I am so sorry to hear about your sweet puppy. I've lost 2 dogs to lymphoma, one of them to another rarer version, lymphoblastic leukemia. There are some really hard decisions to make with canine cancer, and taking your dog's age into account would be something I would suggest. Not that you should not treat, but make some decisions about how much you are willing to do( there can be some nasty side effects with some of the chemo protocols). Our sweet furbabies very much live in the moment, so quality of life is very important. There is a great yahoo support group for those owners going through this and I found it extremely helpful and comforting. Unfortunately I am unable to post the link due to ivillage issues, but just think canine cancer and yahoo and you should find it.
There is an overwhelming amount of information to take in when our babies are diagnosed. Some of the best advice that was given to me was to focus on the time we had left together and try to save my crying etc. for later...I know MUCH easier said than done, but I did notice a big difference with my 2nd dog when she got cancer. I had my moments of sadness away from the house ( unlike with my first one) and stayed upbeat and "normal" around her and kept things for her as normal as possible. Most of the time, she didn't even think she was sick. Every dog is different though, but I do know that the energy that I put out around my dogs does make a difference in how they do..they follow our lead. The other thing is don't be afraid to ask alot of questions, of your vet and oncologist.
Also,I have the name of a wonderful holistic vet that I have used for many years and she does phone consults. I also have a wealth of research and information I have personally compiled regarding complimentary alternative treatments. I am happy to share anything that would be of help. You are definitely on the right track with the coQ10 and fish oil and the grain free diet. Let me know if you would like further information about other CAT and I will find a way to get it to you.
I am so sorry you are having to go through this.
LBF

I would love some advice on alternative treatments. That's something I've been trying to learn about but can't seem to find too much information that is helpful. I looked into it and found a holistic vet near me that I might contact if the oncologists suggest harsh treatments. There are just so many options and I have no idea what to do. I haven't even been to the oncologist yet and they may tell me it's something completely different. My vet was only confident about the results he received, not positive. I also forgot to mention that the tumor had appeared to have shrunk a few weeks after it was first tested. I thought so and so did my vet without me mentioning it to him. I'm waiting for her incision to heal so that I can take her to the beach and on long walks. Right now she has to take it easy. Now I have to go take care of my other dog who is jealous that he isn't getting any attention. Thanks again for the information.

Judiegal. I would suggest you stop, slow down, sit down and take a deep breath, then count to a million. That your vet was "only confident, not positive" can mean a world a difference in the treatent your dog gets.
First, meet with the oncologist and try not to put your dog into too much stress by trying to do too much differently, often with senior dogs too much of an extreme change in diet can be a huge problem.
If the oncologist makes a positive diagnosis, let them know your plans and see if they will work with you.
I might suggest you get on line with Best Friends to see if they can shed some insight about treatment or vets in your area that can assist you.
I think you are doing well in that you are trying to educate yourself and do all your can to assist your dog through this...good luck and please keep us posted with what is going on.

So sorry to hear about your doggie's diagnosis.

Mazer has a good suggestion about counting to one million.

I am going to be very frank. Its very easy to get wrapped up and spend a ton of money trying to squeeze every last bit of life out of your beloved family member. But remember she is 13, which is pretty old for a large dog. Sometimes just keeping her comfortable and loved is the best we can do.

I wouldn't spend a lot of money on a dog that age, putting her through a lot of stress to eek out a few extra days. Which we really are doing more for ourselves anyway...

Best of luck to you and your beautiful Savannah. I hope the situation isn't as bleak as I've made it sound.

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. Having had a number of dogs and cats and lost some to cancer, I can relate. Just having to decide what to do can be awfully anxiety-making.

I see that Judiegal brought up the idea of possible alternative treatments. There is a forum on Yahoo called flaxseedoil2. It is primarily for people with cancer, but I notice that quite a few people have written in about adapting the protocol that this Yahoo group is focused on, for their dogs. Many of the humans, and a number of the dogs seem to be doing well, and at the very least, following this protocol appears to boost one's general health.

Thank you everyone for the advice. I'm still as lost as ever. My mom, judiegal, is picking up a book for me called the natural vets guide to preventing and treating cancer. The reviews are all great and I'm hoping it will give me an idea of the supplements and food I should give her. After so much research I've found that my dogs, and so many pets everywhere, are getting improper diets. I thought I had my dogs on such great food, it's expensive and holistic, no preservatives... but it's not what they should be eating. I strongly suggest any one here who never really researched pet foods to do so. And there is false information out there about too much protein causing health problems, but if you read the research and articles written by veterinarians, you'll see that dogs should be having more meat and low to no grains. Still though, there are so many food options. Thanks again everybody. I have another thread in the discussions section and I've been getting great advice from everybody. You all are so supportive and kind and I thank you all for taking time out of your days to help me! My "friends" wont even answer their phones, and they don't really understand my passion for animals anyways. Thanks again. I'll still accept more advice! I'm putting all my questions down to ask the oncologist tomorrow.

I am so sorry for you and your baby.

I recently lost my dog to cancer, a very long very sad story.

Did anyone else hear on the news of a new K9 cancer drug, I think it was called "Pladia", not really sure. Ask your vet anyway.

Judiegal, we have a kitty with cancer and a poor prognosis and I've been doing research all day. I came across a post on another website re. two dogs who were considered terminal, but are still alive 1.5 years later after being fed a high dosage of Resveratrol every day. The lady posted the biopsy report for one of them. I've linked the thread, maybe you can ask some questions and, if you try it, maybe it will help Savannah.

Here is a link that might be useful: Resveratrol

Judiegal, I sent you a private message through GW so I can get you that info if you want it! Hope things go well at the oncologist appt.
LBF

I am so sorry to hear about your dog. I lost my 12-year-old Golden Retriever Ginger to cutaneous lymphoma last October. Unfortunately we caught the cancer very late because when she had developed a flaky hairless spot on her skin we had a culture done which found a bacterial and fungal infection so we treated her for that, not knowing that the underlying cause was a cancer. As a result when we finally did a biopsy it was advanced and although we tried chemotherapy it was too late.

Some things I did for her were immune supplements such as Vetri-Science Cell Advance 880 and Genesis Resources Canine CAS Options, other supplements like Seacure and salmon oil. She was actually already on the immune supplements because she seemed to have a weak immune system before that.
I also first switched to Honest Kitchen Embark which is a dehydrated grain-free food and then later to a raw diet (Nature's Variety Raw.)

I also looked into LDN, Artemisinin, and a number of clinical trials.

Some websites I found helpful:
www.caninecancerawareness.org
www.dogaware.com/cancer.html
The group on Yahoo called CanineCancer

If you need anything else please feel free to send me a message.

Hi everyone. I had a post going on in the conversations section with a similar title and forgot I had one posted here.

The oncologists sent savannah's growth for a second biopsy and it came back as benign. To be sure though, she will have to go back every few months to get checked for the flaky spots and growths that usually accompany cutaneous lymphoma.

Chicagocanine, I'm so sorry to hear about Ginger. I can tell she was loved. Thank you for the advice on supplements. I've been looking into getting her on good supplements. She's on fish oil and co-q 10 now.
Even though they think its benign, what they think it is is a histiocytoma, which occurs when the immune system isn't functioning as well as it could.

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the advice and wishes.