cancer??

[lmd]

I have an 8 1/2 year old collie male that had a lack of appetite, and developed heavy cellulitis under his jaw. His lymph glands are hard in the shoulder as well as under the jaw, but not the back legs.

The vet gave me antirobe(clindamycin) There is now little swelling, but the dog is not interested in eating. He drinks, and eats a few small treats and is not very active. I`ve had lymphosarcoma before, and the lymph gland hardness is how I noticed first symptoms. Any suggestions woud be appreciated before we return to the vet next week.

[k9Karen]

While I can't speculate upon whether or not the lymphosarcoma has returned, I can offer you some hope. Cancer does not respond to antibiotics. The fact that the swelling is dramatically reduced due to antibiotic treatment strongly suggests that this process is/was totally infectious. Was the vet able to check the mouth and teeth during the exam? It sounds like there might be something there of concern (abscessed tooth, severe gum disease, tonsilitis, an injury, etc.). Cellulitis is usually due to infection. While enlarged lymph nodes can be seen in some cancers, it is also a very strong indicator of infection. The lymph nodes are a very important part of the immune system, and can become enlarged and painful during their attempt to fight infection.

If your dog won't eat, is he drinking OK? You can try giving things that he can 'drink' - make a 'soup' of somthing like diluted mashed potatoes mixed with pureed chicken (you can do this yourself, or just buy baby food jars of the stuff). If he can lick it up and swallow it without chewing, maybe you can get something nutritious into him. Now that the swelling is reduced, maybe the vet can find the cause of the problem and take care of it.

[lmd]

Thanks for the time and interest. This dog is drinking, and will accept a few biscuits. A half hour later, he throws up. I`ve forced canned food- vet supplied recouperative = and he also throws this up a little later. The vet checked tonsils - large - and teeth and tongue. We can`t find anything. This dog is normally laid back, so it is hard to tell how badly he feels. He is so willing to comply with everything. I just give him a lot of attention. I`m going to try a bit of touched up water with food for him to try to drink, but I don`t want him to keep on throwing up. I guess time will tell us more.

[davet]

just curius, has your vet reccomended prednisone, if it is cancer or just inflammztion it will help reduce the inflammation and also cause an increase in appetite...your vets there, i'm here so can't really diagnose or treat but you might ask......tell him\her that you read it in readers digest or someplace....if nothing else it will make the dog feel better.

[lmd]

Thanks. I`ve used several things like cytoxan, and prednisone in past years - many years. I used to have a lymph node removed for diagnosis. Now I don`t think we need to go that far. This dog`s throat was very filled with fluid, and the antibiotics were to hit any infection. I`ve been able to get a few chunks of food to stay down, so I`ll keep with that. And yes, I will think of prednisone type meds for him to get him comfortable. My vet is used to me coming up with my own ideas and it doesn`t intimidate him. That`s why I go there. He doesn`t get fed up with my decisions.

I once had a lymph cancer dog able to deliver a pup. She was pregnant before I realized she had cancer. She lived just long enough to feed the pup for four weeks and then it became essential to have her put down. I have that son - and he is 5 1/2 years old. This older dog is the sire. I wonder - if both parents have developed lymph cancer if the pup will likely
have the sane predisposition?

[davet]

I wonder - if both parents have developed lymph cancer if the pup will likely
have the sane predisposition?-----this would be an interesting follow up but if there is an oncogene it could go back or forward as far a seven generations''


re your statement "Now I don`t think we need to go that far". should not be applicable here cause you only give a dose high enough to releave inflammation and to increase appetite,,,it is not a long term steroid use...maybe only even one day...

[lmd]

Well, we`re more confused than ever. The vet says the back legs and axillary lyumph nodes are still normal. The neck and shoulder nodes are swelled, but may be not as hard as is likely in cancer. Problem - the dog will not try anything. He will drink. Not fised liquids, just water. He had some messy sticky stool, so his intestines are working. I`ve been force feeding him. He gives in, but hates it.

Today the vet gave him dexamethasone ( injected) and said it may help him eat for a day or two. He isn`t interested yet. He also wants me to start on amoxicillin - because it is less likely to bother his stomach than the antirove - although I quit that on Tuesday.

No luck yet, and the dog is getting thin. Any more ideas would be appreciated. Sorry for the long post.

[Traci]

It's now been about 6 days since your first post....what exactly are you feeding him? Has your vet offered an x-ray or barium series to rule out potential obstruction? (also to monitor chest areas for any signs of neoplasia) Not eating sufficiently for so long now would necessitate some lab work, particularly kidney and liver function. Is he dehydrated? If so, better get him rechecked, or get a second opinion. You may need to consider additional diagnostics and possibly an aspirate on the lymph node....

[lmd]

Hi: I was at the vet just this afternoon. He will let me know tomorrow what is the result of the blood test. I`ve been force feeding medi cal, (from the vet - for recuperative) and then some beef, and a can of pedigree beef/barley. The vet wants me to keep trying beef and rice. He has not suggested the ideas you presented, except a lymph node surgery.

For the dexamethasone, how long should it take to get some appetite? The dog does not seem dehydrated and is drinking and no fever, although his urine is clear but lots of colour.

[Traci]

Well, I'd continue the Medi-cal and nix the beef (as well as thepedigree food), and replace it with cooked white chicken and rice (nothing added), or baby food as Karen suggested. Your vet can also give you supplements to help fortify his nutritional intake right now.....is he still vomiting excessively? Has he ever vomited water alone? If so, an obstruction, mass or inflammation should be ruled out, an x-ray would be the first agenda.

The dex should kick in within the first 48 hours (personally, I would prefer prednisone oral tabs, it's faster acting than injectable, as it concerns appetite), but if this dog continues to decline, cannot eat on his own and continues to vomit, etc, I would seek a second opinion. I can't claim to know what your vet's treatment approach is (or suspicions are at this point), but the longer this persists, the more something else undetected could prove detrimental.