I don't know who to talk to but I think I need to talk to somebody

[Obsidian]

So my dog developed a bump on his throat about a month ago. He has several fat lumps already so I thought it was probably just another one, but when I took him in for his cartrophen injection two weeks ago I mentioned it to the vet she was concerned because his other lymphnodes appeared to be enlarged as well. She took a couple of biopsies and sent them off. On Thursday the doctor doing the biopsies finally got back to us and said that he couldn't responsibly diagnose him with Lymphoma because the standard is 80% of whatever and his slides were only at 70%. So my vet booked us in as soon as possible to take a larger biopsy and send it in. That happened on Monday, but we haven't heard back yet.

Since then, he's really gone downhill. Both nodes on his neck are pretty swollen so he occasionally makes snoring noises while he's awake, he's a lot messier when he's eating and drinking, I assume because swallowing is starting to get harder for him, and he's sleeping most of the day, and sleeping way deeper than he usually does. He's trying to be himself but I can tell it's getting really hard for him and it's breaking my heart. I don't think the biopsy results are going to matter now. Our vet is closed now until I think Sunday or Monday and I selfishly want to wait as long as possible to ask them what to do but I don't know if he'll make it that long at this point and above all I don't want him to suffer.

We got him when I was 15 and there was decent stretch of time where if I hadn't him then I don't know if I'd be here now. I don't know what to do and I'm going to miss him so much.

[Airenn]

*hugs* I don't have any words that will help you, but I feel for you. I am sorry.

[Guitarman]

Listen, I had to put down a pet that was my world 2 years ago. I still wonder if what I did was right, but you have to push past your grief and look at your pet's suffering. If you really think his quality of life is that bad, to the point he can barely function, take him to an animal hospital. Be prepared for what they will more than likely tell you. It's a shitty thing to have to do now of all times, but the best christmas gift you can give him is to free him from pain.

[Sonomaa]

Your dog loves you more than anything else, even themselves. Dogs are the only creatures that can love someone more than themselves. Remember the love, and do what you know is best. You dont want a loved one to suffer, give them the best day ever, the best time ever, the most love you can give. Your pup will wait for you on the rainbow bridge.
http://flyballdogs.com/fullthrottle/rainbowbridge.html

[Ksandra]

I am so sorry. Guitarman hit the nail on the head though.

Listen, I had to put down a pet that was my world 2 years ago. I still wonder if what I did was right, but you have to push past your grief and look at your pet's suffering. If you really think his quality of life is that bad, to the point he can barely function, take him to an animal hospital. Be prepared for what they will more than likely tell you. It's a shitty thing to have to do now of all times, but the best christmas gift you can give him is to free him from pain.

Sending you internet hugs.

[arus2001]

Had to put my dog of 11 years down back in April due to surprise cancer spread. So, I can relate to the fear, sadness, anger, and all that's going on at the moment. I can't say it's easy if the bad news does come, but if his quality of life really is tanking, you owe it to him to make it not suck as bad.

[BaneTheBrawler]

Several years back I had to put down my childhood dog at 15 years old. Shit sucks.

Try to gauge his pain level. If he's happy and not in much pain but struggling to do some stuff, he can probably wait until the vet is open again. If he's whimpering and whatnot, it might be time.


It's worth noting, though, that "biopsy" is the sciencey way of saying "cut a chunk off" so some inflammation/pain afterwards is natural. Ever had a biopsy? Shit's sore for days.

[Obsidian]

He's not whining or whimpering, just sleeping most of the time. He's still eating and drinking a lot (albeit messier than usual). But then, he's never been a dog that made noise when he was uncomfortable. A few years ago he had an issue with his tail that made it hurt so bad for him to go to the bathroom that he just stopped going (for three days), but he never whined, just snarled at me when I tried to get him up to go. The only time he ever whines or whimpers is after he comes home from the vet doped up.

They did a normal biopsy needle thing on the nodes on his neck both times but on Monday they also used a special tool to take one from the node on his hind leg to make sure there this time. The site on his leg is swollen a bit but even from last week to this week I can tell the lumps on his neck have gotten bigger and I don't think that can all totally be blamed on the biopsy.

I personally don't think he's in much pain right now but he makes it very difficult to tell so I've been judging it by how much he eats, but I'm sure I'm also seeing things through the filter of "please don't leave me." I don't know what I'm going to do without him.

I appreciate the kind words, everybody.

[Draylo]

My brother had to put his dog down only three days ago, he had pancreatic cancer and was in so much pain... It was really sad and it hurts, especially when that dog is in your life for so long, he was 9 years old. Now my dog that means the world to me is almost 10 and he has a lot of stones. We took him to the vet after he was peeing blood and they did the x-ray and told us. Then they quoted us a 2,400 surgery cost to remove them which is crazy... Now we are trying some food but its not doing much so far but they told us to try it for a month so we're trying that for now as he isn't in pain and hes peeing normal again, hopefully it doesn't block him at some point. Listening to your story it must have costed a fortune... these people are like con artists, they just wanna take all your money and you can't even do payment it has to be all at once or nothing. Yeah because everyone can afford to just throw that kind of money at the spot. I love him very much and I'll most likely have to pay the surgery as I couldn't stand losing him after seeing what my brother went through. They become a part of your family and it hurts to see them suffer, I feel your pain!

[Obsidian]

We've had pet insurance for him since he was a puppy and they usually cover 70% of his bills, thankfully. That being said I would sell anything and everything I own at the drop of a hat if it meant I had the money to help him.

Every time something happened to him I always told him he'd be all right, and he was, but I can't tell him that this time and it's killing me.

[arus2001]

I wouldn't take a lack of whimpering for not being in pain. They simply can't communicate like us. To put things in perspective, my dog literally chewed a hole into his leg and you could see the muscle alongside with there literally being necrotic flesh on his underbelly. He otherwise behaved as usual. The decision sucked, especially since we didn't take him to the vet expecting THAT choice (only cancer we were aware of was one possibly in the sinus), but even if we didn't put him down, he would've kept eating at his leg as well who knows how much worse the skin cancer would've gotten. I also suspected he had something around his kidneys adding pressure to them based on how frequently he was needing to pee, but none of that was ever confirmed.

[Aragon of Odin]

So sorry to hear Obsidian, I know it's the worst feeling in the world, I went through it just over a year ago myself and it still bothers me to this day. I know with Bruce he would never let on that he was in pain by whining or whimpering, but I could see the changes in his habits and his demeanor, and I knew there wasn't anything I could do.

Again, I'm sorry to hear, and I hope it all works out for the best.

[Byrthnoth]

Even if it was free, I would not inflict cancer treatments upon an animal.

Obligatory feels poem: http://www.kiplingsociety.co.uk/poems_dog.htm

[Mythe_Seraph]

Aw man this breaks my heart. We've all been there.

Here for you dude. Sorry I haven't been on xbox a lot lately to play with you guys

[BaneTheBrawler]

I wouldn't either. My primary medication isn't quite a cancer med, but it's in the same class of drug as some of them. It's not so bad for me because I'm used to it and know the main side-effects I experience only last a few days, but I would not put an animal through that. And that's not even a real cancer med. Real cancer meds are worse. Way worse.

[Brill Weave]

And here I thought this was going to be about you being a Leafs fan. Sorry Obs. Shit sucks. There's really nothing else to say.

[Obsidian]

I appreciate the kind words everybody.

He seemed a fair bit better today than he did yesterday. He was more active and seemingly less exhausted. I took a couple pictures with him today because the only one I had of both of us was from five or six years ago. That was really difficult.

When we were at the vet on Monday I asked about chemo for him, because he's been through a lot already and I've seen what it does to people. She said that dogs tend to take it much better than people, but whether or not he would even be a good candidate for chemo is another matter entirely. He's been on steroids for a long time and although his bloodwork last year looked good who knows what it looks like now. It would also depend on what stage he's at and if it's spread beyond his lymphnodes. I'm just hoping he can make it through the weekend to see the vet on Monday so she can advise us on what to do next. If he starts declining before then I'll have to take him to the emergency vet. I really hope it doesn't come to that.

[Fhloston]

Fucking right in the feels. So sorry for your dog, bro. You gave your friend a great life and care, that's what matters. It's gonna be a giant kick in the nuts, but you know what to do.

Roommate bought a kitten from some dinky pet shop. Took him in due to health problems. Vet found central nervous system issues, blood test found FIV. We put him down soon after. That kitten loved me like he was mine, and I cried like a fucking baby when we took him. I'm a big softy for animals.

[Astylla]

My heart goes out to you as I actually tend to love animals more than most people. My animals in my life have always been family and it's always difficult when these times are upon us.

I don't think there's anything for certain we can always know or do , but take heart in knowing that it's obvious you only want the best for him regardless. I hope things get better but you aren't alone and I wish I could offer more than comforting words and love for him from afar. Hugs you guys.

[Qeomash]

Man, sorry to hear this. Part of why I got on BG this evening was to post something similar about my parent's dog. Her not doing well tonight, plus your post and I'm turning into a mess. Hope things are better for yours soon.