7 Yr Boxer W/ Lymphoma, not again Options

[tyson2]

I can"t believe my luck this is the second boxer I have lost to cancer,I even asked the breeders this time before we bought our brindle boxer if any health issues had been diagnosed with the parents and of course they assured me there were none.
I have had many pets in the past years and never have I loved one this much He is my best friend goes every where with our family.We even have to spell words because he knows what we are saying.Tyson was diagnosed june27 with lymphoma we have been giving him prednisone daily and 2 holistic drugs to make him comfortable.He weighed 83lbs before he got sick and now is about 110lbs. It is so sad to see him breathing so hard and so distant from us.Now his back legs and feet are swelling.I just wish I new what to expect, but then it will only worry me more.I don"t know what I am going to do when he is gone from my life.thx for listening (tyson2)

[ryancat]

I am so sorry you and your family are going thur this awful time.I wish there was something I could say to you to make you feel better.Don't beat youself up so much...you couldn't possibly have known that this dog would get sick just like your last one.He knows you love him and that your trying your best to make him feel better.Has the doctor told you how much time he has left? While he's still here do your best to love him the best way you know how.Has the doctor said anything about putting him to sleep before he gets in too much pain? Please don't let him suffer anymore than he has to,that's not fair to him.I know it's the hardest thing you'll ever have to do.I know that from first hand experience.My baby boy Sox (16 yr. old manx kitty) had to be put to sleep 3 weeks ago because he had kidney failure.It was the hardest decision my husband and I ever had to make but it's also the last act of unconditional love that you can do for him.I will pray for you tonight and please keep us posted on what's going on.We all know how your feeling and we grief with you.We've been and are just where you are now.Sincerely,Renee

[5catsmom]

tyson2,
I'm sorry for what you're going through. I lost my 17-year-old cat to kidney failure - she lived for 9 months after the diagnosis, and in spite of all we did to make her comfortable, the end was inevitable. You have to wonder sometimes if it's harder to lose a pet slowly, or quickly. Either way, it's a tragic loss, and the shadow of sadness and pain hangs over you. Try, even if it seems like an unbelievable effort, to make his life as comfortable as possible, and I agree with Renee that you need to know from the vet the signs to watch for so that you can make informed decisions. It may be very difficult, and hard to do, because there is a part of all of us that wants to believe that the illness will go away, our pet will be back to normal. Unfortunately, it's not likely, and you need to know the signs to watch for so that his discomfort is minimized.

He sounds like a great, intelligent dog. I really don't think the breeder has any idea that this would happen, but it may help to let her/him know what's happened. Chances are, the breeder has been through this before and may be able to give you some ideas on how to deal with this.

I've found great comfort and peace by sharing my feelings with others about what I've gone through, and hearing about other people's experiences. Please come back and let us know how you're both doing. We care, so you take care - Barbara

[TheresaJDIY]

I am so sorry about your Tyson's diagonsis. I guess it has progressed too far for chemotherapy? I hope he is compfortable and are able to make the best of the time left. I will be praying for you all and God Bless.
Theresa