Sick Dog :(

[jemmouse]

My dog is a cockapoo and her name is Princess. 18 months ago she was diagnosed with a mass and they say had a bleed out internally. Her red blood cell count was at 2.14. The prognosis was grim and she was not expected to live for more than 6 months. We opted not to have exploratory surgery because she already had some helath issues, and with age and even with surgery they said prognosis was maybe a month or tow longer. She was in no pain. So they started her on a high dose of prednisone and for several weeks tapered her to a lower dose. Well she passed every marker and it has now been 18 months. She had her blood work done like she does every six months and for the first time everything came back normal range. Now she still takes 2.5mg of Prednisone but she was a happy healthy fun dog. Just last Saturday that changed, she was not eating, and was very lethargic. I upped her dose of Prednisone because of course things happen on a weekend when vet is gone, and now take her in on Monday am and of course our vet of choice is on vacation until Thursday. We take her blood and her red blood cell count was 4.85, low. Her tumor in her abdomen is large and swollen again. He puts me on Prednisone and at 40 mg a day for 5 days then we will start to taper. She is eating just fine, tired, yes sleeping more, but she does not seem to be in any pain.
My dog is like a child to me, we are all very close to her. I NEVER want her to feel pain and the doctor says it can be days or weeks and with her he says who knows because in the practice and they have been there for 30 years NO dog has ever survived this long, she is a fighter. Has anyone ever had this happen to their dog? ANd how do you know when its time? I mean right now she is eating, moving around, BUT the mass on her belly is HUGE. But it was also before and went down. Life is hard and even harder when it comes to something you love that can't speak to you. I promise though she does not seem to be in any pain right now, she is just panting heavy due to the increase in prednisone....Any suggestions or if someone has been through this any words of wisdom would help. Not ready to loose this family member....

 

[Jockaroo]

I've had a critically ill dog and we were able to keep her going an extra year. It is so hard and I understand. You are never ready to say goodbye. I can't offer advice, but do understand and will lift your sweet Princess in a prayer. Strength to you too.

My little dog's problem was in her spleen (removed during an emergency surgery and full of blood clots--very difficult surgery to recover from. And then a downward spiral of her health.)

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

I have a cocka poo myself and I dont have anything but lots of hugs and love to send your way from me and my cocka poo! They are such sweet dogs!

 

[Luvchefmic]

My dog is a cockapoo and her name is Princess. 18 months ago she was diagnosed with a mass and they say had a bleed out internally. Her red blood cell count was at 2.14. The prognosis was grim and she was not expected to live for more than 6 months. We opted not to have exploratory surgery because she already had some helath issues, and with age and even with surgery they said prognosis was maybe a month or tow longer. She was in no pain. So they started her on a high dose of prednisone and for several weeks tapered her to a lower dose. Well she passed every marker and it has now been 18 months. She had her blood work done like she does every six months and for the first time everything came back normal range. Now she still takes 2.5mg of Prednisone but she was a happy healthy fun dog. Just last Saturday that changed, she was not eating, and was very lethargic. I upped her dose of Prednisone because of course things happen on a weekend when vet is gone, and now take her in on Monday am and of course our vet of choice is on vacation until Thursday. We take her blood and her red blood cell count was 4.85, low. Her tumor in her abdomen is large and swollen again. He puts me on Prednisone and at 40 mg a day for 5 days then we will start to taper. She is eating just fine, tired, yes sleeping more, but she does not seem to be in any pain.
My dog is like a child to me, we are all very close to her. I NEVER want her to feel pain and the doctor says it can be days or weeks and with her he says who knows because in the practice and they have been there for 30 years NO dog has ever survived this long, she is a fighter. Has anyone ever had this happen to their dog? ANd how do you know when its time? I mean right now she is eating, moving around, BUT the mass on her belly is HUGE. But it was also before and went down. Life is hard and even harder when it comes to something you love that can't speak to you. I promise though she does not seem to be in any pain right now, she is just panting heavy due to the increase in prednisone....Any suggestions or if someone has been through this any words of wisdom would help. Not ready to loose this family member....

First let me tell you that my heart breaks for you..the hardest part of loving is the letting go...and the greatest gift we can give them. I have had to make the decision 3 times in my life. Some will say when they no longer desire to eat or drink or show no interest in a favorite toy. Its different with everyone and every animal will tell you its time in different ways. We're never ready to lose them but the best advice I can tell you is there is a fine line (and only you know when you arrive at it) between keeping them going for our sake or keeping them going for theirs. I'm so sorry I don't know what else to say except I will have you and your dear companion in my thoughts and prayers for peace.

Ruthie

 

[tammymacb]

I'm sorry you're going through this. I had to make the decision last year for my girl with lymphoma and it was heartbreaking.

I think you've done a great job with her so far, but if the tumor is "huge" and it's a matter of time until it bursts and she bleeds to death, I'd make an appointment. I'd have the best day ever with her and feed her hamburgers and maybe take her to the beach..let her nap on your bed with you. I'd rather see her off peacefully knowing I'd given her the best life I could rather than suffering during a medical emergency.

 

[kacaju]

I'm sorry you're going through this. I had to make the decision last year for my girl with lymphoma and it was heartbreaking.

I think you've done a great job with her so far, but if the tumor is "huge" and it's a matter of time until it bursts and she bleeds to death, I'd make an appointment. I'd have the best day ever with her and feed her hamburgers and maybe take her to the beach..let her nap on your bed with you. I'd rather see her off peacefully knowing I'd given her the best life I could rather than suffering during a medical emergency.

I agree. I have had to put down many of my animals over the years. it is never easy and I like to have the control over doing it peacefully and on my time (when they are terminal) and not doing it as an emergency and watching them suffer. I have done both.

 

[jemmouse]

Thank you so much for the kind words. It sounds like many of you have had to lose a dear friend. Writing through tears so please forgive the spelling mistakes. In the past she did rebound back and we did blood counts every 3 months and it was wonderful. We have only done an xray and that showed the mass. They are not sure if it is in the liver or the spleen. They have also thrown out the word hamanigosarcarma somthing like that. She maintained her levels at 2.5 mg of Pred a day. Today her hunger level is normal she has ate and yes to the above posters you bet I have got her McDonald hamburgers and you name it.
Today she has ate, and came by me to pet her but as soon as I stop she goes and lays down. But she is still barking at my sons friend when they ring the door and getting up to see them. She is hesitant on going outside but has gone twice today and has had no accidents. The vet did call today and he himself was surpirsed about her appetite and moving around. I guess for me I just need to give it a few days to watch her. They want me to drop the prednisone dose on Saturday and then that will be the main component to see if she can handle it, and if she cant well then I know the answer. Thank you again for the words of compassion this is such a hard time and there are so mnay who dont understand that is because they have never been lucky enough to have mans best friend be their best friend...

 

[DawnCt1]

I went through this with my beloved Jude. He passed away on February 7 of this year. He too had a large tumor, didn't seem to be in pain. Enjoyed being loved, resting on the couch, etc. The day before he passed, he ate very little. On the day he died, he would not eat or drink anything. He turned his head when I tried to trickle water on his lips. I called his previous owner and she and her sister, (both vets) came, visited with him and we decided together that he was ready. You will know when that time comes.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Sweetie if you ever need us we're here please keep us informed its horrible when people don't understand..those are the people that are missing so much & they don't even know it

Ruthie

 

[clutter]

We're never ready to lose them but the best advice I can tell you is there is a fine line (and only you know when you arrive at it) between keeping them going for our sake or keeping them going for theirs. I'm so sorry I don't know what else to say except I will have you and your dear companion in my thoughts and prayers for peace.

Ruthie

Here's the thing. If you hit that fine line, you will always wonder if you did it too soon. If you miss it, you will always remember that it was too late.

I have two 'poos. They really are great dogs.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Here's the thing. If you hit that fine line, you will always wonder if you did it too soon. If you miss it, you will always remember that it was too late.

I have two 'poos. They really are great dogs.

Re- the fine line I do understand what you are saying & believe me having been through it that's why I advised only she will know when....its always tough but the key for me was no second guessing myself which is why I said I would pray for her to have peace through all of this

 

[jemmouse]

The last statments about knowing when, that is the hardest question I have been asking myself. If I were to do it to soon, or wait to long....Right now she is eating,drinking, going to the bathroom, going to the door to see people, and of course taking longer naps, and not her happy go lucky self, but still I can see a glimmer of herself in there. I guess its just one day at a time. I will say one thing though she definately isn't as sick as she was 18 months ago, that was horrible, she just laid there, and didnt eat for 2 days and then slowly got better and was happy for 18 months. I will just take it one day at a time....And finding peace in my decision when and if the decision has to be made. Thanks for all the thoughts and sentiments. It truly is helpful reading and listening to these stories...

 

[Luvchefmic]

The last statments about knowing when, that is the hardest question I have been asking myself. If I were to do it to soon, or wait to long....Right now she is eating,drinking, going to the bathroom, going to the door to see people, and of course taking longer naps, and not her happy go lucky self, but still I can see a glimmer of herself in there. I guess its just one day at a time. I will say one thing though she definately isn't as sick as she was 18 months ago, that was horrible, she just laid there, and didnt eat for 2 days and then slowly got better and was happy for 18 months. I will just take it one day at a time....And finding peace in my decision when and if the decision has to be made. Thanks for all the thoughts and sentiments. It truly is helpful reading and listening to these stories...

Live for every moment of every day...

 

[WendyZ]

jemmouse, I totally understand where you are. A year and a half ago, they told me my shih tzu had three weeks to live. He got sick suddenly, I thought the flu. Only to find he either has advanced liver disease or liver cancer. We opted not to do test, except blood work. The vet said no sense in putting him through it, when there was nothing they could do. He went on steroids to keep him comfortable. They said feed him anything to get him to eat. He finally started eating after two days of laying around lethargic. We never left his side. Mid week we started him on medicine to assist his liver, two-three days later he was a different dog. Fast forward to today, he is a spoiled brat! While he doesn't really play and sleeps a little more....he can bark up a storm when he wants your attention or food. Tomorrow he will turn 15 yrs old. I am so thankful for the last year and a half with him. We cherish him and spoil him more than I ever thought possible. I'm up at 4am to give him his meds, then he can eat at 5am. He's happy and not in pain...that's what matters. When it changes, we'll take it one day at a time. Most people can't believe when I tell them he is 15. That makes me feel good, my only goal is to do the best I can to give him a quality life. I have done that...so now it's out of my hands. There is nothing else we can do but this medicine, which won't work forever, but as I said we are very grateful for the time we have had and will cherish everyday until the end.
It has taught me what's really important. Little things don't really matter, an accident in the house...so what, there's cleaners! I haven't yelled at him since he got sick. I just look at him and smile, hence the spoiled brat part.

I really do believe you will know when it's time to make that decision. Until them spoil and cherish your baby as long as you can. I wish you all the best.

 

[jemmouse]

Last night was not such a good one. At around 3;30 am she had explosive diarhea. I knew this was coming becasue 18 months ago after about 3 days of being on the prednisone high dose it happened for 3 nights in a row, so I was just waiting. After that I put her in our bathroom in our bedroom with a gate(tile floor). About an hour or so later I woke up to smell and it happened again but this time it was filled with blood. I took her outside and she did more. Sorry for the actual breakdown...SHe wouldn't eat for us. Which is not so unusual for her, she can be quite stubborn and she hates it when I lock her in a bathroom. I kept telling her she was a good girl and trying to reassure her but shes no dummy she knew she was in the bathroom for something. Then about 9 i got up and there were blood stains on the floor but that is from her sitting and I tried my best to clean her the few hours earlier. We went downstairs and she definately ate for me a ton, gave her her meds, and placed a call to the vet.
She definately has hemangiosarcoma, malignant tumor. She also has the skin tags from this, where they are raised and blackish in color and that stems from this. Her breathing today is much more labored than yesterday. My regular vet comes back tomorrow at noon, and with her is how I will make the decision.
My heart just aches so bad right now. She has been my baby girl, I always tease my son and say I have the best little boy and girl. I grew up with tons of animals but it was my sister and dad who were the animal lovers. I lost my sister at 37 in 2003 and then I lost my dad on July 21, 2006, two days before my birthday. He died at the very hospital I was born. So with his anniversary coming up next week this just makes it even harder! But getting back when I got married, my DH travelled quite a bit and I was lonely so what did I do went to get a dog, while DH was stuck in a snowstorm in NewYork for 4 days, with no air travel. I remember going to my parents and my dad teasing me saying you arent an animal person. Well boy did this little precious puppy turn me around. She went everywhere with me, she taught me so much and with her I learned what I was missing out on. I so understand the meaning of mans best friend. They love you unconditionally. After the birht of my son when I would sleep she would just sit under his crib, after my galbladder surgery when I came home she just sat by me, and was there. When my DH travels she makes me feel safe. I never would've thought that a little 30 pound dog could offer me so much love!!
I know I am rambling but I knew all of you would understand and I just need to write when I am feeling blue. You should see the journal of letters I have written to my dad and sister. SOmetimes my thoughts need to be just written down and released.
It does make me wonder though why the bleeding just stopped. So very confused...Its so strange because just looking at her right in this room she looks ok and is still begging for food and shaking her butt when she sees a familiar face. Could the bleeding of been from the force of diarhea could it of been the bad bleed coming out..So many questions with no answers...I do know one thing I am on way to get her some McDonald hamburgers....Thanks for your thoughts.......

 

[Jockaroo]

Jem, I know how hard this is. I lost my first dog following a year of declining health; my second dog only had a few weeks of poor health. One thing I did that gave me comfort was to write a letter to each of my babies and have it placed with their bodies. I kept a copy for their memory boxes. Tell your Princess how much you love her, what your time together means. I really believe you will see her again. I do understand the depth of this love. You may want to have your son write a letter or draw a picture as well. This will be a loss for him as well.

I am so sorry. I used this verse on my memorial photos of my sweet Scottie Mac, my first dog, when he passed last year. The words mean so much to me. I hope you can find some comfort in them:

"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -- Author Unknown.

As hard as this is, know that you are granting your sweet girl the ultimate gift of your love. She may be gone from your side, but know she lives forever in your heart. And she takes a piece of your heart with her, so she will never be alone.

I do hope that your vet can offer some extra treatments so you may have extra time together, but if you do have to make "that" decision, you will find the strength.

 

[angie@dvcstore]

Im sorry for what your going threw I have a dog myself and the thought of letting him go just kills me. Hope you can soon get threw this

 

[SandrA9810]

I haven't read any responses, but you sound like what I went through last December.

My doggie, Kiani, got a lump on the underside of her belly by her hind leg. It stayed extremely small for a long time, but once it started growing, it wouldn't stop. And it would double in size in a matter of a week, so each time I saw a different vet about it, it was just getting worse, and no vet would do the operation. Let alone, I didn't have the few thousands dollars just lying around for it. Plus they said it might only extend her life by months, not years.

I was stuck in that limbo of I don't want her to be in pain, but I don't want to loose her either. All the vet visits started in August, and by November it was a flat out no across the board that no one would do the surgery. And several vets just said to put her to sleep, she's probably already in pain. Well she didn't act like it, and I couldn't let her go. Thanksgiving was soon approaching, and I felt like, how can I let her go now, it's supposed to be a happy time of year. And she loves getting turkey scraps.

By December, she was struggling a little bit. I would have to carry her up the stairs to the apartment. I couldn't let her jump anywhere. She was constantly getting a bath because it stunk badly (her's kept getting open sores, and I was constantly putting betadine on it to keep it clean). But she still had spunk in her. One morning when I got up, and she wasn't in the bedroom, she usually slept in the doorway. I found her laying on the kitchen floor sprawled out and she didn't seem to even want to move when I called her name. It was that time, when I realized she had enough. She never fully stopped eating, although she preferred the can food over dry, on occasion I could mix in a little dry to save on wet food. I fed her premium Merricks brand, so it wasn't cheap keeping up the can food.

It was about a week later or so when I finally took her to the vet for the final time, eating KFC popcorn chicken on the way. I made sure I did all her favorite things, took her every where with me. Although that last week was really hard, because she couldn't control her bowels as well, so she'd make a mess all over her fur (and being a white samoyed, it stuck to her fur). It was painful for me to watch her be in pain, which was worse than putting her to sleep. And every one kept saying, you'll know when, you'll know when. I was like, how am I gonna know when, when I don't ever want to let her go. But those words were true. And I did figure out when.

The vet office provided cremation services for a price (about a 150$ total). And I did a bit of research and it was a very reputable company. Since we were living in an apartment, I couldn't bury her myself. And I just couldn't imagine her body being dumped. So I did the private cremation, and got her ashes about a week later. It came in a very nice carved wooden box with a metal name plate. And it came with a certificate with her paw print on it, plus a little bit of her fur in a satin pouch and the rainbow bridge poem. I also went to Michaels and got one of those concrete stepping stones do it yourself kits. It has her name, paw print, and date. When I find the right spot, I'll bury her ashes and place the stone above as a marker.

It's tough, but once you know your dog isn't doing well. It makes it that much easier to let them go. I did it just a few days before Christmas. As much as I wanted her to be around for the last Christmas, I couldn't hang on for my own selfish reasons.

I'm finally getting to the point of wanting another dog. I know it won't replace her and it won't be the same. But I still need that companionship and love that they give. The world is kinda lonely without a pet around.

 

[Pembo]

We had to put our Tucker down 2 years ago. He was sick and the vet kept saying "we would know when it was time". We were eating dinner and I noticed that he couldn't get up. It was time. We wrapped him in his favorite blanket and took him to the Vet ER. As he lay there looking at us so sweet, I had a fleeting thought, maybe it's not time...but it was. My previously high energy, 110 lb golden retriever was laying on a cot.

It was a very hard moment for us but very peaceful. Blessings to you as face the Rainbow Bridge with your girl. Tucker will be there to welcome her, whenever her time is.

 

[Luvchefmic]

jem sending you a PM Ruthie