Our dog is very sick and we are devasted

[disneyfanatic60]

I have tears rolling down my face as I type this. My DH just called and gave me news I never, ever expected to hear. My beloved dog was just diagnosed with cancer (lymphnomic cancer). We are all just devasted. I could not believe what I was hearing on the phone. My DD-17 is on her bed crying hysterically.

This dog is "my" dog. He has been since we got him 7 years ago. I cannot imagine him not in our lives. He is spoiled rotten and clearly Mommy's baby.

I posted yesterday that I was worried that his eating behavior changed in the past week and he was panting loudly. Other than that, he seemed pretty normal. Though, I had a bad feeling in my gut something was wrong with him. When I looked into his eyes, I just had a bad feeling.

I finally was able to get a vet to see him today and he was diagnosed. We don't have too many options. Either a specialist and chemotherapy or steriods. The vet told us maybe a year if we are lucky or maybe not.

I'm still trying to take this all in. Right now--I feel like I've been hit by the biggest brick. I just lost my Mom a year ago in May after 10 years with Alzheimer's. I'm just devasted and heartbroken right now!

Please keep my precious dog in your thoughts and prayers. I don't want him to suffer.

 

[kaylajr]

Sorry we lost my brothers Black lab to liver cancer 6 months ago
it was devistating to the WHOLE family


Hope your dog will not suffer pain

 

[Laura]

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

So sorry to hear that! Prayers and good wishes to you and your family.

 

[KatelynnsAuntie]

I'm so sorry to hear about your sweet baby. Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

So sorry for this. I have gone through it and it does get better but not for years. My first dog has been gone 15 years and I still cry when I think of him.

I hate to have to make a decision when it comes to treatment or the alternative. We had to do this concerning a tumor on my current dog's leg a few months ago. I do not know if we are out of the woods but keep in mind that miracles do happen.

 

[jonestavern]

Oh, our thoughts & prayers go out to you, yr family & sweet dog! It is so hard a thing to go through.
Do you have a veteranary teaching hospital around you? depending on yr situation, of course, often they can offer hope with chemo if the dog has a strong constitution. Do get a second opinion & discuss treatment options. When Razzle, our Lab, was sick I found the difference in Dr opinions & treatment methods very different. Not one worse than the other, just myold RI vet much more aware of treatment options, prices & probabilities.
At any rate, we're keeping you in our thoughts. So many kind Dis'ers will help you get thru this. We're all here for you-

Jean

 

[perdidobay]

 

[Meriweather]

I'm so sorry. What terrible news for you.....and your poor baby.

Best wishes that everything goes as "smoothly" as it can.
It is so hard when our babies ...inlcuding fur ones are in pain and hurting.

 

[ADisneygirl]

I remember when my beloved dog who I grew up with was diagnosed with cancer. Even though he has been gone now for 20 years, I still cry a little when I think about him or see his sweet picture.

Hugs to you and your family during this sad and trying time.

 

[lulugirl]

I'm sorry, I know how difficult it is to lose a pet.

 

[WeirdEyes]

I am sooo sorry! My last dog died of the same illness. PM me if you want to know what to expect. My heart is breaking for you.

 

[rnd4life]

When I was a teenager the dog we had for 13 years was diagnosed with cancer. I am so sorry for what you're all dealing with.

's to you!

 

[Cyndirella]

I'm so sorry.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I lost my 5 year old golden to lymphosarcoma last September 8. He threw up on a Tuesday, was diagnosed with "kennel cough" on Thursday, XRayed and an esophagul obstruction discovered Saturday--we took him to OSU where they pointed out a big mass in his chest that my vet (my ex-vet, I mean) had missed. We brought him home to say goodbye and he died here on Wednesday, 10 minutes after I got him into the house. It was 8 days total from his first symptom to that. I am in the "one year later" period right now and it doesn't help. I hve another dog but Ranger was THE dog for me.
All the research I did said that dog chemo would only prolong, no way it would cure. There are plenty of web pages with people who have spent thousands of dollars keeping furbabies with this type of cancer alive for a year or less.
Do your research and decide what is best for you and your dog. Ranger suffered so the last couple of days (he couldn't eat due to the obstruction) that I'm kind of glad I'm the only one who saw him (we had gone camping that weekend and when we left on Friday, thinking he had kennel cough, he looked OK). The younger kids got home after he had passed so they only remember him as he was.
I feel so bad for you. It is so painful. God bless.
Robin M.

 

[TIGGER'SFRIEND]

I'm so sorry

 

[Dan Murphy]

So very sorry to hear that, disneyfanatic60, about your little buddy. I will pass on that our dog (actually Vince's dog), Doc, a big Rottie, was diagnosed with the same lymphoma back in Feb of '04. We got the same future outlook for him as you have. Vince did go with the chemo course for him, he is in remission now for 18 months, and hasn't a care in the world, happy as can be. We do know the ultimate outcome, but we sure have bought Doc a lot of wonderful time and happiness. Check those options. Here is where he is getting his care.....http://www.vetspecialty.com/ I do hope he does well.

 

[Dizz(n)ey]

I feel for you..
I just went through this last month.
Please read my thread if you'd like for my experience and the information I learned:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=871962

I wish you the best of luck, I understand FIRST HAND about this kind of thing...

 

[Dizz(n)ey]

I would also recommend finding a YAHOO Message Group regarding your dogs specific illness..It will be filled with plenty of people actively going through the SAME situation.

He helped me gather a LOT of USEFUL information...

Hugs

 

[allie&mattsmom]

I'm so sorry. I know what you're going through. We went through this a couple of years ago. We lost our cocker spaniel, the one DH gave me one month after we got married. She was our "first baby" so to speak, spoiled rotten beyond belief. When we lost her, we had our labrador, so that kindof helped. If something happened to him, I'd just lose it! Keep us posted if you can, and again, I'm sorry.