Horrible news - in shock

[saltyair]

I got bad news from the Vet yesterday that my 5yr old standard poodle Cherish has terminal cancer. She developed a little bump on her hind quarter we thought was from hurting herself going up the stairs. She seems in great health and eating just fine.

She was diagnosed with Canine Hemangiosarcoma nasty cancer.

anyone have experience with this? what did happen? any hope? still in shockhttp://www.reefcentral.com/forums/images/smilies/thumbsdown.gif

this is her photo:
12091

[IanWR]

You have my sympathy. Facing the loss of a loved one is never easy.

I don't have experience with this specific type of cancer. I know that some years ago our family had a beagle that was diagnosed with a terminal liver cancer. He was given a few months, and we were told by the vet that this type of cancer would basically not cause pain but rather fatigue and he would probably end up dieing in his sleep. He ended up living another 2 years but in a progressively worse state. I know I wish that we had helped him go gentle into that good night a long time before it finally happened. So as long as your pal is seems well enjoy their company and let them enjoy their life. Just be brave when it becomes obvious that they're suffering.

- Ian

[Proteus]

My Akita got cancer we tried meds. After a week he developed sores where there was bare skin. Nose,paws,underside. Got so bad that he couldn't sit down. Meds were $1000 a month.

Needless to say I had no choice to put my boy down a 7 years old.

[Dearth]

I have had 2 cats with terminal cancer one with kidney and the other with breast cancer. Both lived for about 7 months after diagnoses and until the last month of their lives were active and showed no outward signs of pain then suddenly literally overnight both went from active to hiding sleeping cats that were showing signs of distress but it took me a week or so to notice the signs and it was finally time to take them on a one way trip to the vet.

The choice ultimately is yours you can keep your dog till it shows signs or you can choose to say your goodbyes now either way it will suck the big one no matter what you decide and while it is just an animal it is also part of the family.

[Magickiwi]

Reading your post made me feel very sad. I have two standard poodles including an apricot like yours. They aren't just pets, standards have a way of becoming children in your heart.

It sounds like you will have some time with her which should give you a proper chance to spoil her before you have to say goodbye. Cherish every moment with her.

[thmh]

So sorry for your horrible news David, best of luck with Cherish!

~Tony

[michika]

I couldn't even make it through the first page of your thread on RC.

I'm so sorry to hear this news. She's a beautiful dog and I'm sure she brings you the utmost joy and happiness to your life.

[saltyair]

Thanks Ian - yea we were considering treatment options - but all of the options would put her in pain and would only give her a year max - just don't think it would be fair to her. I would rather give her 6 months of running in the fields and woods than a year of pain sitting on the couch.

You have my sympathy. Facing the loss of a loved one is never easy.

I don't have experience with this specific type of cancer. I know that some years ago our family had a beagle that was diagnosed with a terminal liver cancer. He was given a few months, and we were told by the vet that this type of cancer would basically not cause pain but rather fatigue and he would probably end up dieing in his sleep. He ended up living another 2 years but in a progressively worse state. I know I wish that we had helped him go gentle into that good night a long time before it finally happened. So as long as your pal is seems well enjoy their company and let them enjoy their life. Just be brave when it becomes obvious that they're suffering.

- Ian

[saltyair]

oh she is a hunter princess and will be pampered to the max - treats and hikes galore.
still so hard, they are apart of your everyday life and bring so much joy - it will be tough. We also have a black standard they are best friends and have never been apart since we brought Cherish home.


Reading your post made me feel very sad. I have two standard poodles including an apricot like yours. They aren't just pets, standards have a way of becoming children in your heart.

It sounds like you will have some time with her which should give you a proper chance to spoil her before you have to say goodbye. Cherish every moment with her.

[saltyair]

thanks Michika
yea was going through so many emotions as we tried to find a solution or treatment plan. nothing that was feasible to give her a quality of life

I couldn't even make it through the first page of your thread on RC.

I'm so sorry to hear this news. She's a beautiful dog and I'm sure she brings you the utmost joy and happiness to your life.

[saltyair]

parting with cherish so young just seems unthinkable

I have had 2 cats with terminal cancer one with kidney and the other with breast cancer. Both lived for about 7 months after diagnoses and until the last month of their lives were active and showed no outward signs of pain then suddenly literally overnight both went from active to hiding sleeping cats that were showing signs of distress but it took me a week or so to notice the signs and it was finally time to take them on a one way trip to the vet.

The choice ultimately is yours you can keep your dog till it shows signs or you can choose to say your goodbyes now either way it will suck the big one no matter what you decide and while it is just an animal it is also part of the family.

[Seriak]

My dog just had her first seizure this morning so I found it interesting that I read your post this morning as well. She is going on 13 and I am assuming I will have to make a decision for her sooner rather than later.

I wish you all the best.

[saltyair]

that is just horrible - that is one of the reasons we are just doing pain management.
so sorry porteus


My Akita got cancer we tried meds. After a week he developed sores where there was bare skin. Nose,paws,underside. Got so bad that he couldn't sit down. Meds were $1000 a month.

Needless to say I had no choice to put my boy down a 7 years old.

[Cal_stir]

Very sorry to hear, personally pain management and let nature take its course is what I would do, and lots of LOVE.

[thmh]

Hey David, I saw this meme today and it made me think of your situation..... There is always light at the end of a dark tunnel!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/27/uvepete5.jpg

~Tony

[saltyair]

Great post Tony - made our family smile.

we changed to a better pain reliever and she is doing great - took her for a hike and she played and hunted.


Hey David, I saw this meme today and it made me think of your situation..... There is always light at the end of a dark tunnel!
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/10/27/uvepete5.jpg

~Tony

[saltyair]

Hey all have been really busy the last two weeks - but wanted to share this update about Cherish.

Last weekend Cherish wasn't doing well panting and seem to be in pain - she was still eating but very lethargic. On Monday my wife and I made the decision that it's time and we are just keeping her medicated for us.
So Tuesday morning I took her to her favorite park and let her hang out - she was not very responsive but did hop around sniffing, after about 20 min we made our way to the vet.
Cherish didn't want to get out of the truck so we took our time and gently picked her up and let her hop into the vet office.
OMG she started to run around and beg for treats - jumping up and wagging her tail acting like nothing was wrong. We all look at each other and started to tear up - "WE CAN"T DO THIS" we all said.
it was surreal - I picked her up and took her home - she has been hopping around on three legs and being her normal self.
SHE WAS NOT READY - we couldn't be happier.

[SanguinesDream]

I firmly believe that animals understand much more than we give them credit for. Prayers for Cherish and your family for a miracle and peace.

[skabooya]

This posting actually made me cry. I recently had to say goodbye to my best friend of 13.5 years. Over the last 2 years he was loosing lots of weight. We fed him LOTS and spoiled him with treats and gave him food additives to help his aging coat. Things were going well and then he started dropping weight again and was nothing but skin and bones. Still full of life but something was wrong and he ate like a pig. We took him to the vet on the Tuesday and he found nothing wrong but we figured deworming him, giving him antibiotics for his now chronic diarrhea and updating his shots should be done anyway. After that day he slowly stopped eating, drinking and became very slow. I would need to coax him into the house daily and it became harder and harder. On the 19th I called him to come in the house. He did not come. I had to look for him with our flashlight in our backyard. I found him in his favourite spot lying down and staring at me. I slipped in something and noticed all the grass around me was black. I thought blood, but it was hard to tell. Nash would not get up. I put a leash around him and he got up on his own and started walking very slowly. As I watched I noticed how much pain he was in. He was squatting as he walked like he needed to poop. As we got to the back door I could see him better. He looked horrible. He got in the house all by himself and collapsed on the floor. His backside was wet. I grabbed some paper towel and wiped to see what it was (he was a chocolate lab so wet dark fur could mean he was wet with anything). He was covered in blood. Everything was blood. I realized then that what I stepped in outside was all blood in the grass. I called my mom and then the vet and then my mom in law. I knew this was it. The vet wanted me to bring him down but there is no way I could pick up Nash. He hated being picked up and became dead weight and awkward if you tried. Now he was just lying there looking at me, asking for help. My mom and mom in law showed up (my husband was gone hunting for a week, kids in bed sleeping) and Nash started to become anxious. He new something was not right. He did not get up at all during this time. I stayed right beside him the whole time. The vet came and examined him. Blood everywhere. He looked at his gums and they were white. There was nothing we could do to save Nash. I looked at Nash and told him how sorry I was. I cried.. a lot, and hugged him as the vet injected him. I felt Nash relax and leave as I held him. The vet said it was more than likely a tumor in his bowels that burst. I was upset because Nash was just examined a few days before and he was found to be fine. I also took Nash for regular checkups and he was always fine. :( Either way he accepted the injection and left very quickly and peacefully. I miss him terribly and breaking the routine of bringing him in the house every evening for him to eat and spend time with us was difficult.

They say you will know when it is time and believe me, you will. It will be the hardest thing you ever have to do. I am still not over it. He was and still is and will forever be my fur baby.

[Coralgurl]

This is such a sad thread. It's good to hear you still have Cherish and she wasn't ready to go. Animals do know exactly what's going on, at least you know you can do what's required when it's time, as hard as that is.

Regarding Nash, this broke my heart for you. So very sorry for your loss!! We have a black lab/rottie who has wrapped himself in my heart like a child!! He's only 4 1/2 and healthy, but I can't imagine not having him around! Prayers to you for healing and peace while your Nash is at peace and running in green fields, free of pain!

[intarsiabox]

I firmly believe that animals understand much more than we give them credit for. Prayers for Cherish and your family for a miracle and peace.

I agree. My keeshond of 15 years had to be put down last year because her heart swelled to 4x the normal size and was pushing into her trachea. She was having trouble breathing and would sometimes just fall over. The vet said surgery could be done but she didn't recommend it but gave us some pills to try. Soon after she started wanting to go out the front door even though her dog run was in the back. She would just sit there pawing at the door looking sad. We knew it was time to take her to the vet. For the first time ever she actually seemed relieved to be at the vets and laid quietly in my lap while the vet put her to sleep. It was hard for the whole family but Seba got her wish.

[Scuba Diver Gal]

I just saw this post. Don't know how I missed it. I have been through the EXACT same thing. My 7 year old beloved golden doodle was diagnosed with grade 2 hemangiosarcoma subcutaneous 14 months ago. It was a small lump on his back towards his tail. They have him a very poor prognosis (less than one year).

We did the surgery to remove a huge piece of skin and the tumor and he recovered well. The biopsy was sent back to Colorado and the diagnosis came back changed to grade one hemangiosarcoma. Still a bad cancer but can be treatable.

He ended up not needing cancer and is still healthy today. It was honestly such a traumatic. Time for our family so my heart breaks for you.

I don't know if I missed it but what grade and location was the cancer?

I am so sorry you are going through this.

[Scuba Diver Gal]

Sorry meant that my beloved jack didn't need chemo. Still going strong today. So blessed. Was surgery to remove the lump an option?

[saltyair]

That story touched me - so sorry for your loss.

Cherish is doing "better" I think taking her off some of the meds and her learning to walk on three legs has made her happier. I took her on a short hike yesterday and she loved it and only stopped once. I feel blessed every day I have with her.

thank you all for the support - it is therapeutic


This posting actually made me cry. I recently had to say goodbye to my best friend of 13.5 years. Over the last 2 years he was loosing lots of weight. We fed him LOTS and spoiled him with treats and gave him food additives to help his aging coat. Things were going well and then he started dropping weight again and was nothing but skin and bones. Still full of life but something was wrong and he ate like a pig. We took him to the vet on the Tuesday and he found nothing wrong but we figured deworming him, giving him antibiotics for his now chronic diarrhea and updating his shots should be done anyway. After that day he slowly stopped eating, drinking and became very slow. I would need to coax him into the house daily and it became harder and harder. On the 19th I called him to come in the house. He did not come. I had to look for him with our flashlight in our backyard. I found him in his favourite spot lying down and staring at me. I slipped in something and noticed all the grass around me was black. I thought blood, but it was hard to tell. Nash would not get up. I put a leash around him and he got up on his own and started walking very slowly. As I watched I noticed how much pain he was in. He was squatting as he walked like he needed to poop. As we got to the back door I could see him better. He looked horrible. He got in the house all by himself and collapsed on the floor. His backside was wet. I grabbed some paper towel and wiped to see what it was (he was a chocolate lab so wet dark fur could mean he was wet with anything). He was covered in blood. Everything was blood. I realized then that what I stepped in outside was all blood in the grass. I called my mom and then the vet and then my mom in law. I knew this was it. The vet wanted me to bring him down but there is no way I could pick up Nash. He hated being picked up and became dead weight and awkward if you tried. Now he was just lying there looking at me, asking for help. My mom and mom in law showed up (my husband was gone hunting for a week, kids in bed sleeping) and Nash started to become anxious. He new something was not right. He did not get up at all during this time. I stayed right beside him the whole time. The vet came and examined him. Blood everywhere. He looked at his gums and they were white. There was nothing we could do to save Nash. I looked at Nash and told him how sorry I was. I cried.. a lot, and hugged him as the vet injected him. I felt Nash relax and leave as I held him. The vet said it was more than likely a tumor in his bowels that burst. I was upset because Nash was just examined a few days before and he was found to be fine. I also took Nash for regular checkups and he was always fine. :( Either way he accepted the injection and left very quickly and peacefully. I miss him terribly and breaking the routine of bringing him in the house every evening for him to eat and spend time with us was difficult.

They say you will know when it is time and believe me, you will. It will be the hardest thing you ever have to do. I am still not over it. He was and still is and will forever be my fur baby.