My Goldens Fight Against Hemangiosarcoma

My Goldens Fight Against Hemangiosarcoma

by Angna
(Tulsa, OK)

This has been a bad year for my family. We lost my beautiful golden retriever Max to hemangiosarcoma in March, he was 12. He lived 6 months after diagnosis of inoperable liver tumor.

Now, my other golden Erin has the same AWFUL cancer. I had an ultrasound done to check her out and she had 2 tumors, one near her colon and one on her spleen. We had them removed surgically and began chemo as soon possible afterwards.

About halfway through she developed a new tumor. We changed chemos and have had 1 round.

This has been so hard and I'm hoping to share and receive support and information from others going through this.

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My Goldens Fight Against Hemangiosarcoma

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Mar 24, 2012
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Libby
by: Anonymous

I am so very sorry to hear about Libby, it certainly brought tears to my eyes... I know at this time nothing really helps but I know the pain you are suffering and I offer my thoughts and prayers for all of you.

Erin is doing well right now and just celebrated her 12th birthday St. Patricks Day. This cancer is awful and is always hanging over your head even while trying to be positive. March 19th was the date we lost Max my other golden to the same cancer just last year and we are still mourning him. We are grateful every day to still have Erin with us.

Please try to remember how much Libby loved you and your love for her, it helps. I try to remember that I will see all of the pets that I've loved again one day. I know they all go to heaven because no one deserves to be there more.

Mar 23, 2012
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Libby
by: Libby's humans

We lost Libby Tuesday of this week. She quit eating and we took her to the vet for x-rays and to see what was up, she was anemic and her heart was enlarged. We took her back home and was waiting for a call from the holistic vet to see what could be done. Libby didn't make it long enough then, 4:30 in the afternoon I think she must have had a heart attack from the cancer attacking her heart. It was much too fast and we weren't really expecting that so quickly.

We are really lost without her, just doing the best we can and hanging on. Will write later when it isn't so raw.

Please enjoy every moment you have and keep trying. Lost enough to cancer this year in this family. Will keep reading though.

Feb 25, 2012
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Rudy
by: Stacey

Our Rudy was dx with visceral hemangiosarcoma in June 2010. We took him to university of Pennsylvania for treatment. By the time he was dx, he had a mass on his right atrium and masses on his spleen.

We couldn't do surgery but did chemotherapy. We also supplemented with CoQ10 for cardiac support. He also took Yunnan baiyo which is natural and part of Penn's protocol. This was to help with bleeds as this is eventually how they end up dying - massive hemorrhage. I swear by Yunnan baiyo so ask your vet about it.

Also Rudy did fairly well with chemotherapy but did experience nausea so definitey experiment with different meds if this is an issue for your doggie - also Rudy would get constipated - organic pumpkin is great for that. We also went to a well known vet in New York - a holistic vet - I didn't think he was able to offer us anything. Penn was fabulous and we felt the care there was outstanding - we live in atlanta and drove 800 miles to seek care there.

Wish you all the best... Take lots of pictures and enjoy every moment - we spent lots of time and took a bunch of trips - like Rudy's bucket list!!

Stacey

Jan 24, 2012
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New Update for Erin
by: Angna

I hope Libby is doing well and tolerating her treatment.

I know we felt so lucky to have Erin with us for Christmas and currently she is doing pretty well. We are continuing her chemo because she still feels okay and her bloodwork is still good.

At this point she has what they call stable disease, meaning the tumor hasn't grown anymore at this time.

Erin did develop an infection at the chemo injection site and she has been on antibiotics for several weeks. The sore is finally healing, we were all worried when that happened. The Dr. says that hardly ever happens.

Erin still feels good and continues to play and act normally. We have her on a low residue intestinal diet because the tumor is on her colon.

I hope things are going as well for you and Libby.

Nov 30, 2011
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Libby has hemangiosarcoma
by: Libby's humans

Libby goes in Thursday December 1 for 3rd round of chemo. She is doing well right now but I fear the future.

We have been to the holistic vet and she let us decide to finish chemo or not since we had already started before we found her. She has given us a heart healthy diet to make for Libby, Has natural beef, kale, asparagus, beet, daikon radish, sweet potato, pear, green beans, then each meal we add KAL bone meal, cod liver oil, (or salmon), one a day multivitamin, turmeric, canine cardiac support supplement, and onco support to boost immunity. Sounds like a lot but she loves the taste of it and really chows it down. (We made sure to give it to her first time when she felt good so she did not have a negative feeling toward it.)

We hate to go through chemo but feel that it is the best we can do for her now. The holistic vet wants to go much more in depth when we are done with chemo. Not sure what that will entail but includes 2 weekly visits for the first month, (difficult to do when we live about 75 miles away but will find a way somehow.) Will update over the weekend how she does with this chemo treatment.

Hope your golden is doing well and happy. Let us know any methods that you like that you feel is good to try.

Will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.

Nov 18, 2011
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Update on Erin
by: Angna

I thought I would let everyone know that Erin is still doing chemo, she had 2 treatments left and then we will have an ultrasound and see where we stand.

The secondary tumor that she developed in her colon is still there and remains unchanged at this time. We had to change chemo since the first wasn't working for her.

Most of the time she feels excellent except for the 3 days after treatment when she is tired and not too hungry.

I'm so sorry to hear about your Libby and will keep her in our prayers. Like you I have been giving Erin some supplements and vitamins to help her immune system and to combat anemia. This is a tough journey but we cherish every day with our beautiful Erin and will fight this with a vengeance!

Nov 18, 2011
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Libby has hemangiosarcoma
by: Anonymous

I am feeling your pain. Our dog Libby is my wife's very first dog and Libby is very sensitive to our moods and very very loving.

She was bleeding internally when we were told about this horrible disease and immediately drove to KSU Vet Center in Manhattan Kansas and she had emergency surgery to remove her spleen.

She has now been about 5 weeks from that moment and has undergone 2 chemotherapy treatments. She feels pretty decent except she must take nausea pills for about five days until the chemo must calm down for her.

She is happy and still takes walks with us. We are careful to keep every other pet in the house healthy to keep Libby's immune system from not being able to fight off a simple infection.

We are going next week to a holistic vet in Lawrence to see other options. We will do our best that we can for her and shower her with our affection and love. It is the least we can do for her since she gives us total love. I will try to sign on next week and see how it goes.

Oct 05, 2011
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Thanks so much
by: Anonymous

I truly appreciate your comments and yes it has been heartbreaking... I know there is no good outcome for this cancer but we want as much time as possible with our girl. She is feeling good right now and thankfully doesn't even know she is sick. I did come on this forum seeking any supplements that might help her and build immunity. She has developed a mild case of anemia from the chemo.

Oct 05, 2011
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So very sorry
by: Anonymous

Having one pass away from cancer is the worst, but having two in the same year get diagnosed and/or pass away, unimaginable - my heart goes out to you and your family. I wish for the best in the second fight with your second dog, and pray that things go better this time around. Have you tried any holistic or natural remedies along with the chemo?? Wonder if that would help your dog... good luck and prayers all around.

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