https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 03:13:11 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-720601 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:33:18 +0000 Happygal 720601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Train: You made one of the most important steps, which is making an informed decision.</p> <p>There are some great books for kids about pets dying. </p> <p>We had arranged for someone to come put our dog to sleep at home. We couldn't get in touch with her the night we needed her, so we went to the emergency vet's instead. I was glad I had practiced driving there ahead of time. You may want to ask for some serious pain killers. I was so grateful we had those to pop into our b/c my biggest concern was about her suffering. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-720584 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:27:47 +0000 LuLu Mom 720584@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Steroids to ease the pain, I love our pup but we could not justify the cost for chemo (especially in an older pup.) I would make sure she was comfortable in her remaining days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-720583 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:27:42 +0000 bunnylove08 720583@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Train: I'm so sorry, its such a hard decision. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-720575 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:24:47 +0000 Mrs. Train 720575@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We decided to go with steroids for comfort. He's already far along and I can see him getting worse. I hate it. It's so hard to try and explain to the kids. They are used to being being to romp around with him. I told them to be gentle because he is sick. One of my twins asked me if he was sick enough to die. It just broke my heart. I said yes that soon he will die and we are going to give him lots of love until that happens. He said "ok after he dies will he go to the oven?" I must have had a horrified look on my face as I said "what did you say?" He said "you know to the oven to live with Jesus." Guess I need to work with him on the pronunciation of heaven. </p> <p>Oh my, the conversations I have with my boys. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-720563 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:23:39 +0000 Happygal 720563@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry. I lost my dog to cancer and it's heart breaking.</p> <p>Chemo for dogs is not like chemo for humans. It's not hard on them, their fur doesn't fall out. If I thought it would prolong my dog's life by years, I would do it. </p> <p>How well they do on chemo though depends on how good their current health is. It sounds like your dog is already dealing with health issues, so I'm not sure he would do the best with chemo.</p> <p>Steroids can be tough on a dog, but there are all levels, of course. My dog was put on some intense ones, and I hated it. They made her so thirsty, so she drank all the time and had to pee all the time. We thought she was improving at first, but it was the boost from the drugs. They also made her restless.</p> <p>There's no easy or right answer here. I echo what has been said about quality of life--it's helpful to have set benchmarks for what is needed to keep your pet alive. </p> <p>Oh man, crying now. It's just so sad, and dogs are such good creatures. I'm sorry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-720543 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:13:44 +0000 mrs. tictactoe 720543@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Train: I'm so sorry. That's awful. I don't know the answer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-720496 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:01:13 +0000 bunnylove08 720496@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>our dog (about 9 years old) has a very aggressive form of cancer. We took the mass out but the doctor said Chemo wont help her, we could do it if we wanted to. We decided not to and we're going to let her live her life, make her comfortable and then when its time help her over the bridge. </p> <p>I think if it was a possibility it would cure her then yes we would have done it. My friend did chemo for her dog when she found out he had a tumor in his intestine. He survived and is thriving. Hes about 4 years old. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-720482 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:58:19 +0000 BSB 720482@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Before owning a dog, I would say the cheaper option... The steroids. But my dog now, I would probably consider doing the chemo, if it resulted in her living longer.</p> <p>I'm so sorry. I don't even want to think about it for my dog. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-720464 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:54:50 +0000 Rescuemom10 720464@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So sorry to hear this. I just had to put down one of my cats due to cancer the other week. I would do option 2 like you are thinking.<br /> I think the number one thing to keep in mind is quality of life. However those options apply to that if you keep that in mind and of those options would work. A happy pain free pet with a quality of life would be my main concern.<br /> I didnt choose to treat my cat because I didnt want to prolong what was going to happen anyways. She looked misserable and vet visits and treatment can be stressful. I just didnt want to see her in pain anymore. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-710036 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:53:36 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 710036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so sorry! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-709985 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:37:03 +0000 JamieLee 709985@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So sorry you're having to go through this. We had a possible cancer scare with our big guy a few months ago, and luckily it came back benign, but I would have to weigh the possible side effects, the quality of life he would be likely to have, and sadly, the cost. In the end, I don't know what I would do at this time...but with the cost, we would probably have to opt out of the chemo... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-709917 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:12:46 +0000 mamimami 709917@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did chemo and she was cured. Also had a history of epilepsy and pheno. We only needed two rounds of chemo. She did not have any side effects whatsoever. It's true that animals react differently than humans! But vet care is not so expensive here so that is a factor. </p> <p>Btw with homeopathy we were able to reduce our dog's pheno dosage by more than half over time. Sounds crazy but it totally worked. We also had some homeopathic therapies (ozone and some kind of injection) to complement the chemo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-709904 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:07:37 +0000 pinkcupcake 709904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am so sorry you are dealing with this :( My Yorkie died of a brain tumor two yrs ago. Unfortunately, he died before we could pursue any treatment - the cancer had spread so quickly and aggressively that by the time we discovered it, it was already too late. If we had the option though, I would def pursue chemo, so long as it wouldn't cause them any additional pain or suffering. I would want to know that I did the best I could to save his/her life. </p> <p>Again, so sorry you are dealing with this :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-709881 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 21:01:48 +0000 Mrs. Train 709881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone. </p> <p>Our vet did say the chemo is not like human chemo where they get really sick. I think she has some of the lower prices we could get at least in the beginning. She is my friend from high school and helps us our with discounts where she can. We are still waiting for some results but the concern our vet voiced is that his liver was already a bit weak from his epilepsy medication so it could already have spread. He lost five pounds in two months and already seems uncomfortable. </p> <p>It sucks because our other dog had a ridiculous vet bill in December, almost 6k. We are still recovering from that. I hate that some of the decision is financial but in reality it is. We love our dogs and its just so hard. I had to tell the boys to be gentle today because the dog was sick. They asked if he had to go to heaven and I just didn't know how to answer. It just breaks my heart. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-709805 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:40:18 +0000 LittleFox 709805@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Bee: I was just going to say this about chemo! Chemo in pets is pretty much always palliative. That means it's given in smaller doses and the main goal is to keep them confortable while helping them live. Like Mrs. Bee said, for the most part, dogs and cats are not dosed highly enough that they get uncomfortable or sick so there really isn't a comparison to the way humans might feel awful after rounds of chemo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-709787 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:35:32 +0000 Mrs. Bee 709787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i know this is a tough decision and i'm really sorry you're going through this!</p> <p>if it were me, would do the chemo. chemo is very different in animals than in humans. the doses are much, much smaller, and your dog may have very few side effects. there weren't that many for our cat other than a loss of appetite and she had a very aggressive cancer. our cat lived for another 3 1/2 years post-treatment (she was diagnosed at 7), and I have no regrets. they were the happiest years of her life. since lymphoma is more treatable, i would definitely consider chemo. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-709742 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:20:08 +0000 autumnlove 709742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Train: I'm so sorry! :-( I would probably go with option 2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-709729 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 20:17:53 +0000 heffalump 709729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So sorry :(</p> <p>Dh paid a good amount of money when my pup had surgery for cancer. This was before we met, but I would have been on board. He was just a puppy though. I don't think there's a wrong answer, what an awful decision to have to make! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-708883 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:09:51 +0000 Beebug 708883@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have pet insurance, and it would be covered, so yes, we would do it.</p> <p>Our neighbours dog had lymphoma and they opted to do the steroid treatments, it definitely bought some time, but then she went suddenly two days after a check-up, she was 6.</p> <p>Another friend up the street their dog has it and they have opted to do nothing. Last May they were told she had just a few months, and up to this point you wouldn't even know she was sick, so it's kind of crazy to wonder what treatment could have done to her had they opted for it.</p> <p>I think the biggest question (I struggle with this) you have to ask is if your dog passed now, would you give X (any of those options and costs associated) to have them back, or would you be at peace with your decision? Depending on your area, are you able to seek a second opinion/a less expensive vet? I drive an hour for ours, but their costs are literally half of the vets 5-10 mins away and the follow up is phenomenal.</p> <p>So sorry you are going through this, never a fun decision to have to make, our dog is young, however my parents/grew up with dog is nearing decision making and I don't even want to think about it. When my horse passed, I had the option to do surgery (to put him on the table was $12k to start, let alone getting thru it, and recovery) and I opted to not, and I ended up having to euth him that day, I definitely know I did all I could at that time, but of course have moments where I wish I could have afforded to try the surgery that even then would have had very low chance of success, and no guarantees of it not happening again in future.</p> <p>Gotta love our furry family members, hugs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-708861 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:03:06 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 708861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did for our Bernese Mountain Dog. Cyclophosphamide for her lymphoma. We opted out of radiation for the local area. She had great quality of life for another 12 months and when she deteriorated it was quick and painless. I attribute it to the drugs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-708859 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:02:33 +0000 sslm 708859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It would depend on age, and cost. It would be a tough decision, but I think in your case I would chose option 2. So sorry to hear about your doggy :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-708850 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:58:50 +0000 78h2o 708850@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So sorry you are going through this!</p> <p>I think it really depends on the pet, their age, the side effects, the treatment success rate.</p> <p>We have pet insurance, so we'd do chemo as long as the side effects weren't too bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-708784 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:32:21 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 708784@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Train: oh no, i'm so sorry you're going through this. i think i would go for #2 too because i'd rather them live the remainder of their life happy and pain-free than to go through chemo. my dad passed away from cancer, and it was really hard watching him go through chemo and radiation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-708782 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:31:32 +0000 lemondrop 708782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My first reaction at reading the title is I would do chemo if it were lymphoma, as yes, chemo has a high success rate with that particular type of cancer. Chemo is handled a little differently in animals than in people. However there is nothing wrong with doing palliative care and keeping him comfortable until it is time to let him go. That is the route I would take with most cancers. Fingers crossed you get better news Friday. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk, sending your family big hugs, cancer sucks.</p> <p>PS- it never hurts to contact oncology at one of the vet schools and see if they have any clinical trials that they need patients for, sometimes you can get free treatment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-708748 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:20:48 +0000 mrbee 708748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We went all out when Sparky had cancer... in the end we lucked out because she lived several more really good years! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-708743 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:19:44 +0000 Cherrybee 708743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh what a horrible situation to be in. I'm so sorry you're facing this decision. </p> <p>I probably wouldn't do the chemo. It made my dad so ill when he had it and I said at the time that if it was one of my dogs I would have put him/her down rather than put them through the treatment. I mean, my dad understood what was happening to him (and wanted to live) but a dog can't understand why they feel so poorly..... </p> <p>I think I would do the steroids and give my dog the happiest weeks/months/years possible, until he/she could no longer enjoy life and the final decision has to be made. </p> <p>But that's just me.... you nee dot make the decision that's right for your situation. I'm so sorry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-708741 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:19:34 +0000 Dandelion 708741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do the steroids. Dogs don't understand all that stuff. They just know they're hurting and that they're having to be put through some scary stuff, and chemo is awful.</p> <p>I'm so sorry you're having to make this decision, though. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-708739 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:18:55 +0000 MrsH 708739@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@prettylizy: it's not horrible we have limits set too. One of our dogs was just under the limit last time we had to go the doggie ER. (Mortgage payment -eep) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-708734 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:17:32 +0000 MrsH 708734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would do number two. I love my dogs but after seeing my dad go through chemo I wouldn't put my dogs through it. Sorry for your pup. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-do-chemo-therapy-for-your-pet#post-708725 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 16:12:04 +0000 prettylizy 708725@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love my dogs like whoa, but I doubt I'd do much more than the steroid treatments. It may sound awful, but before every emergency trip to the vet we set a limit that we are able to spend on treatment before we get there (usually somwhere around $1000) I put my daughter before my dogs (again, sounds awful..... eep!) and I couldn't imagine having to deny her anything because we were tapped out on vet bills.</p> <p>((((hugs)))) this is never easy. </p>