Chemotherapy

[Janestevie]

Hi
My beautiful Cocker Ziggy Stardust was diagnosed with Lymphoma of the nose and tongue in September. We were referred to Davis Hospital and advised Chemotherapy followed by Radiotherapy. We read up on this and asked lots of questions before we went ahead but unfortunately Ziggy was one of the few who had defestating side effects, namely the Chemotherapy didn't attack the Cancer but destroyed all his white cells and platelets. This led to him developing Auto Immune Mediatex Disease and very very sadly he died last Monday.
We are devastated but happy to have known him for 7 years but are still questioning if it was the chemotherapy that led to Auto Immune Disease. Has anyone else had this experience? I really hope not.

[Jo CIMDA]

Hi

I am so sorry you lost your Ziggy.  It is heart breaking when they leave us too early and we are never prepared for this devastating outcome. 

It is well known that Cocker spaniels can have a genetic predisposition to autoimmune disease and the problem with a genetically predisposed dog is one never knows if anything like a drug, infection, chemical, vaccination, stress etc................ will trigger an autoimmune response.   There are no genetic tests for autoimmunity so it is impossible to identify predisposed dogs and a dog can be absolutely 'normal' until that trigger is met.  Unless there is an event such as recent vaccination, infection, spot on treatment, in a bitch, a season or whelping of a litter, then it is very difficult to actually pinpoint the trigger. 

My opinion would be that the trigger may have been the chemotherapy drug, but it could have been a combination of things.  Sometimes it may not be only one trigger, but a set of circumstances that come together that sets up an immune response initiating the development of an AI disease.   

My thoughts are with you.

Jo