treat that you almost lose your fingers when he tries to grab them

Eleanorxxxxxx

Eleanorxxxxx

Jennifer · Big Cheese

Leolurcher wrote:

If anyone at the Gala today noticed a fawn lurcher with a black harness and muzzle accompanied by a grey rough coated beddie lurcher that was Leo.

Thought that was you just by seeing the pics of your dogs on the forum but wasnt sure as thought you lived far away so never came and said hello, sorry. From what i saw though, Leo looked great

emma · Guru

Eleanor,

Too far away for me to come but glad to hear Leo is indeed as well as you thought! I hope he enjoys his treats and your friend doesn't visit the forum and read about her Christmas pressie!

Take care Em and Chad xx

Leolurcher · Master

Thanks a lot Jennifer,

As I said to Debbie and Andrew it could be so easy for me to see Leo as looking fit just because I wanted to see him that way.

Thanks again

Eleanorxxxxx

max · Enlightened One

Hi Eleanor it is good that Leo is doing and looking well. All the best for the future.

Nora

Leolurcher · Master

Thanks Nora,

Leo is a strong dog and a fighter but to be realistic ...he needs a miracle to survive. On saying that I don't have a problem in believing in miracles.

Eleanorxxxxx