Scottie with bladder tumour

recovering_spendaholic

My almost 14 year old (on May 1st!) Scottie has been ill for a while now with a bladder tumour. The vet has been marvellous and has talked us through what is happening with him and tried all kinds of treatments. The main symptoms have been weeing blood and whimpering and barking alot. He is on Tramadol for the pain and I have to say that he doesn't seem to be in any pain now and he is eating really well and still enjoying his food. The vet said that we would "just know" when it was time to take him to be put to sleep - he said that you get an instinct. The problem we have now is that he needs to go out for a wee lots of times, so we just leave the back door open and he trots in and out as he needs to, however lately he has been going out and lifting his leg but only doing little spots and sometimes spots of blood. I take him on a walk (not too far as he has arthritis too and can't go all that far) twice a day and have noticed the same thing when we are on our walks. What then happens is that he can just be standing in the room and his bladder suddenly empties- he doesn't lift his leg and doesn't seem aware that it is happening - the amount that comes out is HUGE. I have laminate in the hall so if it happens there then I can sort it out, but most often it is on the carpet in the living room or on one of his beds (he has one upstairs and downstairs). It is getting very stressful and I don't know what to do. I don't feel that I can take him to be put to sleep but I can't deal with the weeing and it is also costing me a fortune in vets fees - over £600 this year. I feel so heartless just even considering this but I don't know what to do. How will I know when it is time to take him?

ka7e

The best advice I got was "Better a week too early than a day too late".

When you wait until the time is "right", it usually means your pet is in visible pain or has lost the will to live or is in some way different and not quite the animal you know and love. It makes it easier to make the awful decision to have him PTS. Personally, I think it would be kinder to have it done before he gets worse and the cancer spreads.

If he starts to wee in his basket he may end up lying in his urine which is likely to "burn" his skin and he may be picking up on your frustration when he has his accidents on the carpet. He has had a good 14 years and you don't need to feel guilty about giving him a dignified peaceful end.

paddypaws101

This is such a tough situation to be in, but it does sound as if the poor lad has reached a point where it may be kindest to PTS rather than letting him go on to suffer while you accrue even more vet bills.
You are not being petty in mentioning the ongoing cost, it is sensible to consider that throwing money at this situation is not going to improve things for the doggy at this stage.
My heart goes out to you.

hethmar

A terrible situation for you and I know whenever we have made the decision we always torture ourselves about it.

Dont take him to the vet, for your last kindness to him, have the vet visit so he is safe in his own home when he goes to sleep.

Whatever you do your heart will break Im afraid. xxx

recovering_spendaholic

hethmar wrote: »

A terrible situation for you and I know whenever we have made the decision we always torture ourselves about it.

Dont take him to the vet, for your last kindness to him, have the vet visit so he is safe in his own home when he goes to sleep.

Whatever you do your heart will break Im afraid. xxx

Thank you to all of you for your kind words. I am still unsure what to do - today he has been very "on edge" and barking all the time if the door is shut, but so far we haven't had any accidents in the house. Hetmar - Will the vet come out to the house and put him to sleep? Also what happens afterwards? Do we bury him? I have never had a dog who has had to be PTS before. Angus is our first and only dog. My stomach is churning just thinking about it all - I cannot do any work (I work from home) and feel like I am horrible for even contemplating having him PTS -it feels so unkind.

Silveralice

Most vets will do house calls for euthenasia, and will give you the choice of whether you want to stay with him or not while he is put to sleep. Afterwards, the choices are usually to bury him at home (if you do this, make sure you dig a deep enough hole), to have him individually cremated and the ashes returned to you to keep or scatter, or to have him cremated with other animals and the ashes scattered at the pet crematorium. Your vet will be able to advise you of the relative costs and exact services that they supply - it's entirely a matter for you to choose which option feels right to you. They will probably put him to sleep with an overdose of anaesthetic injected into the vein in his front leg. It's usually very quick and peaceful. If you are not sure whether the time has come or not, your vet should be willing to have a chat with you to help you clarify your thoughts - you could phone them or drop by without your dog if you just want to discuss the best way to go. You have to consider how practical it is for you to cope with his illness as well as his future prognosis, and balance up the various factors when deciding when it's time to say goodbye. It's always a horrible decision, but people who are putting the animal first don't make bad choices in my experience (I'm a vet). Hope this helps, and sorry that you have to face this moment - it's never easy.

Katiehound

What a sad situation for you to be in. Sadly I've been there lots of times before but last year I had to pts my loveliest dog ever at only 9 years old. As has been said here before it is kinder for your beloved pet to go whilst they still have some quality of life, please don't just keep him alive for your sake.
I never used to stay with my dogs, I couldn't face it, but then one of my friends couldn't even face going to the vet so I did the deed, and stayed. My advice is stay with your pet until the end- he will just fall asleep with you there, and you will know you made the correct decision.

Everyone who reads your post will be thinking of you
Katiehound

scottiedog

Hello recovering spendaholic. I totally agree about having the vet come to your house. I think in your heart of hearts you know the time is right. When this has happened to us - we have called the vet out and placed our dog on it's favourite blanket - it really is very peacefull (even though you will cry buckets). I have always asked the vet to take my dogs afterwards (I just find this easier for me to cope with).
Thinking of you at this sad time.

Scottiedog

Leedash

My heart is with you,my dog has day at the most,its very very sad.

jackomdj

I have tears in my eyes reading this as we are in the same position, our Harrier has cancer which has started spreading. He is of an age where we have decided we do not want anything intrusive done as it will not give him any great length of additional life & after a long life he deserves to go with dignity.

I think you will know when the time is right & just by asking it you know it is almost time. We will not get him buried in the garden as we have too many wild animals around so we will get him cremated.

Kind wishes to you
Nicky & Chester

MINMOUSE

My heart goes out to you we have recently lost our dog though and know how hard it is to make the final decision. The vet eventually told us when she thought there was no hope for our dog so the decision was made for us. Even so it does not make it any easier.