Palliative care for a twelve year old westie...
Discussion
So bit of background - our little westie has recently been diagnosed with growths in her lungs with the prognosis of nothing to be done except to make her comfortable. I haven't had much experience with EOL planning for a pet before (previous pets' have shuffled off this mortal coil in more rapid fashions). She is on furosemide to help with the breathing/coughing and prednicare for the pain (though thankfully she doesn't seem to be in much pain at the moment).
Not after sympathy (it will only make me well-up) but could do with some pointers on what to expect, what to prepare for and (from our resident vets) if the medication is appropriate and if there is anything else I could ask for?
Not after sympathy (it will only make me well-up) but could do with some pointers on what to expect, what to prepare for and (from our resident vets) if the medication is appropriate and if there is anything else I could ask for?
Oh dear, sorry to hear that. We lost our Westie (also young at heart, 12 isn't that old for a Westie) to long-term kidney problems a couple of years ago, so whilst I don't have any experience of the condition yours has, I know how you must feel to a degree.
I just wanted to suggest that we also knew in advance his health was going to decline and that there would come 'that day' when we knew it was time to say goodbye, so we discussed with the vet well beforehand and they agreed they'd do a home visit, to allow him to say goodbye in familiar surroundings and make it less stressful. It really did just seem like he went to sleep on his favourite sofa.
You probably don't want to think about that right now, but its easier to discuss now than at the time.
I just wanted to suggest that we also knew in advance his health was going to decline and that there would come 'that day' when we knew it was time to say goodbye, so we discussed with the vet well beforehand and they agreed they'd do a home visit, to allow him to say goodbye in familiar surroundings and make it less stressful. It really did just seem like he went to sleep on his favourite sofa.
You probably don't want to think about that right now, but its easier to discuss now than at the time.
This is obviously a crap time, there is not so much precedence for what exactly to expect, as there isn't as much info on what the lung lesions are and will do. So, probably the lesions are secondary cancers from somewhere, and will continue to grow causing further difficulties in breathing and circulation. This may be obvious or not, in my experience, there are not many dogs pass from direct lung/heart cancer complications, it is usually spread to other important sites that causes the downhill slide, and frankly, it is the downhill slide generally that should guide your management of the situation. The medication is ok, but I would consider using some form of chemotherapy (not what human medicine accepts) from steroids to mild cytotoxic medication, it could provide some increase in quality of life for longer. HTH and best wishes.
Thanks all - we've only had her three years as she was my OH's dad's dog until he passed away. She's still enjoying her food (is there a westie that doesn't) and I'm popping to the vet's this morning to pick up some more meds and have a quick chat. Thanks for the heads up on the other medications.
Just an update (give this thread a little closure) - unfortunately we had to put Mayo to sleep as she was finding breathing too difficult to lie down and fall asleep. After two long nights sitting up with her we had to make the difficult decision. Thanks for all the advice and thoughts.
hugsJinx- Console yourself with the thought that you did what was best for her. I had similar last April. My little lass ( Wheaten Cairn) developed loss of use of back legs. I had a choice-months of distress for her or a quick end. She looked at me and it said it all "end it now". It hurts, but when you love a pet that much it's their quality of life that counts. Just remember and enjoy the good times .
Condolences Jinx.
I lost a few dogs to old age and maybe some I feel I let suffer too long.
At least Mayo didn't have to endure months of pain, which I am sure she would have been grateful for.
It will hurt but at least be consoled by the fact that you did right by her, no matter how pointless it seems now.
May she be remembered with smiles and happy thoughts
I lost a few dogs to old age and maybe some I feel I let suffer too long.
At least Mayo didn't have to endure months of pain, which I am sure she would have been grateful for.
It will hurt but at least be consoled by the fact that you did right by her, no matter how pointless it seems now.
May she be remembered with smiles and happy thoughts
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff