Help with difficult decision.

[Richard1966]

Hi all,

I don’t usually post in this section but I have a difficult decision to make and need some help.

I could post this in the animal section but this is more about how you make a difficult decision than the actual dog.

My dog, 10 years old and a bread that usually lives to 15-17 years, has been diagnosed with lymphoma cancer. Vet has given us three options.

Do nothing, dog will get ill in 3-5 weeks when his liver, kidneys or other organ start to fail. We then have to put him down.

Give steroids. This will possibly delay the getting ill by a month.

Chemotherapy. This will possibly delay the inevitable by 6-8 months, if he has the type of cancer that responds to treatment.


At the moment he is feeling no ill effects. These will come on quite quickly as organs fail when the cancer takes over, so id like to think that at that stage it will be an easy decision to make. However by choosing the chemo am i simply putting off something that cannot be avoided, and perhaps it would be better to allow the illness to take its course and get it over quickly in a few weeks time.

As i say its not really about the dog but about how to make a decision.

Any views happily accepted.

Richard

[daftgrandad]

A very difficult decision for you Richard.
IMHO I think the kindest and most humane thing,would be to have the poor animal
put down now.
This would allay any pain that would come,as the cancar began to take over.
I

[daftgrandad]

Sorry typo:- cancer

[bimbo123456]

10 years old and presumably had a happy life. I consider it is cruel to let a dog live in pain when you can give it a dignified end to its life. You can't explain everything you are putting it through. So sad. My condolences.

[Sqad]

As long as he is in no pain or distress............keep him without any kind of treatment until it is obvious to you that the end is nigh.

[EcclesCake]

I would go with a big goodbye now. Time it right, take doggy out to favourite walk and then go to vet for sad goodbye.

[murraymints]

I'm with Sqad on this one...as soon as doggie shows any signs of distress deal with it in the most humane way...don't let it suffer !!!

[jd_1984]

Eccles advice is tough, but probably the right choice. How easy it is to give advice hey!

[karenmac60]

For once I agree with Sqad! Make the most of the time you have while the dog is ok. When the time comes you'll know and it will be an easy decision to make.

[paddywak]

This is a topic that regularly appears in A&N and the general opinion is better early then late, my own experiance with pets over the years is that if you love your pet you always know when to let them go.In a case like you describe I personally would let him go now before he starts to suffer

[TWR]

Its not very fair on the animal you love, I would go with Daftgrandad. & remember the good times your friend give you.

[wolf63]

It is easy to say that you should wait until your dog feels unwell before going to the vet for the final time. However animals can be quite ill before showing any signs to us humans. You would be forever checking on him and seeing if he was okay - your anxiety perhaps spreading to him.

Chemo - to undergo such a treatment for another few months is something that I would not do myself.

I would wait until over the weekend and try and make a rational decision - and if the vet has mentioned putting him to sleep at this early stage he has done so because it is a good option. Better to let him go now that there being any chance of him suffering.

I had a similar dilemma with my first dog - in the end I just decided to take him to the vet to have him put to sleep. I was very upset but the decision had been made and I was relieved - never regretted my decision either.

[B00]

I also agree with all ove the above, let your friend go with dignity. It's just a shame we dont let our own eldery go with the same sentiments sometimes.

[pastafreak]

I agree with Sqad also....wait a bit. The vet has given you 3 options....and as for the first-an estimate-it can be 3-5 weeks...or-it may be very much less, or very much more. If it is more-then you will have that much more time with your beloved pet.
Feeling that you may have let him go too soon is just as bad as realising you may have left it too late.

[Old Salt]

I feel your pain Richard1966

I had a 12 year old Black Lab who had been with me since she was a pup, and we really loved each other. She was diagnosed with the same thing, and I was given the same options.

I thought about it overnight and the next day I took her to the vet for the steroids. For a good month, she was her old self and we all enjoyed her as much as she enjoyed herself.

Then one day, she just suddenly no longer wanted to move. I carried her in my arms to the vet, who was very good and compassionate. I stayed with her until the end and the vet took care of everything afterwards. I still miss her, but I shall always remember her last month of happiness, rather than that of the suffering she would have endured.

I hope you make the best decision for your set of circumstances. No matter what you decide, you will hurt for a long time. It has been ten years now and I ran across her lead the other day, and I freely admit, it really hit me hard.

My thoughts and prayers are with you

Old Salt

[Tigger17]

I think that you should let your best friend(your dog) go.. :( You have had 10 happy years with your dog so if it was my dog I let her go to a better place. As much as it will hurt to let your dog go it would be better. That way your dog will no longer be in pain. I am sorry that your dog is sick. But it not really up to us its what you feel in your heart. What kind of dog do you have?
Again I am sorry you dog is sick :(

[Amber-Rose]

Let him go now, avoid him ever knowing or experiencing pain. Let his last moment with you and yours with him be a pain free one. A lovely walk in his favourite place, maybe his favourite dinner or treats, let him sleep on the bed with you, spoil him rotten and then be brave and do what you know is best. He will thank you for it. You don't want him to suffer. Allow him to pass, pain free.
Lots of love to you both, I know what you are going through, only a year ago I had to make the same decision.
xx

[paddywak]

TWR,it's never an easy thing to do but I'd rather do it early then risk him suffering ,as wolf says your pet can't tell you if he's in pain.In a case like Richard describes why add to a beloved animals suffering? let him go with dignity

[mrs.chappie]

A horrible decision to have to make, Richard. Wish I could add something that would help you with it.

As it is, I can only say how sorry I am to hear of your awful dilemma, and I hope that whatever you decide, you'll gain some comfort in knowing that you have done your very best for him. xxx

[China Doll]

I would have the dog put down now I'm afraid. Chemotherapy for animals can be very expensive and if all it will acheive is a few extra months then I would rather have the animal put down sooner rather than wait for the organs to shut down or give steroids. That probably sounds terribly harsh but it's not meant to.

[bensmum]

It is a horrible decision to have to make as any pet owner on here will tell you. Sometimes animals don't always show signs of liver/kidney damage until it's become advanced and personally I would do as wolf suggested - have a weekend with your friend, say your goodbyes then let the vet put him down next week. It is a dignified end for the animal. You have had lovely times with him and it will hurt but you will have the memories and the knowledge that you did the best for him. Good luck, my thoughts are with you xxxx