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CU Medallion [59293]
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*sigh* Dog problems. What to do Lunge? Serious post is serious. And sad.
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:09 AM
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So our beloved dog is about 14-15ish years old. We're not certain. We did not get her as a pup.
She has been the best dog for our family. We all love her. Sweet as she can be.
Anyhow, we had noticed significant slowing down recently. Wife takes her to the vet today and the dog has fluid and a growth on a lung. Probably cancer. They recommended taking her to Virginia Tech for a workup and believe it or not, there's doggie chemo and such.
The vet did not mention doing you-know-what. But I don't want our girl to suffer. She can't do our normal walk anymore. She doesn't seem happy. She mostly lays around and follows Momma wherever Momma goes.
I am pretty sure I know where this is headed. But temperamentally there's nothing wrong with her. She is her same sweet self. Just struggling health-wise.
Any advice on how to navigate this one?
*sigh*
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Orange Blooded [3244]
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I think you already know the answer and it sucks. 15 years is a good life for a
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:12 AM
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pupper. Ts and Ps with you and your family.
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Oculus Spirit [81148]
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^This. I kept asking my friend who was a vet tech when I needed to let go
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:16 AM
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of my last 2. Both times she was like, I can't tell you when to do it, you know the situation. No one wants to make that decision, but if you're asking others, then you likely already know.
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All-In [31871]
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There's no sense in prolonging suffering. At the end of a day, it's still a dog.
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:15 AM
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The best recommendation is look into at-home euthanasia. I did this with our little guy who was starting to show some physical issues, but primarily was showing signs of dementia. Very peaceful and comfortable for him because there was no nerves or anxiety from a trip to the vet.
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Oculus Spirit [81148]
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And if you're going to do at-home euthanasia, be kind and
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:20 AM
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put some peanut butter at the end of the shotgun barrel. Don't miss and just maim them, make sure it's a quick exit.
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All-In [46891]
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Easy there, trigger.***
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:21 AM
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Oculus Spirit [81148]
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I was contemplating the dark humor joke. Kept going back and forth but
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:22 AM
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finally decided that this was the lunge and the only place that might would appreciate it.
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Orange Blooded [3335]
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Re: I was contemplating the dark humor joke. Kept going back and forth but
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:31 AM
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I appreciated. Levity in this place helps some of us with hard times.
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All-In [31871]
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CU Medallion [59293]
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Oculus Spirit [81148]
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Re: I feel dirty laughing at this, but I did. Forgive me Lord (and dog).***
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:31 AM
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110%er [7541]
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Re: And if you're going to do at-home euthanasia, be kind and
Jul 25, 2024, 1:53 PM
[ in reply to And if you're going to do at-home euthanasia, be kind and ] |
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If you have the right weapon then it is the most comfortable way for the dog to be put down.
All the in home and vet stuff is not comfortable for the dog. It makes the person feel its more comfortable and I understand that. I implore you to see my post on my boy about a year and half ago. It destroyed me but I know he didn't feel anything and he was with loved ones in the best place he could be outside.
Don't get me wrong,... I did power laps around the streets with tears washing my face and hated every minute if it. I still hurt for him.
It is your call brother. I told my wife a different story about the end but I eventually let her know because the drug way with needles and strangers is not the most comfortable for the dog.
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Oculus Spirit [84192]
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WUT??
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Jul 25, 2024, 2:20 PM
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You'd rather shoot your dog than just letting them go to sleep?
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110%er [7541]
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Re: WUT
Jul 25, 2024, 5:00 PM
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Id rather my dog live forever without pain. Ud rather he float off on a cloud waving goodbye. To each their own. Unfortunately for my dog it wasn't a matter of either one and the vets I that would do it didn't have openings until over 5 days away. Even the in home. U don't think I didn't think of everything? In the end I knew my dog would feel no pain and never know what happened. I don't think I could've been more distraught than I was.
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Orange Blooded [3500]
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Re: *sigh* Dog problems. What to do Lunge? Serious post is serious. And sad.
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:16 AM
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Don't do what my parents did with their dog. Vet visits were a regular occurrence the last year of his life before they finally put him down. The dog was miserable. Don't be the selfish dog owner, do what's best for the dog. They deserve that respect.
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110%er [7541]
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They weren't dust bowl babies
Jul 25, 2024, 1:56 PM
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And u found out the next morning what supper really was ? I have so many thoughts right now. Idk ur story
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All-In [39696]
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Re: *sigh* Dog problems. What to do Lunge? Serious post is serious. And sad.
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:18 AM
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All-In [27688]
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We have a 12 year old Heeler mix that's eat up with arthritis
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:26 AM
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she can walk some ... we have to carry her some ... she still has appetite.
We will not put her down. Nature will have to take its course.
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CU Medallion [59293]
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Blue dog or red dog (I know this from Bluey and seeing some locally)?
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:28 AM
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Lawd I would not have the energy for one of those. Great dogs though.
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Orange Blooded [3335]
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Re: Blue dog or red dog (I know this from Bluey and seeing some locally)?
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:32 AM
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Have a red heeler that's 10 and still has a ton of energy. Great off leash dog, we go exploring regularly. Never had anything more than a yearly check up health wise. Seems on track for at least 15 years.
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All-TigerNet [12964]
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I feel you, have a 14 year old lab mix, starting to get wasting
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:31 AM
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of rear legs, can still get around but less each month, also has a growth on his forehead that we were just going to let go, but now recurrently bleeds, vet doesn't want to put him to sleep because of age risk, so gonna try under light sedation.
Yeah, I think you know what you have to do, but it still sucks.
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Heisman Winner [109511]
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That sucks, but you know what to do. And you know Chemo on a 15 y/o dog
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:33 AM
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is just torturing that dog, costing you money, and delaying the inevitable.
Enjoy some time with her, feed her steak and cheeseburgers, then do what needs to be done.
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Orange Blooded [3335]
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Re: *sigh* Dog problems. What to do Lunge? Serious post is serious. And sad.
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:34 AM
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We had a pet deteriorate like this, and we ended up getting it some steroids from the vet. It improved her for about three weeks before the brain tumor fully took over. Gave us time to say goodbye, and gave the sweet girl three more weeks of seemingly pain free life.
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All-In [26930]
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Re: *sigh* Dog problems. What to do Lunge? Serious post is serious. And sad.
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:42 AM
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We did surgery for our cat's cancer. It ended up being pretty expensive, uncomfortable for him, and didn't prolong his life.
Sorry about your dog, but at 14 or 15 years old, I wouldn't try to treat the cancer. Make her comfortable and let your instincts tell you when it's time to send her to her milk bone in the sky.
I do recommend the in home like JimmyHeyHey mentioned. We did that for the cat. Much more comfortable for him and it really wasn't that much more expensive.
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Oculus Spirit [77393]
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I wish I had good advise, but have never been in that situation.
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:46 AM
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I know there is a fine line between making the call too early and helping a buddy out.
Is she still eating and can get outside when needed? In my opinion that is too soon for a last ride.
I can't say I would do chemo on a 15 year old dog, especially if it is had hard on dogs as people.
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Heisman Winner [142451]
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There's definitely chemo for dogs,
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Jul 25, 2024, 11:47 AM
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I did it 20 years ago for my 4 year old Golden, mostly because he was 4, but also because he is still likely the most incredible dog I've ever known. Expensive af and it all went on a credit card because I was unemployed and in the process of moving across the country. It afforded him another 4-5 months that he wouldn't have had. Practical people would tell you that's not worth it, but I'd do it 10 out of 10 times again for that dog.
Your girl will let you know when it's time. As long as she's eating and not in excrutiating pain, give her lots of pets and treats and other things that make her tail wag, and enjoy the time you have left with her.
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CU Medallion [59293]
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Thanks. Her eating is 50/50. Not much these days and she's lost weight.***
Jul 25, 2024, 11:56 AM
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110%er [7541]
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Re: There's definitely chemo for dogs,
Jul 25, 2024, 2:23 PM
[ in reply to There's definitely chemo for dogs, ] |
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This is why I don't take German cars to the vet, I pay with a cashapp debit card, buy shots from tractor supply, etc...
I roll up in a ranger with the headlights taped up, always poke my head in and ask for a muzzle and tell everyone I have him on a pinch collar, when I get in the back I ask if they have any vets that are trying to make their hours for getting a license, then when its about done I pull out dollars from my front pockets and say, "I think I brought the cashapp card so it should be good.". I end up with samples and prescriptions i can fill online.
Real story. Sammy Dabo tahj DeShawn Trevor etc (he collected new names every year to fill out his name more) was taken to the vet and he was about 7 and experiencing hives, looked like burn marks, itching to the point of hair falling out, eyes almost shut from buildup and a host of other issues digestive. The vet comes in with a flesh comb and runs it over his entire body, check for heart worms and weighs and meds and the whole workup. 830 bucks! I have a grocery bag of medicine and no answers.
I give this poor fricking dog all this bs medicine except for one pill which is akin to Valium and that just makes him sleep. About 2 weeks later I notice a strong smell from our clean clothes and its definitely from the detergent we use. I do double rinses and nothing works. Bought new washer for idk 700 and the next day his hives are gone. 4 days and he is healed. I told the vet he doesn't have fleas or mites even though he was prescribed quadruple doses for fleas and mites despite the comb technique (def a craft secret) not revealing anything but skin. Anyways I have a coin flip on vets and the usefulness. If u have 2 grand for mri, blood test and the works right off the bat then its a lower chance they will know anything. Spent another 6 years with Sammy until I believe a stroke and brain tumor made it unbearable for him and took him to green pastures. If there is a dog heaven then I know he is king! Best dog ever. My only dog ever.
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All-In [49718]
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Ts and Ps for your doggo and his pack.***
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Jul 25, 2024, 12:20 PM
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All-In [48397]
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If you carried her that wood be a grate way to
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Jul 25, 2024, 12:28 PM
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Loose wait. Go LBC.
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All-In [29418]
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damm apm that sucks. spoil the shid out of her and dont prolong suffering***
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Jul 25, 2024, 1:05 PM
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Oculus Spirit [84192]
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Like Jimmy said, at home euthanasia.
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Jul 25, 2024, 2:17 PM
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Easier on the dog, hard on the fam.
It's all about the dog's quality of life, and it sounds like its getting very close she won't have much of one. Once they can't do what they like doing, or are in pain all the time, it's time.
I hope someone will be as kind to me when it's my time.
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CU Medallion [51340]
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RH Tig is ready when you are.
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Jul 25, 2024, 8:13 AM
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Make sure to sign the permission slip to have your head displayed on a pike.
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Heisman Winner [100770]
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I'd hold off on the chemo. My parents had a boykin who got cancer
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Jul 25, 2024, 3:02 PM
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They paid tens of thousands for chemo and all kinds of medicine. It bought her roughly another year and some change of very sub-par health/life.
Not worth it IMHO. Maybe if younger it's worth a shot? Tough call, I've made it with our dog once. Mainly, way I see it, as long as they're not in pain, and somewhat mobile, let it go. Wait until they have issues getting around and/or pain before making the call.
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Lot o points [170275]
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Serious t's and p's for your dog and you and your family
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Jul 25, 2024, 6:20 PM
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but do not do the chemo. We did it and it was a waste of money and bought maybe 5 months. Would not do again. They told us it was not a cure, might buy some time, this was after surgery - our pup was 11, but a terrier so should live a good 14 -15.
Wife and I both agreed we would not go thru that again.
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