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Our GSD Kara has Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

by Carol W
(Hampshire, UK)

Kara on holiday 2009

Two years ago we adopted a beautiful German Shepherd from the Dogs Trust. Kara was the answer to our prayers after losing our elderly shep 5 months previously. Kara is an amazing girl despite her start in life & we adore her.

Today we have been devastated to learn she has Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. She recently developed a bad chest infection which led our vet to take a blood test as she had pale gums. We now have the weekend to decide if we want her to try chemo. Our vet is optimistic but it must be our decision.

Has anyone had experience of CLL & chemo treatment? We are desperate to keep her as long as we can with a good quality of life, we will try all treatments possible.

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Oct 27, 2012
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Our Gibby
by: Sylvia

In September I was told our sweet little Gibby, a 2 1/2 year old English Bulldog, had leukemia.

We are heart broken. It is very hard for us to watch him melting away. Our vet is very supportive of our decisions on his treatment.

My heart is with all of you that is going through this too.

Thank you for letting me share.

Aug 03, 2012
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Holistic treatment for Leukemia
by: Terry and Magoo

I have a little rescue English Bulldog from NOLA. He had heartworms and went through the injections, his ear canals were so damages by infection they were calcified and he had to have both removed. He also has limited vision.

He is believed to be around 8 years old. He has chronic lymphocytic leukemia now. It's been almost two years since the discovery of it. Due to his age and all he has been through in the last year and a half, I opted for the holistic method. He sees a Holistic Vet who prescribed Hoxy-like, Four Marvels and another that escapes me right now. He is on fish oil, blueberries, carrots, broccoli along with his regular kibble.

The lymphocytic count has remained at 40 or below since starting this route. It's been 8 months of holistic treatment with no increases in lymphocytes. He is doing well, very happy, great appetite, lots of energy.

If you decide not to go the chemo route this may be an alternative for you.

Jul 11, 2012
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My 5 yr old Rottie diagnosed with Lymphocytic Leukemia
by: Colleen

Guilt! That's how I reacted to the diagnosis. How could I not know. After 3 days of not eating and his stomach remained large, I took him to the doctor believing it to be an obstruction. His spleen had swollen and after blood and bone marrow tests he was diagnosed with Lymphoma. I have been advised not to go the Chemo way as the disease has spread too far. Fortunately My dogs are on a natural diet so an adjustment has been easy but the guilt lives with me as I watch the slow progress of his life slipping away. I cherish his every moment with me and just keep telling him I love him and will be there till the end!

Mar 24, 2012
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What to do with my Yorkie with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
by: Anonymous

I just took my 12 year old yorkie to the vet to have his teeth cleaned. The vet called to tell me he had a very high white blood count and needless to say that is not good. All I heard was leukemia. she then asked permission to take a lymph node and have that checked. Well the good news the lymph node came out clean!! Took another blood test and the white count was even higher. I feel sick to my stomach about the whole thing. He seems like such a happy yappy dog. I now have taken him to an oncologist and today is day 3 of a chemo pill and a steroid. He now has diarrhea and I am so worried I am causing more harm than good. I just do not know what to do. Poor little guy will go back to the vet and have another blood test in two weeks. I just do not know if I should just leave him alone or continue with the chemo plan.I was told it is chronic and he should be fine. It just breaks my heart...

Feb 21, 2012
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We feel your pain
by: Myron

So sorry to hear of your dog's illness. We struggled with what to do when our Bailey was diagnosed. She only lasted a couple of weeks after diagnosis, and we tried a few things hoping for a miracle.

It's a hard decision to make as to what you should do, and everyone will have a different idea. For my wife, she wanted to do everything possible, at any cost. For me, I just wanted to make her as comfortable as possible.

This is a very ugly disease that moves very quickly. Enjoy the time you have left, give him lots of hugs and love, and know that you are not alone in your grief.

God bless.

Feb 21, 2012
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Just found out today!
by: Anonymous

I just found out today that my Little John has Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. He has had some symptoms, incontinence, blood in urine, dark diarrhea. But only a couple of times, except the incontinence. That started about a month ago, but at first I dismissed it because I had another dog in house who urinated, and I thought he was just trying to out mark the other dog's spot.

My vet wants to go with the chemo route, but I don't know. He's about 10 years old, my budget is tight. There really isn't a cure.

I'm really struggling with a decision. I would really appreciate some feedback from others.

Thank you.

Sep 03, 2011
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Bailey
by: Hazel, Site Editor

Hi, Myron,

Sorry about Bailey. Chemo does not seem to work well for acute lymphocytic leukemia because the dog's immune system is already so weakened that the chemo drugs can cause havoc to the body. However, most dogs with chronic leukemia do well with chemotherapy, so there is more hope if Bailey has chronic leukemia. I guess you need to make the decision of whether going for chemo or not after the biopsy.

In the meantime, if you haven't already done so, please read these pages:
Dog Cancer Diet
Herbs for Cancer

Good luck and please keep us informed.

Sep 03, 2011
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Us too
by: Myron

We have just learned that our golden/lab cross Bailey has leukemia. Her blood work shows white blood count of over 106.

My wife and I are devastated as we have no children and she is our life. We do not know yet if it is acute or chronic, but the vet wants to do bone marrow biopsy to determine. We are also wondering if chemo would help or make her quality of life worse. She is almost ten years, and this is why we wonder if chemo is our best option.

Thanks for any help you might offer.

Feb 04, 2011
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Me too
by: Anonymous

I am going through the same thing with my Golden Retriever now. I am meeting with a vet who can do chemo, so I have the weekend to think things over I guess. I would love to know what you decide. As of now I am leaning towards doing the Chemo, but I need a lot more information from the Vet. The vet I took my dog to, that diagnosed him, does not do chemo or specialize in cancer. Good luck!

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