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From: Tracey Karcher <hymnsinger@gmail.com>
To: askavet@yahoogroups.com; quilter855@aol.com
Sent: Friday, 2 October, 2009 3:25:05 PM
Subject: Re: [AskAVet] sick dog
Patty,
I am so sorry to hear this. I wish so much that a dog's (or cat, or
horse) lifespan was comparable to our own. My heart goes out to you
during this difficult time. It's a sad fact that we must part with our
beloved 4 legged friends many times before we ourselves must depart. I
have lost many to time, accidents, and disease. It never gets easier.
Letting her die naturally runs the risk of being very painful. If it was
an aneurysm I'd say sure, it'll be quick and painless. The spleen . . .
not so quick. And VERY traumatic for you too.
The ultrasound will give you a better idea of what she's facing and how
long she may have. Then you can make your decision. At 12 1/2 it may be
time to say goodbye, while you still have some control over the
situation. The U/S may give you a little more time, but ultimately, the
end is nigh. Give her as much quality time as you can, take her to her
favorite places, feed her her favorite treats, and arrange for her final
resting place.
I know how very hard this is, and I wish you both peace and joy in your
remaining months together.
Tracey K
pfendall wrote:
> Hi,
> My 12 year old dog suddenly went off her feed last weekend, but then appeared okay a few hours later. Happened again the next day and her abdomen was swelling. Vet took blood MOnday and we got the results today. She had a tumor in her spleen that ruptured cauding the abdomen to swell with blood, but seems to have stopped bleeding. She named the type of cancer, but I was driving and pulled over and didn't have a chance to get a pencil out.
>
> Currently, her body seems to be reabsorbing the blood and she is eating canned food (usually gets dry, but what the heck..), wags her tail, looks happy and alert.
> 1. Will the reabsorption cause any problems -like constipation to watch for? She has companions so it is hard to see who has pooped.
>
> 2. I bought liver to cook for her to increase her red blood count. ANy other ideas? Amounts to feed a 55 pound, slightly pudgy dog?
>
>
> 3. Vet suggested taking her to a univeristy for an ultrasound. If cancer is just in spleen, removal should be easy. Trip would be about 4 hours each way. IF cancer is widepread, she would be put down.
>
> 4. Dog is 12 1/2, almost deaf, bad hips, has had both grand mals an petite ones in the past - but not recently, cancer removed from leg a few years ago. Heart is great, other blood work looked good.
>
> 5. If nothing is done, the tumor will burst again. Would a bleedout be a terrible way to go? IF more testing is not done, widespread cancer should be obvious soon.
> Any thoughts would be appreciated. I just don't want to be guilty of putting her through the pain of surgery at her age if it won't gain her much. She means a lot to me.
> Patty
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> Yahoo! Groups Links
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