usvi-on-line
Our dog Duffy has Lymphoma - need advice
You are in my thoughts and prayers. I have travelled down the sick pet what to do path many times. I have always tried to do what is best for the pet.....I know it hurts. I agree that you should make him comfy and spend time with him to say goodbye. Other treatments will prolong his time with you but would he be suffering? Don't worry, there is a doggie heaven.
This was just my two cents, you need to make the ultimate choice. Whatever you choose will be the best decision.
PS. I was shedding tears while reading this...
This was just my two cents, you need to make the ultimate choice. Whatever you choose will be the best decision.
PS. I was shedding tears while reading this...
i initially read this at work and burst into tears--i am SO sorry about your pup.
I have little advice to offer in the way of dogs--
however, i went thru a similar situation with a much loved cat he had cancer and peritonitis as well --we kept him out of pain and as comfortable as we could-fed him water thru an eye dropper --he ended up dying in my arms on christmas eve--I am not sure we made the right decision (we had discussed putting him down and if he had lasted thru the next 36 hours we probably would have) he made the decision for us.--i don't think he was in pain in the end though.
try the steroids and i would ask the Vet about pain meds if need be and what signs to look for--I know you will do your best to keep him comfortable.
ugh. this just sucks .
I am so sad for you
I have little advice to offer in the way of dogs--
however, i went thru a similar situation with a much loved cat he had cancer and peritonitis as well --we kept him out of pain and as comfortable as we could-fed him water thru an eye dropper --he ended up dying in my arms on christmas eve--I am not sure we made the right decision (we had discussed putting him down and if he had lasted thru the next 36 hours we probably would have) he made the decision for us.--i don't think he was in pain in the end though.
try the steroids and i would ask the Vet about pain meds if need be and what signs to look for--I know you will do your best to keep him comfortable.
ugh. this just sucks .
I am so sad for you
< leaving on the 22nd of march...but too lame to figure out the ticker thing again!>
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Bob & Anita
- Posts: 611
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 11:20 pm
- Location: Charlotte, NC
Gromit, So sorry to hear about your Duffy. We understand what you are going through. We lost our beloved Golden Retriever (Autumn) to Lymphoma last May; she was a similar age as your Duffy.
We made the decision to let nature take its course. The vet put her on steroids to help her manage the symptoms. She lived for about 6 weeks from when it was diagnosed and she was happy to be with us until the end. We were close to making the decision to put her down when she ended up passing on her own, which was a blessing in our eyes.
Even though she left a big hole in our family and we miss her terribly, we do believe we made the correct decisions with what treatments to do and not to do. She is now buried in our front yard and we planted a red maple over her. This red maple variety is called an Autumn Blaze and will remind us of our beloved Autumn each fall when it turns her colors.
The Autumn Tree:
We made the decision to let nature take its course. The vet put her on steroids to help her manage the symptoms. She lived for about 6 weeks from when it was diagnosed and she was happy to be with us until the end. We were close to making the decision to put her down when she ended up passing on her own, which was a blessing in our eyes.
Even though she left a big hole in our family and we miss her terribly, we do believe we made the correct decisions with what treatments to do and not to do. She is now buried in our front yard and we planted a red maple over her. This red maple variety is called an Autumn Blaze and will remind us of our beloved Autumn each fall when it turns her colors.
The Autumn Tree:
Bob & Anita
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gimpiegirl
- Posts: 58
- Joined: Thu Feb 01, 2007 10:01 pm
I'm so very sorry! As a dog lover, if I were in your shoes I'd probably let nature take it's course. I've seen what chemo does to dogs with cancer, and it's never pretty with lymphoma cases. It's a horrible decision to have to make, but I think your heart will tell you what the right thing to do is.
I also noticed that you're in NoVA. I'm in Ashburn and have been going to acupuncture with our 12 yr. old lab/husky. This vet recently helped a friend with some holistic treatments for their dog which had bone cancer. It seemed to extend the life of their pet, and also provided a better quality of life for her (their original vet told her the dog wouldn't live long at all, and she lasted 6+ months). If you're interested in this vet's info I'm happy to pass it along.
All the best to you. You all will be in my thoughts.
I also noticed that you're in NoVA. I'm in Ashburn and have been going to acupuncture with our 12 yr. old lab/husky. This vet recently helped a friend with some holistic treatments for their dog which had bone cancer. It seemed to extend the life of their pet, and also provided a better quality of life for her (their original vet told her the dog wouldn't live long at all, and she lasted 6+ months). If you're interested in this vet's info I'm happy to pass it along.
All the best to you. You all will be in my thoughts.
I'm so sorry ...my co-worker's 14 year old chocolate Lab was diagnosed with lymphoma last week. They are doing the prednisone. She knows how chemo. affects people and if Snickers doesn't have that much longer she doesn't want him to be sick with the side effects of chemo. It's entirely up to you and your family and I don't envy your decision. As I've always said, "my dog was just a person born with a furry outside.." Prayers for you and your family. And remember, no matter what you decide that dog will love you unconditionally until the day they go on to Doggy Heaven so you can not make the wrong decision. Hugs..
Aw jeez. So sorry to hear that. At nine they are just getting into their comfy old man phase. Folks here were supportive when we lost our 9 yr old Sheltie in June, and I was thankful for it. Kind words give strength and reassurance, even from folks you’ve never had face time with but whose advice and opinions you have come to respect and appreciate.
And indeed, great advice given so far. Hopefully the steroids and any pain management needed will yield a big rally or two and give you and Duffy some quality time. Do your research and ask your vet again about the expected progressions.
Besides other quality of life issues, if it gets to the point where he stops eating and drinking, the vet might suggest to overnight and IV him, but that is the time to assess the odds of ever getting him back out of the hospital. Both of you do not want his last days to be in there. Sometimes the right things are the hardest things to do.
And indeed, great advice given so far. Hopefully the steroids and any pain management needed will yield a big rally or two and give you and Duffy some quality time. Do your research and ask your vet again about the expected progressions.
Besides other quality of life issues, if it gets to the point where he stops eating and drinking, the vet might suggest to overnight and IV him, but that is the time to assess the odds of ever getting him back out of the hospital. Both of you do not want his last days to be in there. Sometimes the right things are the hardest things to do.
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
I'm, so sorry. I really do know what you are feeling. We lost our 7 year old collie to Lymphoma almost 8 years ago. It came on just as quickly as you describe in your sweet little guy. That is one blessing in that it came so fast that he didn't suffer long. We chose not to put him through the chemo and let him go quickly.
I wish I had some words of advice to offer. It's such a blow when they are perfectly healthy one minute and so sick the next. I'm just so sorry for your family. You'll know what is best to do.
I wish I had some words of advice to offer. It's such a blow when they are perfectly healthy one minute and so sick the next. I'm just so sorry for your family. You'll know what is best to do.
Whatever decision you make will be the right one.
We fought to keep our little yorkie Phoebe going for 5 weeks after we returned from STJ last June. About a year before she had fallen off the bed and injured her shoulder. It wasn't broken but it took several weeks to mend. Her blood tests at the time showed early kidney failure. She was put on special food and a kidney supplement. She ever so slowly lost ground until the day before we were to leave for STJ when she had trouble walking.
The vet thought it was a pinched nerve in that shoulder. We left her at the vet's to board her and get her teeth cleaned, but it went badly and she nearly died of a collapsed trachea. She looked pretty good by the time we got back, but it didn't last long. Towards the end we even let the vet inject saline under the skin to flush the kidneys, as he had a chihuahua that had lived a year on a 3 day a week treatment. It only worked one time for Phoebe. We knew what had to be done. On the way to the vet, Phoebe was too weak to raise her head to look outside, she just laid her head on my chest. She knew we would do what was best for her.
I still burst into tears sometimes (like now) when I think of it. I'm a weakling that way. I saved a little snip of her silky topknot and made a scrapbook with photos, her tags and collar, and the sympathy cards we received. Everyone loved Phoebe and she loved any human-large or small.
Whatever you decide, it will be painful. I'm sorry you have to go through this but it is one of the costs of loving a pet. I agree that animals go to heaven, I only hope I make it there. We also buried our furbaby under a maple tree in the backyard and placed an iron yorkie sculpture on the site.
We fought to keep our little yorkie Phoebe going for 5 weeks after we returned from STJ last June. About a year before she had fallen off the bed and injured her shoulder. It wasn't broken but it took several weeks to mend. Her blood tests at the time showed early kidney failure. She was put on special food and a kidney supplement. She ever so slowly lost ground until the day before we were to leave for STJ when she had trouble walking.
The vet thought it was a pinched nerve in that shoulder. We left her at the vet's to board her and get her teeth cleaned, but it went badly and she nearly died of a collapsed trachea. She looked pretty good by the time we got back, but it didn't last long. Towards the end we even let the vet inject saline under the skin to flush the kidneys, as he had a chihuahua that had lived a year on a 3 day a week treatment. It only worked one time for Phoebe. We knew what had to be done. On the way to the vet, Phoebe was too weak to raise her head to look outside, she just laid her head on my chest. She knew we would do what was best for her.
I still burst into tears sometimes (like now) when I think of it. I'm a weakling that way. I saved a little snip of her silky topknot and made a scrapbook with photos, her tags and collar, and the sympathy cards we received. Everyone loved Phoebe and she loved any human-large or small.
Whatever you decide, it will be painful. I'm sorry you have to go through this but it is one of the costs of loving a pet. I agree that animals go to heaven, I only hope I make it there. We also buried our furbaby under a maple tree in the backyard and placed an iron yorkie sculpture on the site.
Last edited by verjoy on Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:55 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. I know it's such a difficult thing and I know you will do what's right for him and your family.
In a past life I was a veterinary technician and we treated several dogs (and cats) diagnosed with lymphoma. As many others here have said, the prednisone treatment is a popular choice. The majority of the families did not elect to go the chemo route, for the reasons you and others stated.
Along with the prednisone, often a mild prescription painkiller can be prescribed for comfort. All dogs are different, so it's hard to tell how the medication would affect your guy. Sometimes it makes it easier for them to get around, and can help them to be more comfortable in general. Other times it causes them to be a little "out of it" which can be hard to watch in our pet as that may not be how we want them to spend their last days.
If you elect to keep him comfortable and judge by his quality of life when it's time for that visit to the vet, I might recommend some holistic treatments. The Dr. I worked for was certified in acupuncture and alternative veterinary medicine, and I watched him treat animal after animal with terminal illness and the majority of the time this yielded relatively successful results. Of course it does not change the pre-determined course of nature but it can make their quality of life much better. I've seen it make a huge difference in things like being able to eat, drink water, digest food properly, and take themselves out to urinate and defecate rather than not, which are very significant when it comes to quality of life.
Whatever path your family takes, it's easy to see how much Duffy has been loved. You all will be in my thoughts.
In a past life I was a veterinary technician and we treated several dogs (and cats) diagnosed with lymphoma. As many others here have said, the prednisone treatment is a popular choice. The majority of the families did not elect to go the chemo route, for the reasons you and others stated.
Along with the prednisone, often a mild prescription painkiller can be prescribed for comfort. All dogs are different, so it's hard to tell how the medication would affect your guy. Sometimes it makes it easier for them to get around, and can help them to be more comfortable in general. Other times it causes them to be a little "out of it" which can be hard to watch in our pet as that may not be how we want them to spend their last days.
If you elect to keep him comfortable and judge by his quality of life when it's time for that visit to the vet, I might recommend some holistic treatments. The Dr. I worked for was certified in acupuncture and alternative veterinary medicine, and I watched him treat animal after animal with terminal illness and the majority of the time this yielded relatively successful results. Of course it does not change the pre-determined course of nature but it can make their quality of life much better. I've seen it make a huge difference in things like being able to eat, drink water, digest food properly, and take themselves out to urinate and defecate rather than not, which are very significant when it comes to quality of life.
Whatever path your family takes, it's easy to see how much Duffy has been loved. You all will be in my thoughts.
Gromit,
I had a very sick cat, she had a thyroid problem. I know how your are feeling. I had her for almost 17 years. I waited too long to call the vet, thinking those pills would work. It was more for me than her at that point.
I have a good vet you can call, aroundtownvet.com She comes to your home, brand new van that she can do everything a regular vet office can do. More importantly when the time is right she can put your dog down in your home without having to take him to the vet office. We did this with my parents dog and it made all the difference in the world to them. Much more peaceful for both you and your pet. You will know when it is time. Sorry you have to go through this.
I had a very sick cat, she had a thyroid problem. I know how your are feeling. I had her for almost 17 years. I waited too long to call the vet, thinking those pills would work. It was more for me than her at that point.
I have a good vet you can call, aroundtownvet.com She comes to your home, brand new van that she can do everything a regular vet office can do. More importantly when the time is right she can put your dog down in your home without having to take him to the vet office. We did this with my parents dog and it made all the difference in the world to them. Much more peaceful for both you and your pet. You will know when it is time. Sorry you have to go through this.
Gromit - I am so sorry for all of the pain you and Duffy are going through right now. We are going through something similar (not lymphoma - old age I guess), it's hard to know when it's time. I hope I recognize it when Otis says it's time to go. I, too, will surely miss him. When he leaves he will take a big piece of me with him. Enjoy and love him while you can - until you meet again.
I've always loved this poem - The Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
I've always loved this poem - The Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
Deb
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designbyroe
- Posts: 1348
- Joined: Tue Feb 27, 2007 1:27 pm
- Location: Chilaxin on White Bay at least in my mind
Gromit......
I am so sorry and can not even imagine the sadness you are feeling.
I agree with everyone and also with LMG.
I have a pet who strongly belives in holistic and she treats with acunpuncture and I know it makes a world of difference.
I will say a prayer to my guardian angels in heaven to watch over you and Duffy and the family.
Animals are companions to us in all times of our lives and all they want is to play and eat and sleep and love us unconditionally. You can not get better then that.
I am so sorry and can not even imagine the sadness you are feeling.
I agree with everyone and also with LMG.
I have a pet who strongly belives in holistic and she treats with acunpuncture and I know it makes a world of difference.
I will say a prayer to my guardian angels in heaven to watch over you and Duffy and the family.
Animals are companions to us in all times of our lives and all they want is to play and eat and sleep and love us unconditionally. You can not get better then that.
There's no $ sign on a peace of mind, this I've come to know
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Jo Ann - VA
- Posts: 756
- Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:56 am
- Location: Virginia
Gromit, I too have been in this position of making this difficult decision. You are doing all the right things already by the explanation you have given us. My vet kept telling me I would know when the time was right to make the hardest call I ever made in my life. All of my agony was prior to the decision to let her go, but I didn't want her to suffer. Prayers to you all as you go thru this .