My 12-year old basset hound named Star was diagnosed with lymphoma a few weeks ago. She had stopped eating and become extremely lethargic. What little she did eat came up right back up. Star has always been a trim basset hound, but she soon looked anorexic. Imagine…you’ll be happier. An anorexic basset hound. A lethargic, anorexic basset hound. She was truly pathetic.
After spending hundreds of dollars on tests, we were told that a segment of Star’s small intestine had thickened and very little food could get through. They had to do surgery. Surgery led to biopsy, biopsy led to diagnosis of lymphoma, a slow-dividing lymphoma.
I’m honestly still in shock. This isn’t happening to me! I’ve had Star since she was a puppy, and she’s really the third member of the family. She’s just like a person with her own language, moods, expressions, and routine. I’ve never thought much about her not being in our lives. Life without her is unfathomable.
So the next steps…decisions about chemotherapy and care. More about that later.
Imagine... 
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August 18, 2007 at 2:33 pm
Vickie Wathen
I had a 2-year old male bassett hound named Ruxur. He was diagnosed with Lymphonma – the gastrointestinal form – 5-7% of cases. He had also acted the same thing – quit eating, vomitting, weightloss. This went on for two weeks. We gave him bacteria and antibiotic medications thinking he had a bacterial or virus infection in his bowels with no result. He continued to lose weight – 10 more lbs. After xrays, it was discovered that his intestinal area was triple its size and his lower lymph nodes\testicals had hardened. After exploratory surgery, it was determined that there was no treatment. I decided to put him down. I didn’t have the heart to have the vet wake him from surgery for me to say my good-byes then put him down again. I decided that it was more peaceful for him this way. I also asked the vet to bury him for me which would be out at his father’s farm near a lake. I decided to drive by there after making this decision with the vet and knowing I would never see Ruxur again – bawling my eyes out. As I got close to the farm…. This is the ironic part! A bassett hound – identical to Ruxur came from the cornfield and crosssed the road in front of me – only female – same face, markings, color, everything – had to be a litter mate as we live in a small community and I got Ruxur as a pup from a nearby neighbor. I stopped my truck, got out, and petted and stroked the head of this dog. She looked so much like my dog. I then returned to my vehicle and she started to chase me as I drove away. All I can say is that God works in mysterious ways and I think this was the way I could say my good-byes to my dog, Ruxur. This happened today and I am still dealing with the emotion of it all. I was looking up this cancer and found your blog and had to respond. I wish you all the best with Star.
August 19, 2007 at 1:37 am
peaceluvr
Vickie, I can’t imagine how painful that decision must have been — never having the chance to say goodbye to Ruxor after the surgery. I’m crying just thinking about it. Too bad you couldn’t have kept that basset hound. Will you get another dog soon?
Star is doing better than I could have imagined. She finished her first round of chemo and had few side effects. The doctor found a new lymphoma pressing on her bladder, which explains why she kept peeing in the house. So now she’s on the second round of chemo, the lymphoma has decreased in size, and she rarely pees in the house anymore. She has a great appetite and acts like a normal dog. We’re keeping our fingers crossed.
August 19, 2007 at 10:26 am
Vickie Wathen
I think my son and I are going to take a breather on getting another dog. In fact, we got Ruxur a month after our labodor retriever died in Oct 2005. We had Sydney for 9 years and it was difficult not having a dog to care for so we got another one. Having to deal with two dog deaths within two years is just too hard on me emotionally – let alone my son. We buried Sydney on our property near the pond (that she loved swimming in) and it tears me up when I walk near her grave. I think that is why I decided to have the vet bury Ruxur on his dad’s farm as I couldn’t bare walking past two graves. We have a cat, Max, that we’ve had for 5 years now since he was a kitten. So we aren’t completely petless. My mother has two bassett hounds named Bubba and Belle. In fact, Belle is a sister to Ruxur so when I miss my bassett, I’ll go visit my mom. Ruxur loved running, chasing, playing with my mom’s dogs. It will be a good way to remember him. We have plenty of pictures of Ruxur so I may build a small scrapbook as a memorial too.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for Star too!
August 21, 2007 at 1:34 am
peaceluvr
Thank you, Vickie.