In Memory of Ben Whitaker
1/21/2002 - 4/25/2011
A Story of Canine Lymphoma
Kim Griswold, DVM

We first met Ben on April 15, 2009, when he came to BVH and we confirmed his diagnosis of lymphoma - a lymphoid cancer that primarily affects the lymphnodes and solid organs such as the liver and spleen.

Ben was a big Golden Retriever and was seven years old when we first met him.  He was a happy, outgoing and friendly dog; and to look at him you would never know he was sick.  From the outside, the only clue to his cancer was the size of his lymphnodes - they were all very large.

Ben's family was very worried that they might have to put their beloved dog to sleep.  We reviewed all the options available for a dog with lymphoma and Ben's family decided they wanted to give Ben the best chance they could to put his cancer in remission, but they did not want Ben to feel sick or suffer - his quality of life was their primary concern.

Ben started chemotherapy that day.  We chose a 19-week chemotherapy protocol developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Veterinary School.  Ben came in once a week to have bloodwork checked and receive his chemotherapy. He always came bouncing in with his tail wagging and happy to see all the friends he had made - our office staff, technicians and doctors all knew Ben and he got lots of attention and TLC whenever he came in.  Ben went into remission after his first dose of chemotherapy and felt good throughout the entire 19-week protocol.  He had a skin reaction on one of his front legs, but with some medication and diligent care by his owners, it resolved well.  Ben finished his chemotherapy on September 22, 2009.

Ben did very well after his chemotherapy.  He came in once a month for rechecks and continued to be the same Ben - happy, feeling well, and participating in all the activities with his family that he had always enjoyed.  On February 17, 2010, we received the call that we always dread - Ben's owner called to say Ben's lymphnodes were back up.  He came in to see us and he had come out of remission - his lymphoma was back.  Since Ben had done so well up to that point, his family agreed to try a "rescue" chemotherapy protocol.  We started that day and he went right back into remission again.

Ben went in and out of remission 2 more timed over the course of the next year, but each time he came out of remission, he responded to the rescue chemotherapy and went right back into remission.  He had one episode of G.I. upset along the way, but responded quickly to supportive care.

Ben continued to live his normal life and be a happy dog involved in his family's activities, including going out on hikes, until April of 2011 when his lymphoma came back with some complications.  He was no longer responding well to treatment.

Ben lost his battle with lymphoma on April 25, 2011, with his loving family at his side.

In dogs with lymphoma our goal is to get the cancer into remission while maintaining good quality of life, for as long as possible.  Doses of chemotherapeutic drugs are aimed to be enough to achieve remission without making the patient sick from the chemo in most cases.  We know we cannot cure them and that ultimately the lymphoma will recur.  Ben's Story is an example of a wonderful dog who lived an additional two years with a normal and good quality of life.  It is a tribute to Ben and his family.  We all loved Ben and still talk about him and miss him.