Here’s hoping the news is GOOD.
Jingling away in Georgia!
Keeping my fingers crossed for Foggy!
[QUOTE=Bugs-n-Frodo;1852221]
Guys, does anyone have any idea what kind of Chemotherapy they would use on something like this? On a horse, no less? [/QUOTE]
I did a quick search and found a report of a 4 y/o Oldenburg mare treated successfully for lymphoma with a combination of cytarabine, cyclophosphamide, and prednisolone. I think, as with humans, the trend is to use a combination of agents. During my search I also read that lymphoma is the most common type of cancer in horses.
I have heard radio ads for a human surgery center using something called a “Cyber Knife” in which they cut out tumors, mostly in the brain, without surgery, by laser or something. If this can be done outside a CAT scan-type machine, wouldn’t it be better for horses than major slice and dice surgery?
From Tim Woolley’s website:
Update 579: Lost in the Fog’s condition unchanged from the Daily Racing Form. Relevant excerpt:
“There’s really not much to say. Everything is pretty much as it was,” trainer Greg Gilchrist said from Del Mar on Friday. “Yesterday, we scanned the horse again, and, really, there’s no change. Things are no better. Things are no worse. Everything’s pretty much status quo.”
Gilchrist said that he and Lost in the Fog’s owner, Harry Aleo, would consult with veterinarians, “and we’ll discuss our options.”
chemotherapy is next
The Blood-Horse: Chemotherapy is next for champ Lost in the Fog
Unfortunately, the steroids didn’t shrink the tumors but Aleo and Gilchrist have decided to try chemotherapy. As others have pointed out, chemo has worked in other cases.
The aim is remission – the article says it could give LITF “as mich as two years of quality life”.
I agree, that while he is still comfortable and feisty :lol: , they should keep trying. Maybe in time there will be a new procedure or medication that can help.
Jingles from KY.
[QUOTE=Plumcreek;1853601]
I have heard radio ads for a human surgery center using something called a “Cyber Knife” in which they cut out tumors, mostly in the brain, without surgery, by laser. ?[/QUOTE]
I thought I read that they have CAT Scans (or was it MRIs?) available for horses. Seems like this would be better for (high value) horses than major slice and dice surgery
I found the website for the Colorado Cyber Knife: http://www.rockymountainck.com/why/
California locations: http://www.accuray.com/SiteLocations/index.aspx
Just a thought, since this board seems to have amazing connections.
[QUOTE=Spoilsport;1853570]
Keeping my fingers crossed for Foggy!
I did a quick search and found a report of a 4 y/o Oldenburg mare treated successfully for lymphoma with a combination of cytarabine, cyclophosphamide, and prednisolone. I think, as with humans, the trend is to use a combination of agents. During my search I also read that lymphoma is the most common type of cancer in horses.[/QUOTE]
Interesting! Thank you! I suppose I should have tried t look it up, but some part of me thought I would not find anything.
Continued Jingles!
Here’s a link to the abstract of the article on the Oldenburg mare. The entire article is on Medline:
Use of chemotherapy to treat lymphoma in one horse
There is a report on Foggy on the UC Davis site: Lost in the Fog Update – Sept. 1, 2006. Excerpt:
[I]Lost in the Fog was very bright, alert, comfortable, eating well, and physically looked very good and in good spirits. He has not shown any signs of abdominal discomfort this week. The tumor in his spleen and the second tumor high in the abdomen between his kidneys and below his spinal column have not changed in size during the past two weeks, and no new tumors were detected in the spleen or liver or other abdominal or thoracic organs.
These findings indicate that the dexamathasone treatment has controlled the previously rapid growth of the tumors but has not caused them to shrink.
The location and size of the tumor high in the abdomen precludes the possibility that it can be removed surgically; however, chemotherapy remains an option, with the goal of inducing remission of the tumor masses.[/I]
Jingling like mad for this brave horse that he has a remission with few side effects from chemo.
I wonder if they are considering trying to breed him. I know it is the wrong time of the year though for the Tb industry. It seems like at this time his general condition would not preclude him from breeding a few mares.
That article on the UC Davis website is very detailed. I have trouble finding out that much information on my own horses. It is very interesting.
wow, I didn’t realize Dex was used for that, though it makes perfect sense. Glad to hear things haven’t gotten worse, but sad that they aren’t really better, either. Jingling like mad and keeping the faith!
Jingles for him and all involved, what a sad story.
Let’s get some more candles lit for Fog. H’s been dropped to third place on the groups list, replaced in second by folks who want Janie to win Big Brother. :eek: In the spirit of a true competitor, lets get those candles shining brightly enough to light the world.
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=foggy
Candles lit!
I am saddened that people are lighting candles for a reality show…oy.
Jingles continue for Fog!
“hopeless to nearly hopeless”
I gutted this article somewhat with exceprts, the full article can be found here: Mercury News 9-3-06 “Home Stretch”
HOME STRETCH
By Mark Emmons
Mercury News, Sunday September 3rd
Lost in the Fog stands as still as a statue, intently watching horses gallop through their morning workouts around the Golden Gate Fields racetrack. It’s a place where the 4-year-old colt – the best thoroughbred to emerge from Northern California in years, if not decades – will never again show his trademark burst of blazing speed.
It piques his interest to get out and look at the other horses,'' said trainer Greg Gilchrist. The racetrack is where he wants to be.’’
Looking at the handsome bay with a white streak down the left side of his nose, you would never know that he is dying. But last month Lost in the Fog was diagnosed with cancer. He has three tumors, including two the size of footballs.
Gilchrist and owner Harry Aleo brought him home from the UC-Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, intending to give him a few final days in familiar surroundings. Then the animal that in 2005 won the Eclipse Award as the nation’s top sprinter would be euthanized.
But Lost in the Fog always has been a fighter, and he rallied a bit last week. He is doing well enough to start a chemotherapy regimen in a last-ditch effort to extend his life.
The odds remain long. Cancer is cancer, and there is no expectation of a cure. Still, his veterinarian, Don Smith, said the outlook has improved slightly, from ``hopeless to nearly hopeless.’’
Meanwhile, Gilchrist hangs onto the knowledge that Lost in the Fog consistently beat long odds during a brief but dominant career.
He's a sick horse,'' Gilchrist said, patting Lost in the Fog's neck. I’m trying not to cling to false hope. I just want to see the horse live, because he deserves it. He never gave up on the track, and we won’t give up on him now.’’
We were going to sell him to one of the big breeding farms in Kentucky, where he could live the life of Riley,'' Aleo said. He would go to this beautiful place with the best feed and his only job would be making love to all of these mares. Then we would be getting a few breedings every year, and I couldn’t wait to see all the little Fogs.’’
–
The UC-Davis staff offered to put down the horse, but Gilchrist wanted him to die among friends and brought him back to his stall at Golden Gate Fields in Albany, creating almost a hospice-care environment.
People offered unusual help.
We've heard from a lot of psychic healers,'' Gilchrist said. There’s musicians who want to play music, people who want to lay hands on him or cross feathers and say a chant. Who’s to say it’s crazy? I prefer the power of positive thinking.’’
Another scan Thursday showed that steroid treatments to shrink the tumors had little effect. So Gary Magdesian, chief of equine medicine at UC-Davis, recommended chemotherapy.
Harry and I would trade anything to keep this horse alive,'' said Gilchrist, sadness filling his pale blue eyes. He paused. It won’t be easy,’’ he said of what it will be like to say goodbye. ``It will be very heartbreaking.’’
On this crisp, gray morning, Gilchrist guided Lost in the Fog toward his barn. He doesn't do much walking now,'' Gilchrist said. It’s mostly moseying.’’
An interesting article on Harry can be found here:
SF Chronicle 9-6-06 “CHARACTER STUDIES: The man behind the sign”
Heartbreaking 
Candles are lit!
Foggy you are in my thoughts!:sadsmile:
Hang in there, Foggy. You can beat this yet. This is your last, best race.
:yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:
Light those candles guys, they’re getting low!
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=foggy
We need to keep the light shining brightly for a horse who has always been a fighter.
That was so sad. Damnit.
