Treating Charlie's Lymphoma with Prednisone

[LauraEyes2]

My 5 1/2 year old Golden Retriever Charlie was found to have Lymphosarcoma in the first week of August. It has been just a little over 5 weeks since we felt the first lumps. As it surely happens many times, we didn't know anything was wrong until I felt the lumps in his neck (2 walnut-sized lumps on either side of his neck).

After lab tests confirmed the feared diagnosis, we mulled over the various options for treatment. For both financial and personal reasons, we decided to treat him with Prednisone alone. He has been taking the prednisone for about 4 1/2 weeks now and seems to be doing well. His appetite is back up and running (Thanks to the pred), which had declined a few days after we felt the lumps. His lymph nodes seem to have shrunk to a nearly unnoticeable size, and he seems to be feeling close to his pre-lymphoma self.

I would like to hear of anyone else's experience with treating lymphoma, and particularly with prednisone (non-chemo) treatment. I was interested in learning how long people have had good luck with the prednisone and how quickly the downhill progression sits in (is it gradual or does the dog go downhill quickly?) Any information would be great! Thank you!

Laura

 

[Renee750il]

I hope you'll find this thread useful. http://www.chazhound.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4359

I don't really understand the use of prednisone, except as a short-term treatment, as prednisone has been linked to causing tumors . . .

 

[bubbatd]

EliN has resently gone through this with her golden Eli and lab Hunter...I've alerted her this thread and hopefully she can give you some answers. My thoughts are with you !

 

[EliNHunter]

First of all, I'm SO SORRY to hear about Charlie. I know what you're going through. My Yogi (lab) was diagnosed so late there were no therapy options and I had to put him down. My Eli (golden) was diagnosed and I put him into chemo (and prednisone) to gain him "maybe" six months. But he only went through a couple of treatments and bloodclots formed in his lungs and he died in his sleep shortly after the second treatment. He was happy up until the end, at least. Prednisone is only something that forcefully helps boost their system to feel better. It does nothing for the actual cancer in the glands. You have a rough road ahead and some tough decisions on "when" it is time for your Charlie. I wish I had better news. God bless, and keep us posted...

ETA: With prednisone alone, the vet told me it would just make his "last days" comfortable. And it could be 1-3 months. And when it wasn't making him "comfortable" anymore, it was time to do the right thing. The chemo was supposed to bring him 6 mos. minimum -- more have been known to have a better remission rate. But that's without complications. And my Eli Baby had complications with the bloodclotting in his lungs...

 

[Athebeau]

For Nutrition its advisable to reduce carbohydrates, increase fats, more protein. A ratio of less than 25% Carb's, 35-48% protein and 27-35 percent fat with more than 5% of the total food comprised of omega 3 fatty acids.

A home made diet is best for dogs with Cancer. All ingredients should be fresh, organic, highly palatable with a good tast and smell. Try adding fish oil supplements which have actually been linked to tumor inhibition and strengthening the immune system...it's also a little easier to absorb than flax oil...this doesnt mean that you shouldn't add flax oil at all, I like to grind fresh organic flax seeds and add to food. There is something you have to watch out for when chosing a fish oil supplement and for the life of me I can't remember...make sure it's cold pressed, I think...that may be olive oil...and make sure all fish oils are from wild fish preferably from the Alaska area in less polluted waters...farmed fish are not healthy at all.
Vitamin C should be added...antioxidants neutralize free radicals as teh natural byproduct of normal cell processes. Plus, antioxidants must be supplemented whenever omega 3 supplements are given.
Fresh vegetables (organic) cruciferous veggies like broccoli and dark green leafy veggies like spinach are wonderful for cancer patients. cruciferous veggies such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, watercress, bok choy are thought to stimulate the production of anticancer enzymes. In addition, the fiber that veggies provide is essential to maintain normal bowel health. Pureeing the veggies and mixing them into food may improve acceptance for some dogs...you might want to steam them slightly before pureeing to make them easiely eaten and hidden in lean organic hamburg. Digestive enzymes are also recommended to help support the dog's digestive abilities, especially during the transition to a new diet. Garlic in small amounts, such as a clove a day may also be helpful...there is evidence that garlic and its organic allyl sulfur components are effective inhibitors of the cancer process. Safflower oil is also a great addition, there is evidence that this oil can help achieve remission in patients with a difficult form of lymphoma. Coenzyme Q10 is also a great supplement to add.
There has also been great results of Lymphosarcoma using an herb called Artemisinin. You can contact:
Professor Henry Lai Ph. D University of Washington, Seattle
Phone: 206-543-1071 or [email protected].
Kristen Kellar-Graney, Washington Cancer Institute, Washington DC
Phone: 202-877-3390 or sarcoma.org.
If your Vet is willing to discuss new treatments with the above cancer professors it would be wonderful...I have talked to a few people on the Dr. Weil Holistic Pet site whom I recommended these doctors to and they have seen some positive results with their dogs with cancer.
Good luck, and I am really sorry this happened to you dog. I lost a Newf to bone cancer...I wish I knew then what I know now.

 

[Athebeau]

Also here is a tonic support Formula for Animals with Cancer:
Combine the following in a low alcohol glycerin herb tinctures:
2 parts red clover
1 part atragalus (wonderful herb to support the immune system)
1 part dandelion root
1 part garlic
give 0.5 milliliters per 20 pounds of the animals body weight, three times daily. If constipation is part of your animal's problem try adding 2 parts marshmallow to the formula. If this fails to bring results, add 1 part yellow dock....or turkey rhubarb. If liver damage is evident of a threat, twice daily doses of milk thistle may be fed in addition to this formula to help repair and protect the liver. A standardized milk thistle preparation that contains at least 70% silymarin constituents is best for repairing an already damaged liver.

One last thing and I "swear" I will shut up Be upbeat, happy and think positive thoughts...doom and gloom will kill of an animal or human faster than the normal. When the dog feels the owner is not herself it can make the dog nervous, fearful etc. which will put the dogs body in a state of fight or flight which will break down their immune system faster making them an easy target for the horrible disease. Just thought I'd mention this as I was a little down when I found out my Newf had cancer and it did in fact spill over to his attitude

 

[LauraEyes2]

Charlie

Thanks guys, I appreciate everyone's thoughts. Charlie is doing well on the prednisone. From what i've researched, many dogs go into a "short term remission" for 1-3 months on the prednisone. It seems as though that may be the case for Charlie. His lymph nodes have shrunk in size and he seems to be feeling a lot better, less lethargic, etc.

I know that I want to make decisions for HIM and not for ME in the upcoming months. I used to work as a tech for a vet (which is actually how charlie ended up with me!), and it seemed that many people keep their pets going longer than they should, simply because they're not willing to say goodbye. I think i've made my peace with the fact that i'll be losing Charlie in the next few months, and not to say that I won't be devastated, but at least i know what's coming. I just don't want to see him suffer.

In the meantime he's back to being his usual self, playing like normal, going on walks, swimming, etc. Figure i'm not gonna make him sit in a bubble for his last days. If he feels good enough to do something, we'll do it! He's a great dog, and i know i'll miss him terribly when "the time" comes. I'm just gonna spoil him rotten in the meantime!

Laura

 

[EliNHunter]

Figure i'm not gonna make him sit in a bubble for his last days. If he feels good enough to do something, we'll do it! He's a great dog, and i know i'll miss him terribly when "the time" comes. I'm just gonna spoil him rotten in the meantime! Laura

Very good idea, Laura. My Eli was romping with his stuffed Pony in his mouth just hours before he succombed. He'll let you know when it's time. God bless you...