When do you call time?
Discussion
About four weeks ago we found that our dog has prostate cancer.
We understand that it’s not really treatable and that ultimately at some point we’re going to have to take the decision to put him to sleep.
At the moment he seems 100% happy in himself but has a sudden urge to go to the toilet, struggles to pee and poo, and takes several attempts but does seem to be able to empty bladder and bowel.
As I understand it the cancer is likely to grow to a size that it blocks both passages and he becomes unable to pee or poo.
Just wondering whether anyone else has been through this and if so how/when they took the decision.
(As background he’s a 7/10 year old Basset Fauve de Bretagne)
We understand that it’s not really treatable and that ultimately at some point we’re going to have to take the decision to put him to sleep.
At the moment he seems 100% happy in himself but has a sudden urge to go to the toilet, struggles to pee and poo, and takes several attempts but does seem to be able to empty bladder and bowel.
As I understand it the cancer is likely to grow to a size that it blocks both passages and he becomes unable to pee or poo.
Just wondering whether anyone else has been through this and if so how/when they took the decision.
(As background he’s a 7/10 year old Basset Fauve de Bretagne)
One of our Frenchies survived 4-5 months with Lymphoma, put him down last week once he went off his food completely.
We had a supply of steroids that we used over the 4-5 months, starting at around half a tablet every few days up to around two per day, it really helped him out.
Good luck, it’s the worst thing I’ve ever had to do and the toughest decision to know when it’s ‘right’ and he had maximised his life and we weren’t being selfish.
We had a supply of steroids that we used over the 4-5 months, starting at around half a tablet every few days up to around two per day, it really helped him out.
Good luck, it’s the worst thing I’ve ever had to do and the toughest decision to know when it’s ‘right’ and he had maximised his life and we weren’t being selfish.
Considering this is a motoring forum, one of the best things about this place is that now and again, someone will post the perfect answer to a difficult non motoring question. That's what Oddman has done.
All I would add than after you've made the decision and you're dealing with the pain of the consequences, be ready for the feeling that you did it too soon but try to put those thoughts out of your mind.
You've had the happy years you've had together. Another few days, weeks or months even wouldn't have made a difference but taking any suffering away did.
All I would add than after you've made the decision and you're dealing with the pain of the consequences, be ready for the feeling that you did it too soon but try to put those thoughts out of your mind.
You've had the happy years you've had together. Another few days, weeks or months even wouldn't have made a difference but taking any suffering away did.
garythesign said:
This was posted on a thread when my last GS passed away , Megan . Reduced me to a blubbering wreck more than once , bless her .Thoughts are with you OP
Edited by fttm on Sunday 17th December 02:46
Very hard decision but I have always discussed with my trusted vet.
If the dog is comfortable in those twilight days and weeks then I will make sure that the time is happy and pleasant. When the dog is in obvious pain or discomfort then it is time. I know how hard it is and you have my sympathy, but better a few days too early than a bit too late. I think dogs know when it is near and I have been with each of them in their final moments.
My dog is quite old now so I know that the time is getting a bit short, so I make sure we have as much fin as possible.
If the dog is comfortable in those twilight days and weeks then I will make sure that the time is happy and pleasant. When the dog is in obvious pain or discomfort then it is time. I know how hard it is and you have my sympathy, but better a few days too early than a bit too late. I think dogs know when it is near and I have been with each of them in their final moments.
My dog is quite old now so I know that the time is getting a bit short, so I make sure we have as much fin as possible.
Having said goodbye to 3 cats this year - trust me, you'll know when. I don't know how. You just do.
If, and when, you question yourself 'is this too soon, maybe just one more day', it's not too soon. Go with your first instinct. It will be right.
I've walked out of the vets the last two times smiling. Remembering the good times but knowing that final visit was the right time.
If, and when, you question yourself 'is this too soon, maybe just one more day', it's not too soon. Go with your first instinct. It will be right.
I've walked out of the vets the last two times smiling. Remembering the good times but knowing that final visit was the right time.
I have a terrible feeling that this may be me tomorrow with one of my moggies.
She’s got a malignant growth on her head, going in tomorrow for an X-ray and tests to see if it’s spread of just a simple removal job.
Fingers crossed but she’s not filling me with confidence and has gone downhill over the last few days barely moving from her seat in the dining room.
It’s sad, she’s a rescue cat with a wonderful temperament (for a cat
) depending on the results I’ll make the decision, I don’t want her to suffer.
On my daughter’s birthday too. Ouch.
She’s got a malignant growth on her head, going in tomorrow for an X-ray and tests to see if it’s spread of just a simple removal job.
Fingers crossed but she’s not filling me with confidence and has gone downhill over the last few days barely moving from her seat in the dining room.
It’s sad, she’s a rescue cat with a wonderful temperament (for a cat
) depending on the results I’ll make the decision, I don’t want her to suffer.On my daughter’s birthday too. Ouch.
As said before, a week early is better than a day late. We used this company recently when our dog had a bad untreatable tumour, they have a very good checklist on "is it time". They did an excellent service and they send a vet to do it at your house, we had all his favourite people and dog friends there and it was as good as it can be, they then took him away and had him cremated, not cheap but he was happy at the end and much better than going to the vets for a one way trip.
https://cloud9vets.co.uk/vet-services/quality-of-l...
https://cloud9vets.co.uk/vet-services/quality-of-l...
Marcellus said:
garythesign said:
theplayingmantis said:
i hate this pic, it always destroys me without fail.
Nothing to add but good luck OP, hope he's still happy for a good while yet.
Sorry the picture upset youNothing to add but good luck OP, hope he's still happy for a good while yet.
This may sound a little heartless but it’s not meant in that way.
It’s incredibly easy to know when to do it, you will see it in them or know if you leave it too late they will be in pain or stressed. It’s just very hard to convince your arms and legs what your brain is telling them.
Try to organise it with the vet, maybe have them come to your home or have a vet visit at the end of the day etc.
It’s brutal to do but be strong, give them the comfort they deserve in the last moments and you will feel all the better for it knowing you made their passing as dignified and comfortable as you could.
The last job with a family pet.
My dog Flash knew and seeing him relaxed till the end meant the world to me.
Dave!
It’s incredibly easy to know when to do it, you will see it in them or know if you leave it too late they will be in pain or stressed. It’s just very hard to convince your arms and legs what your brain is telling them.
Try to organise it with the vet, maybe have them come to your home or have a vet visit at the end of the day etc.
It’s brutal to do but be strong, give them the comfort they deserve in the last moments and you will feel all the better for it knowing you made their passing as dignified and comfortable as you could.
The last job with a family pet.
My dog Flash knew and seeing him relaxed till the end meant the world to me.
Dave!
This may sound a little heartless but it’s not meant in that way.
It’s incredibly easy to know when to do it, you will see it in them or know if you leave it too late they will be in pain or stressed. It’s just very hard to convince your arms and legs what your brain is telling them.
Try to organise it with the vet, maybe have them come to your home or have a vet visit at the end of the day etc.
It’s brutal to do but be strong, give them the comfort they deserve in the last moments and you will feel all the better for it knowing you made their passing as dignified and comfortable as you could.
The last job with a family pet.
My dog Flash knew and seeing him relaxed till the end meant the world to me.
Dave!
It’s incredibly easy to know when to do it, you will see it in them or know if you leave it too late they will be in pain or stressed. It’s just very hard to convince your arms and legs what your brain is telling them.
Try to organise it with the vet, maybe have them come to your home or have a vet visit at the end of the day etc.
It’s brutal to do but be strong, give them the comfort they deserve in the last moments and you will feel all the better for it knowing you made their passing as dignified and comfortable as you could.
The last job with a family pet.
My dog Flash knew and seeing him relaxed till the end meant the world to me.
Dave!
I lost my boy with lymphoma, he stopped eating and then started being sick from his guts so we knew it was time and just wasn't fair on him.
Enjoy the time you can have now.
It is also a difficult situation regarding costs, vets are guessing most of the time as to timeframes/cures and the bills become horrendous.
Enjoy the time you can have now.
It is also a difficult situation regarding costs, vets are guessing most of the time as to timeframes/cures and the bills become horrendous.
Marcellus said:
garythesign said:
theplayingmantis said:
i hate this pic, it always destroys me without fail.
Nothing to add but good luck OP, hope he's still happy for a good while yet.
Sorry the picture upset youNothing to add but good luck OP, hope he's still happy for a good while yet.
It was never my intention to upset anyone, especially the OP
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