Lung Cancer

[kshort49]

Hi everyone-I'm just writing because I am going crazy. I have an appointment with the dog oncologist on Tuesday, and I am so depressed. We have already decided that there is no way we can afford the surgery Sam would need to remove his lung. It is just do wierd-my cancer is trying to come back, and now he comes down with cancer. Why? I think if maybe I took him to the vet when he had a small cough in the fall, but I just thought he swallowed grass or something that made him gag. I guess it was the cancer starting. He's laying here by me, and I just cant imagine him not being here. You'd never know he was so sick except when he is coughing. There has never been a greater dog. Like I said before, he has gotten me through some really bad times with my cancer. How do you get ready for something like this? It seems impossible. Sorry to be so depressing, but I really don't have anyone I can talk to about Sam, so I'm glad you guys are here. Thanks for listening-I'll keep you posted. Kathy

[Blaze]

I'm sorry you are going through this. I know how incredibly hard it must be for you! We are all here for you if you need to talk!
You are in my thoughts and prayers!!

[Gingee]

How old is your dog? Did you mention this a couple days ago? If so, isn't your dog about 10?

[Dobified]

When a dog gets to be older there are some many things that can happen; it is no one's fault just nature.

I know this is very hard, I have had to end the suffering of my last dog when he was 12 yrs old. It is never easy but you can take comfort in knowing that you did the right thing for you dog.

Take the time you have left with him and spoil him and cherish him. You will know when the time is right and he is ready.

The hardest thing to do is get past your emotions and your own feelings. It is hard but you need to put aside how you feel and so you can do what is right for your dog.

Lung cancer is bascially incurable in humans as well as animals. They can remove a pieces of lung or the entire thing but what quality of life does that leave for your dog ? At the age your dog is at it would not be a good quality. Remember at 10 years old he would be 70 years old in human years.

My prayers are with you that you find peace in the time you have left with your dog .

[kshort49]

Thanks to all of you who have been supporting me. Tomorrow, my daughter and I will take Sam to the oncologist and see what lies in the future for him. I'ts so strange-he sure doesn't look so sick. We live on Long Island NY, so had a lot of snow yesterday and Saturday. It was really hard for me to think that this will be the last winter he will be playing in the snow like he is. I'm glad he's not acting sick (except when he coughs), so he can have fun. I love this guy so much, and there is nothing I can do to keep him here longer. It's such a helpless feeling. Well, thanks for letting me cry on your shoulders-I've got no family near me, and my kids are grown and I don't like to upset them any more than they already are. I'm so glad there is a place like this. I'll keep everyone updated. God bless all of you!

[Gingee]

Is there a vet school in the area? Sometimes places will do these things for the experience of working on a dog.

It is rough. We had to put our dog down last month. Fortunately we had got another dog two weeks before we found out ours had cancer and it has helped a lot.

Good luck. I know it is rough.

[kshort49]

Hi-Well I took work off today to take Sam to the oncologist. I feel totally awful. His right lung has at least one lobe filled with adenocarcinoma, maybe more. She said that they do operate on dogs his age -10- for this and has a moderate success rate. I hated to do this, but I had to ask her the price-$3000-5000 for the surgery. She also suggested I get a CAT scan and another ultrasound to double check if anything has spread. Those scans, with anesthesia, are about $500 each-I charged the first one he had. There is absolutely no way I can afford any of these options, and I feel so guilty for it. She said that we could try a course of chemo, but each treatment is $400. I am so confused. This dog has gotten me through such times, as I mentioned before, and when it come time for me to help him, I feel like a total failure. I'm wondering if I should go ahead and put everything on a charge card and worry about it later. But then I get thinking that he is 10 years old, and maybe I should just let him live what he has of his life without any interference. How do I live with my self when I'm basing his care on money? That's what makes me feel so guilty. So during the next couple of days I have to let the vet know what I decide. Have any of you had to make a decision like this? I try not to get stressed cause I have cancer and lupus, but all I can do is cry and feel like I'm being so mean to him. Please forgive me for rambling so much, and thank you for being here-I really have no one else to talk to this about. God bless all of you and your wonderful pet. Kathy

[Gingee]

That price is awful? Did you see the message about trying a vet school?

[Deb's Tiny Dogs]

I agree about the vet school. Sometimes they're less expensive and they're certainly more cutting edge in technology.

I would definately have a frank talk with the vet about what's the average life expectancy gained after each of the treatments you mentioned.

In other words, if you find out that surgery may only buy your dog 6-8 extra months, that may sway your decision one way or another.

This must me so tough on you being ill yourself.

My Poodle has cancer also and deciding on treatment was difficult.

You and Sam are in my prayers. We're here to talk to anytime. Numerous people on this forum have experienced the tough decisions you are facing. So, I hope there's some comfort for you knowing that all of us here feel your pain.

Peace to you tonight,

Debbie

[Dobified]

I know this is very hard on you and I pray you find peace.

Please do not feel guilty about his care. He is a older dog, he is 10 yrs old and in people years he is 70 years old.

He probably would suffer terribly with treatments.

Cherish the time you have left him.

Prayers for you and him.