Hi Rachel,

I hope the info is helpful. Remember, though, that those ilnnesses are human conditions. That said, dogs develop immune disorders and cancer, too, just like people do. At least this is a place to start. It may also help to type "Hematological disorders in dogs" into your search engine. I found something called PPS, which is an autoimmune disorder involving the liver...it sounded a little like Amyloidosis in people, but affecting dogs.

Best.

Hi Rachel,

I wanted to take a moment and post again. Multiple Myeloma and Amyloidosis are human illnesses, but canines can develop similar conditions. Our hematological and immune systems function similarly. I think that visiting the vet specialists in your area, and getting the SPEP and IFE done is the way to go. The vet may call these tests by a different name, but they are looking at immunoglobulins in the blood.  These protiens help to regulate parts of our blood and immune systems. The lack or overabundance of these protiens can cause illness, and the test results can give the vet a lot of info.

I had a friend whose dog was quite sick, and the vet gave the biopsy slides and blood work results to her to let the Hematologist/Oncologist that we both worked for to look at. He was able to interpret them to a certain degree. He was a litttle reluctant, but, he was able to tell her what WASN'T going on. I tell you this because a willing human Hem/Onc specialist can also help point you in the right direction, not that he will examine the dog, but be able to interpret results. Still, it's best to start with the vet Hem/Onc specialists.

I do hope that everything works out.

Please keep us posted.

Hi Rachel,

I hope this post finds you well. I wonder, how is Miss Maggie doing?

Is there anything that you you need?

Hi Susie,

I'm sorry to say that Maggie lost her battle.  We had her euthanized last Sunday.  Overnight, last Saturday, she seemed to take a turn for the worse.  She was vomiting and had diarrhea, and she was having such a difficult time breathing.  She had lost so much muscle mass over the summer.  Her backbone was prominent and we could feel her hipbones.  Even on her head, the area on the top of her head was starting to look hollowed out.  Just her belly looked big because of all the fluid she was retaining.  The vet had tapped quite a bit of fluid off of her abdomen a couple of weeks ago, but it came right back despite the lasix and prednisone. 

I had just purchased something new, that we were hoping were make a difference for her, but we never even got to try it. 

We miss her so much.  She was such a sweet girl with the biggest brown eyes you've ever seen.  We just lost our Lola, a 14-yr-old golden, at the end of February.  I feel bad for our Annie.  She was raised with both dogs and our cat, Smudge.  Now, they are all gone and Annie is all alone, except for her humans.  Poor girl, I don't know if she understands where they have gone.  I hate leaving her alone now!

Hello Maggie and Annies Mom.....  I am so sorry to hear of your loss.  I have been through the same thing, lost two of my senior's last year and I was devastated.  My one remaining old girl grieved so terribly, wandered the house crying  that I adopted another senior from PetFinders.  My old girl, Daisy, has since passed and I adopted another to keep my newest company.  And so it goes.......  There are so many in desperate need of a loving family.

All that aside....my heart goes out to you.  This is the cross animal lovers have to bear but the company of pets makes life worth living.

Rachel,

I am so, so saddend to hear of Maggie's passing. You did everything you could for her, and , in the end, you gave her the greatest gift of all by letting her go. It must have been very difficult for you. I can only hope that I will have the same courage when needed, as that day will eventually come.

I know that you and your family are greiving, especially Miss Annie. Perhaps, when the time is right, you will adopt another companion. You will know if it is right.

As for now, celebrate Maggie's life, remembering all the joy she brought to you and your family. She will always be in your hearts, and she will be there waiting for you when it is your time. That is what I believe.

I wish peace for you and your family.