Rottweiller with cancer

Wow, I'm really sorry you're going thru this and it's obvious you love her very much and will do whatever the right thing is for her. That is such a difficult decision to make though. We lost a lab to nasal cancer several years ago and we found ourselves in the same situation as you. One day he'd seem fine and then the next day, not so much. We probably waited longer than we should've but I don't think it was because we selfishly wanted him to stay with us (we did, but we didn't base our decision on that). We kept looking for signs that he still wanted to be here and if we looked close enough, we always seemed to find something to encourage us....until one day we didn't .

It sounds like your girl is still doing fine as long as she isn't required to move too much. Are there any medications that might help her with this? I know Rimadyl isn't the best or safest drug, but knowing our lab was terminal, the vet recommended it for pain management. I'm guessing you've already thought of almost everything and really just want reassurance that you're doing the right thing for her. Only you can really know that, but I can sense that you're going to make the very best decisions and just know that she loves you and trusts you, so trust yourself too. 

Bless your heart -- I've been there, and it's very very difficult.  She's not ready to give up yet, apparently, and that's usually MY guiding light.

You could do a cancer diet for her, and if it were me, I'd be trying stuff like acupuncture to try to relieve as much of the pressure on the nerves as possible.

Is it at all operable?  How far are you from your state's best vet school?  Often they can tackle things very reasonably that a regular vet couldn't possibly touch.  It can definitely be worth a call -- I've had incredibly good luck that way in a dog we were told had no 'hope' at all.

http://www.tcvm.com is a good qualifying agency for acupuncture and there is a darned good "locator" on the left side of their page.

If you want to email me, there are a lot of other things you can do FOR arthritis other than nsaids and drugs.  It's a document I'll send you so actually *email* me rather than a PM please?

she's eating and loving food?  That's typically another darned good sign that she's not ready ... dog's aren't stupid.  They will simply stop eating sometimes if they want to 'end' it.

 

She is on Novox, and also takes a couple supplements from SPringtime, one for joint health and one for health in general,  had been on Rimadyl once or twice for flare-ups. We used chiropractic for awhile, but things weren't helping with the problem we were aiming at, even though it may have been having positive effects we couldn't see. At that time we thought we dealing with arthritis alone. She doesn't ride well, and it takes several several days to bounce back from a car ride, so we don't take her out anymore unless we absolutely have to. Therin lies the big question. Is what she's going out for worth the pain it puts her in? I have a really great "healer" for lack of a better word, but Kota does not like men in general and I can't risk her biting him. As far as surgery, if she was younger, I might consider it. Our vet is experienced enough to make good decisions, and not so far out of vet school that she is not up on the lastest treatments, that's why we decided to follow after her for Kota when our vet wasn't giving us much satisfaction. She had done surgery on just this type of tumor in vet school, but she didn't recommend it for a dog of Kota's age and in her condition.

i really appreciate all your kind words, and helpful advice. Our old vet said better a day too early than a minute too late, and that is what keeps going through my head when i think I should keep waiting for her to give up. I really wished when she started going in this direction, that when it was her time to go, that she would go on her own, and i wouldn't have to make the decision as to when it should be. I never imagined how hard it would be. But I guess many many dog owners are faced with making just this decision. For slightly different reasons, but the same none the less. Thank you. Julie

I agree with you completely about wishing that they'd pass on their own when the time was right. So often it just isn't the case though and it really can be the most difficult decision to make on their behalf. Trust yourself and it sounds like you've got a vet that you can trust, so lean on them too.

As I said earlier, I think we waited too long. It was my husband's dog and he'd had him since he was a puppy. It took him longer to accept that even though Jake was still wagging his tail and eating well (he was a lab, so maybe they never lose the appetite ), he was suffering. Although it broke my heart to let him go, watching the pain leave his body was a huge relief and I knew he was at peace.

Again, I'm very sorry you're going thru this but there are a lot of wonderful people on this forum who can help you deal with this.

 

I am sorry I haven't responded in a few days. It became apparent on Thursday night when I was home alone with Kota and could not get her to get up out of bed to go out before bed that she was doing worse. I finally did get her up, but it was the same thing the next day. I talked it over with my husband and we took her to the vet Saturday morning and had her put to sleep. We stayed with her on Friday evening on the floor mostly and she layed and watched out the door for a good 4 hours, even asking to go out on the porch to lay down for awhile with us. She slept in our room with us, and Saturday morning I let her have a whole half gallon of ice cream all to herself. I thought making the decision would be the hardest part, but I feel like I have lost a person. SHe was here with me for almost 10 years and I still expect her to be there when I pass her room, or to head for my sewing room when I turn on the computer. I can't imagine how long it will take to not expect her to be there. We put her in the flower bed that she liked to explore in, and this fall I am going to move my bleeding heart to plant over her. Thank you to everyone who had good advice on what to do for her. I think it just got to be too much for her to try to get around on 3 legs with arthritis. She will be missed and loved. Julie

Julie, there are no words.  Your heart must be broken.  I could relate to a lot of your posts about Kota.  I've watched my dog change over the last few months too.  And, it is, it's hard to see them go from active to not wanting to do much.  And, sometimes, at certain times I've questioned myself too thinking I hope I'm doing the right thing here.

I think she was a lucky dog to have such great parents.  RIP, Kota. 

I hope you still join us on the forum now anyway.

Lori

 Lori's right; there are no words. Most, if not all of us on this forum, feel like our dogs are our children and losing them is just like losing a family member, so we really understand how you feel. I'm so, so sorry; {{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

 

Thank you everyone. I figured that the people here would understand how I feel. Not everyone does, you know, the "just a dog" thing. I will definitely stay here on the forum. There is a lot I want to learn. We have 2 other dogs, one is my husband's, a wire haired pointer, and one a puppy I picked up along the road a long time ago that is a heinz 57. I will try to get the link posted so you all can see them. we call them basement dogs, haha because they sleep there. Kota was the only one who actually lived in the house. SHe would have ate the other dogs if they were all inside. I love our other dogs, but Kota was different and special to me. Eventually I will get another dog to keep in the house with me, but not until I feel like I am not trying to find one that will replace Kota and not measure up, but when I just want another dog that will be special all on its own. Look forward to spending some time here. Thanks again for all your kind words, Julie

I'm so very sorry to hear of your sadness.   Sounds like Kota was your "heart dog" and that's something to treasure.  Not everyone has a heart dog in their lifetime!    The pain of their passing is very deep, but the memories of what they meant to you live on forever!   So it will be with Kota for you.    Your decision was difficult, but amid my tears in reading this thread, I had to smile at the vision of Kota having that ice cream all to herself!    Someone has said that she sends her dogs to heaven to be met by her father who cooks up a huge feast for them, like a party!   It was a happy thought for a sad situation.   I hope the ice cream party is your happy thought for Koda's leaving you.    You made a wise decision, as hearbreaking as it was.   Kota thanks you.

Thank you Claire.

'm so very sorry to hear of your sadness.   Sounds like Kota was your "heart dog" and that's something to treasure.  Not everyone has a heart dog in their lifetime!    The pain of their passing is very deep, but the memories of what they meant to you live on forever!   So it will be with Kota for you.    Your decision was difficult, but amid my tears in reading this thread, I had to smile at the vision of Kota having that ice cream all to herself!    Someone has said that she sends her dogs to heaven to be met by her father who cooks up a huge feast for them, like a party!   It was a happy thought for a sad situation.   I hope the ice cream party is your happy thought for Kota's leaving you.    You made a wise decision, as hearbreaking as it was.   Kota thanks you.

 

I could not of said it better, bue Claire took the words right ouf of my mouth.....I was also just sitting here reading your post with a Big Lump in my throat, not able to swollow, eyes tearing up, but with a big smile on my face, cause as Clair said above, I can picture Kota's face just looking at the ice-cream container, then looking at you like "what, all for me, ma?  your kidding...." 

What really got me choked up was, every single post I could totally relate to you.....and I'm sure there are many more people out there who have walked, talked and had the same mind set as you these past few months..........It was me who Claire was talking about regarding the party for her dog.......I lost my heart dog Miss Penny from Cancer, 3rd of July as a matter fact, and sometimes it feels like yesterday.  Penny also was fighting cancer, 3 operations removing about 12 mast cell tumors until she got a big one under her left armpit, after turning 8 yrs old I said no more operations, tried acupuncture then chinese herb meds only to see her slow down more each day, while her spirit was as high as a kite it broke my heart knowing I'd be loosing a piece of my soul, but if you dig down hard enough inside, you know you dont want to be selfish and have them suffer, so we help throw them the biggest party ever, give them all the love and special treats, and lovfe them again over and over, praying for 1 more night with them, looking for the sign.....wht sign....where.....when will I know......ahhhhh....but the love of our heart dog will lead us to the sign........if you think about it,.they always know, way before we do, about alot of things, and they always let us know soon after they do, when we're all ready, when all of our hearts are  literally together as ONE......May your heart heal by the precious memories of Koda,
 

I also have 2 other dogs, and if it werent for them my heart would really be hurting from losing Miss Penny........love on the other 2 its great therapy!!

I just read your post, I am crying for you now.   We lost our Rottie in Jan to cancer.  He went very young and within 3 months of the first signs of illness.   It is 1 week shy of 1 year when I noticed the 1st lump.   I still miss him so.   The emptiness you are feeling is the worst of it all.  No matter how much you tell yourself it was best, your baby is no longer in pain, it still hurts.   Every room of the house seems to be missing somethin and the empty place in your heart seems like it will never  go away.   It will get better with time, you will find another sweet one to share your  heart and home with.   For now though we do understand your grieving and it is ok.  This community helped me through my grief and shared in the excitement of my rescue of Rocky and Hot Shot.