We knew it would return and it did, but we had had 14 months in remission. We looked at what we could do next for him. It was paramount that whatever it was he would have a good quality of life and would not suffer. We were referred to Dick White Referrals, a Veterinarian cancer specialist in Cambridge 70 miles away.
There Bruno started a course of 5 treatments of DOXORUBICIN over 15 weeks with a prognosis of half the previous remission. His white blood cell count was monitored before each treatment by our local vets.
Again the only side effect was loss of fur for which he would wear his jumpers.
He was 10 years 9 months old and still as active as a three year old and amazed the vets with his stamina. He had regular check ups at our local vets loving to see his girlfriends every few weeks, still wanting to jump up on the examination table.
He got an infection in his anal gland that took some time to clear up but he would still pull to get into the vets and willingly got onto the examination table until he saw the rubber glove go on to the vets hand then he would just sit down and look away. The vet would have to turn her back to him to put the gloves on to examine his anal glands. Always getting a biscuit after treatment.
Is It Christmas dad?
This time he was in remission for 11 months before it returned. We returned to Dick Whites and this time he received a course of 4 treatments of Doxorubicin over 12 weeks, this took him over the recommended dose for the drug, the side effect now could be an enlarged heart. We thought that if this happened and he died whilst running in the field after his ball he would at least go quickly doing what he enjoyed.
It is now 22nd April 2007, 7 months after the start of the third course of treatment and the cancer has returned again, we know it returns with more aggression each time. The results of all the treatment so far have been spectacular and he is still running around, now slightly slower and not as long as before but he is still very active and full of life.
We had decided that our next course of treatment would be given locally to reduce the stress of the travel and the cost. As I said, he is not insured but he is a member of the family and as such, deserves all that we can do to give him quality of life.
At the age of 11 years 3 months he still gives us all his love and affection. Unfortunately, we have just discovered that to administer the drug locally, it would involve purchasing a full year's supply of the drug. As we don't know how he will react or if it will work or for how long, this could prove very costly.
Brandy would climb into his bed to keep him warm
So we have decided to return to Dick Whites who have the drug in stock. Susie at Dick Whites has dispensed three doses of the treatment to us for Julia our local vet to administer. Julia will administer LOMUSTINE once every three weeks. Bruno has started the treatment today 25th April 2007.
I will continue with his progress and support him as he supported us at our time of need.
Today 3rd May 2007 it appears this new treatment is already working as his glands are down, he is at his vets next week for a check up and blood test. As for how is Bruno, well he still does not realise he is ill, thats Bruno all over, full of fun and life. He is so full of life and fun that he just deserves the best regardless of cost while he has quality of life and a spring in his step.
He has had his second treatment and all is looking well, though his glands are not down fully, he is happy and having a good quality of life. We are going to keep getting his tablets from Dick Whites, collecting three treatments at a time. We are looking forward to our holidays down on the farm in Devon with him.
We are so proud of him, he won 3rd for best condition in a Village Fete