How Do You Decide

[bednobs]

ive had and lost pets before, however, whilst ive been an adult (and therefore had the decisions myself), ive lost 2 pets in road accidents, so not much deciding htere.
Now, however, my lovely, loyal dog, Marmite went to the vets today, and they found a lump in his spleen. He's going on for an exploratory op on monday, where they will decide how to proceed (ie can they just remove it, is it cancerous, is there any treatment, or maybe just to close up as nothing can be done.
He is not an old man really, he's about 10 ish (we don't know for sure as he was a rescue). He's insured, so that's not particularly a consideration. What i'm worried about is if they tell us he needs chemotherapy. How on earth do you decide what's best to do???

[Psybbo]

Oh Bednobs, can't help but I feel for you. I hope there is a positive outcome xx

[pastafreak]

So sorry you are facing this kind of problem. I'd say consider his quality of life...depending on what treatment is needed and the possible outcome. A healthy dog can have another 2-5 years...if you can give him a chance at that,go for it.

[wolf63]

I don't think that chemotherapy is advised in pets - I can try and find a link for you.

I think that you will have to be guided by your vet. If they feel that removing the spleen or chopping out the lump are viable methods of lengthening his life they will tell you.

Will, hopefully, be back soon

[shivvy]

I have been in that position bednobs. My last old girl had bone cancer in her jaw. So much depends on what the vet tells you. And if you have a good vet, they will outline every single option that you have which helps enormously with decision making.
For our girl one option was that we could operate which would involve removing part of her jaw which would make eating very difficult but she could be assisted with supplements etc. However she loved a chew and she loved her grub! She was a rescue too and had been starved as a young dog. We used to think that she spent the rest of her life making up for it!! We might not make the same decision for another dog but for her we decided not to operate or put her through chemo. We knew the cancer would be fatal but we thought it was the right decision for her. We managed her symptoms and stayed on top of her pain. We had much longer with her than was anticipated and we were able to take her to be put to sleep before things got too bad. in fact on the day she went to sleep she was able to enjoy a lovely chewy for the last time.
We have only lost one dog to a road accident and I can tell you that his death was much much more traumatic than Keelas. It was awful. But with Keela we were able to choose the time that was right for her and it was all so very peaceful.
Fingers crossed that the results will be all good for Marmite and you won't have to make tough decisions but if you do, it is a lovely thing to be able to take control over how and when your beloved companion passes.
A very clever person on here once told me that when deciding about when is the right time, "better a day too early than an hour too late" and it is so so true. Hope this helps. My thoughts are with you.

[anneasquith]

I think you will get the answer when the vet does the surgery, would I put my dog through chemo?

[tamborine]

Dont look if youre squeamish but I think you have enuf med knowledge to cope. This vet thinks its due to diet. The vid shows enlarged tumor with a second one threatening. You know if your dog could cope as its a huge procedure. Best of luck x

http://youtu.be/M8Kii2VSfWQ Media URL: http://youtu.be/M8Kii2VSfWQ
Description:

[wolf63]

I can't find the chemo article - the issue is that is ethically sound that we can put an animal through something potentially nasty as chemotherapy without their consent.

Chemo in dogs is at a much lower dosage/level as a result of this.

If you have a good vet (most are good) they should guide you towards the answer, trust them.

Give my love to Marmite - as you say 10 is middle ages and not old.

[Cloverjo]

I don't have a dog, and am not a dog lover particularly, but I don't like to think of animals suffering. Humans can cope with the effects of chemotherapy when they have the belief that the side effects from the treatment will be worth it in the end. Dogs don't have that knowledge.
Best wishes, I hope he turns out to be ok without it.

[paddywak]

Max had a same problem a lump on the spleen,after some research and discussion with the vet we went ahead with the operation and as a result we had Max for a further 18 months before we lost him when he lost the use of his back legs.Discuss it with your vet and think about it before you decide the last thing you want is for a much loved friend to suffer.

[Tilly2]

I wouldn't want my pet to have to go through anything that was going to take away their enjoyment of life. I would make the decision to put them out of their misery. Why prolong the inevitable?

[paddywak]

I forgot to add that many years ago an old friend told me that if you love your pet then you'll know when it's time to let them go and you do,don't ask me how but when the time comes you know.

[paddywak]

Max recovered really well and after the first ten days or so when he had to wear a huge buster collar( see avatar when it changes) which he hated he soon returned to his normal way of life running our lives.We till miss him after nearly three years.

[woofgang]

I know someone whose dog had just had chemo for bone cancer and sailed through it. Apparently the issue is whether the dog is happy and relaxed being handled at the vets and will calmly tolerate the IV, also there is an issue about loss of appetite. It doesn't usually make dogs ill like it makes humans ill although that depends a bit on what the chemo drugs consist of. I don't think they will say "needs". In dogs chemo is not a cure, its a life prolonger, when it works, so its not so much a "needs" as an option. You really need to talk to your vet.

[anneasquith]

I wonder how marmite got on at the vets ?

[wolf63]

Me too Anne

[janbee]

Oh Bednobs, I really feel for you. Had that dilemma with my dog. I put her through all that treatment but she still died. I regret VERY much doing it. I wish she'd been brought home to die in her own bed. It was heartbreaking for me to watch her and I REALLY regret my decision to make her suffering prolonged by the treatments. I did it for MY own selfish reasons. I've never had another dog since. I loved her so much . Thinking of you and Marmite. Let us know what happens. xx

[jennyjoan]

I too as you know Bednobs was in a similar position with Mr Harv who had cancer of the thyroid. I decided against the chemo but I got another happy year with him - but the end is awful. Miss him so much.

[jennyjoan]

Like somebody said - if your dog is relaxed in the vets - you could make a decision.

Unfortunately Mr Harv got himself into a very distressed state at the vets - I couldn't put him through it.

[Old_Geezer]

I think most is covered above. You can only take on board what the vet tells you are the options and consequences of each. And to keep in mind that the pet will have no concept of 'no longer living' so isn't bothered by missing out on quantity because it would have meant a drop in quality of life. It doesn't ponder the meaning of life and how much longer it has left. It lives mainly in the present. But it will know of feeling ill, so the big issue is bound to be the proposed treatment, how long and how bad, and compare to whatever the expected gain is.