Skip to content

Corneal ulcer and general thoughts on a long term cancer surving dog. (long)

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • It is so hard… my older gal is going to be 12. I know time is not on our side. You have obviously done everything, given her a good long happy life. I hope the new protocol buys you a lot more quality time.

  • So, the treatments for the Lymph nodes worked mostly. Reduced most of their swelling (except one that's always been the worst) and kept it stable. But, when we went in for the last dose of Chemo and they did an ultrasound about 2 weeks ago, they found another type of cancer was in her spleen. At this point, we are pretty much out of reasonable options and she has actually been declining in the last 7-10 days. I guess three different kinds of cancer was just too much!

    At this point we are just trying to keep her eating. Her staple of grilled chicken that we could always go to stopped working. She will pretty much only eat steak, pork and treats right now. Going to try Baby Food, but we have tried some stuff from Honest Kitchen that others have said worked great as well as Raw Goats milk and some kind of Fish liquid that was truly gross and she does not want. Just trying to decide the right time for her, but she still seems to be in decent shape when she looks at you and can walk around fine. Lots of cuddles and belly rubs, which she will always roll over for. We had some family over this past weekend and she got tired of being petted.

  • It's so tough when you try hard and just keep getting bad news. My thoughts are with you.

  • It's so hard when things get to this point. Just keep spoiling and loving her and realize you're doing all you can

  • Not the news one hopes for. I am sorry.

  • Well, looks like based on the last couple of nights. Its time for the poor girl. Still amazed at how lucky we are compared to many others with dogs that have cancer. Nearly 6 years from the initial diagnosis and surgery. Multiple relapses and being able to knock it back, all while most people would never have a clue there was anything wrong with her. (can't tell you how many people would ask how old she was and be surprised she was not a young dog, some even thought she was a puppy though they were probably not familiar with Basenjis)

    When I started this thread, I thought she was a week or two from death and we got almost another year and a half. Again, while she still seemed in great shape.

    But, the last three weeks have not been that good to her, especially the past weekend. I am taking her by the Vet School for them to have some time with her and this afternoon, she has her final car trip.

  • So Sorry to hear…. God Speed little one... there are many that will welcome you to the bridge

  • I'm terribly sorry to hear this.. but I'm glad you had the extra time with her. Every minute counts with a beloved dog, and she will always hold that special place in your heart. Run free, brave girl!

  • I am sorry and sometimes the right thing to do is so difficult. You will be in my thoughts.

  • Very sorry. Always a tough call, even when it is an obvious one. You never want to let them go…..

  • I am so sorry. :(

  • Ugh, so tough every time I come across a post like this– it is heart wrenching. For all the extra time you got with her, good for you both. For all the care you gave her that allowed her health to remain as stable as it has, good for you both. Deciding the right time for her will be good for you both. It certainly has been a long journey and I am sure you will treasure the memories and take comfort in knowing that the life she lived was probably better than anyone else could've given her. So sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

  • Thanks for your thoughts, everyone.

    Been a tough week for sure, but looking back, it was definitely time. As my wife said, until we can find a way to make Vampire dogs that live forever, we have to deal with this if we want the good times.

  • Just read this entire thread and my goodness!!!! What a wonderful load of memories you'll have of her, what a trooper! No words for feelings at this time, just prayers and time for your healing. But what a gal! indeed!

Suggested Topics

  • Corneal ulcer treatment

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    19k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    Eyes go bad fast… you do not want a rupture. Please get the dog to the specialist as soon as you possibly can.
  • Do you think this dog is inbread?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    8k Views
    misspodhradskyM
    @giza1: Heh, heh, inbread/purebread is a pet peeve of mine as well. That, and SPADE. It's not really my dog, I don't have inbread dogs, I got it from my genetics list (when I saw the title I thought that these people shouldn't be making that mistake). Go ahead, use it. Can you pull it off the forum or do I have to email it to you? HAHAHAHA I thought the exact same thing. I was like…WTF! People should not own dogs if they dont know how to spell things. lol SPADE is on my "list" And "inbread" and "purebread" I dont really like when you say "purebreed" either, to me its purebred. but maybe i am wrong on that, thats just how i am. hate it! lol but thats so funny tho! THANKS for sharing! super cute!
  • Trouble Dog

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    22
    0 Votes
    22 Posts
    12k Views
    Buddys PalB
    @Moth: Have you ever tried an obedience class? It might be a great place to start. It sounds like your dog is space guarding. http://ahimsadogtraining.com/blog/resource-guarding/ was just going through some old threads, and came across this one-Moth, I like your style and advice-esp this link!
  • 0 Votes
    6 Posts
    1k Views
    Kris_ChristineK
    Yes, it's very good information to have. Below are some links to more excellent vaccine data. Please feel free to cross post if you wish. Duration of Immunity to Canine Vaccines: What We Know and Don't Know, Dr. Ronald Schultz http://www.cedarbayvet.com/duration_of_immunity.htm What Everyone Needs to Know about Canine Vaccines, Dr. Ronald Schultz http://www.puliclub.org/CHF/AKC2007Conf/What%20Everyone%20Needs%20to%20Know%20About%20Canine%20Vaccines.htm Vaccination: An Overview Dr. Melissa Kennedy, DVM360 http://veterinarycalendar.dvm360.com/avhc/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=568351 World Small Animal Veterinary Association 2007 Vaccine Guidelines http://www.wsava.org/SAC.htm Scroll down to Vaccine Guidelines 2007 (PDF) The 2003 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines are accessible online at http://www.leerburg.com/special_report.htm . The 2006 American Animal Hospital Association's Canine Vaccine Guidelines are downloadable in PDF format at http://www.aahanet.org/PublicDocuments/VaccineGuidelines06Revised.pdf Veterinarian, Dr. Robert Rogers,has an excellent presentation on veterinary vaccines at http://www.newvaccinationprotocols.com/ October 1, 2002 DVM Newsletter article entitled, AVMA, AAHA to Release Vaccine Positions, http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=35171 July 1, 2003 DVM Newsletter article entitled, What Do We Tell Our Clients?, Developing thorough plan to educate staff on changing vaccine protocols essential for maintaining solid relationships with clients and ensuring quality care http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=61696 July 1, 2003, DVM Newsletter article, Developing Common Sense Strategies for Fiscal Responsibility: Using an interactive template to plan service protocol changes http://www.dvmnewsmagazine.com/dvm/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=61694 Animal Wellness Magazine Article Vol. 8 Issue 6, How Often Does he REALLY Need A Rabies Shot Animal Wellness Magazine - devoted to natural health in animals
  • How long time?

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    2k Views
    AnetteA
    Okey, thank you. Then I probably will have passed him om befor I get the kit, just have to send it to his new home then. :)
  • Spinal Cancer or tumor

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    1k Views
    S
    Oh, this is tough. I had a b who had back issues and would wake up screaming ever 1hr. We tried everything to control his pain..even morphine patches directly on his skin. We never could get the pain managed. We gave him peace of the rainbow bridge. I am so sorry this isn't more positive.