Dog cancer treatment

[D'Arzhur]

He Twig, I feel we are here for both of you so do hang in there cause this must be emotionally and physically very hard on you also my friend
I hope that Riley has picked up a bit on time for this week treatment. Please let us kow how is responding and how you are doing.

[Susanne]

Hey Twig
Have you asked the vet about a supplement of beneficial bacteria for Riley? Even yogurt daily might help out the flora in his GI tract. Good luck with the treatment this week.
Continued healing & comforting energy to Riley & to you! Give him a scratch around the ears for me!
Sue

[kytty]

Hey Twig,
My heart goes out to you and Riley! I know just how endearing and unselfish Cavies can be.

I once had the honour of journeying with a Ruby male cavie appropriately named Charlie. He was 6 yrs old when we crossed paths. He'd had one eye removed, most of his ribs broken, no fur from his shoulders to the tip of his tail, pustules all over his bare skin and his toe nail so over grown they had penetrated his pads which in turn were infected. He had severe diarrhoea and could not hold down anything but water with a little glucose in it.

I bought whole chickens... boiled them, removed the bones, placed the chicken back into the pot added some rice, covered the chicken/rice with the "stock" from the first boiling and boiled again until the rice was cooked. I feed Charlie this in very small portions (starting with little more than a spoonful every few hrs) everyday til he could hold it down without being sick. once he could eat a fair portion, I began slowly introducing vegetables into the mix.. carrots, beans, potatoes, corn, broccoli, turnips, cauliflower, one at a time to make sure they did not upset him. Occasionally I would boil some oats in water with a little honey in it with some water to make a porridge for something different.

Charlie's system never could tolerate dairy and eggs were a total no no for him.

after 4 months he started to get stronger, his fur began to grow and he could tolerate herbs and spices, tomato paste/gravy being added to the casserole.

6mth later he was strong enough to under go surgery to remove 6 very rotten teeth.

He developed arthritis in his rear legs and hips aged 11 and with careful massage, diet, light exercise and swimming, lived to the ripe old age of 14.

I have had many dogs before and since him, but Cavies just keep giving.

Good luck, and all the best for you and Riley. thinking of you both

kytty

[Crystal Dragon]

I am posting the following photos of Riley for Twig and please keep sending healing thoughts to Riley as he can do with all the help he can get just now.

[Twig]

Thanks for posting the photos. Crystal Dragon. I am very technologically challenged! And thank you also for the Paw Wax tip. I will ask the vet and then see if I can find it online.

For some reason, I haven't been getting email notification of all of the kind posts that have been put up here, so forgive my tardy replies...

That was an amazing story about your Charlie, kytty. It took lots of love to bring that poor dog back from the brink and then to have him live to be 14!! I know he returned that love to you. I never even knew about Cavaliers until my friend started raising them for this really eccentric rancher-lady. Now having shared my life with one, I am totally humbled by the "giving" you described. I'm just lucky that Riley was considered "not good enough," so I got him for free.

Susanne -- Yes, Riley has been chowing down beneficial bacteria since last Friday. And this morning (Tuesday), I just about burst into song upon viewing two semi-formed stools in the back yard. He's finally digesting that nasty food! I hope to be able to prepare a feast like kytty fed Charlie soon.

Thank you for taking the time to wish Riley well, Blyth. I appreciate all the heartfelt words from everyone. I believe that they are all "heard."

[Susanne]

Nice pictures, what a cutie! You can see the intelligence & love shining from those eyes.
You are very lucky to have such a fine friend, Twig!

[Twig]

Believe me, I know it! He has changed my life, and it needed changing. Dog-love is without peer.

I take him for the Big Chemo on Friday. I know he'll withstand it, but I'm not sure about me.

[D'Arzhur]

Yes I agree with you Twig: Dog Love is the very Best
All energy work, thoughts and hugs are for you and Riley tomorrow...
You certailnly will not be alone !

[Susanne]

Believe me, I know it! He has changed my life, and it needed changing. Dog-love is without peer.

I take him for the Big Chemo on Friday. I know he'll withstand it, but I'm not sure about me.

Will be thinking of you both on Friday. Hang in there!

[Twig]

His chemo got postponed because I had to report on his inability to "gift" me with formed stools this morning. Now I've had time to read about the side-effects of the drug which will be administered, so I get to worry about the treatment for four extra days.

I just wonder if I am doing the right thing with all of this. He's still enjoying his life, even if it's "prednisone-enhanced." Oh, dilemma...

[Crystal Dragon]

Oh Twig, I was sorry to read this, what a nightmare for you.
You mention the doubts you are now having about this treatment for Riley and perhaps it might help if you discussed your present concerns with Riley's vet. Don't be afraid to ask them questions about aspects of the treatment that are concerning you and how Riley would be if he didn't have the treatment but stayed on the prednisone, once you have the answers I think it will be easier for you to decide just what is best for Riley.
Love & Blessings to you & Riley

[Twig]

His chemo was postponed because he could not "gift" me with pick-uppable poo. He has to be able to produce formed stools before this procedure as he is going to get slammed & needs all systems fully functional. I got pudding-poo from him again today, so I don't know what's going to happen. He is tentatively scheduled to undergo chemo on Tuesday. So, I wait.

Thanks for the advice, Crystal Dragon. I have already decided to ask the oncologist if she works nights as a shrink. I need to get a bit more information and a whole lot more reassurance. My mother's take was simple: "If he's enjoying his life and wagging his tail, you have to keep going until he tells you to quit."

The drug will cause him serious nausea/vomiting, weight loss, whisker loss (they don't grow back), and can potentially cause damage to other organs. However, it is the primary drug in the protocol which is responsible for extending a dog's life with this type of cancer. I just have to pull him through it -- and it gets it more than once.

[D'Arzhur]

Hello Twig, reading your description of the cancer treatment I guess you have a tough decision to take... and a few more days to take it...
This has to be very hard for you so I hope that you can find the right answer for you and Riley at this time

[kytty]

cavies are sponges of unconditional love... the more you pat, and fuss and squeeze them the more love they give in return.
I am so sorry to hear of the set back. Crystal dragon is correct re talking to your vet. When Charlie developed arthritis, the medication gave him massive diarrhoea and made him bleed... Dr Steve was able to point me in the direction of some sound natural alternatives to help him through. when it was Charlie's time to finally pass over, Dr. Steve wept as much as I did and sent a beautiful remembrance card.
Also don't forget your little buddy knows when your upset or stressed and will pick up on your anxiety. They really are giant sponges.
Have you heard of the complete Herbal hand books for dogs and cats by Juliette de Bairacli Levy? You may be able to get it at your local library... It may give some supportive suggestions on feeding...just a thought
with both of you are in heart and mind
kytty

[RedKite]

Thanks Bracken

I am quite willing to update my post if this offends anyone, or any site rules. Everything I have written can easily be verified by an online search but we still have to be careful. Having said that... do 'medical facts' really need to be 'totally' removed?

Blessings /|\

[Bracken]

Thank you, Redkite.
I just pm'd you.
Hope life is treating you well.

[fulbert-avebury]

Twig, sending you and Riley some positive energy this evening. The best for you both.
Jeffrey