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dogdoggiedog.com
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Recognize that
your dog’s disease, and response to treatment, are unique
A veterinarian conversant with lymphosarcoma can classify your dog’s disease and discuss treatment options, likely side effects, and expected survival times. But even if your veterinarian is a board certified veterinary oncologist, he or she can’t know exactly what will happen in your dog’s case. For example, Berry’s cancer cells were unusual and difficult to type. Dr. Barber could not say for certain whether these cells were a very aggressive or a more "indolent" type, but recommended that we proceed on the assumption Berry had the more virulent form. Only after remission was achieved was she able to confirm that we were dealing with the more indolent type. Check the Owners’ sites in our Links section. While there is a fairly limited group of chemotherapy drugs for canine lymphoma, you will see different treatment "protocols" – plans to administer selected group of drugs in a predetermined sequence. An oncologist will select a protocol based on his or her training, experience and professional perspective; on your dog’s particular type of lymphoma; and, as time passes, on reactions, if any, to drugs. And two dogs may have different reactions to the same drug. Berry struggled with vincristine; other dogs have problems with Cytoxan or other drugs. You will see how owners approach their pet’s treatment differently, including dietary changes and holistic medicine. |