Vet just called. Today sucks. (Updates)

[NuclearDem]

Last edited Wed Sep 24, 2014, 09:48 AM - Edit history (2)

Daisy, our 14 year old black lab, and quite possibly one of the friendliest, sweetest puppies-at-heart, has lymphoma.

Chemo is going to be far too expensive, but we might try shots to keep her going...but goddamn, what an awful day.

Update for today: the Predisolone is working well. Her panting is all-but gone and she's much perkier. Her appetite is starting to come back (plenty of milk bones, cheese, some chicken, and some of the cats' food). I know it won't be permanent but it's good to see her in far less pain than she was yesterday.

And today: she's up and moving around. Had a milk bone. Her appetite's up as well, completely devoured a serving of Alpo and leftover chicken from last night.

[pintobean]

1. So sorry to hear this.

14 is a pretty good age for a lab, though. That doesn't make it any easier, I know.

[NuclearDem]

10. She's been a champ, but age is rapidly catching up on her.

Thank you.

[dionysus]

2. i feel you. i just took in my 16 year old kitteh Snively... he stopped eating and he's skin and

bones. Waiting to hear back from the animal hospital. I am heartbroken.

[NuclearDem]

11. I'm so sorry.

Our Bootsie had similar problems for a while. I know what you're going through.

[dionysus]

58. it's okay, we had a 15 year run together. he lived a long spoiled life. doesn't make it any easier

though

[Warpy]

55. I'm doing the count down for my old girl kitty

She's almost 21, skin and bones, hasn't groomed for 4 years, but still eats like a little tortie horse and loves scritches. It won't be long, though, and she's my last kitty.

I told the vet when her kidneys went bad that I'd be running kitty hospice, not kitty life extension. Blood pressure pills have kept her stable for 3 years now. I feed her what she'll eat and she won't eat the renal diet.

Losing furry friends is often harder than losing people.

[dionysus]

60. i know, it's terrible. i feel so bad for the little guy. i won't let him suffer.

[Warpy]

61. That's just it, renal disease is painless.

If I thought she was suffering I'd burn up the road to the vet to have her put to eternal sleep.

Cancer is different, it hurts.

[dionysus]

79. i know you wouldn't let her suffer. Snives either has really bad pancreatitis or liver cancer, from

what I learned today. I am going to face a decision tomorrow, it looks like.

[Warpy]

80. Those are definitely bad ones

Another possibility is FIP, something with an even worse prognosis.

Poor kitty. Poor you.

[dionysus]

81. having calmed down... all i can say is, we had 15 wonderful years together. i feel, deeply

saddened, and mad, but we had a long run in the sun. ok nevermind, I am choking up again.

[me b zola]

3. I am so sorry to hear about your Daisy

I know the love and connection that so many of us feel to our furry family members. I don't know what I can possibly say to make you feel better, but I can give you a cyber-hug and tell you that I care.

[NuclearDem]

12. Sometimes a hug, cyber or otherwise, is all you need.

[greatlaurel]

4. So very sorry to hear this.

That is very difficult news to get. Take care.

[NuclearDem]

13. It is. She's such a loving pup, it hurts to see her in pain.

[Sissyk]

5. Aww, I'm so sorry to hear this, NuclearDem!

They are our family and so hard to see them go.

[NuclearDem]

14. I'm certainly not looking forward to the end.

But that won't be for a while, hopefully.

[Tikki]

6. So very sorry...

Tikki

[NuclearDem]

15. Thank you.

[Xyzse]

7. I am so sorry...

[NuclearDem]

16. Thank you.

[Hatchling]

8. I'm so sorry for you.

My sweet black kittie Sammie had it. I hung onto her a few hoping she's get better but her misery broke my t and I had to have her put down,

hear

[NuclearDem]

18. Well, hopefully Sammie and my Bootsie are playing with each other now.

[gwheezie]

9. I'm very sorry

Dogs live in the moment. Give her the best moments. When my dog was dying we gave her ice cream and pizza and she never had another bath. She died fat and dirty.

[NuclearDem]

19. Oh, it's going to be cheese, milk bones, and chicken all she wants.

And plenty of warm days out in the sun.

[RebelOne]

90. During my 13-year-old Rottie's last days,

I would buy her filet mignon just to get something into her stomach as she would not eat.

[KamaAina]

64. Pizza?!

I once knew a dog whose mom would feed him McDonald's burgers, but pizza?!

[gwheezie]

86. She also enjoyed a margarita occasionally

And was the only dog I knew who ate jello. She just liked a taste of a margarita. In all her years no matter how many times she was disappointed she was positive anything we ate must be wonderful.

[Worried senior]

17. Hate to read these posts.

May her last days be wonderful as I'm sure they will be with you by her side.

[NuclearDem]

20. They will be, for sure.

[TDale313]

21. I'm so sorry.

[former9thward]

22. Sorry to hear that.

I have two black labs, one 16 1/2 and one 8. The older one walks with a semi-limp in her back legs but still gets around. I know her day will come at some point.

[superpatriotman]

23. What were her symptoms?

If they are discussed down thread, I apologize.

My sympathies on Daisy's diagnosis.

[Are_grits_groceries]

24. I'm so sorry.

I wish there was something I could say or do that doesn't sound trivial.
I do care and am thinking about y'all.

[lunasun]

25. Give that puppy a hug and yourselves too. So sorry

[DesertFlower]

26. so sorry. i just lost my 13-1/2 year old cat

to kidney disease.

[raging moderate]

27. So sorry for you and Daisy.

Take care.

After my cat Shadow Rose died, I finally got in a question to a specialist online. If an animal has very pale strangely smelly stool, this suggests a problem with the pancreas.

Just on the offchance that this may help you or somebody else....

[daleanime]

28. ........

[hunter]

29. I'm sorry.

It's a privilege to know a dog, and I've known many.

I think they feel their last days are more difficult for their loved ones than for themselves and they wouldn't want it to be that way.

Even on their last walks I find our old dogs, some who can barely move, trying to cheer me up.

They themselves seem to be looking forward to some grand new adventure.

I hope I'm that way when my time comes.

[Warpy]

30. 14 is old for a Lab

Think about chemo very, very carefully. Talk to the vet about side effects. Talk about the time she has left and how much of that could be good time with careful medication for comfort.

[dipsydoodle]

31. Very sorry to hear that.

Pets are special.

[zappaman]

32. So sorry to hear that

My black lab is getting on in years and I dread the day you are having.

[MuseRider]

33. Oh dear,

we lost our 14 year old Lab last November when an undiagnosed lymphoma/sarcoma went crazy and there was nothing we could do. X rays did not show it until it was too late.

I am so sorry. Labs are such kind and loving creatures. We miss our Mingus so much and then our Beagle mix who we lost last month.

I will hold you in my thoughts, it is so hard. Be well and easy on yourself. So sorry.

[robinlynne]

34. so very sorry. This is one of the hardest things in life to go through.

[TygrBright]

35. Holding Daisy and your family in the Light. n/t

[RebelOne]

36. Really, really sorry to hear about Daisy.

But 14 years old is a long life for a big dog. And I am sure you gave her a happy life. I had to send my 13-year-old Rottweiler to doggy heaven in 2010. I tried every medicine and treatment possible. But she had bone and liver cancer which was fatal and she was in so much pain that even the pain medication did not help. So I feel your pain.

[livetohike]

37. Hugs to you all and Daisy

Enjoy every minute of your time together.....been there with cancer in both of my previous black labs (they were brother and sister from the same litter). Sending good vibes.

[LiberalElite]

38. How about prednisolone? -

My 12 year old cat Riley had lost some weight and was severely anemic back in February. I didn't think much of the weight loss because he's getting older. When he went up on top of a cabinet and wouldn't come down except to use the litter box, I brought him to the vet right away. They did lots of blood tests and an ultrasound. The ultrasound found abnormal thickening in the abdomen and some fluid. The vet said that meant he probably had some kind of cancer. The prognosis was not good. I couldn't afford the chemo either and he's hard to pill anyway. The treatment for cancer for cats tends to mean some kind of chemo and prednisolone. I've been giving him only the prednisolone (I grind it up and in hairball preventative) since February. Of course his status could change at any time but he's here - now fat but acting normally.

[deathrind]

39. Very sorry to hear this.

I wish you the very best of luck.

[glowing]

40. At 14, it's almost cruel to try and do invasive procedures.

I'm sorry to hear this. My 12 year old dog succumbed to Cancer this summer as well. It's heartbr to lose such an innocent and wonderful part of the family.

[sinkingfeeling]

41. Sorry.

[CaptainTruth]

42. My sympathies.

[ProfessorGAC]

43. Bummer, ND

Our lab developed congestive heart issues and died rather quickly. Tough day for us.

You take care. I know this is hard.

[ColesCountyDem]

44. I'm so very sorry!

[appleannie1]

45. I sympathize. Tomorrow will be the last day we share with our collie.

[renate]

91. Oh no.....

I didn't see this till today. You must be feeling shattered. I am truly sorry. You and your pup are in my thoughts.

[appleannie1]

92. TY. He is running around in the afterlife on strong legs that don't keep giving up on him.

I know we made the only choice we could make but damn, I still keep second guessing myself.

[littlewolf]

46. I am so very sorry to hear this ND ...

this is what hurts about being a pet person, I still haven't even looked
to get any one else yet. it has been over a year, my Shelly ...
lab/chow mix ,she was a sweet heart. I still miss her.
I wish you and Daisy peace.

[Omaha Steve]

47. They are family

K&R!

[sadoldgirl]

48. It is indeed then a very bad day for you

and I know the feeling, just as many others here do.I am sorry for both of you.

Just make sure that Daisy does not have to suffer.

Best wishes

[williesgirl]

49. My heart aches for you. Here's a big hug from me.

[shenmue]

50. Hugs

[ehrnst]

51. THere are dietary changes and supplements that can help comfort

http://www.caninecancer.com/alternatives.html

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

52. Regrets.

I dread this sort of thing - both of our dogs are almost 13 now, and both have differing symptoms of chronic conditions that can take a turn for the worse at any time. So I feel for you. I just wished our companion animals had longer lifespans.

[get the red out]

53. I am so sorry

Dogs are our Angels, I am convinced. Thoughts for precious Daisy and you and your family

[navarth]

54. damn. so sorry.

We fall in love with them and they break our hearts. Our house just went through this in May.

Love hurts.

[moonbeam23]

56. Here's something

i feel terrible for you...i guess we've all been through losing our beloved "furbabies"...

i got something off this website http://www.petwellbeing.com/products/dog-cancer that saved my older cat's life...go read the testimonials...the way i figured it-couldn't hurt, might help...and it did! Good luck and blessings to you all!

[renate]

72. thank you for this link!

We're very fortunate in that we don't need it at the moment, but it's good to know about for the future, just in case. I'm so glad about your cat!

And I hope that if the OP tries it, they'll get the same results.

Thanks again!

[Triana]

57. I'm so sorry. Poor baby.

Give her lots of lovin and don't let her suffer.

[Gothmog]

59. I am sorry

This is a tough time. I had to say goodbye to my friend earlier this year

[passiveporcupine]

62. So sorry you are facing this.

My chocolate lab was my favorite girl, and just like yours, the sweetest and smartest dog in the world. She was my soul mate, and when she went (at about 12 or 13 years) it was so hard, but she went too fast. I never even had time to accept that I was losing her. She collapsed one day and two days later was put down.

I hope the shots help you to have some time to give her extra love and attention and say your goodbyes, and mostly just come to grips with her loss.

How did we ever get so lucky to have dogs like these in our lives?

[KT2000]

63. Yes - that sucks

I'm so sorry - I feel for you.

[woodsprite]

65. So sorry to hear about Daisy. Our furbabies are family

and it's hard to hear news like that.

When our 9yo husky/shepherd mix was diagnosed with lung cancer, they said that we could opt to treat it (which would buy her approximately 2 years but she'd be healing from lung surgery about half of that time) or we could treat the symptoms, take her right home with us and spoil her until the time came to let her go, (which they said could be up to 2 years).

We opted to spoil her and treat the symptoms. Our family and Silver had a good quality year and 11 months together before she passed.

Sending prayers and good thoughts to your family and Daisy.

[undeterred]

66. I'm sorry.

[Mnemosyne]

67. I'm sorry, ND.

[catbyte]

68. I'm so very sorry to read about your dear Daisy, NuclearDem. I hope you have many happy, important

days with her. I will keep you, Daisy and your family in my thoughts.

[Terra Alta]

69. I'm so sorry.

[snagglepuss]

70. I'm so sorry.

[glinda]

71. I am sorry.....add C diet also maybe. Some good groups Yahoo.

[renate]

73. I'm so sorry

She sounds like such a sweetheart. I hope that whatever you decide to try gives you some wonderful time with her. She's obviously very, very loved.

[SidDithers]

74. So sorry to hear this...

Sid

[Puglover]

75. So sorry to hear this.

It is really hard. Our pug Rocco is getting on and showing signs of being somewhat addled. But still cute as hell.

I hope Daisy hangs with you a long time.

[jstadad]

76. Daisy

Always a puppy, forever a part of the family. Good luck and God bless.

[SoCalDem]

77. We have been there as well.. Hugs to you and yours

All you can do is to continue to love her and realize that you gave her a great life...and a long one for a lab...take lots of pics and then do the hardest thing ever when her time comes..and help her leave painlessly

[Marrah_G]

78. That sucks!

Sorry ND

[eridani]

82. It's a never-ending source of sadness that our fur friends have shorter life spans than we do

Safe passage, Daisy.

[Enthusiast]

83. I'm sorry your puppy is sick.

[url=http://www.freesmileys.org/emoticons.php][img][/img][/url]

[LWolf]

84. I'm so sorry.

[madokie]

85. Our born right before Christmas of '97

border collie mix is nearing her end and we're hanging in there with her and will as long as she's not in pain. It sure is going to be a sad day for me cause she's pretty much stayed right with me these last 10 - 12 years or so. I only hear out of one ear and don't hear out of that one very good so she's been my hearing for me and now I'm having to do the same duty for her. I appreciated it and I can tell she appreciates me watching out for her now.
Damn where did these tears come from anyway

So sorry to hear the sad news
Its tough, pets are like our kids in a lot of ways, dang sure family thats for sure

[Delphinus]

87. I'm sorry ...

[NuclearDem]

88. Thank you everyone for the well wishes. I updated the OP.

She's doing much better today.

[smirkymonkey]

89. So sorry to hear about your sweet Daisy. It is never easy.

I was visiting my brother up in Burlington, VT this past weekend and their black lab Sara (short for Saranac, after Saranac Lake in NYS) is 12 and is dying. When I got there, she could barely move, but when I went to pet her (I adore her) she started thumping her tail like mad.

She was in so much pain and is on massive pain killers, but she still loves the affection. She came into my room at night and slept by my bed all night. I think the family has kind of written her off which is sad, but I was so affectionate with her all weekend because I know that it was probably the last time I will ever see her and I wanted her to feel loved.

I think the reason they (my brother and his 2 kids) are keeping her alive is because his wife is away on business until the end of this month and the dog is really her baby. They don't want to make any decisions until she returns, so for now they are just keeping her comfortable until her "mommy" returns. The poor little angel. I know how you feel. Once a dog gets into your heart, it is just so hard to let go.

[Fumesucker]

93. Sorry to hear of your friend's problems

But glad you get a little more time with her.

I lost one of my doggy friends this evening, found her lying peacefully but gone on one of her favorite spots, in my dirty laundry basket. She wasn't even cold yet

No idea what happened, she was acting normally today, no evidence of pain, normal appetite and appearance. I wasn't going to post about it and then read your OP.

Yeah, today sucks.

to you and your doggie.

[NuclearDem]

94. I'm so sorry.

At least she went peacefully and comfortably.

[leftyladyfrommo]

95. One of my customers had a chow with the same thing.

Sounds just like it anyway. She was on pred and it helped a lot. She lived for several months. She just fed her anything she would eat. She got all kinds of special stuff.

14 is doing pretty good for a lab. You must be doing something right.