Don't know what to do?

janninew

Hi,

As the title suggest's I don't know what to do for the best for my dog.

He is a 9 year old boxer and has recently started having fits. He has now had 2 in the last fortnight. They are horrible to witness and he is very confused when he comes round. After the first fit I had him straight to the vets, they did a full blood work-up which found nothing wrong, he also had a full examination and she again found nothing. I hoped it would be a one off, but he had another last night.

I called the vet and she told me to keep him quiet and bring him in on Monday. He has been eating ok, but he just isn't himself at the moment. He was just sitting next to me in the garden and he was panting and I noticed a large, hard mass in his mouth, on his bottom jaw, covering a tooth. I know Boxer's do sometimes suffer with cancer and tumours and I'm guessing that is what he has. I'm wondering why the vet didn't pick up on this during his examination? Its around the size of a marble and hard to miss.

I really don't know what to do for the best, I will be taking him to the vets tomorrow, but in my heart I know he probably doesn't have long left. I'm devasted at the thought of losing him, I've had him since he was 8 weeks old and we've been through a lot together. The thought of coming home to house without him is unbearable. I have another younger dog and they are joined at the hip, so I'm also worrying how he will cope?

Not sure what advice I'm looking for, just wanted to get it off my chest I suppose.

chris_n_tj

There isnt much I can say Jan but I wish you and yor boy good luck tomorrow at the Vets. I will add you to prayers tonight, and we shall have everything crossed for you xxxx

Caroline_a

May be totally unrelated but my old dane had a series of fits right out of the blue. We had put Weedol down in the garden, followed all instructions etc, but 2 fits followed a day or two after each application. We stopped using it and she never had another. Coincidence? I don't know, they say it's safe for animals when it's dry, but I do know that it seemed to be related to her fits.

meritaten

hun - my staffie started having fits at age nine - they were horrible to watch but after a period of confusion she would be right as rain! the vet gave her medication and the fits lessened but she would still have one or two a day. the family got used to it and tbh I really believe that the dog didnt realise what was happening. she was a wonderful dog and we were lucky to have her until she was twelve when she developed a tumour. we took the risk and had the tumour removed but unfortunately she started fitting on coming out of the anaesthetic and the vet couldnt stop them, so kept her sedated until we could get there - me and OH held her while she was PTS and we both cried buckets. Epilepsy in dogs we understand is just like in humans - NOT a reason to have them PTS but you do have to learn how to manage the fits - the vet will show you. and the medication may well stop them in YOUR dog. I hope from the bottom of my heart that your lovely dog will find the medication stops the fits altogether - mine didnt but we coped and we were gratefull for the extra years with her.

Humphrey10

OP good luck at the vets.

meritaten wrote: »

tbh I really believe that the dog didnt realise what was happening.

This is probably right - I've just been diagnosed with epilepsy after someone witnessed me having a seizure, they said it was horrible to see but all I experienced was an odd feeling before, and confusion afterwards. It's been happening for years, I never realised what it was before, thought I was just falling asleep or something. The dog really won't be suffering (apart from some confusion) from the seizures.

janninew

Thanks for the messages.

He is booked in at the vets today at 2.15pm so will see how he goes. I'm can't tell you how anxious I feel, I didn't sleep a wink last night. My main worry is him being in pain, I can't bear the thought that he is suffering.

undaunted

Dogs can live with epilepsy (if this is what it proves to be) for years without any major problems & your vet can give medication to help control fits if necessary.

As to the lump it may or may not be cancerous & he's a fair age for a boxer - vet could biopsy it if you wish to confirm one way or the other - so I can understand your worry at the moment but I hope it proves less serious than you fear.

Good luck

janninew

Hi All,

I come on here with good news!! He's been into the vets and had a good examination (which he didn't like!) The lump in his mouth is harmless, I can't remember the exact name for it, but the vet said its very common and its just part of his gum. So pleased its not cancer!

With regards to his fits, he's not had another one since and the vet has now given me medication to control them. He has perked up since being on the tablets and has got the wag back in his stump!!

He is back to the vets on Friday to see how he is getting on, so fingers crossed we can keep him happy and healthy for a while longer!

Just sooooo pleased to have my crazy boxer boy back to his happy self again" :T

chris_n_tj

I am so pleased for you both, its been rough few days for you. xxxxx

teachergirl

Hi there. Glad your dog is O.K. Know what you have been through. Found a lump in my ten year old cavaliers mouth yesterday and the vet says it is cancer and they are removing it tomorrow. She has a dodgy heart so it is risky..wish it did not have to be done.:(

chris_n_tj

teachergirl wrote: »

Hi there. Glad your dog is O.K. Know what you have been through. Found a lump in my ten year old cavaliers mouth yesterday and the vet says it is cancer and they are removing it tomorrow. She has a dodgy heart so it is risky..wish it did not have to be done.:(

Sorry to hear your news, I hope all goes well tomorrow. Will be sending you good vibes xxhugsxx