I've had her for 11 1/2 years since she was two months old. A couple months ago, I noticed lumps on either side of her throat. Pretty big ones.
Today we went in for her vaccinations and the vet looked at them. She was very concerned. So we did blood work and x-rays. The blood work shows a highly elevated white cell count, but the x-rays show no other tumors. And she's not sick or lethargic. But the vet is pretty sure she's got leukemia.
We talked prognosis and how I would know when it's time to think euthanasia.
This is totally the suck. But at least she's not sick yet and she doesn't appear to be in any discomfort. So I will live in hope that it will never get any worse and she'll be with me for another couple of years.
Posted by Reverend (Member # 335) on :
I know how you're feeling, I had to put one of my cats down last month due to cancer of the lymph nodes. It snuck up really fast, in the space of a week he went from all skin and bones to what looked like a furry sack of flab. What annoyed me somewhat was that this came right after we took him to the vets to have most of his teeth removed (long story, but let's say his bad teeth were what made him so skinny to begin with.) Strangest thing was though he didn't appear to be in any pain, purred away the whole time, right to the end. Had him over 10 years and we still have his brother. But that of course whenever you have a pet, that's not a tortoise or a parrot, you're generally going to outlive them sooner or later.
Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
Sorry to hear that. As a pet owner myself, I'd can sympathize with knowing that your pet is sick and there's nothing you can do about it.
Posted by Sean (Member # 2010) on :
Same here. My dog's showing signs of some pretty bad arthritis, though she's only 5. She doesn't look to be in too much pain though, except when she gets up after a nap.
Best of luck Aban. Hopefully, they can get it under control if it does get worse, or at least ease ease your pooch's suffering if the worst happens.
Posted by Da_bang80 (Member # 528) on :
I hate hearing about any animals suffering or in pain. My old dog lived to be 17 years old, she was older than me lol. I remember staying home from school a few times just so she wouldn't be lonely.
I have to go cry now. Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
That sucks. Sucks to hear about everyone's pet-related pain. We had a little dog, she lived till about 14 1/2. Which is pretty darn good, before Mum had to make the decision to put her down, as she wasn't having quality of life. Still, I always have very fond memories of that little dog. I basically grew up with her!
Posted by Kosh (Member # 167) on :
Sorry to hear it Aban.
Posted by Hobbes (Member # 138) on :
I know the feeling.
My 10 year old cat was killed by an asshole driver.
Last year my 14 year old cat Furball died because of cancer. We had her since she was a kitten.
Then a few months back my other cat died from some kind of heart failure. Personally I blame the vet for giving him bad drugs as he was perfectly fine before his 6 month check up, then 2 weeks after a visit to the vet he died.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
To own a dog is to know that one day you will cry.
Really sorry to hear about this, Aban- I cried like ababy when we had to euthanize my old dog (he was fifteen but it hurt like hell- he was family).
I'd think you can still continue "as is" with regular vet visits to monitor the disease and who knows? It might go into remission and give you more time than you'd think.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
Well, here's the suck: It doesn't really matter what kind of cancer it is or what the treatment options are. I simply can't afford the thousands of dollars it will cost to do it. So if it's cancer, it will run its course and that will be that.
She also prolapsed her rectum (just a bit) for the second time in a week this morning. Like before, it went back in on its own. But I fear that each time it happens, more damage is being done.
She doesn't appear to be in any discomfort, which is a blessing, but I think she knows something isn't right.
We had a conversation yesterday about her telling me when it was time for her to say goodbye. I think she understands.
Posted by Daniel Butler (Member # 1689) on :
Dogs are good at hiding pain, though. If it gets bad you might think about euthanasia. We did that for our dog when she got so sick she couldn't walk anymore, and I think it was a mercy.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
I've asked the vet about those arrangements and I'm prepared to do that if I need to. She's given me almost 12 good years and the last thing I can do for her is give her a dignified death.
The thing that confuses me right now is the rectal prolapse. It's happened several times now, but keeps fixing itself. So what troubles me is that it could've been happening for awhile now before I noticed it. And the vet doesn't know what's causing it. It's obviously related to her going to the bathroom because that's when it happens.
Just don't know. It didn't happen this morning and she was begging for food and chasing her ball a little. So I'll just be happy about that for right now.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
quote:A rectal prolapse is the extrusion (pushing out) of the inner layers of the rectum through the anus. It is often a result of straining to defecate, urinate, or give birth. Diseases causing straining in the puppy, such as constipation, parasites, or diarrhea, may cause a displacement or protrusion of the rectum. Dogs straining to urinate because of urinary infections or other urinary disease may cause the rectum to prolapse.
If the cancer has spread to her digestive tract, it may explain the prolapse. Could also be constipation from some medicine your vet prescribed (if any). Best bet- call your vet: a good doctor should at least take your call- if not him, an animal hospital or the Humane Society would.
Luck with this.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
Oh, I've talked this all over with the vet at length. I have a wonderful vet,by the way. She even took my call on the weekend and offered to come over to my house if needed.
The x-rays don't show any masses in her disgestive area. It happens every time she poops, so the vet put her on a stool softener (which I have to squirt down her mouth... she hates it).
The only comfort I have is that it's been going back in if she lays down and relaxes for a little bit.
My poor girl. She's just been laying around all morning. When she walks somewhere, it's very slow. She's clining to me too. She's just not ever going to be Faedra again and I guess I have to decide how long is too long.
Posted by HerbShrump (Member # 1230) on :
Man, sooo sorry to hear about this. I know what you're going through. We lost our dog a year and a a half ago. He was almost a year old at the time. He was fine then suddenly just collapsed, spiked a fever and died within 2 hours. Tore the family up. He was inbred and we wonder if that might have contributed to it.
We know what you're going through.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
This is kind of killing me, but she's having a really good night. She slept all day and her butt popped out twice (putting Preperation H on it right after it happens seem to be the only way to get it to go back in). But we came home tonight and she's all perky and playful... my little girl's still in there. She's just fading.
I refused to go with friends today to see Marely and Me (dispite my fascination with Jennifer Aniston) since I knew the dog would either die or get hurt since that's what happens in dog movies with hot girls. From what I hear, I'm glad I didn't go.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
We said goodbye to Faedra this morning at about 8:30. She lived with me for 12 years. I miss her.
Posted by B.J. (Member # 858) on :
Sorry to hear that. Twelve years is a lot more than some people get, though. Just remember the good times.
Posted by HerbShrump (Member # 1230) on :
Condolences, dude.
Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
Sorry to hear that.
Posted by The Ginger Beacon (Member # 1585) on :
My condolences Aban.
Posted by Sean (Member # 2010) on :
You have my sympathies Aban. I don't know what I'd do if I were to lose my dog. Just just take solace in the fact that she's no longer suffering, and that she was with those who loved her til the end.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
This was just without question the hardest thing I've ever done. She didn't want to lay down, so I was holding her the whole time. Feeling her just give out was peaceful and terrible at the same time. I can't seem to get that feeling out of my head.
Thank you all for your thoughts.
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
Sorry to hear this news, Aban. You know that you did the right thing, and that it was for the best. The fact that you were with her too... she wasn't alone. Remember that. Moreso remember all the good times. I still do, with our little dog.
Posted by Daniel Butler (Member # 1689) on :
I'm sorry you had to go through that. I know what you mean about that feeling; I was holding a small kitten once when it died. I know how it sticks with you. But like Andrew said, it means you were with her, and that's important.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
It's definitely the only way I could have done it. There's no way I was leaving her there.
Posted by Guardian 2000 (Member # 743) on :
Manly hugs, good sir, from a fellow pet-owner. Just know all her memories are fond ones and she was at peace and happy.
To paraphrase, 'May our ways be as pleasant.'
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
Manly hugs happily accepted
I did something stupid last night. I got home from the store and walked inside and called her like I'm used to doing when I get home. Just to see how it would feel.
It was actually kind of cathartic. Like it relieved a little of the withdrawal from not having her there. Of course, it was a little crushing when she didn't come running... but I didn't really expect that to happen.
Posted by Jason Abbadon (Member # 882) on :
So sad to hear of your loss- nothing's harder than losing a dear friend.
When we had to have my dog put down I cried like a baby- few people could cause such a reaction.
Posted by Diane (Member # 53) on :
Aban, for what it's worth, I'm sorry for your loss. We had to put our dog Jolly down a couple months ago, too. He was with us for 11 years and grew up with me.
Posted by Vanguard (Member # 1780) on :
My older cat had to be put to sleep this past weekend due to advanced lung cancer. It's been a devastating past couple of months.
Posted by Sean (Member # 2010) on :
Sorry to hear that Vangaurd. Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
Vanguard, Diane... my heart goes out to both of you.
Posted by Mars Needs Women (Member # 1505) on :
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
I still do, with our little dog.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)