Jude Is Not Having a good week.

[DawnCt1]

Despite our best efforts, Jude is getting weaker and appears to have lost weight. He is having more urinary frequency and urgency. Rather than looking for the right spot, he "goes" the second he gets out the door. He still has a good stream when he has to go, but it triggers frequency and then it it drops of blood. At this point, I only let him out without a leash when it is daylight. He goes into the brush and the process can take 20 minutes or more, and I stand outside with him. We have coyotes in our town and sometimes they can be heard at night and I dread to think what could happen if he were out at night, even with me standing there. He has needed occasional help getting up on the bed, into the car, etc. He is just appearing so much more fragile. It is so sad but he is sensitive to everyone''s moods, so we try to hide our feelings in front of him. He hasn't needed anything for pain, but last night, he went to the door every five minutes for 2 hours. Finally after 8 pm, he went laid down and then I put him to bed after 11 pm. He is still in bed. I wonder if tramadol, which he can take 50mg of will lessen these feelings of urgency and keep him more mobile. DH is in London, but I will have him call it in today when he calls home. Loss of appetite is often a symptom of pain in dogs, but then cancer makes anyone feel terrible. He also gets very anxious when I leave the house. He could always be left alone in the house for a few hours, now, he gets anxious and it triggers frequency and urgency, and who ever is with him has to take him out very often or he will dribble on the floor. All he dribbles are drops of blood but it has to be upsetting to him, since he was always so meticulous in his habits. He never liked to go on the lawn but in the woods on the side of the house. Yesterday I took my niece to register for classes and he was quite anxious while I was gone.

 

[mhsjax]

I am so sorry about you fur baby. big hugs for you and Jude.

 

[jackemail]

So sorry to hear that Jude is not doing well this week....hoping for the best for everyone involved.

 

[Keli]

I'm sorry Jude isn't doing well. Dealing with this sort of illness in a beloved pet is very, very draining. I'm really feeling for you today.

 

[Darsa]

Ohh, poor sweet baby My heart aches for you and Jude. Sending warm, comforting thoughts your way!

 

[ambgoph]

Sending lots and lots of to you and Jude.

 

[DawnCt1]

He really knows something is wrong which makes me feel terrible. He has had down days before and has bounced back but there is always some loss afterwards. He never comes back fully if you know what I mean. I hope today will be better. I am letting him sleep for as long as he wants.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Our sheltie Susie died of bladder cancer 2 years ago. This sounds like her story all over.

 

[Muushka]

Hugs for Jude and hugs for Dawn. We love our pets, but they are so worth it.

 

[kacaju]

I am sorry to hear about Jude.

 

[Jockaroo]

Despite our best efforts, Jude is getting weaker and appears to have lost weight. He is having more urinary frequency and urgency. Rather than looking for the right spot, he "goes" the second he gets out the door. He still has a good stream when he has to go, but it triggers frequency and then it it drops of blood. At this point, I only let him out without a leash when it is daylight. He goes into the brush and the process can take 20 minutes or more, and I stand outside with him. We have coyotes in our town and sometimes they can be heard at night and I dread to think what could happen if he were out at night, even with me standing there. He has needed occasional help getting up on the bed, into the car, etc. He is just appearing so much more fragile. It is so sad but he is sensitive to everyone''s moods, so we try to hide our feelings in front of him. He hasn't needed anything for pain, but last night, he went to the door every five minutes for 2 hours. Finally after 8 pm, he went laid down and then I put him to bed after 11 pm. He is still in bed. I wonder if tramadol, which he can take 50mg of will lessen these feelings of urgency and keep him more mobile. DH is in London, but I will have him call it in today when he calls home. Loss of appetite is often a symptom of pain in dogs, but then cancer makes anyone feel terrible. He also gets very anxious when I leave the house. He could always be left alone in the house for a few hours, now, he gets anxious and it triggers frequency and urgency, and who ever is with him has to take him out very often or he will dribble on the floor. All he dribbles are drops of blood but it has to be upsetting to him, since he was always so meticulous in his habits. He never liked to go on the lawn but in the woods on the side of the house. Yesterday I took my niece to register for classes and he was quite anxious while I was gone.

Since my little dog with TCC succumbed to kidney failure before her cancer could get too advanced, I didn't deal with this aspect. I do know how stressful and emotionally draining it is dealing with a beloved pet in his twilight days. I've used Tramadol for my dog following surgery and it did seem to keep her comfortable. At this stage it does sound like he needs some type of pain medication. Dogs can hide their pain and by the time they show it, they are suffering. Helping manage his pain will enhance his quality of life.

I know you are mentioning the dribbling. Have you considered a belly band for him? You can put 1 or 2 large women's sanitary pads in the band and help contain the dribbling when you are gone. Wearing it may depress him further, however.

You have several people on this thread who truly understand what you are going through. We will help you through this. Prayers for Jude and I'm asking Him to give you strength and courage as well.
_______
Dawn, I hope you won't be offended by these links. I am offering them as help and support for you. They deal with end of life issues. I am including them in a spirit of compassion and as a virtual friend who sadly has been here before.

http://www.caninecancer.com/endoflife.html
http://www.veterinarypracticenews.c...olumns/bond-beyond/quality-of-life-scale.aspx

 

[TanyaLovesPooh]

Dawn,

I am very sorry to hear about Jude's prognosis. I have not been in your situation but I do know what it is like to love a pet as much as you obviously do. We had to have a $2,000 back surgery for a blown disc for Chewy about 2 years ago and we still have to make sure he stays off of stairs and such. I cannot imagine how helpless you must feel. How old is Jude if you don't mind my asking?

Jude and the rest of your family are in my prayers.

 

[MsDisney23]

Hi Dawn, You know I don't get on the boards much anymore, I am sorry to hear about Jude. I hope the meds will help and he feels better soon. I know it is not easy, stay strong! Big hugs to you and your family during this difficult time. Kitty

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

Sending hugs and prayers for your whole family.

 

[DawnCt1]

Since my little dog with TCC succumbed to kidney failure before her cancer could get too advanced, I didn't deal with this aspect. I do know how stressful and emotionally draining it is dealing with a beloved pet in his twilight days. I've used Tramadol for my dog following surgery and it did seem to keep her comfortable. At this stage it does sound like he needs some type of pain medication. Dogs can hide their pain and by the time they show it, they are suffering. Helping manage his pain will enhance his quality of life.

I know you are mentioning the dribbling. Have you considered a belly band for him? You can put 1 or 2 large women's sanitary pads in the band and help contain the dribbling when you are gone. Wearing it may depress him further, however.

You have several people on this thread who truly understand what you are going through. We will help you through this. Prayers for Jude and I'm asking Him to give you strength and courage as well.
_______
Dawn, I hope you won't be offended by these links. I am offering them as help and support for you. They deal with end of life issues. I am including them in a spirit of compassion and as a virtual friend who sadly has been here before.

http://www.caninecancer.com/endoflife.html
http://www.veterinarypracticenews.c...olumns/bond-beyond/quality-of-life-scale.aspx

Those links were very helpful. I think that on the first link I could check a couple of things in the first couple of categories. On the second link, I honestly think he scores a 50, so I guess we are okay. The text in the first link, "will I know" was speaking directly to me. I have doubts that I will actually know. Thank you for your support and kindness.

 

[DawnCt1]

Hi Dawn, You know I don't get on the boards much anymore, I am sorry to hear about Jude. I hope the meds will help and he feels better soon. I know it is not easy, stay strong! Big hugs to you and your family during this difficult time. Kitty

Thank you Kitty!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Geez, could have sworn I already replied - hopefully I didn't post somewhere else...

Anyway...

Dawn, Jude Such a difficult time.

 

[4nana]

Dawn, I am so sorry about your fur baby Jude's illness causing more ongoing pain and problems.
You're a loving and devoted furbaby Mommy and I send hugs and positve thoguhts for strength and peace through these difficult days.

 

[Crankyshank]

Dawn, I am so sorry Jude is not doing well.

My Roswell died at home yesterday while DH and I were at work. I am devastated. Really truly as though my heart has broken, yet for all of my feelings of guilt and sadness I am at least happy it was quick (fluid buildup in the lungs - she collapsed according to the vet). I had prepared myself to go through what you are going through because of her cancer, and know just how difficult it is when you want to help them so much but it doesn't seem to work.

My prayers are with you and Jude.

 

[punkin]

I am very sorry to hear about Jude.