he was listless and losing ALOT of weight. Just picked him up.......A TUMOR. A very big tumor.........that is blocking organs and pushing things up and making it VERY hard for him to breathe.
We have raised him since a pup (6 weeks)....he has slept, ate, played, saved, protected us for 4 years. The vet says 75/25....and it will be pricey. I say YESSSSSSSS. My husband says.....let him go.....he is uncomfortable and we don't have good odds.
Our daughter who was raised beside him.....doesn't know a thing....except her Ponyboy went to the Doctor.
What would YOU do?
2006-07-03 13:55:30 · 14 answers · asked by sqwirlsgirl 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Pay for the surgery...
SImilar situation a few years ago with our dog. Paid for the surgery. Dog ultimately did pass away from a tumor, but the surgery gave her almost two additional years of great life. WELL WORTH IT!
2006-07-04 09:10:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
From Your other post-I had to see what you were talking about.
For a long time-I volunteer at a horse rescue-and some how we got the dogs too.
Your dog is young (4 years?) and that might be points in his favor.
The listless in not. Can he eat? The best we can do -not knowing is to advise.
Is the dog in pain (that can be helped). What was the diet before? If he comes home go more natural (rice and hamburger-mix in veggies and Vit). Is the tumor removable--at what cost to other organs and such? There is a wealth of good information at the library. If you can I would get a good dog vet book and see what I could do. Also get some natural health books. They do a lot. There is a product called rescue remedy(health food store) a few drops could help the dogs anxiety and calm him/her.
Did the vet say what kind of tumor (probably not unless costly test). Is it a Lab? Fatty tumors happen often in that breed.
I am sorry to hear about your dog. I hope there is hope for it. You didn't say-do you want to prolong and maximize the time he has or is he in a great deal of pain?
Do see if you can find something at library or at Borders or book store-you don't have to buy to read what you need to know. Canine Medicine is a good book-but there are many much better. I don't have a list with me. Don't make a decision till you do.
I wish I could help more-my email is here,.
Should the worst happen-and we will hope not please give another dog a good home so many need it.
This is hard-I know some horses (and dogs or others) could not be helped-I never like that. And some did recover with much time put in- thats the good part. And I seen many were near death and some say it couldn't make it and they did. With all kinds of conditions.
Best wishes for you.
Sorry forgot you said APBT.- wish we could tell you more. Keep us posted.
And athorgarsak-that was uncalled for.
2006-07-05 01:04:03 · answer #2 · answered by *** The Earth has Hadenough*** 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As long as Ponyboy is comfortable you are responsible to let him have the life he should have and if that means the operation, then yeah, your husband needs to suck it up and realize that being a pet owner is bigger than ditching when it gets inconvenient. Your Vet will most likely let you pay over time. Conversly, if Ponyboy is really sick and tired take yourself out of the equation and ask with all of the facts known to you, what is best for him? And if it's that it is his time, then that would be the responsible thing to do. My guess is at that age, he still has a lot of life in him and YOU know what's the right thing. In 200 words or less, since the question was what would I do? I would have Ponyboy have the operation...(my border collie had cancer 11/2004, he was 11 then;I spent WAY more than I "should" have and I thank God every single moment that I see him; he's fine now and has saved me from myself countless times!)
2006-07-05 04:00:06 · answer #3 · answered by Sidoney 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I say go for it! Give Ponyboy a chance. A long time ago my family made the same choice.
Lady turned up on our doorstep in the middle of the hottest part of the Texas summer. She had been watching the cars pass in front of our apartment as if watching for someone. We put out food and water for her, but she was still suffering in the heat so we took her inside.
She was skin and bones and the pads of her feet were worn and bloody. She had traveled a long way. She sat politely by the front door, prompting my wife to say, "She's such a lady!" That's how she got her name. We gave her a home, but it was obvious she had adopted us.
We found out she had heart worms. As in your case, the vet said it would be expensive and the odds weren't good. We had to get her strong enough to have a chance of surviving the treatment. Advanced heart worms are treated with an arsenic-based medicine that will either kill the worms or the dog.
Lady made it. The vet let us pay out the cost of the treatment over a six month period. It was worth every penny! She was a member of our family for over 11 years. Good luck! God bless.
2006-07-05 01:19:40 · answer #4 · answered by Radio Spy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor suffering dog. He is kind of like a country that has been invaded by illegal aliens (the tumor).
They have destroyed his normal functions (sapping the life out of the economy)
But how could you possibly want to have it removed? (deported?)
the tumor deserves to have a place to live and grow (your stance on illegals in the US)
Why don't you just teach the tumor to be less intrusive, and teach your dog to accept and love his tumor (assimilate the illegals)?
After all who says that the tumor is at fault? Perhaps if the tumor did not HAVE to sneak in, it could have been a little less bothersome (you know what I am talking about)
Poor tumor, bad doggie.
2006-07-04 23:40:44 · answer #5 · answered by athorgarak 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is something you and your husband have to decide together.You need to ask yourself..Can you afford it? Are you doing it for him or you?75/25 isnt that great but dogs ARE tough.What kind of quality of life will he have if he does make it through surgery and recovery.How did the Vet act, did he seem to want to go for it?.Its a tough decission I'm sorry you have to make it...Best of luck
2006-07-03 22:01:48 · answer #6 · answered by roxie_29812 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whichever way you go - put him to sleep or go for the risky operation - consider explaining the situation to your daughter and allowing her time to process and of having a moment with him. My dog had prostate cancer when very old and my mother decided to have him operated without telling anyone. The vet said the chances were slim and, in fact, his heart failed and he died.
Coincidentally, a couple of days before the operation, I spent some time with him and it kind of worked as a goodbye. My sister, who lived abroad then, did not have that opportunity and took it very badly.
Just a thought.
2006-07-03 23:06:15 · answer #7 · answered by leblongeezer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can afford to give him a chance, then go for it. He has given you and your family alot, give it back to him, if you can. But always focus more on his comfort than anything else. Quality of life is more important than quantity of life. If you can't do the surgery, than see if the vet can give him anything to make him more comfortable for the remainder of his time on earth. If there is nothing, then euthanasia should be considered. Whatever is in his best interests.
2006-07-03 21:03:42 · answer #8 · answered by autumnfaerie8 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd pay for surgery. A dog that young could have another 6-8 years if treated right. Its hard for kids to go through something like that.
2006-07-04 00:17:31 · answer #9 · answered by Wolf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If any way possible keep your beloved pet. It may be costly but won't it be worth it if you love the dog? You cannot put a price on a life. If it was you,(hypothetically speaking) would your husband want to put you down? No, is my guess on that one, so I believe the dog needs a chance to live also.
2006-07-03 21:31:54 · answer #10 · answered by badgirl41 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋