My dog has cancer...

[Drilldov2.0]

Just found out this morning after 3.5 hours at the vet. That was a long time waiting...

Going to find out later this week if it has spread to his throat and lungs, at which point, surgery would not help.

Definitely not ready to lose my buddy.
http://tinypic.com/r/2r58h1c/7

[DSB OUTDOORS]

I feel for you!! I'm on my 3rd dog and I'm 97% sure she will be my last. Cant take Sh!t like that any more!! Good luck!

[sneakerd]

I think you need to make a conscious decision as to exactly how much money you are willing/able to invest in the animal to extend it's life by not very long. Spending thousands of dollars in my opinion could be a terrible waste, considering the numbers of animals that need help and/or adoption. Beyond that, you have my sympathy.

[NitroxBoss]

I love my dog more than most people I know, thoughts and prayers man.

Sorry to hear that.

[BPTactical]

I think you need to make a conscious decision as to exactly how much money you are willing/able to invest in the animal to extend it's life by not very long. Spending thousands of dollars in my opinion could be a terrible waste, considering the numbers of animals that need help and/or adoption.

Sorry to hear Drill-
What Sneakerd put forth here is sage advice. As heartless as it sounds you may very well be best off to let him go in peace early and not subject him, your bank account and you to the additional pain. It really sucks but do you want the last while of his life to be full of pain?
We love our pets too much for that.

[Tinelement]

We had a Greater Swiss Mountain dog we had to put down about a yr ago. It was tuff! It was sudden for us, within 12 hrs when we noticed something was wrong till we made the decision. He was 7 yrs old. Hard to do cause he was family. But in the end it was surgery we really couldn't afford with no real assurance on out come, or letting him go! He was a great pup and will always be with us! Sending my best to you!!!

[OneGuy67]

We got the same news several years ago with our Greater Swiss mix; bone cancer in his rear leg that may spread to his organs. We were told we could either remove the leg or put him on a drug regimen and either way, they told us he wouldn't live more than 9 months.

We elected to not remove his leg due to his size (125+ pounds) and put him on the drug regimen, which was a cancer inhibitor and a pain killer. I don't remember the names of the drugs off hand. Over time, we had to increase the pain meds and then switched to morphine pills. He lived an additional 2 years and had a good quality of life during that time.

I deployed to Iraq and two weeks after I left, he let my wife know he was in too much pain and wanted it to end. It tore her up to have him put down. I was spared the ordeal, but I miss my guy. He was the most loyal and loving dog I'd owned.

Find out what you can do and weigh it against your finances and his potential quality of life. I feel bad for you; I wouldn't want to go through it again.

[Bailey Guns]

Damn, Drill... I wish I knew what to say to make the situation better. But there really isn't anything. Just be strong for your friend...he has to count on you to make the tough decisions.

It just sucks.

[Larry Ashcraft]

That's always tough. We've had to put down several over the years. Never gets easier, and where we live we depend on our dogs to keep coyotes away, so there will always be two or more around.

Doesn't make them any more expendable though. Every time I've had one die I was heartbroken for ages.

At some point, it becomes more about him and less about you. You have to let them go. We had an old Springer who had a bad heart after about 12 years. We were giving him medication and he was better for a while. Then the heart got worse and the meds were just keeping him alive, but he was miserable sick all the time, so we made the decision to have him put down. Not easy at all.

I never understand people who won't get another dog because it hurt so much to let one go, though. The special friendship between man and dog is not something I would willingly give up.

[Ah Pook]

That's sad.

Make the time he has left count. It's about the quality of life, not the quantity.

[cebeu]

Good thoughts your way...

[Fentonite]

I'm sorry. That sucks more than most things I can think of. Keep us updated, and give his head a pat for me.

[pickenup]

Sorry to hear the sad news.
It's never easy.

[Monky]

Drill,

I feel your pain.Never easy. Lost a pup to cancer.. I had actually given it to my sister when I moved out here (she was 5) when I went back home a year few years later he was in my bed every night like i had never been gone.

They didn't tell me about his cancer or putting him down for 3 years..

stupid allergies..

[claimbuster]

Be sure to check out the vet school at CSU in Ft Collins. About eight years ago we took one of our dogs up there for cancer surgery. Good care, successful surgery and reasonably priced.

Good luck!

[cstone]

I'm sorry to read your news. We also have a pooch with cancer. She was diagnosed here: http://www.vrcc.com/content/oncologyradiation-therapy/services

We made the decision to keep her with us as long as her quality of life is good and she is not suffering. She has already beaten the original estimate but that isn't too surprising. Life is not predictable. Enjoy what you have, while you have it to enjoy.

I pray that you and your hound will have many more happy times together [Beer]

[Inconel710]

I feel for you Drill - we lost our Rottie to bone cancer three years ago. We chose to manage her pain as long as possible and let her go when it didn't help anymore. I still get a little choked up when I see a picture of her.

It doesn't get any easier. We lost one cat to stomach cancer in September and our 20yr old Maine Coon passed yesterday afternoon - thankfully it was in his favorite sleeping spot so I'm certain it was painless for him.

Good luck.

[Sharpienads]

Sorry buddy. From the looks of the picture you posted of him it looks like he has a very loving home (and a comfy couch to relax on!)

I don't know what to say. I miss my dogs terribly when I'm away and can't imagine not having them around. They truly are family.

[funkfool]

I agree - make the time count... very sorry to hear about your buddy.
Is that Snoop (http://co-ar15.com/forums/showpost.php?p=158604&postcount=5)?
I can sympathize.
We lost our Teddy (http://co-ar15.com/forums/showpost.php?p=158797&postcount=20) to cancer too.
Cancer SUCKS!

[Drilldov2.0]

I think you need to make a conscious decision as to exactly how much money you are willing/able to invest in the animal to extend it's life by not very long. Spending thousands of dollars in my opinion could be a terrible waste, considering the numbers of animals that need help and/or adoption. Beyond that, you have my sympathy.

The good news is that I have VPI pet insurance with a cancer rider. While I will take a short hit at the vet, I will get a majority of my money back. It makes the decision-making process a lot easier.

Just want to Say thanks to everyone for the well wishes and support. No updates yet. Taking Snoop and Tyson to work with me and letting them go crazy in the huge field next to the warehouse.

[Graves]

I'm sorry to hear about your pal Drilldo. Damn these threads choke me up.

[Mazin]

Man I'm sorry, I know at this stage its just words but I'm sure she has had a great life and nether you nor her need to suffer more than need be. I know its tough but if the time comes to put her down do it quickly atleast there won't be need to prolong the suffering. I know its hard and trust me I can relate.

[Jer]

I'm SO sorry you're going through this.

I have had this window open since you posted but wasn't able to complete a thought w/o having to step away until now. We just went through this with our little girl Gixxer a little over six months ago (you may have seen the thread I posted). I can't believe how close to that little dog I became over only 8yrs. She was healthy as could be then got sick for a couple weeks. I didn't get much sleep over this time as I was up with her and researching various things trying to help the vet diagnose her. After a couple weeks I found a lump when I was rubbing her belly and that was the moment it went from thinking she would be just fine after some meds to the reality of the severity sinking in. Had her in the vet 15min later and a couple hours after that had her at the ultrasound place where I get the worst news of my life. We put her down less than 24hrs later and I still have a hard time just typing this. I sure hope you get as good as news as possible and have many happy years with your buddy. If you need anything at all or have ANY questions feel free to PM me.

FWIW I have heard numerous times that the CSU vet school is one of the most renowned treatment centers for canine cancer in the world. Unfortunately we weren't able to use their services for our situation but if you want a second opinion or need treatment I wouldn't hesitate to reach out to them.

[sniper7]

I really hate these type of threads. Losing your pet to me is the same as losing family.

I hope things go well and it was caught early.

keep us updated on your pal.

[Mtn.man]

Man that sucks. Sorry to hear it.

[hatidua]

One of my pooches has heart issues, I can empathize. I'd save my dog from a bus rather than a neighbors child if I had to choose.

[earplug]

I have had to shoot two of my Labradors over cancer. Best to borrow someone Else's shotgun and buy a bottle of liquor and make arrangements to stay with a friend.

[rondog]

Man, I'm so sorry to hear this! I hate reading threads like this, I don't even know what to say. I'm so close to my Beagles it would literally tear my heart out to lose one. My condolences to you and your family.

FWIW, I've read that when a pet passes, if you have other pets they should be allowed to visit their deceased companion so that they know what happened and can grieve too. Animals understand death and can move on, but they don't understand someone they know and love just "disappearing" and never coming back, and it can be far more traumatic for them. I've read the same about them losing one of their humans, they deal with it much better if they know their master has died, rather than just disappeared. Just something I read once that kinda made sense to me.

[rondog]

I have had to shoot two of my Labradors over cancer. Best to borrow someone Else's shotgun and buy a bottle of liquor and make arrangements to stay with a friend.

Oh man, there's no way in Hell I could put down one of my pets myself. Not a chance. Especially with a gun.

[Jer]

FWIW, I've read that when a pet passes, if you have other pets they should be allowed to visit their deceased companion so that they know what happened and can grieve too. Animals understand death and can move on, but they don't understand someone they know and love just "disappearing" and never coming back, and it can be far more traumatic for them. I've read the same about them losing one of their humans, they deal with it much better if they know their master has died, rather than just disappeared. Just something I read once that kinda made sense to me.

I second this. If you own a dog click the link in my sig and hope you don't need the info but if you do you will be glad you did. Best possible ending to the all-too-short story of my little girl's life. Koby has done really well and I know it's because we were at home and he was there by her side when she went.

[Drilldov2.0]

Man, I'm so sorry to hear this! I hate reading threads like this, I don't even know what to say. I'm so close to my Beagles it would literally tear my heart out to lose one. My condolences to you and your family.

FWIW, I've read that when a pet passes, if you have other pets they should be allowed to visit their deceased companion so that they know what happened and can grieve too. Animals understand death and can move on, but they don't understand someone they know and love just "disappearing" and never coming back, and it can be far more traumatic for them. I've read the same about them losing one of their humans, they deal with it much better if they know their master has died, rather than just disappeared. Just something I read once that kinda made sense to me.

I do have another dog, and he has been part of my considerations so far. They are very close and Tyson sees himself as Snoop's big brother and protector. http://tinypic.com/r/9zujhw/5

Still waiting on exam results, talking to the vets at CSU and forcing my buddy to take 7 pills/day.

[Byte Stryke]

I am often asked why we dont have a puppy or a cat... pet of some kind.


I think you know why.
I Become overly attached. I Let them in completely and then they are gone too soon.

I will get another someday...
I Have a little boy that wants a puppy...
Christmas is coming, Job situation looks like it is stable.


I Just hate going through what you are feeling now.

You have my most sincere condolences.