Dog chemo

[Jason McK]

We had a cat with Lymphoma. About the same age. After 2 years of Chemo the cancer had spread. It was a very sad day.
I would have to say, though, his last 2 years during the chemo he was very happy and healthy in appearance. I'm not sure I would go through that again, as the expense was crazy and in our experience the result was not good.
I don't regret doing it as this cat was my wife's baby

J

[Parker]

I'd also get a second opinion if you can swing it. Unless you truly trust your vet.

I had a cancer scare with my cocker; the bills went through the roof for all the testing and drugs. I came within a few hours of putting him down when I decided to get another opinion. $30.00 in antibiotics cured his aspirated pneumonia. Today he is alive and happy ( he has other issues but still happy ) and has a different vet.

[Keri]

Well, barring expense (which is pretty high) chemo in pets is not the hell it is for people. You rarely see such terrible side effects and other than sometimes the first day or day after each treatment most pets feel themselves.
What most chemo in pets does is buy time, and as your dog is 12 allready, there is the possibility you can get almost or as much time left with her as you would have had if she had not gotten lymphoma. I've seen animals going through chemo (not my own, but patients in our vet hospital) and you really wouldn't know it unless the owner told you.
I understand if you can't do it for financial reasons but if you're thinking you'll make her suffer by "putting her through chemo" that's just not the case. I hope this helps, and I'm so sorry for what you're going through right now.

Ps: steroids can also buy you time but given in high doses present their own set of unpleasant side effects that you (or your carpet) may not enjoy.