Unfortunately we found out this mornig Gus now has lung mets and the vet feels this cancer is aggresive when comparing x-rays. I found a lump on his neck last week and the vet said he wasn't sure how deep it went so he wasn't comfortable with trying to take it off, not knowing where it is coming from, but drew a sample out of it and didn't like the cells in it, so he gave us prednisone to try and shrink it but feels Gus only has a few months at best. Does anybody have any suggestions that might help slow down the cancer, I know we won't stop it, but was hoping we would have more time with him than what it now sounds like. At least I know he doesn't know whats going on, and right know he is still doing great, so I will let him enjoy whatever he wants while he can. Thanks forany help, Gus and Dan

Soooo sorry to hear about this news for Gus. I don't have much to offer except just keep loving and enjoying him.

Gus and Dan,

Words fail to express the extreme sorrow that we feel with you new. The frustration, fear, and anger that this disease generates within my being could never be totaly expressed – only felt by this community. I so very much hate any expression of life-expectency but it is only natural for your vet to be honest with the prognosis. I know that it is little consulation when you hear of others who have beaten their life-expectency projections. However, everyone above have expressed the real message that you should hold dear – enjoy each and every moment. This is a great motto to live by even if we were not faced with this disease.

Some, like Jerry, were very successful. They not only extended his life, but they filled it with excellent memories. We can only express our support for everything that you have done, are doing, and will continue to do. Your battle is not over and Gus is far from giving up.

Pawsitive Thoughts and Prayers,

Spirit Cherry's Dad

Oh Gus and Dan…I am sending the biggest hugs I can to you {{{{{{}}}}}}

Magic also has the lung mets and we have only thrown IV chemo and the temador at them, with no success, so I don't have a positive suggestion, other than maybe the metronomic protocol that seems to have worked in a number of cases (YEA!!!!)

I had decided to stop with the chemos on Magic because I am not sure the low dose chemo is going to do anything when the really aggressive chemos have done nothing other than seemingly act like fertilizer. 

So I'm no help at all except to tell you that I know EXACTLY how you feel and how your heart hurts.  Please keep us posted and I wish I had something else to offer…

I've had Jack on IP6 and Inositol since shortly after his amputation.  I recently saw a piece on 60 minutes that was about how this combination helped cancer in people.  I don't know if it's working or not, but it makes me feel better giving it to him, so it's probably more for me than for him.  It's about $30 for a container of the pills (depending on where you get them), so I would research it to see if this would be something you were interested in and then ask your vet about adding them to his regimine.  Good lucks!!!

<3 Laura and Jackers

ps  a few months is a heck of a long time

So sorry to hear the news about Gus. This must be so devastating.  But as everyone says, it's not the end. Many dogs live for many months with lung mets.  But my heart goes out to you. This is never easy news to hear.

I was also going to suggest checking into the metronomic therapy – Jerry provides some great information on this in the link and Mackenzie's been on it now for 1 1/2 months. Not sure yet of the results but from what I've read and what my oncologist says, it's a great alternative and effective maintenance chemo treatment without the side effects.  I was also going to suggest (and I'm not sure if this would be effective for lung mets) but Mackenzie's also taking Metacam (part of her metronomic protocol)  which apparently has shown in studies to have anti-cancer fighting agents.  Metacam or something similar might also be something to talk to your vet about if Gus isn't taking this already.  And I also have Mackenzie on power mushrooms which I know many tripawds are on, which is a great chinese herb that boosts the immune system (like the K9 Immunity).  There's a wealth of information on this website too about these additional supplements.

Please let us know how Gus is doing and we hope that he will be ok for a long time to come. We will be keeping our paws crossed for you!

Sending you lots of golden hugs.

Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)  

Lung mets are certainly bad news, but the game's not over yet.  I agree with the suggestions for metronomic protocol.  We put our dog Max on that treatment as soon as he recovered from his amputation.  He remained met-free for almost a year after that.  I can't say that it's a miracle treatment or anything, but there are plenty of others here who think it at least helps to slow the spread of cancer.

 And in the meantime, spend as much time with Gus as you can, and focus on giving him the best possible life during whatever time he has left.  The memories you create with him now will make all the difference to you later.