Hi jetred,
From your post a year ago… this is exactly the type of information I'm searching for, "I know this might not be survivable for her but I can't find any advice on how to get a dog through cancer, what to look out for, when is she truly in pain, what spindle cell does over time and when is enough for her and time to set her free."
So I am wondering, what was your plan with Luna? How did you make decisions? What information did you learn that you think is important to know about the spindle cell cancer disease process?
I have a 15 yr old girl (aussie shepard mix) who is in good spirits, enjoys slow short walks, putting her nose in the wind, eating, etc all normally. We've had two surgeries already to debulk the tumor on her rear leg. One in 2013, and the second recently in June from which she recovered well for her age. Though it returned quickly (3 mos) and larger this time. It's now an open lesion. I am both astounded and perplexed at how she acts pretty normal given this! My vet (who is a new vet to us as I just moved) initially discussed end of life decisions and then also offered amputation as an option to consider. I would so appreciate any thoughts you have and/or hear more about your story.
Thank you.
FAQ's for the new Fanconi linkage test
-
You did send it for Jazzy, right? We will keep our fingers crossed for you, she still can come back as a carrier and not affected…
Bryan is picking up the blood this week and it will be sent in. I have my fingers crossed, believe me. In the meantime, I'm going to start studying as much as I can now so that if things don't go the way I hope, I'll be ready to jump on this as soon as it shows up.
-
Let's not forget that a dog CAN have Fanconi and CAN live a normal life.
My BENNY is a perfect example.
Yes, he was on the protocol from Day 1 of his diagnosis, in November 2005.
He's been OFF the protocol for about 5 months now.
I had a very big decision to make…
continue to see my dog look like crap and feel like crap and stare at his food bowl from the couch...
or give him a better life without an upset stomach full of bicarb tablets.
I chose the latter.
Benny now eats like a champ..
and no dog better get near his food bowl....
he will chase them away with his louder than life growling...
he is ALWAYS ready to eat....
and ready for his upteem daily snacks..
these were things that he turned away when on the protocol....
I felt like I was watching him wilt away...
Now I see that my boy is thriving and PLAYING with the puppies....
and even jumping on the trampoline...
he dies for lure coursing....
and even wants to show again.....Was he REALLY given a life sentence?
I've since changed my mind....
unless one knows he is Fanconi Affected....
they'd never be able to tell from looking at him,
or watching his actions.Benny will be able to be seen in the SHOW RING at the BCOA National...
and walking my son around the sidelines the rest of the week.Don't get me wrong.....
FANCONI SUCKS....
but it is not always a death sentence. -
Let's not forget that a dog CAN have Fanconi and CAN live a normal life.
My BENNY is a perfect example.
Yes, he was on the protocol from Day 1 of his diagnosis, in November 2005.
He's been OFF the protocol for about 5 months now.
I had a very big decision to make…
continue to see my dog look like crap and feel like crap and stare at his food bowl from the couch...
or give him a better life without an upset stomach full of bicarb tablets.
I chose the latter.
Benny now eats like a champ..
and no dog better get near his food bowl....
he will chase them away with his louder than life growling...
he is ALWAYS ready to eat....
and ready for his upteem daily snacks..
these were things that he turned away when on the protocol....
I felt like I was watching him wilt away...
Now I see that my boy is thriving and PLAYING with the puppies....
and even jumping on the trampoline...
he dies for lure coursing....
and even wants to show again.....Was he REALLY given a life sentence?
I've since changed my mind....
unless one knows he is Fanconi Affected....
they'd never be able to tell from looking at him,
or watching his actions.Benny will be able to be seen in the SHOW RING at the BCOA National...
and walking my son around the sidelines the rest of the week.Don't get me wrong.....
FANCONI SUCKS....
but it is not always a death sentence.All of that is your decision and glad that it is working for Benny…. but not the normal case.... and at least now we can finally go forward... with life without producing Fanconi affected dogs...
-
he did better OFF the protocol? How common is THAT?
-
he did better OFF the protocol? How common is THAT?
I think that every dog is different… on and off the protocol... everyone needs to make their own choices... I know people with Fanconi dogs that have been on the protocol for years and years and doing great... some not... think of how many dogs have Fanconi and people don't even know because they don't know to test.... I would think it is not very common... that they do better off the protocol... But more power to Benny.... and keep on keeping on...
-
Dropped Jazz and Keoki's blood off w/Bryan for him to mail in.
I gotta tell ya, it felt a little ….I don't know..... like a drug deal. We met in the parking lot of a Krispy Kreme shop, and I passed off the plastic baggie of "stuff", then got into our separate cars and drove away. Gotta wonder what bystanders were thinking.
On an unrelated side note, while I was waiting for Bryan, this big burly guy got out of the car across from mine -- BIG guy, long, greasy looking hair tied back in a pony tail, black long sleeved T-shirt.... and a white denim pleated knee length skirt? {Didn't look like any kind of kilt I've ever seen}
I don't know, he just caught my eye. -
Just to put in my 2 cents - if being off the protocol is working for Benny, I'm thrilled to hear it! Can't wait to see him strut his stuff at the National!
BUT, don't ever make the mistake of thinking that this will be effective for 99.99% of Basenjis diagnosed with Fanconi. Dr. Gonto developed the protocol to try to save the life of his own Basenji, Cenji, over 20 years ago. It's undergone revisions and updates of course over time, but the plain truth is that Fanconi is a progressive and fatal disease. The protocol offers Basenjis the chance to live a 'normal' life span. It has been the subject of research and written up in the AVMA Journal, and it was proven to be the most effective way of treating the disease.
I agree with Pat, too. The marker test offers us the most hope so far of someday eliminating this!
Terry
-
I've always felt in my gut (how's that for scientific) that faconi as a Syndrome was likely to have a variety of ways that the symptoms can manifest itself. Given the different ages of onset and the speed of decline if not treated - I think that it's likely to look 'different' in some animals. It's not just get it at 4 then this then that - the range of ages where they become symptomatic is just too different.
I'm not saying that the test is not effective or good tp dp or anything - I'm just saying that just as some people get the same diseases and have different outcomes, and response to protocols - I would expect the same with dogs.
-
I've always felt in my gut (how's that for scientific) that faconi as a Syndrome was likely to have a variety of ways that the symptoms can manifest itself. Given the different ages of onset and the speed of decline if not treated - I think that it's likely to look 'different' in some animals. It's not just get it at 4 then this then that - the range of ages where they become symptomatic is just too different.
I'm not saying that the test is not effective or good tp dp or anything - I'm just saying that just as some people get the same diseases and have different outcomes, and response to protocols - I would expect the same with dogs.
The good news is that we have a test now… and it is certainly better the breeding in the dark or best guess that we all have been doing in the past... and anyone IMO that breeds or purchases a pup that has not been tested is IMO "pretty out of it"..... clearly it shows carriers, affecteds and clears... why anyone in their right mind would breed anything less then Carrier to Clear or worst case an affected sire to a bitch... would be beyond me.... Carrier to Clear would produce at worst all Carriers... Affected to Clear would produce all Carriers that could (should) be bred to clears....
-
I'm alittle confused..please bear with me. Since I don't know where Lillie came from (adopted from a shelter) and she is now approx. 1 1/2 years old, should she be tested now. Also, is this something my vet can do or is it only available thru canine phenome? Sorry if these questions have already been asked but I don't want to wait if it's important to test Lillie now. Thanks for the help.
Jodie:) -
I'm alittle confused..please bear with me. Since I don't know where Lillie came from (adopted from a shelter) and she is now approx. 1 1/2 years old, should she be tested now. Also, is this something my vet can do or is it only available thru canine phenome? Sorry if these questions have already been asked but I don't want to wait if it's important to test Lillie now. Thanks for the help.
Jodie:)Your Vet can not do this test as it is a DNA test. However any Basenji can be tested… you can do it now with the linkage test or wait till next year when the direct DNA test will be out. Since she is only 1 1/2 and since normally Fanconi starts at 3yrs or later, there is nothing wrong with waiting for the direct test... if you don't want to wait you can have it done now. Your Vet needs to send the blood to U of Mo since that is were the DNA test is being done. You must enter your dog on the CPP site (and they do not need a registration number either, there are many that are rescues, etc that are on there and being tested). You can find the details of the test at www.basenjihealth.org and you will find the CPP site links. Once you enter her on the CPP site and note that there is no DNA on file for her, you will get the form that you need to have with the information for the blood drawl, how much and where to send it.
-
Pat-Thanks for the info. I entered Lillie's info on the CPP site. I will probably wait until next year for the direct DNA test. Do you think most vets know about Fanconi? Just curious. Thanks again for clearing this up.
Jodie:)
PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY OJ! -
Pat-Thanks for the info. I entered Lillie's info on the CPP site. I will probably wait until next year for the direct DNA test. Do you think most vets know about Fanconi? Just curious. Thanks again for clearing this up.
Jodie:)
PS HAPPY BIRTHDAY OJ!I would say it is about 60/40 that Vet know about Fanconi… which is why always a good idea to take the information with you (print out of the protocol) and give it to them for your dogs file.
-
That is exactly what I will do! Thanks.
Jodie:) -
Bryan is picking up the blood this week and it will be sent in. I have my fingers crossed, believe me. In the meantime, I'm going to start studying as much as I can now so that if things don't go the way I hope, I'll be ready to jump on this as soon as it shows up.
Have you heard anything about Jazzy's test?
-
Have you heard anything about Jazzy's test?
No. It's been less than a week. How long does it typically take to get results?
-
I heard it takes up to 14 days.
I am about to submit Chance's blood work this week.
It's great that we have this test now. I know its still new but its better than nothing.
I think everyone like me is nervious about getting the results. I can't stop thinking about it. -
I'm pretty sure I know Jazzy's results – with a diagnosed mom and a carrier dad, it is not going to be fantastic news.
Keoki, I have hope for..... His mom's a carrier {Jazzy's grandma}, but his dad is clear.
-
I'm pretty sure I know Jazzy's results – with a diagnosed mom and a carrier dad, it is not going to be fantastic news.
Keoki, I have hope for..... His mom's a carrier {Jazzy's grandma}, but his dad is clear.
Well, she would still have a 50/50 shot at being a carrier…so it might be fine!
-
That's what I'm hoping for.
And that Keoki will test clear, not carrier.
This waiting is such a pins-and-needles thing. I hate it. Whatever the results, I just want to know!!
