My dog Artex is 14 years old. We got her when I was really little, and I've grown up with her my whole life. Last month she had a breast tumor removed, and they said it was cancerous. They think they may have gotten it all out (I was really hoping so too), but just today I found another tumor on her front leg. I'm trying to convince my mom to get surgury for her leg too, but if she has cancer all over, how much time do you think I still have with her? I'm really worried, and I'm having a hard time dealing with it. I'd just like to know how much time I still have with her. Thanks for the help.
2007-01-24 08:30:54 · 11 answers · asked by Buddy 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I am sorry to hear your dog is sick. My dog had cancer too.
The only way to know is really to go to the vet. The lump on her leg may NOT be a cancerous tumor. Many older dogs develop lumps and bumps which are NOT cancerous.
Even if it is cancerous, taking it off may be difficult and is something for the vet to assess. When my dog's front leg had a tumor the vet checked it for bad cells by drawing out a sample through a needle.
We eventually decided not to have the lump removed because the vet was concerned that opening the lump up could cause the cancer to spread faster and there was a risk the dog would lose his leg. His hips were terrible and this meant he would have had to be put down.
From the time of this decision until when he died was maybe 18 months.
BUT he did have a lump on his leg before that for many years which was not cancerous. Your best bet is the vet.
I know this is hard for you and my heart goes out to you.
Best wishes.
2007-01-24 10:16:04 · answer #1 · answered by bookmom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The tough thing about cancer is that it's so unpredictable. Sometimes it moves rapidly through the body and the dog is gone within a matter of weeks; at other times it moves slowly, and you have years with your dog.
We had a Corgi cross who at about 12 years old started sprouting tumors all over his body. After two surgeries we stopped having them removed, because the surgeries were so hard on him. He lived to be 16 years old. We just put him down last year.
The best advice that we can give you is: it's not about quantity (how long) it's about quality. Spend as much quality time as you can with your pet and you'll both benefit from it no matter how much or how little time Artex has left.
2007-01-24 08:53:19 · answer #2 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok..... I Have been through what youre going through.
I lost my Female rottie to the same cancer, Your time is limited. If the cancer is in the bone, it makes the bone very fragile. under and xray it will look like a lace or swiss cheese. If your dog were to jump down off something it could break. Thats why you time is limited. Also the cancer is a very fast spreading cancer.You do have other options like Cemo, but thats very painful too. Ask yourself this.....Is she suffering and is her quality of life going to be effected. There is only one answer and that is yes.
The hardest thing for me to do. She was only 7 years old. And had the spirit of a puppy. she was very loyal and loving.
As much as I would have wanted to everything for my girl I knew that is was not fair to see her suffer because I wanted to be selfish.
14 years is a long time for any dog. I you love your dog as you say it will be like loosing your best friend. Have her put to sleep, and you be there as she is put to sleep. It will give you time to say good bye and you girl will know you were the last one she got to see as she pasted. It is very sad I know. It has been 5 months now since I lost my girl.....I think of her everyday and miss her just as much. As time goes by it will fade. If youre like me you will shed many a tear of her memory.
I have 2 new rotties and they are a handfull. I am now making new memories and yes thinking of the old. Be at peace with what you have to do. I know your pain and I know the future pain youre about to have.
Good luck
2007-01-24 09:14:33 · answer #3 · answered by llll_bouncer_llll 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
=(( I'm sooooo sorry to hear about your dog but unfortunately no one here can really answer your question, only your vet can. The only thing that I have learned from having watched Emergency Vets on Animal Planet is that when your pet no longer has an appetite and won't play or anything (and probably starts to whine a lot) it will be time to get her put down to end her suffering. Just enjoy the time that you have with her and don't try for the other sugery as you will just be dragging out her suffering.
2007-01-24 09:29:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My mom's Shih Tzu had breast cancer..We found it at the beginning of last year..She unfortunately passed away about a week ago..It is really hard to tell how long that you have left with her..All cancer is different and may affect different dogs in different ways..
It will be very hard...If you see her in any kind of pain or, like my mom's dog did, not being able to move or hold up her head, please consider putting her to sleep..My mom didn't have the heart to do this to her dog, but that was the most pitiful thing that I have ever seen..
GOOD LUCK to you and your pup
2007-01-24 08:39:46 · answer #5 · answered by kristi417906 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It depends on the dog and the cancer.
It is the hardest decision your will ever make but you know your dog best and when she is in pain you should have her put to sleep to end her pain.
You may have months or only weeks. It varies with each dog.
I had one who had cancer and we had him for about 5 months and the last one was gone with in a month.
I am so very sorry about your pet. Take care and love her as much as you can.
2007-01-24 08:52:10 · answer #6 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that is hard! Im sorry. I do radiation therapy on human cancer patients. Cancer is a really nasty thing and can cause a lot of pain and suffering. You might have to do the hardest thing in the world and put her down. I know it is easy for me to say that, but when it comes to doing it, that is the hardest thing ever. You might want to look into radiation treatment for aniamals. I know they do it at several universities. Again, Im really sorry for you!
Besides, the knot you found might not be cancer, it could be a cyst or just a big glob of fat. Have it biopsied before doing anything! Good luck!
2007-01-24 08:38:51 · answer #7 · answered by sphynxer 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Depends on the type of cancer as some are more agressive than others.
You need to be tough & think about what is best for your dog. How much surgery do you think it is fair to put her through & are you doing it for your benefit or hers?
It's really hard I know as we lost our last dog to cancer & it was awful to go through but we had to do what we thought was right for her in the end.
Talk to your vet & see what they think.
2007-01-24 08:42:36 · answer #8 · answered by uncle fester 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it will be hard but you should put her down. she is probably suffering, and it is very selfish to continue putting her through it. i had to put down my boxer because of cancer too. if you put her down, know this, she'll be waiting for you in heaven.
2007-01-24 08:43:51 · answer #9 · answered by jeffrey m 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
take ur dog to the vet they will have alot of more information
2007-01-24 08:39:29 · answer #10 · answered by baseball freak 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋