I just got off of the phone with my vet and the diuresis has worked! His numbers went back down to where they were on Sept 1st.... actually just slightly lower. Still though they are high normal but back in the acceptable range for a dog with kidney disease. Doesn't mean he is out of the woods yet and there is still the ultrasound tomorrow but he is still kicking!! If the ultrasound doesn't show anything to negative hopefully the kidneys can be nurtured along between some meds and a renal diet. At the most I'm sure I'll be doing home fluids with him if it helps the kidneys to respond better. I'll also know more tonight when I pick him up. My vet said he is much perkier than when he was brought in and stronger on his walks but you can see there is still an issue. Still keeping all fingers crossed! I'll be bringing him back home in a couple of hours.

Bob

Wonderful news, Bob. Hope it gets better and better.

Hope he gets better fast Bob keep us updated :wub:

Well the news isn't good but it is what I expected. The ultrasound showed Keiko to have a lymphoma of the spleen with a couple of internal lymph nodes also slightly compromised. The doctor performing the ultrasound was 90% sure of what she was seeing and suspected it to be lymphoma. Because of that number and being so sure I don't feel it's necessary to put him through another procedure to have the spleen aspirated for that other 10%

All of his other major organs were normal and not yet affected. Because of this and because Keiko seems to still enjoy life we've decided to start chemotherapy treatments. It will however all be about his quality of life and how he responds to the treatments. The problem will be his compromised kidneys. His left kidney was small as seen in old age dogs but his right kidney had all of the appearances of being normal. Whether or not that is still a fully functional kidney will be the question.

The problems facing this will be part of the chemo drugs is the use prednisone. This will raise his protien levels and could compromise the kidneys further... on the other hand with increased water consumption the kidneys would continue to function as they are... working to filter the blood and not affect the numbers. It's all about those numbers and his quality of life.

I'm not looking for a cure as that will not happen. Remission and a few months or longer of good quality of life will be the best I can hope for. This latest ordeal like with anything involving an animal is whether you are making the right decisions or not. Right now I feel this is the best we can do for him... he isn't ready yet to give up and nor am I on him. Should this not work out I'll make what ever decisions have to be made at that time.

Thanks for all of your prayers and good thoughts.

Bob

So sorry to hear about Keiko Bob. I hope the chemo helps and he can have some good quality time.

Well Bob my DH has the same type cancer and they will start antibody on him week after next as they are doing another biopsy on his lungs next Thurs (16th) and then see the cancer dr on the 21st and they may have to start chemo to, The biopsy will tell us that , So all I know is they arent saying it as spots on the lungs but they so there is more than one spot on his lungs they are looking at
Lumphona is like Lukemia it starts and comes from the bone marrow, It is a slower growing cancer and can be treated but as far as I know there is no cure but treatments can arrest it for a while .
And like you we will have to do the best we can to so my thoughts are with you to, Even though yours is a pet your very attached to him and dont wont to lose him either, Keiko is very lucky to have you looking after him and caring . :wub: :wub:

I am sorry the tests were not more positive. You are a thoughtful caregiver. We will be hopeful with you that the chemo will do its job.