 |
|
|
 |
Pet in the Spotlight |
 |
 |
Pet's name: Allie Nicole
Breed: Smooth Fox Terrier
Age: 10
Owners name: Mechelle Kwader
Health Challenges: Hemangiosarcoma - cancer that affects the lining of the blood vessels
Traditional therapies: Chemotherapy
Natural alternatives: K9 Immunity Plus, Chinese herbs, holistic diet
|
 |
 | |
|
Allie Nicole's Story: |
|
|
 A normal weekend in May, playing in the back yard, riding the golf cart, running around the yard,
swimming in the pool, and enjoying life. That weekend turned out to be the start of something very
different for all of us. After a morning ride on the golf cart, Allie couldn't get up, she collapsed and we
didn't know what was going on. Her eyes were glossed over, she had no energy and couldn't stand.
Living in Texas, our first thought was that she was bitten by something. Her pulse was fine, gum color
good, but she cringed as if she had a stomach ache. This went on for about 30 - 45 minutes and then she was fine. We called our vet and the emergency clinic - nobody knew what had occurred based on the symptoms.
Allie was fine for about a week, then when I came home one afternoon it happened
again. I immediately rushed her to our vet. This time our vet was able to see the symptoms; yet her
blood work was within normal ranges. At first it was suspected that she had an adrenal gland issue, this
took up another week and then she collapsed again. Since it was positive it wasn't the adrenal glands
they started taking x-rays and found a mass on her spline. We immediately rushed her to the premier
facility for Veterinarian services in San Antonio. The following morning she had surgery to remove the
mass and her spleen. Allie had lost a considerable amount of weight and we were not sure she would
survive.
Three days later we were able to bring her home with instructions to ensure she relaxes with
little physical activity - tell that to her terrier brother and sister. The first week was the hardest, she was
skin and bones. I stayed home with her for the first 3 days, then my Mom came, and then she stayed at
a neighbor's house so she had constant attention. My neighbor didn't know what she had signed up for,
Allie loved all the extra attention and later demanded it!
The devastating news came when the pathology report came in, she has hermangiosarcoma. This is a blood born cancer and although her
liver, heart, and all vital organs appeared to be fine it was a death sentence since it's in the blood
stream. We spent the weekend crying, hugging Allie, screaming, researching what I could do, and
praying they were wrong. Now for the options, IV based chemo (5 treatments one every 3 weeks), pill
based which you go to after IV anyway, or do nothing. They gave us a couple of months to live with
nothing, 4 months with pills and maybe 6 with IV chemo. Side effects, going back and forth to the
specialist across town, lots of blood work, what do you do?
I thought what would I want to do if it were me. We've had Allie since she was 7 weeks old, would she ever be able to swim or play again. I read
everything I could get my hands on, canine cancer - there's a lot of information out there and it's very
confusing. I read all stories, information on holistic diets, K9 Immunity Plus, Chinese
medicine and several success stories. I'm game and willing to try them. I came up with my own holistic
diet and added all the herbs I purchased in a concoction of meat and veggies that I grilled. My husband
told me if the cancer doesn't kill her I would with my concoctions. It was not successful, Allie didn't care
for it and I had cottage cheese flinging on the wall as that was not a good taste for her. Some of the
ideas worked, she liked the sardines and a few other things. I needed some guidance. I met with an
Oncologist and then a holistic vet where we came up with the plan I currently use today.
They did incorporate a few things I had already researched such as K9 immunity plus. Allie is on the chemo pills
from the vet, K9 immunity plus, multivitamins, a home cooked holistic diet basically made of chicken and
veggies, and Chinese herbs called Wei Qui. All of these things were introduced a week at a time and
now we are on day 51. She's gained 3 pounds since the surgery and is now swimming and diving into
the pool on a daily basis. We didn't think she'd ever get to ride in the boat named after her and so far
we've gone fishing twice now. I wouldn't call our life back to normal but then again it probably wasn't
normal when we started this.
She's happy, looks great, and doesn't know she's sick. We've had 2
months worth of blood work and so far everything is good. Is it the Chinese herbs, K-9 immunity plus,
chemo pills, special diet, positive energy around her, exercise - I'm really not sure. Allie is living life and
having a great time and making our lives more meaningful everyday.
|
|
 |
| |
|
| |
See your pet's story here. Spotlight your Dog or Cat.
|
| |
