I think my dog has a brain tumour

[muncy]

My 9 year old Golden Retreiver has been ill for the last month. An xray revealed an abnormal bone growth on his spine and he was prescribed anti inflammetary drugs but after a week he became very ill. At first the vet thought he might have had a stroke and he is on Vivitonin to increase blood flow to the brain as well as steroids for his back. Since his supposed stroke he has developed a habit of walking around in circles but over the last week this has become more and more frantic. He has now been striding around the house and garden for the last 8 hours without any rest.

The vet now thinks he has a brain tumour and says that there is little that he can do for him. If we give him drugs to to relax him we would probably have to give him them in such quantities that he would just lie around all day.

The vet is saying that his quality of life is so poor we really should be thinking about putting him to sleep but it is a difficult decision to take when he is physically fine.

He has lost all social skills, I'm not sure he even knows who I am. Does anyone have any experience of nursing a dog back to health or do I have to face the inevitable?

[oldwoman]

I think you know in your heart that this would be the kindest thing to do. We all have difficult decisions to make as pet owners,but you have to look at what is best. The vet has given you his advice. Have the strength do the right thing by your friend. My thoughts are with you.

[cameo]

So sorry for you muncy but i can only repeat what oldwoman has already said.

I think in this situation you have to take the vets advice.

3 years ago we had an 11 year old dalmation who was a very happy and contented dog. then over a period of a few months she started retaining water and became quite bloated. She wasn't in any pain and was still eating and drinking, but then one evening she had a fit and her back legs went, (she couldn't stand up). We called the vet out who said that she wasn't in any real pain and that they could give her drugs to make her more comfortable but that ultimately it would be better to put her to sleep.
We decided there and then that she had given us many years of happiness and the least we could do was to save her from any more pain and discomfort.
It was very hard for all of us but we did all get to say goodbye to her.
Try and be strong.
My thought are with you.

[WendyS]

I am so sorry. It must be very distressing for you watching your dog, but when you say he has lost all social skills and has been pacing frantically around the garden for hours on end without rest, I think you know in your heart that the time has come to put him out of his misery.

Give him a huge cuddle, say farewell, and let him go. This is the last gesture of love you can give him. However hard it is, and in gratitude for all he has given you over the years, do this last one thing for him.

[nursecarla]

Im in tears reading this :( and i agree totally with all that has been said x xx let the vet do what is best even though it will be so difficult x thinking of you x x

[bollie]

Im afraid i have to agree with everyone above, I had a twelve yr old german shepard who died 15 years ago.

Unfortunatly she had a stroke, and lost her sight, but instead of doing it straight away, i strung it out for a couple of weeks.

Even now i feel guilty that i let her suffer, when i could have done somthing sooner.

I know that its heartbreaking, but you know in your heart that has to be done. You will come to a point where you can look back and be pleased that you did the right thing.

I am so sorry for and this horrible situation.

I will be thinking of you.

[kita1]

If you do not feel totally happy (you seem to be a bit hesitant) you could always get a second opinion from another vet. Maybe try another practice?

Are you still in touch with the dogs breeder? Sometimes they can offer a second opinion (they know the breed better than anyone, and especially the family line).

If he does not even know who you are and does not respond to you then maybe his life is already over, like a person who has lost their mind they don't know anything about it. Is he showing any aggression? Sometimes dogs revert to very basic instinct, that is all they now know.

Whatever you decide make sure it is your decision, listen to peoples opinion but ultimately it is you who have to live with it, don't be bullied into something you feel is not right.

I know it is hard, I had a GSD in a K9 cart for 18 months, in the end I had to let her go - even though her mind was fine and apart from the paralysis she was healthy.

When all this is over then be consoled with the fact that you did the best you could possibly do at the time.

If you do have to make that final decision, if you wish to be at home then you can get the vet to give you a sedative to put in his favourite food (as long as he is still eating) then when the vet comes he will be already asleep and will know nothing about it.

Whatever the outcome I wish you the best of luck, we have all been there.

Thinking of you.

[lankeela]

Better a day too soon, than a minute too late.

[muncy]

Thanks to everyone for their kind words. I've now set a date to say goodbye.

[lankeela]

I'm sure its for the best, and the vet would not want to do it if there was any other way.

Be brave and think of the good times, and know you are doing your best by him after the good years he has given you.