gayle was on k9 immunity plus for probabably 19 or 20 months (we started after the chemos were done, or almost done..can't remember).  we really believe it helped her maintain her health.  we also are fans of acupuncture and laser, if that's available to you guys. 

charon & spirit gayle

I meant to post on this the other day and forgot...

I asked our onc about the whole antioxidants during chemo or not issue and he explained the logic behind each side of the argument. However, he said he falls into the "it's not going to hurt and it might help" camp, so we kept giving them. He said there was a study done where they gave some dogs antiox's while on chemo and others didn't get them and there was no real difference. He said you have to give extremely high levels of the antiox's for it to be a problem. He also said he would never let me do something that he thought was undoing the work he was trying to do w/ Abby, so he was 100% fine with us giving them to her.

As for the specific questions on K9 Immunity and the Apocaps - we did the K9 Immunity Plus with Abby and I was happy w/ the product. Plus, it's like a treat to the dog, so easy to give and not another pill you have to try to get down them. As for Apocaps , I asked our onc about them and he was not a fan. He said for the cost he didn't think the benefit was worth it. I have a friend who did her research and found there was a much cheaper way to get the same basic ingredients, so she gave her dog Berte's Immune Blend and.... unfortunately I forget what the other thing was, but you might want to research the Apocaps and see what's in them. From what I understand, for a big dog they can end up being pretty expensive.

Hope this helps,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom

Hi, Linda.

I'm a little concerned about the information you posted above and I think you are right to talk to an oncologist or at least get a second opinion.  Our dog, Zeus, is 11 years old and had his right front leg amputated on 12/1/11 due to OSA.  Since diagnosis, I have read literally hundreds of articles, research papers, etc, about OSA and they all mirror what our vet told us:  in 90% of the cases, the cancer has spread.  Sometimes the metastasis is visible on x-ray (which means it is more advanced, in which case IV chemo is not as helpful).  Even if x-rays are clear, it is assumed that there are micro-mets which are just too small to show on x-ray.  The recommendation for chemo is usually meant to fight the micro-mets that are not yet visible.  It is my understanding that cancer does not show in bloodwork (unless it has already invaded an organ and the bloodwork shows elevated levels from that organ - in which case it is still not the actual cancer showing in the bloodwork, but rather compromised organ function that may be caused by cancer).  The fact that Roxy's x-rays are clear is a great sign that there is no cancer that has grown large enough to show on x-rays. That improves her prognosis greatly.  But, it doesn't mean that the original nasty tumor didn't release some tiny, invisible rogue cancer cells into the blood stream that may eventually latch on somewhere else in the body and start growing.  That is the purpose of the chemo - to try and kill off any of those loose cancer cells.

Additionally, most all vets agree that chemo does not affect dogs the way that it affects people.  That is because the level of chemo given to dogs is a lower dose meant to slow down or control the cancer as opposed to the really high doses given to humans with the intent of curing the cancer.  Zeus took two rounds of Carboplatin and had almost no adverse reaction - just a little lethargic after the second treatment.  We went Friday for his third round and his white blood cell count was still a little low so the vet recommended waiting an extra week to allow that to normalize.  I was told that it is rare to complete six rounds of chemo without this happening at lease once.  But, even on chemo he is still very happy, eating, playing, etc.  I know every dog is different, but most of the time they do fine with the chemo.

My intent is certainly not to talk you into chemo.  That is a very personal decision for each family that involves everything from personal beliefs, ability to provide supportive care, financial aspects, etc..  Many folks have opted not to do chemo and to treat their dogs with supplements or other options, which is completely acceptable if you feel like that is the right road for you.  Some of them have had great success with that route.  I just encourage you to make an informed decision.  I really don't want you to think based on your post above that x-rays and good blood work necessarily mean the cancer is not there and then you get blindsided if it metastasizes.  Gook luck!