Sheridan Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I thought Cortisone accelerated the growth of tumours ...If he is a member of the AVA write a letter NOW or get on the phone with them. If he is not try the registering body for veterinarians. Cortisone suppresses the immune system so it wouldn't be fighting the tumour's growth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelsophie Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I understand a little where you're coming from. We lost our Maltese who was 11 yrs old and our baby in Feb. It was just over a month of trying to get a diagnosis. We saw 4 different vets in the same practise. We originally presented with decreased appetite and lethargy increased thrist and urination. Could have been any number of things really. But as I said to this vet I am a nurse and I know my dog who was my shadow, but I think she is really sick, and has a cancer. We explored many avenues, all things we assumed would give a definative, some gave vague results. One vet gave us hope saying they didnt think it was a tumor, the next took it away, finally on a later x ray we got our answer. They supported her through and gave us an amazing week of our baby, priceless for our kids. In the end we chose to end her suffering as soon as her good week was wearing off. It was the last thing we could do for our loyal baby. Our vets couldnt have had the same instincts for our girl we had. They didnt know her like we did. All they could go off we the clinical symptoms I gave them. So although I was right in the end, they had to do right by her and make sure and for that I am grateful. This decision is one you make and live with for the rest of your life. Especially when they are so much a member of your family. If you have doubt seek a second opinion because you need to be sure. As for the vet - honestly would an early diagnosis make that much difference given it was quite clearly aggressive in nature. If not, let the anger or dissapointment go. Dont let bad feelings get in the way of loving your baby in the final days or remembering your special friend wishing you kind thoughts to your family at this time bec Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninahartland Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Hugs to you and your little guy Understand what you are going through right now, my thoughts are with you xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormie Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I thought Cortisone accelerated the growth of tumours ...If he is a member of the AVA write a letter NOW or get on the phone with them. If he is not try the registering body for veterinarians. Cortisone suppresses the immune system so it wouldn't be fighting the tumour's growth. It has lots of uses. One of them is for use with particular types of cancer - it does slow down the progression of some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodle proud Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 (edited) Lots of hugs to you and your family. I support seeking advice from a specialist. Our little guy who we lost last month developed a growth that protruded from his backside. My mum took him to her vet who thought it was a hernia and while the op was expensive it was not life threatening. But when they went to operate they didnt feel it was a hernia anymore. Thankfully they referred to a sepcialist who operated and it was an anal gland tumour that had ruptured. They gave us options of chemo which would have been upwards of 10 grand but stated it may have only given him a few extra months and he would have spent much time being ill. They drained all the fluid out of the cavity and we got an extra 6 months with him which gave us time to say goodbye in our way. By this time the tumour was hard and was threatening his bowel and organs etc. It was THEN a very simple but not easy decision to make to say goodbye. But I am so glad we got that 6 months. The specialist didnt cure him but draining the fluid gave us that time with him. As others have said a specialist will give you the options and hopefully balance that out with the reality of the extent of the benefit. But at least you won't have any doubts. We loved our boy with all our heart but we were not going to pay 10 grand just to see him sicker than the tumour had ever made him because of chemo with no real confidence it would prolong his life significantly. But if there is a way to help or save your little one a specialist will find it. Thinking of you. Edit: I wanted to add that they gave us a few weeks to 2 months for him to live and he lived 6 before he gave us 'the look'. The vets time-frame is an educated guess but animals can prove them wrong. I know our vet was happy to be proven wrong in this case. Edited July 13, 2009 by poodle proud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 Well I don't think your going to be happy with my answer.If you love the little fellow go and put him down, why leave him to suffer. Think of the dog not your self. I say this in the nicest possible way. I agree & my heart goes out to you. If you have seen the Xrays & brain tumours let your baby go. Brain cancer is cruel & disorientating & your dog can not tell you what hurts or of any confusion etc. If it will make you feel any better by all means put a complaint in but it is often a frustrating & useless action. Your vets diagnostic skills could have been better but that does not constitute malpractise. Let your baby go with dignity & use another vet in future as you will not feel confidence in this one anymore. All so sad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I believe the Lawrence family was in a bit of shock - as would any of us be if we were told, all of a sudden, that our beloved family member only had days or weeks to live. The confusion and hurt in the first post is evident. When we get such bad news, we do want to blame someone, get out our frustration and the why's, and we feel hard done by - it seems so unfair, and in a way, it truly is. I understand, I had a blue cattle dog that went into her vet to have a tooth taken out - and was never the same after that. I held a grudge against that vet and refused point blank to ever go back there again. It was only after MANY years and hearing that the specific vet was no longer there could I go back. I still feel what I feel as a betrayal, even though it may not make sense to others. The Lawrence family seem to love their little Benson greatly, and I have no doubt they will do the right thing by him - and let him go should he be suffering. I do think a consultation with a specialist might help the diagnosis to sink it, for you to believe it is a correct one, and for you to feel in your heart that the decision you make is for the best. Sometimes we need that confirmation - I know after a misdiagnosis I would be afraid of making a wrong decision as well. But please do it soon, as if Benson is suffering it is kinder to let him go. It seems he has had a wonderful life of love with his family, and will rely on that to help rid him of his pain. For him to live such a great life, is all we can really ask for, for our dogs - and all we can do to repay them for the years of love and loyalty and good times they give to us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucylotto Posted July 14, 2009 Share Posted July 14, 2009 Well I don't think your going to be happy with my answer.If you love the little fellow go and put him down, why leave him to suffer. Think of the dog not your self. I say this in the nicest possible way. The advice re to seek another opnion is IMO sound. However, do it asap and if the prognosis is poor, don't delay the inevitable. Our lab was, long story so won't go there, mis treated for what ended up being brain tumor and she went blind overnite. the thing is she was so obviously sick but not crying or anything but as the vet said, she may be living with an almighty chronic head ache and we don't know it. Be kind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawrencefamily Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share Posted July 16, 2009 Thanks for all the well wishes, we really appreciate them. Our little darling has stopped eating and not eating his pain pills and is giving that dreaded look. I am going to call a mobile vet today to come to the home and put him to sleep. I dont want to take him to the vet as he hates the place & I don't want to stress him out more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lawrencefamily Posted July 16, 2009 Author Share Posted July 16, 2009 Well I don't think your going to be happy with my answer.If you love the little fellow go and put him down, why leave him to suffer. Think of the dog not your self. I say this in the nicest possible way. The advice re to seek another opnion is IMO sound. However, do it asap and if the prognosis is poor, don't delay the inevitable. Our lab was, long story so won't go there, mis treated for what ended up being brain tumor and she went blind overnite. the thing is she was so obviously sick but not crying or anything but as the vet said, she may be living with an almighty chronic head ache and we don't know it. Be kind. Benson is already blind in one eye and partly blind in the other, has been for years but his eye looks bad and sore poor darling. He isnt crying just sleeping and miserable and he stopped eating yesterday and isnt wagging his tail. My husband is in denial and said I wasnt to get him put down in case he gets better, he isnt getting better. This morning my husband looked at him and said I think you should call the vet today and he kissed him goodbye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raz Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 I am going to call a mobile vet today to come to the home and put him to sleep. I dont want to take him to the vet as he hates the place & I don't want to stress him out more. thinking of you at this dreadfully hard time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly_Louise Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Hugs to you and your family at this terrible time - but he will now be released and pain free over at Rainbow Bridge, and he will thank you for it. Seems he's had a wonderful life, a very lucky dog and part of a loving family. May he always have a special place in your hearts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyra20007 Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Thanks for all the well wishes, we really appreciate them. Our little darling has stopped eating and not eating his pain pills and is giving that dreaded look. I am going to call a mobile vet today to come to the home and put him to sleep. I dont want to take him to the vet as he hates the place & I don't want to stress him out more. Thinking of you and your family at this time. At least he will be in his home surroundings without stress during this. Benson will have lots of friends to greet him at the rainbow bridge and his life will be free of pain there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheridan Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Benson is already blind in one eye and partly blind in the other, has been for years but his eye looks bad and sore poor darling. He isnt crying just sleeping and miserable and he stopped eating yesterday and isnt wagging his tail. My husband is in denial and said I wasnt to get him put down in case he gets better, he isnt getting better. This morning my husband looked at him and said I think you should call the vet today and he kissed him goodbye. Thinking of you. It's a gut wrenching decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogbesotted Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Letting go. I love you gently, as you might see, I love you dearly but more importantly, I love you with a love I never knew before and if God allows it I want to love you more. If you should leave me I love you still, and the beating of my heart shall feel a certain thrill when I think of you and what you meant, love like yours is truly heaven sent. I love you when you sleep and in your dreams you run, chasing motes of dust that shimmer in the sun. I love you even when you're sick and your age plays its weary hand, and beckons you to come into that other land. I fight that land which you're tired heart may seek, I love you selfishly and need to keep, a love sustaining what ever I may do, do you need me as much as I need you? Should I say 'go' friend on your weary way, and hope the hope that we meet again some day, do I fight to keep you because my need is deep, or do I love you unselfishly and let you take the biggest sleep? The one where dreaming is not a sweet release but is the sleep of one who finally found peace. But more, much more importantly, do I let you go with love for you, or keep you just for me? C.D. 2003 Candle will burn in honour of your sweet boy...Benson hugs at this sad time H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunnyflower Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Benson is already blind in one eye and partly blind in the other, has been for years but his eye looks bad and sore poor darling. He isnt crying just sleeping and miserable and he stopped eating yesterday and isnt wagging his tail. My husband is in denial and said I wasnt to get him put down in case he gets better, he isnt getting better. This morning my husband looked at him and said I think you should call the vet today and he kissed him goodbye. That's made my eyes well up, that's the hardests kind of things with any situation, you can see whats going on but the people that usually don't and when they finally do that's when it hits home. you had 12 beautiful years with this little guy and you'll have him as your constant guardian angel.. Hugs xoxox Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mum to Emma Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 You should ABSOLUTELY seek advice from a SPECIALIST. Ask your vet to send you to one. You should find out from a SPECIALIST what can and cannot be done for Benson. Specialists can do things that vets don't even know about. You will have lost NOTHING by seeing a specialist and will always know you did everything possible for him. Not enough vets refer their patients to specialists. They keep on giving meds and repeat consults and some owners don't even know specialists exist. Way too many animals are euthanised every year when a specialist could have been suggested and maybe a life prolonged. I have a friend who is a specialist vet (orthopaedics and oncology) and hear him complain of this all the time.l Wishing all the best for you and Benson. I TOTALLY agree. If your vet doesn't resolve a problem after 2 (at most 3) consults - and when I say 'resolve' I mean the dog is starting to show signs of improvement - ask for a referal to a vet specialist. I have had this happen to me 3 times, most significantly with my whippet who had to be PTS late last year. My vet thought the collection of fluid under the jaw was allergies, in fact it was a tumour. Consults at specialists cost twice as much but you'll have an answer, and appropriate treatment, in half the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mona Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 No words to add except my heart breaks for you . Thingking of you and Benson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ninahartland Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Many hugs for you and Benson xx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelsophie Posted July 18, 2009 Share Posted July 18, 2009 Thinking of you and your family at this time. Run free Benson.................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now