My old dog has cancer...

Byatt

she is 11 and a lump was diagnosed as cancer (lower jowls/lips).

The vet is not encouraging me to put her through an op because of her age/risks. No guarantee she will be ok as not enough extra skincan be removed because of where it is.

She said chemo would cost thousands. I don't have pet insurance now.

Vet seemed to think at her age she would not last long anyway (she is a boxer). Our older boxer was PTS at 11 through heart disease.

I don't know what to do for the best. The lump isn't bothering her. I thought of trying the raw food diet for her immune system. Anyone else tried this?

Just so gutted. She has been my buddy for so long.

Artytarty

Aw, I'm sorry to hear your news. I dont think I'd try any diet change, just love her and spoil her while you can. She may appreciate that more than suddenly being given raw food if that is a change from her usual stuff. Just give her what she likes best.

elsien

I'm sorry to hear about your poor pooch.
To be honest, I think if it were me even if I had insurance I wouldn't put mine through the trauma of chemo at her age. Aiming for a good quality of life in the time you have left is more important. Mutt is a bit older (13) but a recent operation has really taken it out of her - she's aged massively in the last few months. Sometimes it's best just to step back and let nature take its course.

Unintentional

I lost my Black labrador a couple of weeks ago and I had to make the same decision as you. He had severe athritus in his foot and struggled to walk. He was in pain and as much as we loved him and wanted him to still be around, We thought it was best for him to be put to sleep to end his pain.

I think you should make the decision based on what's best for your dog. If she isn't in pain you could try and keep her around for a little bit longer but if you feel the dog will suffer by keeping it alive I would consider putting her to sleep. It's very hard to let go of a loved dog that's been a part of your life for so long but it's best for the dog.

I'm really sorry to hear about this. Best of luck with the situation

Byatt

Thank you all for your kind replies. She is fine right now, no pain (if she was the vet said she would give pain relief, although of course I wouldn't drag it out). I love her so much I don't want her to suffer in any way.

She had an op last September (where the vet I had then was supposed to remove the lump and didn't! She forgot!) But my pooch was so poorly after that the risk of another is probably too great. She has given me so much joy and love and been there with me through very difficult times. I hoped she would be the one boxer in the world that would live for ever.

I'm not sure how I will cope, even though I know I must do the best for her and not me. I know she will probably age dramatically over the next few months. That's what happend with my othe dog; she literally changed overnight. One minute a "puppy" and the next unable to barely move.

I'm sorry about your loss Unintentional. I wish they lived as long as us.

My DD is heartbroken too.

Unintentional

Byatt wrote: »

Thank you all for your kind replies. She is fine right now, no pain (if she was the vet said she would give pain relief, although of course I wouldn't drag it out). I love her so much I don't want her to suffer in any way.

She had an op last September (where the vet I had then was supposed to remove the lump and didn't! She forgot!) But my pooch was so poorly after that the risk of another is probably too great. She has given me so much joy and love and been there with me through very difficult times. I hoped she would be the one boxer in the world that would live for ever.

I'm not sure how I will cope, even though I know I must do the best for her and not me. I know she will probably age dramatically over the next few months. That's what happend with my othe dog; she literally changed overnight. One minute a "puppy" and the next unable to barely move.

I'm sorry about your loss Unintentional. I wish they lived as long as us.

My DD is heartbroken too.

My mum cried for a solid 3 hours when it hit her that he wasn't coming home. So I feel your pain as well. I really hope something good comes from this.

I really hope they could live as long as us as well. But unfortunately for us, they don't

elsien

The Power of the Dog
by
Rudyard Kipling

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passsion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long--
So why in--Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?


This says it all really - we know what we're letting ourselves in for, and we still go ahead and do it. They are worth it though, with all the heartbreak.

Mayflower10cat

I am very, very sorry to read of your dear friends diagnosis. We've nursed (and lost) three cats through cancer in the last few years. All their prognoses were poor and after much discussion (and (heartbreaking) late night agonising, we opted for what we called 'Hospice Care' (palliative care). This meant pain relief and also pred. to slow the swelling. Our most recent cancer patient, big bad tabby Sam (well named, trust me!) nearly had chemotherapy but other health issues prevented it and also, as we discovered, the doseage of the chemo drugs given to pets is lower, proportionately, than a human would receive. So our pets don't lose their fur and suffer all the other distressing side effects that we do. The treatment keeps the tumour (s) under control but doesn't actually destroy it - well, that's how our very nice vet described it. So again, we opted for 'Hospice Care' for Sam.

My good thoughts go out to you tonight. xxx

janninew

Byatt wrote: »

Thank you all for your kind replies. She is fine right now, no pain (if she was the vet said she would give pain relief, although of course I wouldn't drag it out). I love her so much I don't want her to suffer in any way.

She had an op last September (where the vet I had then was supposed to remove the lump and didn't! She forgot!) But my pooch was so poorly after that the risk of another is probably too great. She has given me so much joy and love and been there with me through very difficult times. I hoped she would be the one boxer in the world that would live for ever.

I'm not sure how I will cope, even though I know I must do the best for her and not me. I know she will probably age dramatically over the next few months. That's what happend with my othe dog; she literally changed overnight. One minute a "puppy" and the next unable to barely move.

I'm sorry about your loss Unintentional. I wish they lived as long as us.

My DD is heartbroken too.

Your post and that one line really struck a chord with me. I have 3 boxers boys and they are so special to me and I have the same wish that mine could live forever.

11 years old isn't a bad age for a boxer and I'm sure she has had a fantastic life with you. Spoil her rotten and give her loads of hugs. I know it will be heartbreaking (and I really, really mean that I understand) when the time comes, they become our families. I actually think of my 3 as my sons, as sad as that sounds, and I do have children as well.

Enjoy the time you have left, and remember it will get easier, and one day you will look back at the happy memories and be able to smile when you think of her.

Take care of yourself and your DD.
Janninew x

zaksmum

So sorry to her about your dog, Byatt. It really is heartbreaking to be in such a horrible position.

My old dog was almost 13 when he was finally diagnosed with cancer, after my own vet couldn't find out what was wrong with him after weeks of tests and a three night stay as an inpatient.

By the time he was diagnosed one of the tumours (on his spleen) had ruptured and his abdomen had filled with blood. There was nothing the vet could do and I couldn't see him suffer, so had to make that terrible decision to let the poor little guy go.

The only consolation I could find was that HE wasn't suffering anymore (even if I was) but it was so, so hard.

Just love and spoil your dog while there's no pain, and give her the final loving act of kindness if there is.

Big hug for you.

Byatt

Thanks again for all your kind replies; it's a comfort. Yes, we will love and spoil her, she is a darling dog. Everyone loves her...

elsien, I have seen that poem before and wept then, now it is even more poignant...thank you for sharing.