Lymphoma T-Cell Type
A week ago, my wonderful 8.5 year old Zen started drinking excessive amounts of water on a Mon. On Wed., I was concerned and made a vet appt. for the following week (fearing diabetes or Cushings, etc.). The next day, Thurs., Zen refused to eat. This boy is the ultimate chow hound and expert counter-surfer, so refusing food is a BIG deal. When he didn't eat again on Fri. I made an immediate appointment with the vet. My vet (who is superb) did blood work and urinalysis. Zen's calcium level was extremely elevated and his WBC was slightly high. Since I have been treated for Erlichiosis (from ticks) 4 times this year alone, and Zen had previously had it, the vet put Zen on Doxycycline in case he had Erlichiosis or Lyme again. She suspected a tumor on his parathyroid was responsible for the elevated calcium and she scheduled him for an ultrasound on Mon. On Sun. Zen was still not eating and was so weak and depressed I had him admitted to the vet hospital (where I took a blanket and pillow and stayed in his kennel run). On Mon., he had the ultrasound which showed nothing abnormal in his parathyroid, but they also checked his abdomen, where they saw something suspicious in his lymph nodes. They did a needle biopsy and diagnosed him with lymphoma. On Tues., I took Zen to an oncologist who confirmed the lymphoma diagnosis and said it was the difficult to treat T-Cell type lymphoma (versus the B-cell type). At the moment, Zen is taking Prednisone (and eating and recovering some energy) and an anti-nausea medicine. His elevated calcium levels are responsible for his disinterest in eating. The vet and I will be determining his treatment protocol today. The most common protocol for chemo of this type is the "Madison Wisconsin" process which involves use of several IV chemo agents, but that is the protocol that was so hard on my Colby years ago. The absolutely shocking thing to me is that Zen had no symptoms of illness prior to his increased drinking of water and refusal to eat. He was not vomiting, did not have loose stools, was not weak, and his glands were not enlarged. The lymphoma appeared out of the blue and came on gangbusters. The only hint I might have had was that Zen was losing weight. Since Zen was overweight at his last physical this year, I had put him on a diet and a regimen of exercise, so I was expecting weight loss and didn't think it was unusual. So as I await the rollercoaster process that accompanies lymphoma treatment, I just want to caution others that this hideous disease can appear in the most asymptomatic way. My vet said she hates the eight year birthday marker for large dogs, since that seems to be when big health problems show up. Ditto from me. I pray that I make the right treatment decisions for Zen. He is the very best boy and deserves all the comfort I can find for him. Fritzi Batchelor Storrs, CT |
|
|
I hope that things go as easily as possible for you and Zen.  |
| Having lost my precious "Heart" to lymphoma in January 2014, I feel your pain and sadness. I pray that your Zen will beat this terrible disease and have many more years as your loyal furbaby. Know that we are all here for you. |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|