Six year old dog has Lymphoma (boxer, tumors, vet, surgery)

[findly185]

We found out yesterday that our 6 year old saint Bernard has Lymphoma. He has currently lost about 3olbs and is not eating or drinking. The doctor suggested 7k in chemo and putting him on steroids. I worry about his quality of life and also the expense.

Any suggestions or experiences would be helpful.

[LakesideAnnie]

I have no experience with this, nor suggestions to help you. But wanted to give you a {{hug}}

[dogluvr2012]

I am so sorry. I have had 2 dogs with cancer, but not lymphoma. It's a tough route no matter which way you go, chemo or palliative care. There's no easy answer, but whatever you do for your dog will be the right choice. Hugs and well wishes.

[maggiekate]

You have a young dog but that money and chemo not sure I would do it.
My best to you and your dog, me I would not have that money.
the rest I did read the life time on meds will be a dog always wishing water
and that drug is not great for the liver etc.,
also 7K for most with this is hard. and if you do it the quality your dog in life would have?
I would also guess if a dog will not eat, and water why ever would a vet put the dog into chemo
etc., get a new vet who cares morefor your dog and not the 7K if your dog is that ill noway will a milliom dollars help.

I do have a dog over age 12 and really did think I would never have her home, yes I do thanks to a kind vet.
However she will drink water and eat food. the bad i am up late and her going out.

[atina33]

What Maggiekate says makes a lot of sense to me.

I just looked up life span for St. Bernard, it says 8-10 years. My 45 lb dog is currently 11; so they're somewhat "equivalent" in age as I expect my girl to live at least another few years. If she were to be stricken with cancer now, I wouldn't opt for surgery/chemo/radiation, etc. In addition to the expense, I'd be putting her through some rough months of treatment. I couldn't do that to her. I would look into what I could do to make her more comfortable and when that stops working, we would cry a river of tears as we put her to sleep.

I'm no vet but given that your dog has already lost 30 lbs(!), it sounds like his cancer is at a pretty advanced state.

I'm so sorry this is happening to you and your pet.

[JanND]

I found a website that may help you understand what chemo for a dog might look like day to day. Treatment for Dogs With Cancer - Choosing Chemotherapy
I had a boxer, he lived to be 16+. When he was about 8 he had cancer surgery, several tumors removed an he had a wonderful life for several more years.
However, my daughter's St. Bernard was very ill last year an ha to be put to sleep he was 8 years old. It does have some bearing on your decision the life expectancy for a St. Bernard after 8 is not long.
I know this is a hard time and I will be praying for your family. Best to you.

[findly185]

Thank you all for the positive thoughts. Whatever we decide it will not be an easy decision.