The Sorrow of DM and other inheritable diseases - Page 8

I really wish I could be more optimistic, Cheryl. She's 10 1/2 and to extend her life another year would probably take more than one round of chemical chemo, but no one can say that for sure. It's a disgusting disease that takes way too many dogs every year. I put off the inevitable too, cancelled one appt only to reschedule it a few days later.

The steroid  drug of choice is prednisone. 

There is still the chance it is not leukemia; keep the faith.

Renofan, I'm so sorry to hear this about Libby...I won't lie to you, I'd just about be willing to bet my paycheck that this is going to come back as hemangiosarcoma, and at the moment, there's really not a heck of a lot that is of any real use in treating that particular type of cancer.  The lymphoma treatment is a mixed bag, as it depends on the type of lymphoma involved---if you are going to consider going the chemo route, I suggest you insist on getting the cancer typed before deciding, because unless it's the type that fits the profile the chances are you'll spend a lot of money but not see much benefit to Libby.  I know I said I hoped you'd be lucky as I was with Jess, but I certainly never dreamed it could happen so soon after I'd said something like that....

The other concern I'd have about chemo for Libby would be the effect it could have on the DM--there is reason to view DM as part of the complex of autoimmune disorders, and consequently I'd have to wonder if the chemo for lymphoma would accelerate the DM as it suppresses the normal immune responses, or would it have the opposite effect and slow the progression?  That's a question for the oncologists, and even then I'm not so sure they'll be able to answer it with any certainty, either.


(I am wondering if Libby actually does have DM, which I say only because Libby's mother and Hexe's mother were full sisters, and there was definitely no sign of any DM with Hexe throughout her 14 1/2 years...but she DID develop some disc herniation in the lumbar section of the spine at about 10 years of age, and that caused her to have a very, very slight toe drag on her left hind.  When I noticed the toe scuffing, I had her looked at down @ Michigan State, and when the ortho specialist showed me the x-rays, it was clear why I was seeing what I was seeing. Things never progressed beyond that slight toe drag until she had a fibrocartilagenous embolism at 13 years old, and even then she managed to regain most of her movement back as she recovered from that.  So if you haven't had any *good* x-rays done of Libby's spine, I wouldn't be so quick to rule out some disc degeneration if Libby's gait is off...)

Hi Renofan,

So sorry to read about Libby. What a girl. Me and my poochies are sending you all the best.

shepherdhope

this post is incredibly sad. I have never had a dog with this horrible disease but I know a friend who just had his dog put down at the age of 12 because of DM. It not a way you want to see your dog leave this world, I just received two of my dogs OFA results (Quest, the dog in my Avatar, and my new female puppy Ara)  today and they are N/N (Normal) and I am very happy! I will test all my dogs for this and I hope other breeders use this as a tool to breed healthier dogs. I am very sorry to anyone who has lost a dog to this.

I lost my beloved Missy to DM on August 26th, 2004 ... I was right there with her.. holding her tight ... I did everything we could for her, prior to that day I remember crying to my vet and asking him when will I know its "time" .. he told me she will tell you.. she had no more fight in her... I used to walk her and hold her up with a towel and carry her up the stairs into the house ...DM is a hideous disease ... my heart goes out to all who posted their stories .. they brought back so many memories ...  My current shepherd (Nikki in my avatar) just turned 7 years old and I watch her like a hawk for any signs .. so far so good ... but I do drive myself crazy thinking the worst all the time .. she is just so special to me.  I will post some pictures of Missy shortly .. have to transfer them first. A facebook friend of mine just had to put his dog down a few weeks ago from this hideous disease , it's just awful ...  Thank you to all for sharing your stories .. for some reason it helps to know we are not alone :)

Lisa

We lost our beautiful boy "Chief" in September. He suffered with DM for over a year, but still moved around pretty well with the boots on his hind feet. He died abruptly from a very agressive form of cancer called HSA (it's blood related) at 11.5 years. He was still a goofy puppy at heart and remained so up until the end. We miss him every day! Anyway, about the boots............they really made a huge difference to the quality of his life. Custom made from "Tammy and Teddys". You can find them online.

Hello everyone, reading all of your posts has made me smile and cry, not at the same time though.
Thank you for posting your feelings and stories here, it helps to know a person is not alone when dealing with the horrible effects DM has on a loved one.  Hugs tight to everyone of you who has watched your loved 4 legged furbaby struggle to get up, be embarrassed after messing on the carpet without knowing it, and still be beside you and try to comfort YOU.  My girl here, Xena (named Xena Princess Warrior by my then 7 year old daughter who picked her out at a small kennel in a nowhere little town in my home province of Manitoba) 14 years ago, has been by my side constantly when I allowed her to be (she stayed behind with my husband when I travelled back to Canada when my Dad was ill and passed, then a year later again for just over a month when my Mom passed).  She knows ALL my secrets and won't tell a soul, she promised! Together we survived moving together, travelling together, her separation anxiety, her pannus, and now her DM which she was diagnosed with this past May, we tried K laser treatments which I think did help, vitamin supplements, exercise, but the past 2 months have been tough watching my very proud dignified girl go through this.  I say this as I pant myself after coaxing her to go potty for the night, she got her back end up with my help as i have been doing this past month but didnt want to make the effort to go down the hallway to the backdoor to go outside,,so I've been helping by supporting her back end and coaxing her forwards.  I've read that letting her go is the last kindest gift I could give her, well this friday afternoon she will go to the Rainbow Bridge to be with my loved family who has gone there before her: Coco (terrier x), Magnum (GSD), Cowboy (AQHA), Dixie (terrier x).  She will wait for me until she hears me whistle, then along with my other furbabies she will find me, this is my hope anyway.  I know I will never have another like her, but her loyalty has been cherished, as she has been my very own personal therapy dog all these years.  The feline crew here will miss her, 4 to be exact, my oldest male Kaze had adopted Xena when he was 6 weeks old as his 'Mamma', he would paw at her hip to fluff her up then try to nurse on her hind elbow, silly kitten, all Xena would do would be to moan and pick her head up and look at me "really Mom? your gonna let a cat try n nurse me?" He still fluffed her up, up until a few weeks ago.  They always made us laugh.  She sure is a treasure to put up with 4 cats!  I had better go help her back in the house now,  I just want to have my words here to comfort anyone who needs it and for my own memorial to my Sweetheart, I won't tell her good-bye friday afternoon, because I dont believe in good-byes.  I will see my Princess later, I promise!
Hugss everyone <3

RIP, Sweet Xena. Run free.........

XenaGSDCKC, I'm sorry you made the acquaintence of this disorder, though I am cheered to read that your girl has been with you for 14 years, as that is uncommonly long for this wonderful breed...

And I agree with you as far as what you'll say to her Friday afternoon...I, too, never say 'Goodbye'; I tell them that I will see them later, when my time comes to join them, and tell them it's OK for them to keep themselves busy while they're waiting for me because I know we'll find each other easily. 

I'm glad you found this thread, and you posted your tribute to your Xena Princess Warrior here and shared her with us all.  Come Friday afternoon, she'll be rejuvenated in the next realm, with all of her old strength back in her body again, and she'll find joy in that as she waits for your arrival.  May the comfort that comes from having loved a good dog provides one's soul help you through the coming sadness.

What a girl with a great name. She really is a Warrior Princess.  If you look up in the night sky on Friday look for the brightest star playing in the night sky that will be your Xena.  She'll be up there with her buddies.