18 month old GSD with lymphoma - Page 1

I am heartbroken to learn that my 18 month old GSD Levi has t-cell mediastinal lymphoma.
Asymtpomatic until Friday when he developed pu/pd. He has pleural effusion and 
a second mass near his right adrenal gland.
if anyone else out there has had a dog this young develop lymphoma,
please contact me by email. Also, if anyone is tracking lymphoma in certain lines, please contact me and I will be
happy to provide information on parents, both of whom are listed in the pedigree database.
Email me at RockSd717@aol.com thank you.

I used to keep track of this disease in the breed, but never got much response, so stopped trying. I had an older GSD that died from this disease at 7 1/2 after a life of various autoimmune disorders, meds and surgeries. I do think there is a genetic component in the breed. My dog was half German showlines, half American showlines.

I am so sorry for the bad news, 18 months is very young to suffer from lymphosarc, but it is not unheard of either. Someone else here had a very young dog with the disease, maybe he or she will read this and contact you. Again, so very sorry, been there and it sucks

Is it too much to ask what State you are located in?

We're seeing lymphoma in GSDs in recent years that mirror the way this cancer has been affecting the Golden Retriever as a breed for more than a decade now; in fact, the GSD is now listed as one of the breeds 'prone' to lymphosarcoma, in addition to Goldens, Boxers and several other breeds.  Lymphoma is the 3rd most common form of cancer diagnosed in dogs at the moment.

There has been a great deal of work done on trying to puzzle out the genetic factor involved in the predisposition of some breeds when it comes to this group of cancers [there's several types of lymphoma/lymphosarcoma, but all involve the lymphatic system, thus the term 'lymphoma'].  Certain lines within the Golden Retriever were found to be over-represented in cases of cutaneous lymphoma, for example, but as with most purebred dogs, the gene pools are so shallow that it has not been possible to unequivocally identify any one bloodline that could be considered to be 'toxic', so to speak.

I wish I had something to offer you that would give you hope, or could ease your sorrow as you and your young dog make this journey; the best I can do is steer you to two websites that I have always found to be outstanding resources in these situations, providing not only information and support, but also in assisting owners with locating financial help for treating and caring for their affected dogs.  Canine Cancer Awareness.Org was founded in 2003, and received its 501(c)(3) status in 2004;  Canine Cancer.Com began in 2007, and both have continued to provide current information on treatment options, clinical trials and helpful information on caring for canine cancer combatants.

I'm sorry you're facing this with your dog, when you should be planning years of activities together instead of researching how much time you can hope to steal with him.  May you find some comfort, small as I know it will be, in the knowledge that no dog will have known more love and dedication in such a short time as your Levi will receive from you. Sometimes that's all we get to have.

It's a heartbreak and one hopes to find answers.  When I lost a young dog under the age of 4 years to lymphoma (the second dog to pass from cancer under the age of 4 years), I contacted the SV to inquire if they are seeing an increase in cancer.  Unfortunately I got a very unsatisfactory answer that they did not record anything that would indicate an increase of cancer in the breed.  The 2 young dogs were to replace my seniors.  Both seniors outlived them, with one still at my side and the girl having passed away at 14 years.  So much for planning to ensure succession.  Bitter sweet.  I will however not for one moment regret having both these wonderful dogs in my life.  Having myself survived an aggressive form of cancer, I felt this was God's strange sense of humor.  I suppose I had a lesson to learn about taking in every day as if it was my last, even with my dogs. 

I sincerely hope that you come to peace with the diagnosis and enjoy every minute of your special dog.

Such sad news,,I am sorry,,...

A study has been done with good results on hemangiosarcoma, using a mushroom component, it's called I'm Yunity. I read that it extended dogs lives over a year with no other treatment, just the mushroom. it might be effective on other forms of cancer as well.

Check your  pm.

I'm all for making use of alternative medicine and traditional Chinese medicine [TCM], either in tandem with conventional therapies or on their own, but caution owners that due diligence to ensure that one isn't dealing with any method blindly out of the desperation that sweeps us all away when we're told our loved one has a terminal illness for which little or nothing can be done.  The product joanro referenced, I'm-Yunity, does appear to have the right credentials, and certainly could be worth considering, though I'm not presently aware of any use of mushroom extract in the treatment of any type of lymphoma via TCM methodology, and it would be worth consulting with a veterinarian who is trained in the use of TCM before embarking on the experiment.  It's possible that while the extract has application in face of hemangiosarcoma, it could be the polar opposite of what TCM protocol indicates for lymphoma.

The GSD I owned that that died from lymphosarcoma had at least one close relative that also died from that disease and produced it in a few of his progeny. Lymphoma, like DM, is a dirty little secret of the GSD world. Most breeders say they have never seen it or heard of it?