Shop Products
Houzz Logo Print
boopster_gw

Please send some good thoughts my way

boopster
18 years ago

for my Border Collie, Bob. As some of you on here know I have Border Collie's and Bob is my oldest one, 12 1/2, and he's like my kid. Well I am very careful with him, he goes to the doctor more often than I do LOL, I'm always getting him check ups, blood work...liver values etc...especially as he's gotten older. Well the a few weeks ago he comes into the house, after being fine all day, and is weak, uncoordinated, not hungry...he seemed to recover somewhat over the course of the evening, of course I planned to haul him into the vet first thing in the morning. Well by morning, he gradually got weaker, and by the time I was taking him to the vet he could hardly walk. Well long story short, after taking him to my regular vet, then being sent to the big new vet hospital in town, it's discovered he has Hemangioma sarcoma, of the spleen:( very bad, very aggressive cancer. The tumor had ruptured, hence the weakness, he was bleeding out. He was ultra sounded and they saw the mass, but we were holding out one hope that perhaps it was a hematoma, he'd been stomped by a horse, several months ago...unfortunaely it was a mass and malignant. As they were already in there the plan was to remove his spleen along with the mass, which they did. Now that sounds all well and good right? Wrong:( This cancer is such a bugger, that if we do nothing they give them 86 days before the cancer returns and they die. So...since Bob recovered from a major surgery so well, and was looking so good, I couldn't very well just wait for 86 days, so we are doing Chemo. He's had one treatment, and goes for his next one Monday, for a total of 5 treatments.

I know this is getting long sorry:), but this is a very common cancer in larger dogs,almost undetectable till it's too late, and no test etc....I have been doing a ton o' research let me tell you:) and I have come to the conclusion that feeding all natural food is the best way to go. As soon as Bob got sick I pulled him off processed food, and went to the cottage cheese and flax oil cancer diet, which I am convinced is responsible for his remarkable recovery, from the surgery anyway. In addition to the cottage cheese and flax oil, he gets whatever meat I cook for him plus brown rice, lots of carrots and tomatoes, veggies. On Chemo he is getting these 3 meals a day, and looking for more (I hope he continues this way, fingers crossed:) ) So finally (I know you're glad I said that LOL) I know a lot of us have dogs, and most of you love them like your own kids...I'm sure some of you even have had dogs with cancer:( If anybody needs any info. or more on the cottage cheese flax oil cancer diet, let me know. And I'll keep you posted on how we're doing, Bob's probably doing better than me, I'm a wreck after all this sheesh. Sorry so long.

Comments (33)

  • broodyjen
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Sorry to hear about Bob's troubles. He is lucky to have such a great caretaker who is willing to do whatever it takes to make him better. I'll keep him in my thoughts.

    Jen

  • ccox
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I'm sorry to hear about Bob. It's funny what we'll do for the guys. I guess it's because they love us unconditionally. He's sort of your upper classman in your troup of BCs isn't he? I remember you posted pics of him when you got Mikey as a pup.
    Prayers for you both.
    Take care,
    Carla

  • boopster
    Original Author
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thanks Jen and Carla:). Yes Carla, Bob is the Patriarch of the clan:) He's 12 1/2 yrs. He's the first dog I'd ever had from a puppy, the dogs I'd had in the past had all come as older strays basically. And thank goodness we got Mikey, and that he's related to Bob, he sure gives me a lot of comfort:).
    And Carla it's funny what you say about all we'll do for our pets. My husband and I were talking about cancer in people and pets as well, and depending on what type of cancer you have, it doesn't matter how much money or influence etc...I mean you alway think that if you have enough money you can get or fix anything, but that's just not the way it is. I've already dropped about 4 grand on Bob, and looking at a couple more when it's all done. And that's not even a guarauntee of anything. As much as I love Bob, this has got me to thinking, (my husband and I have both been fortunate in that we have never had to deal with such a tragedy) I can't imagine how a parent or spouse must feel when a loved one is diganosed with an agressive cancer:( Feeling so helpless, Has to be devestating. Sucks to be an adult sometimes eh? LOL

  • sullicorbitt
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Boobster, I'm so sorry Bob and you are going through all this. It is clear he is adored and loved by you, you are both so lucky to have each other. Sometimes when one of our pets get sick it's those difficult decisions that can be so daunting. I will send some prayers for you both your way. Please keep us posted on how things are going.

    Take care,
    Sheila

  • johanna_h
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thinking healing thoughts for Bob and all of your family.

    --Johanna

  • chickenmama1
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    I feel the same way for you-So sorry that this has happened to both of you. It sounds like Bob is so very special and like you love him very much. I've never lost a dog to cancer-yet. But I do know what it's like to lose a dog. My heart goes out to both of you and the rest of your human and pet family.

  • ccox
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Boop, speaking of cancer. Has your doc given you the "all clear" on your melanoma? I had a very dear friend die from it this summer. Hers was misdiagnosed for too long, and by the time they had it pegged, it had spread. She had it someplace that wasn't "normal" and the docs kept thinking it must be something else.
    It was the most crushing funeral I'd ever attended. She left behind a loving hubby and a 10yr. old daughter. Keep an eye on yourself, Boop.
    How did Bob's chemo go today? Does it knock animals out, like it does humans? Hope all is well.
    Prayers,
    Carla

  • orcuttnyc
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Sorry to hear about Bob. I've had two beloved dogs go in the last five years. The first was only five, when diagnosed with a tumor on his spleen. We took him to a specialist surgeon in Westchester NY. He made it through the very expensive operation, they removed a grapefruit sized tumor. We went in to see him, he was scared. The doctor told us he could come home after the weekend and they would give us info on how to care for his post op. An hour after we left, he passed a blood clot and died.
    I had another goldie who was thirteen and passed with liver cancer this July. She was my baby, I miss her much,
    This all happens. Lifes not always fair. I'm still happy that I have still a beautifull five year old goldie, who is the nephew of the first mentioned pup, and who right now, has snuck up onto my bed to sleep away the morning.
    Best to you and Bob.

  • melee_AL
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Oh Boopster, my heart goes out to you, girl. Best wishes to Bob for a speedy recovery.

    My dogs are getting older, both are about 7 and starting to slow down a bit. Several times over the years, I have upgraded what I feed them - and every time I do I feel like I see signs of improved health - weight loss(much-needed), better-looking coats, more frisking around. I do feel like feeding them the best diet I can pays off in improved health and will save money in the long run.

    I recently started feeding them ground flax, got interested in that after researching it for feeding to the horses. I would love to read the info your research has turned up!

    Take care,

    Leitha

  • gerry
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    It sounds like Bob could not be in better hands than yours. Our Great Pyrenees was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma 3 years ago and given 6 weeks to live without treatment. The egg-sized tumor was beneath the skin on his chest. After massive surgery to remove as much tissue on the margins of the tumor as possible, so that he had to wear a drain for six weeks, he was given 3 rounds of chemo and appeared to recover. Two years later a smaller hemangiosarcoma was found onthe other side of the chest and removed, and two more rounds of chemo given. He is now almost 12 and will most likely have to be put down this year due to 'normal' arthritis problems in his hindquarters. We have always fed him a diet of brown rice, veggies, cottage cheese,sweet potatos and whatever protein was cheap that week. It is a wrenching process to put them through this isn't it? But we are so lucky to have at least something to try to keep them with us longer. Another dog at the Tufts Veterinary hospital in Grafton, Mass, where we took our boy had survived for 13 months after removal of his spleen and two ribs - I hope you have at least that long with Bob. All the best, Gerry

  • boopster
    Original Author
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thanks to all of you for the kind words and good thoughts, it is apprciated more than you know:). Bob went for his 2nd chemo. treatment yesterday, and so far so good. After the first treatment he lost his appetite after a couple of days, they give them anti nausa meds. for that, so I'm just trying to keep ahead of it so he doesnt' quit eating.

    Orcuttnyc, Goldens are also on the top of the list for this cancer:( and they did tell me that with removing the spleen there was a chance that he could throw a clot....thank goodness he didn't. I 'm so sorry for your loss though. Also like you were were fortunate enough to find a great nephew of Bob's :) Mike, if you go to the gallery page you can see him LOL. I don't know what we'd do with out him:) he's a peach.
    Wow Gerry, you've been through it too, yeah it's tough that's for sure. You just hate to see your kid suffering or just not feeling well. I hope your GP hangs in there:) although you must be doing something right, as 12 yrs. old for the giant breeds is really good.

    Melee, I'll try and send you some of the sites I've been going to for all this stuff. I also feed flax to the horses and had been feeding it to the dogs for the last year or so. For the cancer diet though you need the cold pressed flax oil, can't be heat processed. the diet is basically cottage cheese, flax oil, and some type of acidic type food, tomato, pinapple, etc...anyway Bob gets fed 3 times a day, NO Precessed Dog food. I also mix in with the cottage cheese concoction, brown rice, spinach or some type greens, carrots (which has all of sudden been craving like you can't believe) and then whatever meat we have for the day. I have to say he's been doing great on this diet, a very noticable difference. All the techs. at the hospital came out and were telling me they couldn't believe how good he looked. Which brings me to this:( Do you know that they don't discuss nutrition at all with us at the oncologist? If you mention it, their eyes either glaze over, or they look at you like you're retarded:( I mean how can that be? It seems to me that if I was a specialist in say, cancer, I'm seeing these dogs everyday and treating them....wouldn't you think maybe at least a questionaire...so they could have a data base or sorts...I mean for all they know I'm feeding my dog beer and pizza everyday....I'm just amazed that they basically ignore the nutrion factor completly, and give you no counsleing on it whatsoever. Just makes no sense to me. Well all I know is that I'm reading everything I can get my hands on, and Bob's getting about the healthiest diet on the plantet right now LOL. So at least I know I'm doing everything I possibly can for him.

    Carla, thanks for asking about my 'stuff' LOL. Thank goodness it all looks good. went for my follow up on Fri. and he said everything looks fine. I have to go back every three months for the next two years:( oh well...plus of course I'm on the lookout for anything else that pops up...but for now everything seems okey dokey.

    Well off to prepare Bobs dinner:) Thanks again you guys, you all are the best.

  • Ninapearl
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    so sorry to hear about bob. i have a friend going through this with her old dog. they rescued her from the shelter just 18 months ago and she was recently diagnosed with bladder cancer. they have opted to forego chemo and will keep her as comfortable as possible for as long as they can. it's so hard to see a beloved pet fail.

    while my two bouncy corgis are pictures of health and i am so thankful for that, i still miss my old husky. he was my best friend for 14+ years and losing him 2 years ago was devastating.

    hoping and praying for the best for you and bob. :)

  • Maggie_J
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Boopster, "bon courage" to you and Bob for the time ahead. I love border collies. My Dad had a border/springer cross (mainly border) who was the most terrific dog ever... so smart and responsive. I hope the treatments Bob is receiving are a success... but take comfort in the knowledge that you are doing all you can. Twelve and a half is a good life span for a dog... and when the time comes (may it be far in the future!) when Bob can no longer have a good life, I hope you will have the courage to perform that last compassionate deed that we all must eventually face. Wishing you and Bob all the best.

  • boopster
    Original Author
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thanks all again for all the kind words of encouragment:) Bob had his second chemo. on Monday, he's in the not wanting to eat phase right now, so I'm having to come up with all sorts of different tempting treats, plus I'm giving him the anti nausea pills every 4 hrs. This morning I got him to eat a little scrambled egg with just a touch of tamale thrown in, I think he was diggin' the tamales LOL. Hopefully if it's like last time, he'll start to feeling better by tomorrow. 3 more treatments to go:(.

  • brendasue
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Good luck with Bob. How's he doing today?

  • boopster
    Original Author
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Bob's hanging in there:) His appetite came back, so he's chowing down pretty good now. This morning we had brown rice, tomatoes, salmon and sardines, plus his cottage cheese and flax oil. He's eating better than we are right now LOL. Ugghhhh, I hate having to take him for more chemo. :(

  • brendasue
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    How is Bob?

    Send some more sardines his way, okay?

    Happy Holidays, Boopster. Give Bob a big cyber hug!

    BrendaSue

  • boopster
    Original Author
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thanks Brenda, I'm huggin' away:) LOL. He's doing pretty well, had a couple of set backs, but he's still hangin' tough. I think Santa will be very good to him this year LOL. Hope you have a Very Merry Christmas!!!!!

  • dennismsu
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Sorry to hear about your dog and the two of you ordeals. I am about to cross that road myself. I have a 7 year old golden retriever that was just diagnosed with hemangioma sarcoma and he has a surgical consult next wednesday at UT vet school.

    As you can imagine having gone through this yourself, I have alot of questions.

    can you help me with some web sites that are specific for this cancer in dogs. I am also quite interested in learning more about the diet I hear on this site. Also, what do you think this all will cost for the surgery and follow up chemo treatment.

    I appreciate any help you can give a fellow dog lover. thanks

  • boopster
    Original Author
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Dennismsu, I am so sorry, unfortunatly Goldens are very high on the list for this type cancer. How was your dog diagnosed? is there a tumor on his spleen? Did it rupture? That's what happend to Bob. As far as cost:(, Hope you have lot's o' money. When Bob initailly got sick, that was a $1200 bill for the internist, x-rays, ultrasounds, bloodwork, etc...couple of days stay. When they found the tumor, they suggested surgery $1800. Now, after they did the splenectomy, they tell you that if you do nothing else...the dog has 86 days, this is a very aggresive cancer:( so as far as I'm concerned I had no choice but to opt for the chemo. What was I going to do for the next 3 months? sit and wait for him to die? so...first oncologist visit and chemo. $900, 2nd chemo. $500 and some change. Sunday morning emergency visit:( $300 and some. 3rd chemo. some other complications, found some nodules on his lung:(, not good, but opted to continue the chemo. $767. He has 2 more chemo. so I'm sure that will run another grand...As you can see money wise it ain't pretty. And I'll be honest with you, depending on what type sarcoma your dog has, and I don't know, but if its internal, all the stuff you read will tell you the prognosis is not very good. But I'm all for trying to beat the odds so:) Right now Bob is doing great, galloping around, eating like a fiend:). Tell you what, Email if you like and I'll give you all the info. you want boopster100@msn.com Hang in there, I know how tough it is, and I'm sure if he's a Golden, he's probably a big ol' sweetie. I'm really sorry he got this.

  • kayva
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    boopster,

    I hope that Bob is doing well. Hemangiosarcomas are very nasty, but I have seen a couple of dogs surprise the vets I have worked for. I'm hoping Bob will be one to surprise your vet.

    I am quite surprised that your oncology vet doesn't seem to be that concerned about nutrition. It can be a very important part in the treatment. I've only worked at "general practice" vets, but they were all aware of the effects of nutrition on basic health, and most were quite open to learning and researching different diets for various diseases and condidtions. I can tell you that typically, the younger the vet, the more they are willing to research complimentary treatments, including nutrition. (I imagine it is similar in human docs.)

    Hopefully, with your good care and the help of your vet and his/her staff, you will have many more years with Bob!

    Good luck,

    Kay

  • boopster
    Original Author
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thanks Kay:) Yes, as I said I was quite surprised at the lack of attention paid to nutrition. But I'm doing as much reading/research as I can, and I feel comfortable with what I'm feeding him now, actually all the 'kids' are getting the new diet LOL. And the oncologist is a woman and actually fairly young...I'd say in her 30's.
    Bob is doing fairly well, eating tons, I feed him 3 times a day, so he's maintaining his weight.

    I tell you I sure feel for people going through this with either a pet or a loved one. It sucks. You're constantly checking them, worrying about them....it's really hard. But I guess all you can do is all you can do.

  • ccox
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Boop, I've been out some and wondered how Bob is doing?
    Carla

  • ccox
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    This is a bump---Boop, please give an update on Bob. I think about you all the time because I have 3 different friends with BCs.
    Carla

  • boopster
    Original Author
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi Carla, haven't posted here too much lately, bad boopster :( Thanks so much for asking about the Bobster:) I am happy to report that he is doing FANTASTIC!!!!!! I couldn't be more happy. He's done with Chemo. last week he had a checkup, belly clear, tumor on his lung unchanged, blood work fine :) he's getting around like a youngster:) He goes down to the barn with me everyday, gallops:) I look up and say a little thanks :) He really looks awesome. It did cost a lot of $$$ but I don't regret a bit of it. His quality of life is great, as a matter of fact, I'm considering taking him to work sheep with Liz and Mike next time!! He's never been on sheep :O. All I can say is that I'm delighted with his recovery. Ok I'm gushing here LOL, but really, this is such a bad cancer...I attribute a lot of his recovery to his diet change as well. If anyone has a dog with cancer and would like me to share any info. PLEASE let me know. Hope all is well with you Carla, and your kids:) I may be getting some sheep soon, know anything about them? LOL

  • mercury12
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    boop

    that is fantastic news about Bob.

    Helen

  • sullicorbitt
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    What terrific news! so happy for you and Bob!

    -Sheila

  • Maggie_J
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Boopster, so glad to hear Bob is doing well! Have you considered sharing his story through a pet magazine or TV show? I would think that the information you have gathered through this ordeal would be heartening and helpful to other people whose dogs are suffering from cancer. Just an idea.

  • boopster
    Original Author
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Thanks guys :) really appreciate the good thoughts. Actually Maggie, I'm in radio, and we do talk about it a little on the air, the guy I do the morning show with is a big animal lover, so we do a lot of dog and cat stories etc..What I really want to do is get with my primary vet, I haven't really talked to him since the initial rupture...I know that he is inclined to reccomend euthanasia for these type cancers :( as they are so aggressive. I just want to show him Bob, and offer my number to anyone contemplating what direction they want to go in. I have no regrets on what we did with Bob. He really suffered no ill effects to speak of from the treatment...His quality of life is excellent at the moment...I am also thinking about starting up a message board for this type of thing. I joined a cancer group on yahoo, but they were sooooo restrictive, and moderated everything, drove me nuts. Anyway I may have to look into that. Thanks again for all the well wishes, I can't tell you how grateful I am that he is doing so well, everyday when we go for our walks in the pasture, I see him galloping ahead of me:) I raise my head and say a little thank you :).

  • ccox
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Woo hoo! Thanks for the update.
    As far as sheep go---do you remember Jamie (Old Macdonald) from here?---he would tell you to get more than one. He's dealing with his DDs pet sheep and its antics. One sheep is a pain in the behind.
    Take care and post pics of Bob on sheep if you take him out. How is Mikey---did his sheep "light" go on yet?
    Carla

  • boopster
    Original Author
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Oh if/when I get sheep, I'll be getting 3 or 4 dog broke sheep to practice on. Mikey is actually doing a lot better! I've been working with him a lot on commands, he's a very quick study:) anyway, he's actually coming along pretty nicely. Our trainer and I figure, he'll never be fanatical about sheep, but he's just so eager to please, and smart, that I can probably get something out of him. My plan is to try him and Liz in the novice class next year at our rodeo :) we'll see. Bob had another grand day:) running around like a kid. Had we not had an ice storm here this weekend, I might have taken him out. Maybe next weekend.

  • GennyM
    18 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Boopster, hi. I just wanted to tell you that I'm very happy that your dog is doing okay. I hope he continues to recover. He sounds like a great dog!

  • pugsy2336
    16 years ago
    last modified: 9 years ago

    Hi
    My mothers chihuahua just got diagnosed with the same type of cancer as Bob. Please share his diet with me. My mother is devastated. He had a lumpectomy from his right thigh and it is the same agressive type of cancer as Bob had. My mother will be making an appointment with an oncologist tomorrow to see if he is eligable for chemo. Chico is his name and he is 8yrs old. He is like a family member. He is an indoor dog and is like a child to my parents.
    We love him to death and will do anything to prolong his life. I appreciate any help you can give us.
    Thank you so much in advance
    Carmen

Sponsored
Dream Outdoor Solutions
Average rating: 5 out of 5 stars10 Reviews
Providing Quality Home Improvements in South Riding for Over 30 Years