Sad news about my Lab, Hunter...SAD UPDATE PG 2

[Tuffcookie]

After the exciting news about my oldest DS & DDIL's new puppy, I have sad news to report.

I found lumps on my 9 year old Labrador Retreiver yesterday. He had surgery 1 1/2 years ago for a torn leg ligament. The past 2 weeks he has not been himself. He was limping and panting. I thought maybe he had torn the other leg ligament and decided to keep a watchful eye on him. Well, yesterday I sat next to him and was feeling his leg and discovered a rather large lump, Now I know Labs are prone to fatty cysts but this seems like something more. Then I started feeling him all over and was shocked to feel all the lumps in his neck. I will be taking him to the vet tomorrow and will probably have to have him put down. I know he's just a dog, if someone could just tell that to my heart.

Keep my son & me in your prayers! My son graduates from HS in 2 weeks and Hunter worships the ground he walks on!


Tuffcookie, (who doesn't feel like such a tuffcookie at the moment)

 

[tammymacb]

I'm sorry. I lost one of my greyhounds to Lymphoma this year and it was devistating.

I don't believe in the phrase "just a dog", there are few people in your life who will love you more or be forgiving of you.

Hugs to your family.

 

[EllenFrasier]

So sorry to hear about your dog. Maybe the vet can do something for your dog instead of having him euthanized. Perhaps the lumps are his lymph nodes and he's fighting an infection? Could it be Lyme disease? Here's hoping that they vet can do something for him.

 

[Disney Doll]

Don't panic yet.

I used to find lumps on my dog and a lot of time they were just fatty things. The vet told me if you could "grab" the lump and move it, then it was usually not a problem lump.

And "just a dog"??? Never....I like dogs better than I like most people I know.

& prayers for you and Hunter.

 

[SpecialK]

Fingers crossed that the vet has good news for you.

 

[Jockaroo]

I'm sorry you are facing a health crisis with Hunter. I know it is so easy to assume the worst, but maybe you won't get the dire diagnosis you fear. Hunter is a family member and way more than "Just a Dog". Keeping you in my thoughts.
__________
There is a touching poem called "Just a Dog" at this link:

http://lightning-strike.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=5165

I know you will understand. It is rather long, so I didn't want to cut and paste, plus it can be hard to read these when your emotions are raw.

 

[minniebeth]

I agree with hope for the best~ I hope things turn out positive, especially given the timing.

 

[Deb in IA]

Here's hoping for good news.

Our previous Labrador, Lewie, also had lots of fatty cysts as he got older.


We finally lost him at age 11 from GDV - gastric distention and volvulus, the same thing that claimed Marley, in Marley and Me.

Labs are great dogs.

 

[design_mom]

I'm so sorry -- We lost our previous dog (a lab mix) to osteosarcoma. It's a bone cancer. You're right, your heart does not understand "just a dog..." he's a friend and a family member.

You have my thoughts with you today. I hope you get good news from the vet.

We now have two labs (Violet, a 3-year old yellow female and Cosmo, a 2 year old black male --both from rescue). Labs *are* great dogs!

 

[Planogirl]

I wish your pup well.

 

[paintnolish]

Try to remain hopeful. It could be a fatty cyst. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. My moms GS mix was just diagnosed with cancer. He is going through a trial treatment at a veterinary college in hopes of extending his life 6-8 months. They are not "just dogs." We all know that!

 

[MsDisney23]

 

[MommaSnowwhite]

I have 3 dogs - one lab and one lab mix. They are awesome. Don't give up yet - my 12 year old keeps bouncing back!

 

[MerMom60_94]

TC, try to stay optimistic . My beloved dog is very lumpy. She is twelve years old and last year she developed a limp and was really struggling. I thought for sure I would have to put her down and made an emergency visit to the vet. It ended up being arthritis and we put her on rimadil and now she is back to being her puppyish self. I am another one who does not look at my dog as "just a dog". She is very much a family member and a loyal and loving companion to us. My thoughts and prayers are with Hunter. Keep us posted.

 

[Imzadi]

He's not just a dog. He is a living spirit, whatever form of body he is in. He's obviously a well loved member of your family.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Sorry to hear this, Cindy. As others have said, it may be nothing. And if more serious, remember our Doc when on for quite a few years with treatment. And just a dog? Hardly. He is a family member.

Good wishes, with a prayer, Cindy, for Hunter. And best wishes and congratulations to Alex. Can't believe he is graduating already.

 

[jamie@dvcstore]

Hi Tuffcookie,
I am sorry to hear about Hunter and wanted to send some pixie dust your way. I have 3 dogs and I can tell you that any dog owner knows they are not just dogs. I wish you the best of luck at the vet and my heart goes out to you and your family. Please keep us updated.
________
MEDICAL MARIJUANA

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

Sending up a prayer for you and Hunter. I hope you get good news at the vet. I have had many dogs with lumps, knots, cysts... The only one that was cancerous was breast cancer on a 15.5 year old dog. I knew the second I touched it that is was cancer. The "lumps" were very hard, nothing like I had dealt with in the past.

My sister's yellow lab had MANY lumps throughout her lifetime, none of which were serious or life threatening. They had to put her to sleep last summer due to heart failure, but she was just shy of 15 years at the time.

Wishing you and Hunter the best.

 

[mamamary]

I'm also hoping for good news for you. Try not to think the worst. I will keep you and your pup in my thoughts.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I knew if I came here you guys would understand. Thank you so much! I take Hunter into the vet at 1:00 today. He pants all the time but whenever someone comes thru the door he gets up to greet them. He really is the most wonderful dog! I'm afraid to get my hopes up and have prepared myself for the worse. If it turns out to be something treatable, I will be elated.

Either way, I will keep you posted.

TC