What could of caused it.

[Charz]

I joined this forum just to ask a few questions to any vets or experts that know a bit about pet health out there. My dog has been diagnosed with an aggressive type of leukemia. One thing that has been going through my head is whats caused it. Shes a young dog at 5 years old, I thought maybe its genetics so I did research on her breed and looked up what the common health problems were in her breed. I found out that her breed is very healthy and the common health problems in her breed are very minor ones and there was nothing mention about cancer being a common one. Then I think maybe its cos my dad has been feeding her snacks while he eats, like chips, peanuts and other nasty forms of junk food, that made her get fat and she had a bad habbit of eating the cats food. I warned my dad about doing that and said its not good for her health, was wondering if him doing that is the reason for her illness. My mum would also do the same thing but not as bad as my dad, like if she was eating a take away or a meal and the dog was standing near her and wanted a bit of something, she would give her chunks of food to eat. Well its a big shock to us all, shes so young and has this aggressive cancer.

[tiffers]

Leukemia doesn't necessarily come from anything that you or your family has given her to eat. It is possible that it's just 'the luck of the draw'...so to speak. I am sorry that your pup is going through this, especially at a young age. But, the cancer may run in her line...but not necessarily her breed. Like her parents, grandparents, and farther back. What kind of breed is she anyway?

[Charz]

Shes a finish spitz, they are not a very common breed. Don't know much about her grand parents and parents we got her for free out of the paper. It's just a shock shes got this at a really young age. We are just looking into options at the moment, we can do chemo but we may not do that cos it will make her very sick and costs a lot of money. Looks like we may be giving her medicine to keep her alive for a few more months or so. Shes has also suffered from a lot of anxiety and stress in her life, cos we think she was mistreated by her previous owners, so she gets really scared easily.

[tiffers]

I am, by no means, trying to make you feel any worse...but, if she were my dog..at 5 years of age, and I could afford Chemo. I would MOST CERTAINLY do it. Yes, she will be sick...but, you could be extending her life by YEARS versus a few months with the medications you can give her now to make her feel better. How did your vet determine a definite Leukemia diagnosis?

[Charz]

They thought she had an infection at first, and gave her meds for them and told us if she doesn't get better to bring her back in. So she got better then got sick again and they did a blood test and found out what she has. Well it's not my choice on what to do with the dog its my mums. She may have chemo I don't know yet.

[tiffers]

Hmm...that's interesting. I am sorry that you all are going through this with a dog so young, it's rare...and it is so unfortunate when it happens. I wish you all the best and some peace while you make a choice.

[Charz]

Thanks for your support, yeah its a sad thing to go through.