My 16 year old dog has lymphoma....what can we expect?

We just found out that my dog, Lucky, has lymphoma. She is a mixed golden lab and german shepard. She is also almost 16 years old. She has these extremely large swollen lymph nodes and it seems like they are getting bigger. The doctor recommended that we not give her chemo because she is so old, but he said we should give her steroids. So, we have, but she doesn't seem to be getting any better. She also has been falling down a lot. Suddenly, she would fall and start peeing all over herself. Other than that, she still seems happy and normal. What can we do? What can we expect? Please tell me. I have had her since I was 5 years old (and I'm 21) and this has been really hard for me...

My 16 year old dog has lymphoma....what can we expect?
Lymphoma is very hard to deal with. Pred will help, but it's no cure. Sometimes with steroids you are just buying some time. They also drink a lot therefore they have to urinate a lot more. That's why she may have more accidents. To live to be 16 is excellent especially for a larger size dog. It sounds like she has lived a great life and you're trying to help her as much as you can. Just keep her comfortable for now and you will know when it is time. What I usually tell people is to think of her most favorite thing to do in the whole world, and when she doesn't want to do it anymore, you'll know it's time. I'm very sorry for your situation and I will keep you in my thoughts.
Reply:I'm sorry to hear about your dog, lymphoma is extremely difficult to live with, even with chemotherapy. Steroid therapy will do little to help her, I'm afraid, and I would recommend saying goodbye before she suffers any more. She will continue to worsen, as you know, until she stops eating. Most lymphoma patients, if allowed to die from the cancer, die of starvation.





If it were my dog, I would spend another day or two reminiscing with her, and then make an appointment to put her to sleep. She has been with you for so long, she deserves a comfortable end.
Reply:I've been there and it's hard. You're asking a question, but I think you know the answer. Pay her lots of attention, pet her, and enjoy her. It's hard.
Reply:I am so sorry to hear about your dog. You really just have to think of the quality of the dog's life, and if it's being compromised, it might be time to let her go. I know it's hard to hear, but you should really just make the last part of her life wonderful, and let her go onto the rainbow bridge. Whatever you decide, you've given her 16 wonderful years and she'll love you always just like you'll love her!
Reply:I'm so very sorry. She is like your sister and baby all rolled into one. Don't even consider the chemo. Your vet is right. She would suffer horribly from it, and the outcome would be the same. If she is still eating, and still happy, then spend time making memories. When she is not happy and not comfortable, then allow her to go to sleep in your arms as painlessly as possible. You are so very blessed to have had her this long. 16 years...... This dog has been well taken care of and loved. The life expectancy is almost half of that number for most big dogs.


The steroids will not help take down the swelling from the cancer. They are just being used as a desperate attempt by a wonderful vet to try to take down some of the swelling.
Reply:I am going through the same thing right now with my 12 year old black lab. I've done nothing but cry for the last 4 days. I don't think I'm going to put her through chemo at the age of 12. There is an herbal supplement my vet told me about that has shown success. It's called Artemisinin and you can find it online at Holleypharma.com. Ask your vet about it. I think I'm going to try that along with prednisone and omega 3's and hope she lives a little longer. The second I see her start to suffer, I will have to make the decision because I love her too much. I would suggest to you that since your dog is 16 you do the same. It's the hardest thing in the world but she led a wonderful life. I'm crying even typing this.... Good luck to you.