We might have to make the choice to euthanize our old dog...very soon. She's 16 years and 8 months (old!!!)...and had a major surgery last July to remove a large tumor - leimyosarcoma (spelling? Hell, I don't know).
She's been having some issues the last few weeks...and something frightening (bleeding from her vulvar area) which caused me to take her to the emergency vet last night. She's staying overnight. It's the opinion that what she's going through is likely a manifestation of recurrence/mastastization (Heck, is that even a word?)of the cancer, and that likely "time is short." She had to stay overnight. And likely a sonogram today...
...but still....my gut tells me...
The worst part about all this is that she's peppy and alert, and otherwise acting her usual self.
But I don't know that it's worth $$$ for surgery again...nor that we should we necessarily put the old girl through that again...
....but all the bleeding...which they said they couldn't stop
Arrrrrggh.
Damn.
I don't know. Is it the season for these babies to become ill, or what?
I know what you're going through and I'm am so sorry.
Way back, when my shih-tzu was 16, she was diagnosed with lung cancer. She was given just three months. Maybe there was something I could have done to extend her life by an extra month or so - they do have chemo for pets - but that decision, like yours, was difficult to make. After a while, I realized extending her life would only serve to make ME feel better. Not her. It is the most difficult thing in the world to do, but it's something we sometimes have to do for them, as a tiny tribute to all they do for us through their lifetime.
I hope things are different for her today, and the news is better than expected. If not, at least you'll be able to stop her suffering before it even starts. It's little consolation, I know, but it is a gift she'll know is given with love.
I'm so sorry to hear this...I know what it's like (obviously, I think most people know about Boots' passing).
It's going to hurt, but you should put her down. If she is fine and peppy right now, this is the best time to do it. You don't want her to start suffering before you make that decision.
Trust me, as I'm experiencing guilt like never before right now for not having done something like that for Boots.
Keep us posted
My cat will be 15 in october. shes doing awesome right now, but who knows. she is a siamese, which means their bone structure is more fragile than the average cat. she still plays, eats well, jumps (shakkily) and runs....but i can tell its only a matter of a few years before she will be at that point. ive had her since i was really little, i dont know my life without her. ive had 2 pets die in my life, and both were painful. ive made an agreement wiht myself that after my younger cat dies, that will be the only pets for me. i cant handle death. im still coming to terms with it myself.
Im sorry to hear about these babies being ill. as long as they lived a long and happy life, its all you can do, and they thank you for it. they were lucky that they werent a stray on the street, or infested with all kinds of diseases or living with an abusive family. as funny as it sounds i remind my cats of it too, although they are divas. i wish them well.
CMU HistoryGirl wrote: I'm so sorry to hear this...I know what it's like (obviously, I think most people know about Boots' passing).
It's going to hurt, but you should put her down. If she is fine and peppy right now, this is the best time to do it. You don't want her to start suffering before you make that decision.
Trust me, as I'm experiencing guilt like never before right now for not having done something like that for Boots.
Keep us posted
Hi, CMUHistory Girl. Thank you so much for your words. That, in fact, is what we have decided to do. Put her down now. And I was just coming back to QZ to keep you posted on that.
The news was not good at all. Two "huge" (Dr's word) masses in the pelvic inlet - a difficult area to operate in... and yes, most likely a recurrence of the cancer. His prognosis was that, even with a "successful" surgery, she might have three months. These masses apparently affect the rectum, bladder, and spleen.
~sigh~ And it seems her body has been shutting down the last few weeks, anyway.
1. She had a grand mal seizure two and a half weeks ago. Frightening. 5- 8 minutes long. First one ever.
2. She has been having problems defecating. She was on flagyl, which helped - but after she went off the medication, the problems returned. (Due to pressure from an intruding mass)
3. She has a urinary tract infection. (sure - with all that pressure from an intruding mass...)
4. Her kidney values have been elevated - for two and a half weeks that we know about for sure.
5. The bleeding from the vulva area as of 7:00 last night. Not a good sign. And I was informed that she is still bleeding intermittently...
Hubby is on his way home from work, and we'll go together.
I had hoped, when this time came, that we could have this done at our regular vet, who is literally *across the street* from the Emergency Vet Clinic...but we figure...she's already at the Emergency Vet...have it done there.
Thanks for all your support, everyone. This is the first time I've had to do this.
I'm also concerned about the remaining dog. I know he'll be grieving, too. The sad thing is, I don't think he really has a clue at this point. :((
So sad. I'm very sorry for all of you. Of course you know this, but you did the right thing - the most unselfish and loving thing you could ever do. <hugs>
I know it is hard, but you did the right thing. You saved her a lot of suffering, and surgery that doesn't sound like it would have done any good.
You have my thoughts *hugs*