Quite the bummer. Dog has 6 weeks to live with steroids to make her feel great and if I go the chemo route the vet said 5 to 6 months. The chemo is 3 grand and only extends her life shortly.<br /><br />What would you all do? I am thinking about the easy route that includes endless good food but feel like a d!ck not going for the extra time.
Man, so sorry. If I had the 3k I'd do it. If not, spoil her rotten over the next 6 months like you plan to.
I tried to take her for a walk today and she went 200 feet and was exhausted. While the the vet said chemo doesn't make dogs sick like humans (which seems weird) her just sitting around doesn't seem like a good way to go for 5 months.
my Rhodesian Ridgeback had the same situation 10 years or so ago. Huge tumor on his neck. Prednisone killed the tumor for about 2 weeks. He ate vanilla ice cream 3 times a day for the last two months of his life. But Clemson is spot on - love her and let her go. Sucks man. Sorry to hear it. [video=youtube;XuER5aO0XC4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuER5aO0XC4[/video]
Putting a dog down is one of the hardest things I've ever had to do but I'm not sure that I would go with the chemo. Quality of life is everything. Sorry you're having to deal with this now.
Sincerely sorry! I was never really a pet person until I adopted a pet last year. LIFE CHANGER! I can't believe my parents never let me have one growing up... As a levelheaded person, i would not spend the money on Chemo. Side note, you should go see a DR for your foot. Sh its gross!
I just was in the same situation with my family's black lab. Went from puppy- like energy level in august to barely able to make it outside for #1 + 2 by October. As I understood it, leukemia is not an automatic death sentence for dogs and a number survive the ordeal to lead healthy lives. However successful recovery seems to have little to do with chemotherapy and all to do with the dog's specific case. We were unable to afford chemo so that answered that question for us, but a cousin's white lab went through the whole thing (chemo-kidney failures-dialysis treatments) at 2 (ours was 10) and it bought them 7 months of heart wrenching decline at a cost that was in the thousands. So that is not always what happens, but helped us to feel better about going the other route. I still miss her terribly, but I feel alright about not dragging out her misery and being able to remember her as the dog she truly was- an all season 10 year old beach puppy. Ask about low cost low impact supplements to combine with the steroids, my vet gave Chinese herbs that seem to have helped a bit before the end and could maybe help a dog in better situation. And best of luck, hope any of this helps
My Grandpa was a man among men. A WW2 tank commander at 19. I can't imagine that but when the time comes you rise to the occasion I suppose. Anyway, he was always a dog lover and I think they helped him deal with PTSD before PTSD was cool. He hunted duck, quail, dove and other birds so a dog was always at his side. The older generations didn't have the comforts we have now so they dealt with things differently. When it became obvious his dog was nearing the end he would take them into the woods for one last (slow motion) romp and let them enjoy being a dog. Then he'd take aim and take their life. He was an excellent marksman and would shoot individual bees out of the air from bee hives on his roof. Pretty brutal practice that would probably put you in jail these days but his dogs never suffered and went out doing what they loved.
After reading all of this I realize my initial response was based on emotion alone. Whatever you decide don't dwell on it and realize you gave her a wonderful life.
I think the steroid route is the way to go. Add to the toughness try explaining to a 9 year old why it is humane to put a dog down but doing that to a human per their desires will land you in prison. Thanks guys.
I have to agree with this regardless of having the money. I can see it both ways. I've seen plenty of loved ones get chemo and it's very painful for that person. We want to keep the people around and it's easy for us to say take chemo because we don't want to lose them. I just never once saw chemo actually work for someone. It extended their life but they were very sick and in pain the whole time from the chemo. Without chemo, they will live the remaining months happily and more like themselves. As others have said, just give her anything she wants and spoil her but I would skip the chemo. Do what you think is right for her and your family. No decision is wrong.
Yeah the key point being made is that no matter how much better you might feel giving her another six months, she unfortunatley will have no idea what's happening and will be faced with the stress of the therapy. Give her the steroids and show endless love over the next few months. Give her treats when ever she wants and let her move on. I hate hospitals and can't imagine what it's like for a dog, stuck in a cage having strangers jab her with needles, wondering the whole time when the next stress is gonna come and worse missing her familly. All this to end up exactly at the same spot 6 months later.
How old is she? If I had the 3000, I'd go with chemo. Can't say I know much aboot the process of dog chemo, but 6 months is better than six weeks, but I'm a sentimental fool anyway. Make sure she gets a few good pills and take her for a long car ride. Bring the sights and smells of the world to her, while she chills in the backseat. Old dogs basically sit around anyway.....so if she's not suffering, why not. Of course I don't know all the circumstances and all. Sorry, dude.
I'm sorry dude. It ain't much of an advice but, I think I'm on the side of those who wouldn't prolong the suffering. I'm a puss like that. It's more time for the dog to deal with pain Without understanding what's happening, and it's more time for all kinds of thoughts to creep into your head. You'll hate yourself for a while no matter what, it's natural. But you're a good person, carry that on, and keep the memories, knowing that you have made her life a thousand times better than she could've ever had without you. That's what matters man. Again, I'm sorry. I know its not what you wanted to read.
I waited too long on a couple of my dogs. the wife brought home when it was a day old. The mom was killing the litter. Lived until 14. We called PETA on the last dog. They came over with a "vet" and killed her. They sat with the wife and dog on the porch, sedated the dog, patted her til she went to sleep, then pulled out clubs and beat her like a baby seal. FOR FREE!
