Sissy's Spleen

Burl, thanks for sharing your experience and the info.   May Sissy continue to be Sissy for as long as possible.  She's a lucky dog to have such a caring owner.

Here is another good cancer site with diet info, plus conventional and alternative treatments:
http://www.dogaware.com/health/cancer.html

Fingers crossed that Sissy beats all the projections!!

Hemangiosarcoma is nasty -- but it sounds like the options were explained well. 

I have an article done by a friend of mine who is the head neurosurgeon up at the U of Florida vet school (Dr. Roger Clemmons) -- he strongly suggests a cancer diet (and I've used his and others many times).  But it's also a list of other supplements/herbs if you're at all interested.

I think your choice on this is wise.  We've lost a couple of dogs on here recently to Hemangiosarcoma and Adenosarcoma.  No matter how you spell it cancer is just a vicous disease.

We're behind you 100%.  You have our prayers and good thots.  If you want Clemmons' article give me a holler via email (it would be an attachment). 

 Thanks for all good wishes for Sissy.  She is totally herself and walking full walks w/ Red and Peanut.

I will update this thread as time goes on.

 I agree with the others that you made the best decision for Sissy. I hope she does well for much longer than what the oncologist told you; {{{hugs}}}

Sending good wishes and positive thoughts for Sissy and you as you live with this new part of her life. It sure sounds like she is has recovered from her surgery and is having a good time--jumping over boat trailors and loving her walks!  Hugs!

I am so sorry about your Sissy's problems.  Back in '97 our just turned 12 year old Irish setter  was diagnosed with bone cancer, rear leg.  our options were to operate THAT DAY and hope it had not spread, take a few days and then send him to ther bridge as it was a very, very fast, active cancer, or do nothing and just let him suffer and go at his own speed. 

sinc ehe was 3 months past his 12 brthday, already had arthritis in shoulders and hip, even tho our hearts said amputate, our minds said it would not be fair to him.  We decided to just give him a couple fo good days of eating his favorite foods (a lot of doggy no0no stuff) and spedning time fishing on the bay with us.

Well, those few days turned into exactly 10 weeks.  I took him in to see my vet twice a week and each time Boots had not lost weight as he was suppose--in fact put on some--and was alert, active, and Rickey would just say "We don't have to do it yet.

Boots loved veggies so much he would actually eat tomatoes, swquash and green peppers off the vines in my garden.  love all kind of melons.  We did let him always have some veggies.  But he also loved sweets and would snag anything sweet if he got a chance.  Once diagnosed and we knew it was terminal, we let him hve sweets.  Whatever we had for dessert, so did he.  I mean, he had his own babana split complete with toppings, whipped cream and even cherry (but no nuts), He had his own strawberry shortcake, apple pie with ice cream, etc.  Those were probably the 10 happiest weeks of his 12 1/2 years because he got to eat all the doggy no-no foods as well as all the veggies and fruits he wanted---think he actually preferrred them over meat.

We never regretted not amputating.  Had he been young, we would have tried it.  You just have to go with your mind--not really your heart because your heart will want to act, do whatever you can to try to keepyour"fur kid".  But you mind can reason things out and you will know what is best for Sissy, not for you.  Good luck for you and you dear Sissy.

 Thanks jessies mom, frisby, and sandra.  She's doing great.  We are surely petting her and showing a bit more attention, naturally, but have to be careful with its impact on the other two.  I'm for giving her the goodies, but we always give them things the same.  Of course, when Red and Peanut go outside...

Burl, I have been following this, just haven't posted.  I am sorry your Sissy is going through this and I support your decision.  We are here for you. Take care.  ((Hugs))

calliecritturs

Hemangiosarcoma is nasty -- but it sounds like the options were explained well. 

I have an article done by a friend of mine who is the head neurosurgeon up at the U of Florida vet school (Dr. Roger Clemmons) -- he strongly suggests a cancer diet (and I've used his and others many times).  But it's also a list of other supplements/herbs if you're at all interested.

We're behind you 100%.  You have our prayers and good thots.  If you want Clemmons' article give me a holler via email (it would be an attachment). 

 I posted Dr Clemmons cancer info a bit earlier in this thread :) I don't know Dr Clemmons but certainly know of him through his DM work with GSDs.

 I had read Clemmons' work, thanks.

I totally agree with your reasoning, Burl. Let Sissy be Sissy. The bravest thing we can do is just that. And when it is time, whether it's this time or the next, accept it as best we can. In "Getting Lucky" many of the pets did have some suffering at the last but it was her way of letting them decide when it was time. And the pets were there because the family they came from couldn't deal with either the illness or the process of helping a pet cross the Bridge.

And it can often come down to finances, especially in the face of diminishing returns. Finances, either there are none or it would put a heavy, if still managable strain on other things. And for what? Usually, delaying the inevitable. Such as with my cat, Misty. There was an expensive treatment that would have alleviated some of the symptoms but in the end, kidney failure, which she was already in, would be the cause, after a long time of suffering. For what? To keep her near me.

So, to quote the vet who spoke with me, "There are no wrong decisions here, in this room." So, you have no wrong decisions in this, just support. And full knowledge on my part that the Bridge does exist and you will see her again, someday, when it is your time. Until then, hooraw for Sissy and give her a treat just 'cause it's Thursday.

ron2

And full knowledge on my part that the Bridge does exist and you will see her again, someday, when it is your time. Until then, hooraw for Sissy and give her a treat just 'cause it's Thursday.

 

Thanks ron, it does me good to hear that from a dog knower.  I spend quite a bit of time on philosophy blogs trying to make the point that, what you say of human mental existence, you must holg similarly for dogs.  So in my mind, if I find myself on the other side, I know my dogs are already there (though mine may be hard to locate as I'm certain they are off begging for treats somewhere).

 A month since her spleenectomy and Sissy is doing great.  She's walking better than in months (partly thanks to cool weather).  Hoping she has many months of walks and treats to look forward to.  Sissy, and sisters Peanut and Red just posed for this pic.

 Since I now know how to post pics, here are a couple:

Sissy at 3 months

 Sissy today