Please Help: Need Info For Dog W/ Mouth Cancer, Does K9 immunity or anything else help? Options

[ZoesMom]

Friday I got the devastating news that my beloved 8 year old border collie/lab mix, Zoe, has a month or two to live. 13 days ago, I noticed a lump inside her lip and along her snout. I took her to the vet and he put her on antibiotics for 7 days which were not effective. Friday I took her to a specialist (oncologist) who told me the lump was an aggressive cancer that had already spread into the bone and the roof of her mouth. It's inoperable & the even with aggressive surgery to take some of the mass away (there's too much involvement of bone to get it all) & radiation her life would only be extended a month or two.

Has anybody had any luck with Aloha Medicinal's product K9 Immunity? I believe it's suposed to be used in conjunction with chemo or radiation but I wonder if it would help on it's own. There are 'testimonials' on the internet about how great the product is but they seem very staged and I wonder if someone from the company published them. If it is a scam, I don't care about losing money but Zoe's mouth is sore and getting her to eat is hit or miss. To give her pain pill, I put it in cheese and sometimes she refuses that. I don't want to spend what little time she has left strong arming her into taking a pill that may not do anything.

We got Zoe when she was only 7 weeks old and she's been my constant companion every since. I am disabled and as she got older, I increasing needed my wheelchair. One day when I was on vacation, Zoe and I went to the beach in my wheelchair (a 1/2 mile distance I couldn't walk) and I couldn't believe how she was trying to help pull me and was keeping me on the side of the road exactly where It was safest. I had her evaluated and she was quickly trained to be my service dog. For the last 4 years she's gone to work with me, to the store and even travels with me (on the plane, by my feet). It's going to feel like an amputation when this dog is no longer by my side.

I would so appreciate any information on that product or any other remedys that may give us more time together or help her as her mouth becomes more sore.

thanks, Zoe's Desperate Mom

[Muffins]

Dear ((((((Zoe's Mom)))))):

I am very sorry to hear that your precious Zoe has cancer !!

I'm sorry -- I never heard of Aloha Medicinal's product K9 Immunity before. Does the vet say anything about this?

I will send many prayers your way.... Zoe sounds like she is a very, very smart & special girl!!

Perhaps your vet can show you how to administer pain medication for Zoe by injection? I find it much easier to do that rather than pill them.

Please keep coming here for support.... There are so many knowledgable people here and I'm sure they can help with some different ideas--at least to keep Zoe more comfortable.

I will say that, during the weekend, it is a bit quieter here than it is during the week..... Sending lots of hugs!!

God Bless You & Yours,

Denise

[Daisy's Mommy]

I am so sorry to hear about your wonderful dog's terrible diagnosis. Please come back to this site often. It is helpful to those of us who have already suffered great losses, as I did, as well as to those whose beloved pets have fatal illnesses.

There is another section of this site which just focuses on pets with illnesses. Perhaps someone in that group can give you advice. It is painful to realize, however, that sometimes there is nothing we can do, except make our pets happy and comfortable for as long as possible and than let them go.

Doing this, with my dear Daisy, was the most painful thing I have ever done.

God bless you and Zoe and give you both strength during this difficult time.

Daisy's Mommy

[megsmom]

I am so sorry about the diagnosis. I am in a very similar situation as you with my dog with a brain tumor (although not as tragic because she is not my service dog - I kept wondering what could be worse than her brain tumor and your unfortunate story has provided the answer). My heart really goes out to you.
As far as the immunity supplements are concerned, I work at a vet clinic as a tech and we have never heard of these products. If they were the miracle cures they claimed to be, they wouldn't be such a well-kept secret. I spent some time on the net looking for a miracle as well.
Unfortunately, with these aggressive cancers that our dogs have, there isn't a lot you can do but keep them comfortable and keep them eating. Has your vet prescribed a steroid like prednisone to slow the cancer's progression? I don't know if it is effective in Zoe's type of cancer, but it is often prescribed. Usually an antibiotic is used as well because prednisone lowers immunity and animals become really prone to other types of infections. If you aren't needle shy, there are plenty of injectable pain medications. They are easy to administer in the subcutaneous space (of which dogs have a lot) and can make life a lot easier for you and Zoe.
I hope you find comfort in your remaining time with her. The first two days after my Meg's diagnosis were devestating, but I am learning to cope. Even when you feel you are coping well, waves of grief pass over you - don't be alarmed, it's not a setback, it's normal. Respond if you want to start a one on one dialog through e-mail. Maybe we can find comfort sharing our stories with eachother.
I wish you strength in this terrible time.
Megsmom (Emily)

[Juanita]

Dear Zoe's Mom,
My heart broke when I read your post. I lost Spike, my beloved "souldog" of 14 years on May 23rd. Along with several health issues, he had been diagnosed with malignant oral melanoma in 2/04. His was operable, and he had two surgeries plus pretty heavy holistic supplementation.

I have two suggestions. If you have not already done so, go into the part of this site that deals with sick animals. Then go to delphiforums.com and post in their dogs with cancer site. The members have amassed a mind-boggling amount of information on traditional treatments like chemo and radiation in addition to diet and natural supplements. It will feel overwhelming at first, but try to sort through and take what you think will work.

I'd also suggest finding a complimentary or fully holistic vet. The one we worked with is at Cold River Veterinary Center in VT (I live in NJ). We never met Dr Kruesi but worked with him in cooperation with the vets I used locally. It was a wonderful team, and I credit Spike's far outdistancing the prognosis mainly to the natural vitamin supplement regimens that were tailored to his needs. I am not suggesting that you forego traditional veterinary care. Until his last day on earth Spike was on a combination of veterinary meds and holistic preparations.

I miss sweet Spike every minute of the day, and I hope it will be a long time before you have to go through the process of letting go.

Juanita