pet advice?

HomerMcvie · #1 10-26-2005, 01:26 PM

So, here's the history, for anyone who doesn't remember:
This past Feb, my dog Cash developed a mass in his mouth. It turned out to be oral melanoma. We did radiation treatments, through the U of IL, then chemo, through my vet, which ran into July. We've done monthly checkups since then, and everything was fine, until a couple weeks ago.

The vet thought she saw some growth in the area where the mass had previously been(I couldn't see any difference though). She took some cells, put em on a slide, and sent them to Purdue (big vet school) for analysis. They came back negative!, although they said they'd like to see a full biopsy. Well, since then, the mass has grown substantially.

She removed it, a couple hours ago, and said it's bad, that it had spread around a tooth, and was likely spreading rapidly through his jaw.

So, about the only HOPE is removing one side of his lower jaw. This is a decision that U of IL will have to make(if it's a viable option). She said it takes about a month to recover, and the pet usually goes through a period of depression. Obviously, they have to relearn how to eat, also.
My aunt tells me that I shouldn't put him through all this, that it's too much for him(he's not even 8yo yet, btw). A friend told me last night that I shouldn't, also. The vet says if they can get all the cancer, that I should do it. I'm leaning towards doing it. What would you do?

I'm so sad. My dog is my child.

sara1998 · #2 10-26-2005, 01:30 PM

Gosh... such a tough call. I'm sorry he's still going through all this. I don't have any advice, except for do what your gut tells you is right. Good luck to you!

Raeven Skye · #3 10-26-2005, 01:35 PM

oh! i'm so sorry that you have to go thru all that! what a horrible decision to have to make. i think you have to consider a lot of things tho, including how this will affect your dog in the long run. if you think he'll have a good quality of life, then that's a positive.

JazmenFlowers · #4 10-26-2005, 01:37 PM

oh my goodness. I'm so sorry you and Cash have to go through all of this. If it were me, I know I would do it. But as the previous post says, go with your gut.

Beachwood Mac · #5 10-26-2005, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

I'm so sad. My dog is my child.

Your answer is right there. I wish you and Cash all the best!

Terry

Richard B · #6 10-26-2005, 01:38 PM

While reading your story, I sided with your friends too, to put him to sleep. But then I read your last sentence: I'm so sad. My dog is my child.

That broke my heart. I think it's worth a try, especially if they can get all the cancer out. What a difficult time for you. Whichever you decide, it will be the right thing.

JazmenFlowers · #7 10-26-2005, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raeven Skye

oh! i'm so sorry that you have to go thru all that! what a horrible decision to have to make. i think you have to consider a lot of things tho, including how this will affect your dog in the long run. if you think he'll have a good quality of life, then that's a positive.

exactly - that's what I was trying to say too

GODDESS6 · #8 10-26-2005, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sara1998

Gosh... such a tough call. I'm sorry he's still going through all this. I don't have any advice, except for do what your gut tells you is right. Good luck to you!

i agree w/ sara1998, your dog is soooo cute & i truly wish him the best, those are always such tough decisions, give him a squeeze from me

, my dog is my child too~

Raeven Skye · #9 10-26-2005, 01:45 PM

I would like to also add, that we have a tripod iguana, because we just couldn't put the little greenie down....this was after the vet tried to save her arm...and spent lots of $$$ on a $10 lizard...she's learned to adapt, but 6 months later, she's heathy, and generally happy (you know...for an ig), albeit a little accusatory....so if your heart says you have to at least try...I completely understand...and you have a strong support network in all of us here.

JazmenFlowers · #10 10-26-2005, 01:46 PM

If he's not even 8 yrs old yet and they can remove what they need to and he can resume a somewhat happy, healthy life, but will have to learn to do a few things different, he's got lots of great living ahead of him.

Again, I'm so very sorry to hear this. My cat (Chloe) is 4, my beagle (Piper) is 3 and my lab (Lulu) is 2.5 so I know one day I'll be faced with these issues and I wish there were something I could do to help. Much love and best wishes...

HomerMcvie · #11 10-26-2005, 01:50 PM

Thanks guys.
I just don't want to do it to be selfish. The vet says, if U of IL is reasonably certain that they can get it all, that she'd do it, if it were her dog. Obviously, Cash doesn't want to die(I know that sounds stupid), so, like I said, I'm leaning towards having the jaw removed.

We've been constant companions. Vacations and all. Truly, a team.

GODDESS6 · #12 10-26-2005, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Thanks guys.
I just don't want to do it to be selfish. The vet says, if U of IL is reasonably certain that they can get it all, that she'd do it, if it were her dog. Obviously, Cash doesn't want to die(I know that sounds stupid), so, like I said, I'm leaning towards having the jaw removed.

We've been constant companions. Vacations and all. Truly, a team.

i am the biggest dog luver, i wouldn't want him to die either, if they say they can get it, why not, he means so much to you & you to him, every dog i have ever had & i've had them in my life constantly since birth, i have had a deep relationship w/, they are our kids & they know it~

JazmenFlowers · #13 10-26-2005, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomerMcvie

Thanks guys.
I just don't want to do it to be selfish. The vet says, if U of IL is reasonably certain that they can get it all, that she'd do it, if it were her dog. Obviously, Cash doesn't want to die(I know that sounds stupid), so, like I said, I'm leaning towards having the jaw removed.

We've been constant companions. Vacations and all. Truly, a team.

it'll work out.

I'm having issues with a possum in my back yard. It is scary the holy **** out of me. My lab isn't scared of it at all and runs up to it so I have to yank her back inside and try to protect my little beagle too and have sprayed it with water and clipped all the hedges, but the f*ucker won't go away!!!! UGH. And animal control is useless.

Richard B · #14 10-26-2005, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazmenFlowers

I'm having issues with a possum in my back yard. It is scary the holy **** out of me. My lab isn't scared of it at all and runs up to it so I have to yank her back inside and try to protect my little beagle too and have sprayed it with water and clipped all the hedges, but the f*ucker won't go away!!!! UGH. And animal control is useless.

Just remember possums are practically blind. But you're smart that you keep your dogs away. They are carriers of rabies.

Once growing up we had a possum under the house that would come out at night (nocturnal things) and freak my mom out. I happened to be working at a pet shop at the time (I was 16) and they had a pet trap. So I trapped the filthy rodent and passed it along to a very strange woman who had all kinds of animals and reptiles (all the boys loved her of course). Anyway she ended up keeping it as a pet, it was a bit tame and mellow and allowed petting and stuff. Weird, huh?

JazmenFlowers · #15 10-26-2005, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

Just remember possums are practically blind. But you're smart that you keep your dogs away. They are carriers of rabies.

Once growing up we had a possum under the house that would come out at night (nocturnal things) and freak my mom out. I happened to be working at a pet shop at the time (I was 16) and they had a pet trap. So I trapped the filthy rodent and passed it along to a very strange woman who had all kinds of animals and reptiles (all the boys loved her of course). Anyway she ended up keeping it as a pet, it was a bit tame and mellow and allowed petting and stuff. Weird, huh?

yuck. very weird.

the thing is, I normally let my dogs out in the back yard to play for a while at night while I clean up or cook or whatever and now I can't do that b/c that f*ucker is climbing up my fence somehow and just sits there - then Lulu runs up to it and I'm scared it's gonna fall over into my yard and then what'll I do...I'm so annoyed I'm about to go buy a huge mallett

(oh yeah, tried fox piss; supposedly scares it away - don't work)