Update: How do you know when it's time?

My vet and I had this conversation about my Frisby. She, too, reminded us to look at the things Frisby loved to do in her world and when she couldn't or didn't want to do those things, (recognizing that it changes as they age), then it was time to help her over the Bridge. She really focused on the quality of Frisby's life and her ability to do what was important to her. With my springer, we talked about the "not wanting to eat" indicator (she had cancer), but that was never an issue for Celeigh. She ate treats right up until we gave her the first sedative. But on her last day with us, she just laid down and pretty much said she couldn't do any more.

It's such a hard decision (but also a gift, I think, because we can help them cross gently and without pain). Many hugs and good days for your time together.

swamper

  When the time comes I think having a mobile vet come to the house would be the best option.

This is a great option and so less stressful for everyone.  The next time I face this I'm going to do the same thing.

Tena, I'm sorry to hear you too are dealing with the same sad situation.   ((((hugs))))

And the situation gets more complicated.  Maya had some very dark/bloody stools last Wednesday and I immediately called the vet who told me to stop giving prednisone for a few days to see if it cleared up and if it did to start her back up again.  She takes pred every other day (with breakfast and lots of milk thistle).  So she missed her dose on Thursday and Saturday morning.  Saturday we saw an improved stool and I started her on the pred again Sunday morning.  I also started her up on Pepcid on Saturday to help with the suspected ulcer.  Unfortunately while she was off the pred her health took a horrible turn for the worse.  She was absolutely terrible on Sunday, hence this intial post.  On Monday she was looking a lot better and on Tuesday she was still doing good.  As of this morning though I'm seeing a return of the dark stools and she had a big bout of diarrhea this morning.  She's acting great still.  So this is the what it looks like it's coming down to:  If I stop the pred, Maya's health will quickly deteriorate.  If I continue the pred it looks like it will continue to cause ulcers/internal bleeding, and I can't see how it is fair to her to give her a medicine that causes her pain. 

I'm sorry to read that Maya is deteriorating.

((((Hugs))))

swamper

  If I stop the pred, Maya's health will quickly deteriorate.  If I continue the pred it looks like it will continue to cause ulcers/internal bleeding, and I can't see how it is fair to her to give her a medicine that causes her pain. 

You might want to try the Slippery Elm cocktail recipe (from my vet, Dr. DiNatale).  It's all health store stuff- -- the slippery elm will help protect the stomach, but basically this actually helps HEAL an ulcer.  After 3 days the probiotic dies, so only make enough for 3 days. Chlorophyl you can get usually at a health store -- and get aloe vera juice that is as non-bitter as possible (the health store will know).  Slippery elm should be available in bulk (maybe labelled as "tea";) or you can use capsules and empty them to get enough.

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This actually will help heal an ulcer -- I've seen it help a great deal  (in humans, too) -- I post it all the time on the IMHA thread.  Not bad tasting --often chlorophyl has a bit of peppermint in it so some dogs actually don't just tolerate it - -they LIKE it.

Maya was taken to the vet yesterday to be looked at regarding her upset tummy and an overall assessment.  I wish I could have taken her personally, but DH would have to do.  I made sure my husband pointed out this pimple-like growth on her muzzle that had appeared last week and just in the last few days started bleeding.  I hadn't been too worried because Maya used to get chin pimples all the time, and this kind of looked like one, only in the wrong spot.  The vet started looking at it and found another ulcerated lesion on the inside of her lip that I had not noticed (I feel guilty that I missed it).  The vet said they definitely looked cancerous.  Normally he would immediately do surgery to remove them, but he did not want to subject her to the stress of surgery since the DM had deteriorated her so badly.  The vet prescibed an anitbiotic and a medicine to coat and protect the stomach.  One the way home DH noticed that she also has a growth on her tongue.  I haven't been able to really see it yet, but DH got a good view as she panted in his face for the whole drive home.

swamper

Normally he would immediately do surgery to remove them, but he did not want to subject her to the stress of surgery since the DM had deteriorated her so badly.

and sometimes the body just starts to shut itself down -- don't feel badly that you didn't see it -- this is not a dog you want to sit and reef on her mouth to peer inside -- she's got enough going on with minimal palpation most of the time.

Question for the vet:  some cancer is painful, some isn't.  Ask the vet what to look for -- this will likely alter everything.  If it is one of the painful varieties it will likely modify all of the above.  When a cancerous nodules ruptures it can be horrifically painful (that's why we put Ms. Socks down -- ONE of them ruptured and I witnessed how she felt and no way was I gonna let that happen to her again. 

You have some time, but this will likely give you a more definite time frame.

Once again, I am so darned sorry ...

 I am so sorry to hear this updated info. You can't blame your self though for not noticing. With Maya feeling bad anyway, it's tough to be poking and prodding looking for other problems. I felt really bad for one of our cats last night, as I tried to force 1/2 a pepcid down her throat. She is really impossible to pill. She'd vomited several times and I could tell she was feeling very bad and really didn't want to fight with her to take a pill. I felt though, that if I did get the pill into her she'd start feeling better. Anyway, I wasn't sure whether it got down her or not. I'd not seen it on the floor but thought it might have been stuck to her hair under or mouth or on her neck. I just couldn't bother her anymore though to try and find out. We can't tell them it is for their own good and so sometimes messing with them too much will just aggravate things.

 {{{ hugs }}} I'm so sorry and hope you can keep her comfortable for awhile longer.

I'm sorry I haven't updated, but it's been very hard for me to do so.  Maya passed away on the way to the vet's office 4/26.  I'd noticed that she wasn't breathing as easily that morning, but thought she would be ok until we got home.  I knew it was likely we'd have to take her in for euthanasia that afternoon or the next day.  When I got home I noticed that her breathing had become labored and quickly called the vet to tell them we were on our way.  Maya was carried outside to see if she wanted to potty so she could keep her dignity.  She didn't have to go potty and that's when I saw that her gums were extremely pale.   We put her in the car and she passed away about 5 minutes from the house.  It is likely that her cancer was much more widespread than any of us had imagined it to be. 

I am so sorry.  I know exactly what your last days were like with her having gone thru it with Shadow.  {{HUGS}} to you and your DH.  Run Free Maya, I know you must have already met Shadow and all the other that went before you. 

Thanks for the update and when you feel like your ready dont forget the Rainbow Bridge thread.

So sorry for your loss.I know your pain well as my Jewel left shortly after Maya.Hopefully soon you will begin to remember all the happy times you had with her and take comfort in knowing you provided her with a loving end to her life.

                                                         Tena

Run free, Maya.  So very sorry for your loss.

Run free Maya.  (((Swamper)))

And run free Jewel.  (((Tena)))

Once again I am so very sorry.