When do you call time?
Discussion
About four weeks ago we found that our dog has prostate cancer.
We understand that it’s not really treatable and that ultimately at some point we’re going to have to take the decision to put him to sleep.
At the moment he seems 100% happy in himself but has a sudden urge to go to the toilet, struggles to pee and poo, and takes several attempts but does seem to be able to empty bladder and bowel.
As I understand it the cancer is likely to grow to a size that it blocks both passages and he becomes unable to pee or poo.
Just wondering whether anyone else has been through this and if so how/when they took the decision.
(As background he’s a 7/10 year old Basset Fauve de Bretagne)
We understand that it’s not really treatable and that ultimately at some point we’re going to have to take the decision to put him to sleep.
At the moment he seems 100% happy in himself but has a sudden urge to go to the toilet, struggles to pee and poo, and takes several attempts but does seem to be able to empty bladder and bowel.
As I understand it the cancer is likely to grow to a size that it blocks both passages and he becomes unable to pee or poo.
Just wondering whether anyone else has been through this and if so how/when they took the decision.
(As background he’s a 7/10 year old Basset Fauve de Bretagne)
garythesign said:
Marcellus said:
garythesign said:
theplayingmantis said:
i hate this pic, it always destroys me without fail.
Nothing to add but good luck OP, hope he's still happy for a good while yet.
Sorry the picture upset youNothing to add but good luck OP, hope he's still happy for a good while yet.
It was never my intention to upset anyone, especially the OP
By way of an update; Mack’s taken a turn for the worst over the past 12hours…. Only managing 1 of the 3 Ws. It seems as if the tumour has grown to the size that it’s now blocking tubes and is uncomfortable.
We have been through this before, so know the mechanics, previously it’s been obvious but this time it’s not so cut and dried, but I suspect we’ve reached that time.
Little bugger…… today was a different day…. Back to having all 3Ws in large amounts…. Wolfed all food, demanded to be taken for his walks then enjoy them, and generally spent the day with tail up and wagging….
Still straining to pee and poo..but not crippling so!
Last night we agreed plans for booking the vet and crematorium today, however we didn’t.
We’re not unrealistic, we do know there will come a day when he doesn’t “bounce back” but today he has.
Still straining to pee and poo..but not crippling so!
Last night we agreed plans for booking the vet and crematorium today, however we didn’t.
We’re not unrealistic, we do know there will come a day when he doesn’t “bounce back” but today he has.
Just to update the topic, Mack is still with us, he has more good than bad days.
Friends and family who we saw over Christmas were surprised when we told them he was I’ll, but our dog walker reckons that he looked to have lost quite a bit of weight over Christmas despite him keeping his appetite (we’ve always weighed all food given and he is still eating his usual weight)
So day by day but he’s still here.
Friends and family who we saw over Christmas were surprised when we told them he was I’ll, but our dog walker reckons that he looked to have lost quite a bit of weight over Christmas despite him keeping his appetite (we’ve always weighed all food given and he is still eating his usual weight)
So day by day but he’s still here.
Well to give a final update to this topic, yesterday was the day.
Third trip to the vets this week, he stopping wanting to do any of the Ws… stayed in a bed, only got up to try and pee/poo strained and didn’t really do either… went back to a bed for an hour then went out to try (and fail) again.
So, a sad sad day, but the right thing to do.
Third trip to the vets this week, he stopping wanting to do any of the Ws… stayed in a bed, only got up to try and pee/poo strained and didn’t really do either… went back to a bed for an hour then went out to try (and fail) again.
So, a sad sad day, but the right thing to do.
A week on and now a little less raw thought i'd come back to the topic.
This topic really helped (even that bloody cartoon with still gets dust in my eyes) the 3 Ws that Oddman said very early on.. when I started he was ticking all 3, then sometimes it became 2 and sometimes 1 but on the whole 3 so kept going, when it was rarely 3 we started to have serious discussions between us and with the Vet.. then it was never 3 so we knew we had a couple of days and could do everything in a planned and controlled manner.
Work were really good, (helps I report to the Owners one of whom I share an office with, who was nearly as upset about it as me as thrioughout Covid he came to work every day with me and she often dog sat for me with her children) so when on Friday lunchtime I was updating her she just said "Go, seeya whenever" I appreciate not all employers might be as flexible (I may not have been in previous roles must to my regret).
We booked the Vet for the final session for 18:00 on the Friday night, I have to say they were lovely.... when we arrived they all knew why we where there but they behaved as they did everytime they saw him as though it were just another check up, they took their time, they gave us time, no rush really gentle.. they had an endless supply of Tissues and let two people in their mid 50s sob............... tehy got his bed from the car for us, made him comfortable, tucked him in with a blanket and then we took him to the pet crematorium that we'd pre-booked.
One final thought was that even though we were reviewing the 3Ws we perhaps didn't realise how he was feeling, I took him for a lovely walk to one of his favourite places after Christmas and the 2 mile circuit took 90minutes, ....... yesterday I did the same walk with our other dog in 25minutes... now he was a scent hound so walks never were quick and I usually planned 45minutes for the walk with him.. but perhaps with hindsight it was tougher than I appreciated.
So yes we miss the little bugger.... those unplanned baths because he found a lovely pile of fox s
te, the tag teaming with our other dog so they both get fed, walked, given treats, pampered or generally spoilt..... but we're getting over it and already we're discussing "succession planning" we've had 3 rescues so this time may go for a breed and starting to contact breeders to see what's coming in the 12/24months timeframe, Mrs B used to work and show dogs and feels she may get back into it.
This topic really helped (even that bloody cartoon with still gets dust in my eyes) the 3 Ws that Oddman said very early on.. when I started he was ticking all 3, then sometimes it became 2 and sometimes 1 but on the whole 3 so kept going, when it was rarely 3 we started to have serious discussions between us and with the Vet.. then it was never 3 so we knew we had a couple of days and could do everything in a planned and controlled manner.
Work were really good, (helps I report to the Owners one of whom I share an office with, who was nearly as upset about it as me as thrioughout Covid he came to work every day with me and she often dog sat for me with her children) so when on Friday lunchtime I was updating her she just said "Go, seeya whenever" I appreciate not all employers might be as flexible (I may not have been in previous roles must to my regret).
We booked the Vet for the final session for 18:00 on the Friday night, I have to say they were lovely.... when we arrived they all knew why we where there but they behaved as they did everytime they saw him as though it were just another check up, they took their time, they gave us time, no rush really gentle.. they had an endless supply of Tissues and let two people in their mid 50s sob............... tehy got his bed from the car for us, made him comfortable, tucked him in with a blanket and then we took him to the pet crematorium that we'd pre-booked.
One final thought was that even though we were reviewing the 3Ws we perhaps didn't realise how he was feeling, I took him for a lovely walk to one of his favourite places after Christmas and the 2 mile circuit took 90minutes, ....... yesterday I did the same walk with our other dog in 25minutes... now he was a scent hound so walks never were quick and I usually planned 45minutes for the walk with him.. but perhaps with hindsight it was tougher than I appreciated.
So yes we miss the little bugger.... those unplanned baths because he found a lovely pile of fox s
te, the tag teaming with our other dog so they both get fed, walked, given treats, pampered or generally spoilt..... but we're getting over it and already we're discussing "succession planning" we've had 3 rescues so this time may go for a breed and starting to contact breeders to see what's coming in the 12/24months timeframe, Mrs B used to work and show dogs and feels she may get back into it.Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff