Sadness For Sam - Jacque's Big Brother.

You may remember I used K9 when we were looking for a youngster to keep our old boy, Sam company. We found Jacques bred by Rob Becquett. Jacques is a healthy, happy 2 and 1/2 year old now, but it looks like we may have to say goodbye to dear old Sam soon.

At 12 and 1/2 he has lived with an auto immune condition since 18 months. old He has had 6 years extra life than would normally have been given him mainly thanks to the help of the JR Whippet Rescue, and Sam's determination.

2 weeks ago he started to lose his `get-up-and-go`. Went off his food and wasn't bothered about walks or the garden. He was drinking gallons. The vet checked him last Tuesday and diagnosed probable lymphoma. We have anti-biotic and extra pain relief for him. This past week he has become steadily weaker and lethargic. He stands and doesn't seem to know where his is. Jacques seems oblivious to what's going on, which is a mercy and irritating alternatley!!

The vet said if Sam's glands weren't down by Tuesday/Wed of this week it would show that it was lymphoma but strictly speaking only a biopsy would determine this.

His gums are so pale and along with the cataracts, his eyes are very watery. I've been reading up online about lymphoma in dogs and what to expect. We won't let him suffer so are monitoring him constantly for signs of pain.

Have any of the members here been through lymphoma and what help can we give Sam apart from extra cuddles and lush food.

Thanks.

Sadie x

I have found some helpful stuff online which will strengthen us when the time comes.

Sadie

Sadie said:

You may remember I used K9 when we were looking for a youngster to keep our old boy, Sam company. We found Jacques bred by Rob Becquett. Jacques is a healthy, happy 2 and 1/2 year old now, but it looks like we may have to say goodbye to dear old Sam soon.
At 12 and 1/2 he has lived with an auto immune condition since 18 months. old He has had 6 years extra life than would normally have been given him mainly thanks to the help of the JR Whippet Rescue, and Sam's determination.

2 weeks ago he started to lose his `get-up-and-go`. Went off his food and wasn't bothered about walks or the garden. He was drinking gallons. The vet checked him last Tuesday and diagnosed probable lymphoma. We have anti-biotic and extra pain relief for him. This past week he has become steadily weaker and lethargic. He stands and doesn't seem to know where his is. Jacques seems oblivious to what's going on, which is a mercy and irritating alternatley!!

The vet said if Sam's glands weren't down by Tuesday/Wed of this week it would show that it was lymphoma but strictly speaking only a biopsy would determine this.

His gums are so pale and along with the cataracts, his eyes are very watery. I've been reading up online about lymphoma in dogs and what to expect. We won't let him suffer so are monitoring him constantly for signs of pain.

Have any of the members here been through lymphoma and what help can we give Sam apart from extra cuddles and lush food.

Thanks.

Sadie x

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So sorry for what you are going through with your beloved boy

Thank you for your kind words. They are much valued coming from a fellow whippeteer.

Sam had a good day yesterday when we though he might have turned a "corner" but today he has been away with the fairies! Eating dirt in the garden and looking generally spaced out. I'm going to look up the antibiotic the vet gave him to see how it might be helping. The glands under his throat are bigger if anything....

Here is a recent pic of the brave boy with Jacques on the sofa.

Hannah x

pippywhippet said:

So sorry for what you are going through with your beloved boy

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Really sorry to here Sam is so poorly Hoping that when Sam's time is closing that it's quick & pain free, I'm sure he will leave a massive void in your heart & Jacques.

I'm so sorry for you and the situation you find yourself in with Sam. What a lucky boy he is to have such caring owners and to have been so loved throughout his life. It sounds like you are doing everything you possibly can to make him feel safe, comfortable and pain-free. It'such a hard time for you all but try to celebrate the life he has shared with you and the very great achievement of him reaching 12 and 1/2 yrs. despite a major health problem.

Hopefully you will have more cherished moments with him as his time is passing by, but you alone will know when he has had enough and I always feel that is better to make the decision a little too early rather than a little too late.

Bless you for your commitment to Sam, treasure every moment with him and be reassured that you are doing all that you can.

Gentle hugs to him. :luck:

Very sorry to read about Sam but apart from antibiotics, he should be having prednisolone - or is he on that already with his AI condition? 'Tosh was diagnosed with lymphoma in August 2010 with what the vet described as "glands like footballs" although, to be honest, they were golf ball size. He had a few days on double dose antibiotics (can't remember off the top of my head which but probably Baytril) and prednisolone - initially three times a day, then when the swellings had gone down twice. The vet (AB) said he might last three months - he couldn't/wouldn't prescribe chemo without a biposy (and I wouldn't have done it anyway) and didn't want to give him an anaesthetic for him because 'Tosh had a grade 6 heart murmur (he was 12). He recovered so well, he was back chasing rabbits into thick cover which landed him with a thorn in his eye for which he had to have an op.

I thought when I took him in, it was going to be a permanent goodbye but he came round well and although it was a nigthmare getting the eye healed because the pred was stopping the healing, we juggled the meds, they eye got better and 'Tosh went back to chasing rabbits. He finally succumbed in May 2011 and I think might have lasted even longer if he had not been without medication for a few days when I was away and the new supply sent from the vet was never delivered by Royal Mail.

So don't despair. Try to see a vet more experienced in cancers and if you haven't already, get some pred into Sam. Good luck, fingers and paws crossed here for you

Gay

www.moonlake.co.uk

Im so very sorry .....wishing Sam a pain free comfortable ending to his life when the time comes.

Much love.