A Query for Dog Lovers and Vets

[RollyInRaleigh]

When I was a kid, I had a beloved Collie that was my constant companion. He got older and was not feeling good for a while. He just disappeared one day and we never found him. Typical country dog. He knew it was his time and he left to die with dignity.

Had to put one down a few years back. One of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make. I know that it was the right one, but it didn't make it any easier for me. Good luck, wheels. You will do the right thing when it is time.

[Roy Tucker]

Yeah. We're on labrador retriever #3. We named her Harper. She's 16 weeks old now. Great dog, already a great companion, boundless energy, can already see the intelligence in her eyes, and I know she'll be a great dog over the coming years.

Lab #1 was Cooper. In the Dog Hall of Fame. His VORD (Value Over Replacement Dog) was off the charts. Lived to be 12. Lab #2 was Elsa. Great dog, a little ditzy, but unbelievably loyal and loving. She lived to be 13. 25 years of lab so far. For both of them, the decision to have them put down was a hard one. Both times, the decline was sure, the end was something that just couldn't be put off any longer.

Both times, we sat out in the yard for the whole morning. They let the sun hit them, lifted their noses into the breeze to catch a waft of whatever critter was about, and looked at me like "what are we doing today, boss?". Took a walk, peed a couple times (as well as their bad hips would let them), barked at a squirrel, let a neighbor scratch their ears. Both times, I had to help them into the car. And both times, the vet whisked us into a room so I wouldn't have to sit out in the waiting room with the masses. And then both times, I scratched their ears and head and told them they were good dogs as the vet rigged up the IV. He nodded to me and I said OK and he pushed in the plunger and that was that. Shook his hand, the staff gave me their condolences, and I'd go out to my car and sob like a baby. Tore me up bad. And if the gods allow, I'll probably take Harper on that same car ride in about 12-14 years. You just can't come into this world without going out. All part of the deal of being a dog owner. You owe it to them to give them a good end.

[wheels]

Yeah. We're on labrador retriever #3. We named her Harper. She's 16 weeks old now. Great dog, already a great companion, boundless energy, can already see the intelligence in her eyes, and I know she'll be a great dog over the coming years.

Lab #1 was Cooper. In the Dog Hall of Fame. His VORD (Value Over Replacement Dog) was off the charts. Lived to be 12. Lab #2 was Elsa. Great dog, a little ditzy, but unbelievably loyal and loving. She lived to be 13. 25 years of lab so far. For both of them, the decision to have them put down was a hard one. Both times, the decline was sure, the end was something that just couldn't be put off any longer.

Both times, we sat out in the yard for the whole morning. They let the sun hit them, lifted their noses into the breeze to catch a waft of whatever critter was about, and looked at me like "what are we doing today, boss?". Took a walk, peed a couple times (as well as their bad hips would let them), barked at a squirrel, let a neighbor scratch their ears. Both times, I had to help them into the car. And both times, the vet whisked us into a room so I wouldn't have to sit out in the waiting room with the masses. And then both times, I scratched their ears and head and told them they were good dogs as the vet rigged up the IV. He nodded to me and I said OK and he pushed in the plunger and that was that. Shook his hand, the staff gave me their condolences, and I'd go out to my car and sob like a baby. Tore me up bad. And if the gods allow, I'll probably take Harper on that same car ride in about 12-14 years. You just can't come into this world without going out. All part of the deal of being a dog owner. You owe it to them to give them a good end.

Can you believe that I've never had to make that drive?

At least, not yet.

[bucksfan2]

Yeah. We're on labrador retriever #3. We named her Harper. She's 16 weeks old now. Great dog, already a great companion, boundless energy, can already see the intelligence in her eyes, and I know she'll be a great dog over the coming years.

Lab #1 was Cooper. In the Dog Hall of Fame. His VORD (Value Over Replacement Dog) was off the charts. Lived to be 12. Lab #2 was Elsa. Great dog, a little ditzy, but unbelievably loyal and loving. She lived to be 13. 25 years of lab so far. For both of them, the decision to have them put down was a hard one. Both times, the decline was sure, the end was something that just couldn't be put off any longer.

Both times, we sat out in the yard for the whole morning. They let the sun hit them, lifted their noses into the breeze to catch a waft of whatever critter was about, and looked at me like "what are we doing today, boss?". Took a walk, peed a couple times (as well as their bad hips would let them), barked at a squirrel, let a neighbor scratch their ears. Both times, I had to help them into the car. And both times, the vet whisked us into a room so I wouldn't have to sit out in the waiting room with the masses. And then both times, I scratched their ears and head and told them they were good dogs as the vet rigged up the IV. He nodded to me and I said OK and he pushed in the plunger and that was that. Shook his hand, the staff gave me their condolences, and I'd go out to my car and sob like a baby. Tore me up bad. And if the gods allow, I'll probably take Harper on that same car ride in about 12-14 years. You just can't come into this world without going out. All part of the deal of being a dog owner. You owe it to them to give them a good end.

I can't even imagine doing that. I am on dog #4.5 but the others were family dogs so I didn't have to deal with the hard part. My family always had dogs growing up, the first dog was the best one. One we had to give away to a farm and another we had to put down. He was a great dog, just not good with other people. When I was away at college my parents got dog .5. I guess I call him a half because he is 10 pounds and not really my dog.

My wife and I got a lab mix, Palmer, last Feb. We were engage at the time and just getting settled into our new house. Needles to say a 6 week old lab was quite interesting. We have grown with the dog and I can't imagine not waking up to his nose in the morning or being mobbed when I walk in the front door.

Just the other day the wife and I were having an argument. All of a sudden Palmer runs up stairs and hides under a table. When I went up to get him he gave me that look saying "you better stop this right now". Its funny how a little 4 legged animal can put things in perspective without even being able to talk.

Wheels I feel for you in making your decision. In the end I believe the dog will tell you when he/she is ready. Enjoy as much time with your dog as possible.

[Red Heeler]

First advice would be to get one of the nodules biopsied. It may not even be a mast cell tumor, and you may be worrying for nothing. If they are mast cell tumors, you might want to look into the chemo option a little further. Chemo for dogs is not like it is in humans. With humans, the physicians are willing to take you to the brink of death with the drugs in order to cure the cancer. In dogs, veterinarians are only looking to knock the cancer back and prolong life. The doses are lighter and the side effects MUCH less severe. If your veterinarian doesn't do a lot of cancer treatment, find somebody who does or ask her to consult with an oncologist.

I am strictly an equine vet, and I haven't worked on a dog since I graduated vet school, but I seem to remember that high dose vitamin C was also a treatment option for mast cell tumors. You may want to ask your veterinarian about that, too.

Regardless of the situation, euthanasia is always a tough choice. I've seen owners who allowed their animals to live in misery just so they wouldn't have to bear the strain of the decision. Animals live for the day. When the bad days start out numbering the good days, it is time to let them go.

Good luck to you and your dog.

[klw]

I had a golden retriever who was diagnosed with lymphoma at age 8. We did chemo with him for 18 months. Other than the first and last weeks you never would have known he was ill. For the most part dogs handle chemo better than people. He was able to even go to the park for a walk two days before he passed away at home. After he rallied a week into chemo I always thought he could rally again. Fortunately he never seemed in much pain. He just eventually got lethargic and stopped eating a few days before he died.

[cincinnati chili]

Yeah. We're on labrador retriever #3. We named her Harper. She's 16 weeks old now. Great dog, already a great companion, boundless energy, can already see the intelligence in her eyes, and I know she'll be a great dog over the coming years.

Lab #1 was Cooper. In the Dog Hall of Fame. His VORD (Value Over Replacement Dog) was off the charts. Lived to be 12. Lab #2 was Elsa. Great dog, a little ditzy, but unbelievably loyal and loving. She lived to be 13. 25 years of lab so far. For both of them, the decision to have them put down was a hard one. Both times, the decline was sure, the end was something that just couldn't be put off any longer.

Both times, we sat out in the yard for the whole morning. They let the sun hit them, lifted their noses into the breeze to catch a waft of whatever critter was about, and looked at me like "what are we doing today, boss?". Took a walk, peed a couple times (as well as their bad hips would let them), barked at a squirrel, let a neighbor scratch their ears. Both times, I had to help them into the car. And both times, the vet whisked us into a room so I wouldn't have to sit out in the waiting room with the masses. And then both times, I scratched their ears and head and told them they were good dogs as the vet rigged up the IV. He nodded to me and I said OK and he pushed in the plunger and that was that. Shook his hand, the staff gave me their condolences, and I'd go out to my car and sob like a baby. Tore me up bad. And if the gods allow, I'll probably take Harper on that same car ride in about 12-14 years. You just can't come into this world without going out. All part of the deal of being a dog owner. You owe it to them to give them a good end.

Good stuff, Roy Tucker. The "VORD" was the cherry on top.

[SandyD]

My sister is facing that with a 16 year old cocker spaniel. It's time. My sister knows it. Her husband doesn't. The does not seem to be in pain ... unless she moves, which she doesn't really do any more. She can't see or hear. Mostly sleeps. It's really sad. She howls when she needs to go outside, and they have to pick her up and take her outside.

Best of luck to you wheels. I know it's not easy.

[wheels]

First advice would be to get one of the nodules biopsied. It may not even be a mast cell tumor, and you may be worrying for nothing. If they are mast cell tumors, you might want to look into the chemo option a little further. Chemo for dogs is not like it is in humans. With humans, the physicians are willing to take you to the brink of death with the drugs in order to cure the cancer. In dogs, veterinarians are only looking to knock the cancer back and prolong life. The doses are lighter and the side effects MUCH less severe. If your veterinarian doesn't do a lot of cancer treatment, find somebody who does or ask her to consult with an oncologist.

I am strictly an equine vet, and I haven't worked on a dog since I graduated vet school, but I seem to remember that high dose vitamin C was also a treatment option for mast cell tumors. You may want to ask your veterinarian about that, too.

Regardless of the situation, euthanasia is always a tough choice. I've seen owners who allowed their animals to live in misery just so they wouldn't have to bear the strain of the decision. Animals live for the day. When the bad days start out numbering the good days, it is time to let them go.

Good luck to you and your dog.

Thanks for the advice.

I'm definitely going to ask her what she thinks of the vitamin C option.

[Redlegs23]

I had a golden retriever growing up. Luckily I was in college in her elder years when she had to be put down. That would hav ebeen tough. My wife and I got a lab mix a year and a half ago. Best dog I've ever been around. She's only a year and a half and I don't even want to think about the day where she has to go.

Anyone here seen Marley & Me? I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I went to see that. I was crying like a 5 year old girl.

[wheels]

I had a golden retriever growing up. Luckily I was in college in her elder years when she had to be put down. That would hav ebeen tough. My wife and I got a lab mix a year and a half ago. Best dog I've ever been around. She's only a year and a half and I don't even want to think about the day where she has to go.

Anyone here seen Marley & Me? I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I went to see that. I was crying like a 5 year old girl.

You should never watch those dog movies, man.

I learned that after watching "My Dog Skip".

[Redlegs23]

You should never watch those dog movies, man.

I learned that after watching "My Dog Skip".

That's some wise advice, lesson learned.

[RFS62]

Old Yeller

[Puffy]

I was watching "Blood in the Water" yesterday (first show of Discovery's 2009 Shark Week!!!). It was about the 1916 New Jersey shark attacks - 5 attacks in 13 days.

The first victim went swimming with a dog out to sea. I was afraid it was the dog that was going to get it. Luckily it was just the human, cause if it was the dog I really would have been bummed.

Like in Jaws when Pippit gets attacked!

[wheels]

Well.

Today was the day. I can't tell you how awful I feel. I came home and started throwing things away and moving stuff around.

I'm not saying this is the worst thing ever, but.

I don't wanna sit at home, and I don't want to go out because I can't stop crying.

I haven't cried since 2003. This is not fun.