Crying today..... Advice needed. So sad!

I am so sorry about your dog. Our cat was only 4 years old when he died from cancer. The treatment was not feasible. My daughter was 10yo, she was devastated and even after we got our new little girl she would cry to her about our pinky. Kids don't totally understand it, they just know loss and for your daughter she is losing a sibling (at least in her mind). I wish you luck and maybe you will find it is curable, or that chemo could give you a couple more years.

My brother's cat was 14 and diagnosed with cancer, passed right after his first chemo treatment. So definitely ask a lot of questions about the chemo.

(((((((((HUGS))))))))))) and ((((((((((STRENGTH))))))))) to deal with it.

Let me start by saying how truly sorry I am to hear this. I can say that I understand what you are going through as last October our pup who we had had since he was a baby was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and later also with a liposarcoma(tumor). We got approximately 2.5 mos with him before we had to put him down. It was the absolute hardest decision I have made in my life and nothing but time will make it any better. For those couple months we had him on about $200/mo in pain meds to "keep him comfortable". We looked at doing chemo/amputation but it would have only bought us a few months (if that) and would have cost us thousands of dollars. At some point you really do have to step back and decide if the treatments are for them........or for you. To this day I miss my Winston so much. When I think of him (like now) I tear up and it's all I can do to keep the tears back. My 6 years old son also had a very tough time with it and cried himself to sleep several nights. We lasted about 1 month before we put a deposit down on a new puppy. He could never replace Winston, but the joy that he brings into our house does make it a happier place and help us to deal with the loss on Winston. One thing that I did before Winston died was to make several paw prints. We have one in a picture frame and one as an ornament. I am so glad we have this and I would suggest you consider doing the same. It is a great reminder of the place they had in your house and the love that you shared.

Sorry to hear about this. (hugs). My SIL's dog had the same thing and they put the dog down so she would not suffer anymore. She was not eating and throwing up. So sad. I hope your daughter is ok.

Let me start by saying how truly sorry I am to hear this. I can say that I understand what you are going through as last October our pup who we had had since he was a baby was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and later also with a liposarcoma(tumor). We got approximately 2.5 mos with him before we had to put him down. It was the absolute hardest decision I have made in my life and nothing but time will make it any better. For those couple months we had him on about $200/mo in pain meds to "keep him comfortable". We looked at doing chemo/amputation but it would have only bought us a few months (if that) and would have cost us thousands of dollars. At some point you really do have to step back and decide if the treatments are for them........or for you. To this day I miss my Winston so much. When I think of him (like now) I tear up and it's all I can do to keep the tears back. My 6 years old son also had a very tough time with it and cried himself to sleep several nights. We lasted about 1 month before we put a deposit down on a new puppy. He could never replace Winston, but the joy that he brings into our house does make it a happier place and help us to deal with the loss on Winston. One thing that I did before Winston died was to make several paw prints. We have one in a picture frame and one as an ornament. I am so glad we have this and I would suggest you consider doing the same. It is a great reminder of the place they had in your house and the love that you shared.

*biggest hugs* this is a tough tough decision.

What will doggie's quality of life be like for those few extra months? If chemo on dogs is anything like chemo on humans, it could be very rough - both on your dear fur baby, as well as on your daughter.

So sorry to hear you, your family and your puppy are hurting

This.

I'll give a brief "tale of two kitties." My girl Sheba had kidney failure and heart failure. Since I worked for a vet at the time, I did everything I could for her. She got fluid treatments for her CRF, medication for her CHF, appetite stimulants to get her to eat more, special prescription foods, and took her with me to work at least once a week, sometimes more. I don't regret what I did, but it only 'bought' her a few more months, until I had to make the choice to have her put to sleep when her quality of life got too bad. On the other hand, my mom's cat had kidney failure, and they didn't go through any life-saving heroics, and died quietly in her sleep at home. They both lived to be a few weeks past 18 years of age.

Similarly, but much more devastating, I lost both parents. My Mom was hospitalized for months before her death, while Dad passed away suddenly with no warning. While both were shocks and left gaping holes in my heart, losing Mom was much more horrific. Seeing her slowly get worse and worse, feeling helpless even though you're doing everything you can, hoping that the next treatment, the next doctor, might turn things around. Losing Dad was a shock. Losing Mom the way we lost her was prolonged trauma.

You've given him a long, happy life. That's all any dog - anyONE - can ask for.

So, for your sake, your dog's sake, and your daughter's sake, I'd advise keeping your pup happy and comfortable as long as you can, but when he can't enjoy life, give him that one last gift and have him put to sleep. I wouldn't go for chemo. The end result will be the same, but it won't save his life, only prolong his illness.

I am so sorry about your dog. I know this hurts a lot. Last month my 10 year old pug/boston terrier mix was diagnosed with mast cell cancer. He had surgery and both tumors were removed from his skin. It's grade 2. Because the chemo for this type of cancer is very inexpensive I am going thru with it but I see how it has affected my dog. Both his personality and his physical needs are a lot more pronounced. He has 2 more weeks of chemo and hopefully that will take care of it.
The issues that entered my decision process were these.
1. how advanced is the cancer. His is grade 2 prognosis guarded
2. quality of his life with or without chemo. While on chemo he is having some struggles but hopefully this will end soon. Good thing I can be with him most of the day to take care of him.
3. prognosis for advanced cancer. Even with the most aggressive chemo and radiation, quality of life is poor and duration extended by only a couple of months. I would not try to extend his misery, just keep him comfortable, spoil him totally and let him go when it's best for him and not for me.
4.finances. Cold as this seems I am not wealthy and I have responsibilities to others in my family and I don't want to be a burden to others. As a single mother, children still come first.
I really hope this helps with sorting out some difficult decisions you need to make. A lot of people are keeping you in their thoughts and prayers.

Ugh, I am sorry. i imagine it is like losing a family member.

Out of the mouth of a 4 year old:
"Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody and being nice, right?" The four-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

Beautiful and true!

Love this.

big hug. so sorry for you all. if it's any help at all,just do what your conscience tells you to do. i have been there too.i know it doesn't make your anguish any easier,but follow your heart.