Long time no doodlekisses... Sad update

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Hi everyone,

I haven't been on DK for years... but I find myself drawn back to this awesome community at a hard time, likely just to say goodbye.  I had been thinking about re-joining things here for a bit, and I see some familiar names so I thought I'd check in.

Our little Luna is 7.5 years old and is best buds with our now 4.5 year old daughter.  We came to this site when Luna was just a little 8 week old pup and got great advice on all sorts of things. She is an awesome dog, so loving and gentle and playful.

And now for the hard part... it seems likely she has lymphoscarcoma.  Her blood calcium is high, she has  polydypsia/polyuria (drinking/peeing all the time) and today the vet found lumps in the area of her lymph nodes in a few different places.

We have not done any conclusive tests yet (needle biopsy, ultrasound etc.) but we are unsure if we want to, since the prognosis for that type of cancer is very poor and she likely only has a month or two left even with treatment.  The only purpose of the testing would be to confirm diagnosis and get her some more targeted palliative care, one of the options being steroids.  We've been down the steroid route before with her allergies and the side effects are not too pleasant, though they may make her feel better as things progress.

Other than the drinking/peeing all the time she remains playful, her energy levels are high and she is eating.  It's extra hard because she's barely a senior dog and her behavior is mostly normal.

 

Send Luna some of your warm thoughts and let's hope she stays happy for whatever little time she has left. :)

Thank you for all your amazing advice, keep being awesome.

J & Luna

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Sending hugs to Luna and to you too, what can I say... I hope that whatever time she has left is pain free and happy :(

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Sending hugs to Luna and to you too, what can I say... I hope that whatever time she has left is pain free and happy :(

[F, Calla & Luca]

I remember Luna well and I am so sorry to hear this. I hope she enjoys a good quality of life for the time that remains. Please keep us updated.

[Paulette Davis]

Hugs and much love to Luna!!

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

J and Luna, I too have been MIA from DoodleKisses but have returned for health concerns, support and to visit my old friends from time to time. I certainly remember sweet Luna and you. My Daisy has turned 8 and has some health concerns of her own. This group is the best support you will find, don't we know it!

I am so sorry to hear this very unsettling news. I will be praying for your family. I can't believe your little one is 4.5 now.

[Jeremy Little]

I am very sorry to hear that about your Luna. We lost our 5 yo Labradoodle to Lymphoma last June and it was a very tough time for my family especially my two boys. He was their best friend as well. I wish that there was something I could say that would make it better, but I will simply say to enjoy everyday with her. Our Buddy lasted almost a year amd truthfully he was really almost the same dog until the very end. Luna will still have a lot of love to give. Enjoy it. 

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Thank you. :)   I'm sorry about your Buddy - it really is tough.  So far Luna is definitely herself and enjoying life, hopefully it stays that way.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Thank you everyone for your kind words and support.

Luna has been such an amazing light in our lives and has brought us so much joy.  It's just such a shame that she has to be going so young.

My husband and I have been taking things pretty hard, but we know we've given her the best life we possibly could have.  We will spoil her rotten in the little time she has left. :)

[BG and Gavin]

Thank you for coming back. Luna has one of my favourite open faced looks. Sending you, Luna and your family best thoughts and prayers. We have missed you.

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Oh I'm so sorry to read this news. Luna was my inspiration for getting Pippa who also has that non-doodly Doodle face. I have missed seeing her beautiful face! Prayers that maybe thats not what she has at all!

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

You know, we were a bit disappointed at first when Luna didn't "doodle out" but it's been amazing and we love seeing her expressive face.  I could do without the hair tumbleweeds all over the house, but I'm sure I'll miss seeing them when she's gone. :p

[Andrea, Belle and Honey]

J and Luna, I am so sorry to hear your sad news.  I certainly understand your desire to protect your beautiful Luna from the debilitating, and frequently useless, trauma of traditional treatments.  I recently had to make a similar decision for my doodle's best friend Sophie the Cat.  Since Luna is so young, however, you might consider consulting with Dr. Nicola Mason at U of P Vet School about her clinical trials of cutting edge immunotherapy for cancers of the lymph system.  Apparently, in some dogs her approach may avoid nasty side effects and could produce remissions that last years rather than months. I don't know if Luna would be a candidate for her treatment, or if Philadelphia would be a feasible location for you, but it might be worth a phone call to investigate. Whatever you decide, I wish Luna and your family the easiest possible passage through the months ahead.