Pets
Related: About this forumOur Dog has Cancer
Scrappy is ten he is a 80 pound mixed breed (shepard and who knows what else - has been having problems with his stools - loose, runny, and now, bloody.
Took him to Vet last week - they ran tests, noted he was anemic (everything else is fine).
Did an ultrasound Tuesday - found a tumor in his cecum that is likely the cause of the internal bleeding and digestive problems. They took some cells to test -they came back carcinogenic
Alex has been crying non-stop - Scrappy was his - raised since he was 5 weeks old, and has helped Alex through many tough times.
Alex does not want to see Scrappy suffer - he tells me that he kept his previous dog alive a lot longer than he should of when the dog was clearly in pain because he did not want to let go of him, and has vowed not to do that again.
Not sure we can afford surgery or chemo, even if it is feasable from Scrappy's health perspective - Alex is out of a job right now, and I took a cut in pay at the beginning of the year.
Scrappy is otherwise healthy, except for some arthritis -eating well, plays. But he is not himself fully
But it is clear Scrappy is in pain - he masks it well, and is still wagging his tail, happy to see us. Not sure what we are going to do, just know it is a tough situation.
I will likely take him for a surgical consult - then decide from there.
ceile
(8,692 posts)phylny
(8,390 posts)My niece's dog had cancer as well, and underwent treatment. There is an organization called the Magic Bullet Fund that helped her with the payments. I do not know all the details, but it is worth looking into.
http://www.themagicbulletfund.org/
My best wishes for all of you and especially to Scrappy.
applegrove
(118,832 posts)dbackjon
(6,578 posts)Magic Bullet won't cover Scrappy - he is too old, but appreciate the suggetion
I am so sorry.
Treasure your moments with Scrappy. Keep us posted.
TorchTheWitch
(11,065 posts)Hang in there. So many of us have been through this, and it's never easy and always heart wrenching. Sending big hugs to you and Scrappy and Alex.
virgdem
(2,128 posts)I know how you are feeling. My late kitty was diagnosed with two cancerous tumors in mid-January and she died three weeks later at home. It's a horrible diagnosis and one that, given the age of Scrappy, is tough to treat. Good luck and I hope you find a treatment that will make the rest of Scrappy's days with you as comfortable as possible.
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)I know all about keeping them alive too long, out of selfishness because we don't want to let go.
I have had two cats with cancer, both of them had surgeries. In the end, the surgeries helped prolong life for a few month---but it didn't really help in the end. I would probably do it again if there was a chance for it to help and I had the money for surgery. But I would not put myself in financial difficulty again for a slim chance of getting all the cancer removed.
I wish you well. Do what you and your vet thinks is best. I am sorry you have to deal with this.
Coyote_Bandit
(6,783 posts)I have a dog in stage 3 renal failure. I find that I am constantly evaluating his quality of life - and dreading the inevitable.
Love Scrappy and treasure whatever time you have left with him.
Sending warm thoughts and good vibes to you all.
Stinky The Clown
(67,824 posts)The most difficult thing we ever have to do for them is pay that back when they let us know its time.
Our thoughts are with you . . .
dbackjon
(6,578 posts)Scrappy's fecal came back, and he is positive for a type a parasite call Giardia. This will give dog's diarrhea, but is unlikely to be a singular cause of his diarrhea. We will treat him for it, and see how the diarrhea responds. Additionally, I receive a very quick response from the oncologist that does chemotherapy yesterday. Last night, she sent me a more detailed email. Before going for a consult with a surgeon, she recommended that you return to my practice to have chest x-rays taken to evaluate Scrappy for possible metastatic disease in his lungs. If there are tumor present in his lungs, surgery would no longer be recommended. She also wanted to me to examine his anal glands as she is concerned that the tumor in his abdomen could be a metastatic tumor secondary to a primary tumor in his anal sac. I know you have been getting overloaded with information, so please contact me with any questions that either you or Alex have. If you would like to do the chest x-rays, we can schedule that for Scrappy. The cost is $184.50. There will be no charge associated with me checking his anal glands. I will have medication to treat Scrappy's diarrhea/giardia at the front desk for you to pick-up.
get the red out
(13,468 posts)That's just awful. Thoughts for both of you and your beloved Scrappy.
avebury
(10,952 posts)Scrappy telling his story and the situation with your family. It is possible that you might be able to set up a chip in and get people to help you with his medical bills. There are several Face Book pages set up for "public" or "community" animals and rescue groups. If you can post a comment on some of these Face Book pages from your dog's Face Book page you might be able to get the word out on Scrappy's situation. Just a thought.
dbackjon
(6,578 posts)We will know more about his condition after X-rays today - if there are more tumors, then no treatment will be possible
sinkingfeeling
(51,478 posts)Worried senior
(1,328 posts)it is so hard when our babies are sick, we put our basset down in August and my husband cried like a baby too.
I cannot ever see myself without a dog as long as I am able but we've lost several over the years and it never gets any easier.
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)My Rottweiler had cancer in her liver and bones. I tried to keep her alive and as comfortable as I could with all kinds of meds. But finally, when the pain meds did not work any longer and she could barely walk because of the bone cancer, I had to make the decision to take her for that final trip to the vet.
10 years is a long life for a dog and I am sure your Scrappy had a good and happy life with you. My Rottie lived to almost 13, and it grieved me to send her to doggie heaven, but I could not bear to see her in pain any longer.
Irishonly
(3,344 posts)Are there any organizations where you are that help people with vet costs? When my husband was unemployed Actors and Others for Animals came to our rescue. Our dog was very ill and although the problem was easy to solve it was going to cost more than what we could afford. If you decide Scrappy should have treatments or surgery I hope there is an organization to help. to you, Alex and Scrappy.
dbackjon
(6,578 posts)Alex and I had to send our beautiful dog Scrappy to his next life Thursday.
The last few days had been getting progressively worse - not eating much, little control of bowels, and very tired.
I took Scrappy for his last walk, and we spent time with him before taking him to see the Vet.
Scrappy has been in my life for four years, since I started dating Alex. He quickly won his way into my heart, and would spend hours at my side having me scratch his ears.
Alex is particularly devestated. He has had Scrappy for 12 years, since he was a puppy. There were many times in Alex's life when Scrappy was all he had.
Link is to short video I took of our boy getting a treat. At the end, he had problems walking on the wood floors, so I had put down non-stick runners throughout the house so he could get around.
Been tough first thing in the morning. As soon as Scrappy heard me in the kitchen, he was there, wanting breakfast.
Bigleaf
(2,050 posts)We went through this on July 16th with our beloved 13 year old cat Joey. I took the week off of work I was so devastated. Joey also had cancer of the intestines and I was the one who took him to all his chemo appointments and gave him his meds every day for the past year and a half. They're all unique (we have 3 dogs and 4 cats now, weird saying that since it was always 5 cats) but some are just more special and Joey was that cat for myself so I can relate with Alex. I know it's not easy but you did all you could and I can tell Scrappy was very loved and extremely luck to be living with you and Alex. By the way, Scrappy was beautiful. You guys take care of yourselves.
dbackjon
(6,578 posts)We only had Scrappy, so the house feels very empty right now.
Alex just texted me that he dropped some food on the floor, and started crying when he realized there was no one there to clean it up like Scrappy always did
Bigleaf
(2,050 posts)and can relate. I always gave my Joey his meds on the bathroom counter so every time I'm in the bathroom I think of him and the sadness kicks in. There are many other reminders. It sucks.
yellerpup
(12,254 posts)I'm so sorry Scrappy couldn't be helped. You did the compassionate thing that I only wish we could do for each other when there is nothing in the future but pain. We put our kitty-girl down less than two weeks ago so I identify. You did the right thing. So sorry for your loss.
Stinky The Clown
(67,824 posts)Do take care of yourselves and each other. This is as hard a time as most any we humans have to face. The price of their unconditional love is that we outlive them. They, on the other hand, seem to think their job is to get us ready for the next dog that will come into our lives.
Happy Times, Scrappy!
Good Doggie.
livvy
(6,948 posts)He was loved and he knew it. My very special boy, Roufous, passed away at home back in May after 18 months of side-effect free chemo treatments for lymphoma. Acting just fine one day and passed away the following morning. He was loved and he knew it, too.
Take care, and know you and Alex have many here that share in your grief.
TorchTheWitch
(11,065 posts)You did the best you could for Scrappy and helped him on his way to end his suffering. He's at peace now. It hurts so much to lose them though - there's no doubt about that.
Big hugs to both you and Alex.
sinkingfeeling
(51,478 posts)for them. I wish we had the same way to grant a painless death to people.