I;M new and scared

[kshort49]

Hi-this is the first time I've been on a forum like this. I have breast cancer and lupus and are usually on those forums. Well, this week I found out that my 10 yr. old lab mix, Sam, has lung cancer. We took him to the vet because he had developed a cough. The vet took x-rays to be sure that he did not have pneumonia. The antibiotics he gave him for the cough seemed to help, but then they found that one of the lungs has the cancer. I got Sam when I was diagnosed with cancer, and he has gotten me through so many hard times. Now here he is with cancer-I am lost. The Dr. said that perhaps surgery could be done, but I cant afford the price of it. Now I feel like I am putting a price on the dogs life, and I feel so guilty. Right now, Sam is acting pretty normal except he is not eating like he was a couple of weeks ago. When he was sick with the cough, I gave him anything he wanted to eat, just to keep him eating. So now, the only thing he will eat are the MilkBones and the IAMS bones. We've tried boiled ground beef and rice, canned food, baby food, even Chuncky Beef Soup. The only thing he will touch is the dog bones. No broth or anything. He drinks water fine, goes for his walks, etc. Does anyone have any ideas what I can do to help him eat? And has anyone else had a dog that has had lung cancer? I just don't know what to do. He's never been sick before, and to be told he's now so sick is horrible. He's the most loving dog I've ever had, and all I can do is cry-I don't know how I'll get through this. I'll just try and keep him as happy as I can, and I guess I'll do what I have to do when the time comes. Right now, I guess I keep feeding him his dog bones since its all he eats. Sorry this is so long, but I'm glad there is a place I can come to where its ok to feel like I feel. Thanks everyone. Kathy

[bernicesmama]

first I would like to say welcome to the forum. My mother has lupus and it is a horrible disease, my prayers go out to you.

Have you tried to crumble up the milkbones on top of the food you are trying to use? That might work. or you could mix up the milkbone pieces in some high quality wet food maybe?

I wish nothing but the best for you and your dog. Do not feel guilty for not paying for a surgery! I am sure you are a great owner and sometimes prolonging the suffering is more cruel than not paying for a surgery.

[Becky]

Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear about your little one... You could try soaking the bones in a broth the in a blender mix the bones and some wet and dry food to make a tasty soup for him. The vet also sells a food called A/d which all the dogs I know gobble it up even when they were sick. When my dog had cancer the vet told us to feed her spagetti o's

[Dobified]

Hello Kathy and welcome to the Pro Dog Forum.

I am truly sorry about your dog and I understand how hard it can be to see your beloved animal sick.

A labs lifespan is usually about 10-12 years old. I have Dobermans and it is about the same although you can see one once in awhile live to be 14 or 15. Larger dogs just don't live as long as smaller ones.

Lung cancer is one of the worst killers , there is usually no cure for it in people and dogs. Other then removing the lung or the part that has the cancer there is really not much else that they can do for the dog.

You dog is older as well and probably would not do well under anasthetic, just like people the risks increase with age.

I apologize for being blunt but at your dogs age and what kind of cancer he has it would be kinder for your dog to be put down. As awful as that sounds it is not fair to put an older dog through the pain and suffering of a lung removal or even a partial lung removal, with the good chance since he is older that he may not even wake up for the anasthetic.

Here is one more thing to consider, even if the dog came through a operation, how long is he going to survive after the fact, remember he is a senior dog amd what quality of life is he going to have with a partial lung or a lung removed ?

You are not letting him down or putting a price on his life. I have been there and know how difficult a decision like this can be but you have to put the dog's quality of life, age, and overall health after surgery first.

I had a very sick Doberman in my last dog. He was 12 and he went from being normal and healthy to being very sick and going down hill very fast. Within three week I knew I had to do the kindest thing for him and have him put down. It was not for me, it was for him. If it had been for me I would have wanted him to live forever, he was like my child. I still mourn him, it was almost 10 years ago now that he died, but it was the kindest thing to do for him, I knew he was free of pain and suffering and was looking down on me wagging his tail.

I hope that helps you, I hope I was not too blunt.

[ktpaco]

Dear Kathy,

My prayers go out you and Sam. I have one suggestion, but you may have already done this - is the "vet" a cancer specialist, or your normal doc. Your normal vet is great for your dogs health, a vetenariarny cancer specialist is great for specifically that. The cancer vet my just tell you the same thing, but then again maybe not. Since cancer is all that type of vet deals with - he/she knows what options are available for the type of cancer, and what stage it is in. Also - if you know the type of cancer - use the Web to gather as much information/data, and once in awhile a person gets lucky by finding a "research" or medical training school that is looking for willing participants. I believe that all the members that have posted replies are absolutely correct in the quality of life, cost of surgury, and the age of the dog - but for your own person relief, if decisions need to be made, it may help you to feel as informed as you can possibly be. You can never have to much knowledge/education.

I would like to hear how things go, if you are up to it, as time goes on. The people on the dog forum see guieninely sincere, knowledgable, fun, and caring friends - so know there are people here that feel your pain and wish you and Sam the best.
Take Care and keep up your strength. My family will be praying for you. Ktpaco

[kshort49]

Thank you everyone for your advice. It's so nice to talk to people who know what I am feeling. Sam is feeling better today. I did crumble his bones on top of his regular food, and believe it or not, he ate twice today as normal. My kids and I decided we'd try to visit a dog oncologist if we can afford it, just to find out what the future will bring us. Right now, Sam is acting pretty normal (for a lab!). We are not going to have surgery. I agree with all of you-he has never been sick before this, so I don't want to put him in any pain. When the time comes, I pray I will recognize it and do what I need to do. It's really weird-I got Sam when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and he has gotten me through so many horrible times. I never thought I'd be seeing him with cancer. He always got me through my scares (right now they say it might be back), and I'm going to be so lost without him there to pat and love. He's the best! Anyway, thanks to all of you for your advice, and I definitely will keep you posted and look forward to the help you will be able to give me. Thanks and God bless! Kathy

[Dobified]

Thanks for your update Kathy, my prayers are with you and Sam.

[ktpaco]

Hey Debbie - I'm glad to hear Sam is doing better. I know you said you would rule out surgury due to Sam's age, but maybe the vet can evaluate his present overall health. They are just like humans - Sam is definitely older, but some eighty year old people have surgury & do fine, living 5 to 10 more years longer. And getting the price of the surgury doesn't mean your committing to surgury, it's just another puzzle piece to add to the puzzle. I can tell he is a lot of comfort to you, especially since it sounds like you are in a gray area again with your own health. Basically, I'm just trying to give you peace of mind - for the long run. Hope I'm not overstepping any bounds.

We will pray for you, Sam, and your family. Ktpaco