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[MrChom]

Someone's cutting onions near me again.

It's never pleasant, OP. It's weird to think how this little furry thing in your life becomes so much one of the family, with the same quirks, loves, and hates as anyone else without a word ever really being spoken to each other. But they are family, and that ends up with hard decisions like this one. Just make sure to give the little feller one good day before the end, though, lots of attention...it won't make it easier, but at least you have one last good day to remember.

 

[nero2082]

I''ll tell you what I did. Nothing. Couldn't force myself to take him to vet and put him down.

That was like 10 years ago and I still feel bad about it when reminded, my pet died suffering and I let him :/

 

[Boney]

I'm so sorry man. I know it must be super tough, 5 years ago my chow chow had the same symptoms, he wasn't eating for a few days and we called the vet. She decided it was best to take him to a clinic where he spent the night before checking him out. Whole family went to visit the next day and played with him, as he was super stoked we were there with him. Later we had to leave because he was gonna get surgery to check what was the problem and they found out he had tumors and called he was going to be put down later. Me and my brother rushed to say good bye and accompany him, but at the time we got there, the vet decided it was best to use the anesthesia already in use and put him down so he wouldn't suffer anymore, so by the time we got there he was already gone.

It was super tough to deal with it as he was the family dog for 10 years and was adorable, and the sense of loss and regret is very over powering. It's hard to let go but you'll manage and you'll be happy with your family.

Your dog loved you because you showered him with love all these past years, so rest assured he had a great life.

 

[JaseMath]

I am so sorry, man. I hope you get to enjoy your time left with Spartan and then do the right thing.

One thing that will always help is you have this thread to remember. I made a similar thread two years ago and it made me feel so much better.

Your dog was an adorable bear.

 

[Skiptastic]

Your dog was awesome.

Thanks man. Yours is, too! That smile! :3

Your dog was an adorable bear.

:lol even better!

 

[Doctor West]

I lost my cat Gizmo this past October in a shocking, out of nowhere onset of super aggressive cancer that took him in three weeks. I made a thread about it when I first discovered the cancer. It was brutal and he died in my arms from a aneurysm in the most gut wrenching way. I can't even bring myself to think about that moment. I know exactly what you are going through. My heart goes out to you, JasonMCG. I'm still in shock and disbelief to this day. I have found that thinking about all the good memories is what really matters in the end. Gizmo was loved like you Spartan is and I'm so grateful that he was such an important part of my life.

My best advice is to not let the pain get the best of Spartan. When it looks like it's too much for him, that's when you should make a decision. Trust me that you don't want to see him in pain. You also have to be there at the end. Do not let him be by himself. Keep you hands on him and let him see your face. Tell him you love him and that it's ok. My Gizmo wouldn't leave until I told him it was ok for him to go. Our animals have a strong connection to us and they will put themselves through hell before they leave. Just let him know that it's ok to go.

I am so sorry that you have to go through this.

 

[anotherVegan]

Its tough. One of the toughest things you can go through, because pets are your family, really. My dog of fifteen years had the same signs of your dog - stopped eating, didn't want to move around. Took him to the vet and his liver was pretty much taken over with tumors. With sickness like this, dogs don't really show any signs until its too late.

We gave him a chance with supplements and some medicines but eventually had to put him down.

Cherish these times with your furry friend as much as you can. Our condolences

Edit: https://rainbowsbridge.com/Poem.htm

 

[NaM]

https://vimeo.com/122375452

 

[JaseMath]

So we made the appointment and will be putting him down tomorrow afternoon. Thing is he's acting completely fine now...and it's making it that much harder.

Is this typical? The vet sounded pretty conclusive, but he's doing so much better in the last two days.

 

[Oreoleo]

So we made the appointment and will be putting him down tomorrow afternoon. Thing is he's acting completely fine now...and it's making it that much harder.

Is this typical? The vet sounded pretty conclusive, but he's doing so much better in the last two days.

He's eating again? Did they only do bloodwork? No xrays or anything? Perhaps the tumors aren't as aggressive as the vet thought. People seek out second opinions from human doctors all the time. I don't mean to put false hope in your head, but I'd probably be feeling the same way you are given the circumstances.

 

[CrocMother]

So we made the appointment and will be putting him down tomorrow afternoon. Thing is he's acting completely fine now...and it's making it that much harder.

Is this typical? The vet sounded pretty conclusive, but he's doing so much better in the last two days.

Dogs don't show pain like people. They will do whatever they can to hide it. Take him to another vet if it makes you feel better, it's better to know for sure in your heart that you made the right choice.

When the time to put your dog down does come, be in the room with him. Don't let him die alone in a room with a stranger. It will make his passing easier.

 

[JaseMath]

He's eating again? Did they only do bloodwork? No xrays or anything? Perhaps the tumors aren't as aggressive as the vet thought. People seek out second opinions from human doctors all the time. I don't mean to put false hope in your head, but I'd probably be feeling the same way you are given the circumstances.

They did X-rays on his abdomen and the vet said there was a low chance of it having not spread elsewhere. He also said he had a very low platelet count and it would eventually kill him because of the internal bleeding.

But he's more or less acting like his usual self today. I don't know... I think I'm going to hold off unless there's a tragic turn for the worse between now and tomorrow afternoon.

 

[Coolluck]

They did X-rays on his abdomen and the vet said there was a low chance of it having not spread elsewhere. He also said he had a very low platelet count and it would eventually kill him because of the internal bleeding.

But he's more or less acting like his usual self today. I don't know... I think I'm going to hold off unless there's a tragic turn for the worse between now and tomorrow afternoon.

Might not be able to link cause it's Yahoo answers but they're describing something my dogs who had cancer went through. The day before their bodies gave out they had a surge of energy and were acting more like their old selves. If nothing else, cherish this time. Remember this moment and not the weakness that may come next. Think of it as a gift.

 

[Kenai]

My condolences. Putting down my 2 dogs (one at 19, one at 26) were some of the hardest things I had to do. I cried miserably the entire day. But I had to do it, they were in pain and not enjoying life at all and weren't going to get better, it was the least i could do for them after all the good times.

If does get better. You remember the good times and not the bad. i can't say I really moved on, I'll always miss them, but it's not a bad feeling to remember them.

 

[PreFire]

Squeezing my dog as I read that.

I'm so sorry, I wish there was something they could do to save him. Did the vet explain the possibilites of how the rumors formed in the first place?

Probably a stupid question, but is there chemotherapy for animals? Or surgery to remove them? Fuck, man... This is heartbreaking

 

[JaseMath]

Might not be able to link cause it's Yahoo answers but they're describing something my dogs who had cancer went through. The day before their bodies gave out they had a surge of energy and were acting more like their old selves. If nothing else, cherish this time. Remember this moment and not the weakness that may come next. Think of it as a gift.

Mind PM'ing the link?

Squeezing my dog as I read that.

I'm so sorry, I wish there was something they could do to save him. Did the vet explain the possibilites of how the rumors formed in the first place?

Probably a stupid question, but is there chemotherapy for animals? Or surgery to remove them? Fuck, man... This is heartbreaking

It'd be multiple surgeries and blood transfusions. I just don't have the heart (or money) to give him just a tiny amount of borrowed time.

 

[Facundo_Lopez]

Hug him. As long as you can.

This is the best thing you can do.

I had to do this exact thing a year ago, and all I can remember is the moment when I hug him for the last time.

I'm sorry to hear you're going through this.

 

[AzureTranquility95]

Putting down my 2 dogs (one at 19, one at 26)

Whoa whoa whoa hold the phone here (sorry OP). Usually dogs end up living as much as a human until they reach late teens. You telling me you found some sort of magic fountain of youth that makes dogs live up until the equivalent of 182 years old in dog years? I don't even think there's a human being that has ever made it to nearly that old! (Just checked, 122 is the max a human has ever lived... and that 26 year old dog surpassed that by 1.5x)

I know this is a topic about the OP's dog having cancer and how to deal with having to put him down, but I think any information you could give us about helping dogs live longer could be invaluable. Tell us your secret. 19 isn't no slouch either, btw.

I know usually small dogs live longer than big dogs, too. Why is this? Like, a Great Dane has a shorter life expectancy than a Chihuahua.

 

[WestCoast]

It's going to be tough. My dog of 11 years was diagnosed with lymphosarcoma at the end of 2014 and it came out of nowhere. One day I looked down and noticed bulges under her jaw on her neck so I took her to the vet and two days later we got the diagnosis. Since then she's been on a regimen of chemotherapy (yep, it exists for dogs) but the cancer has become resistant. At this point I have a couple of weeks left with her, barring a miracle when we go to the vet at the end of this week.

I am fortunate that I was able to do the chemotherapy and she has lived with the same quality of life as before the diagnosis (they don't exhibit many of the side effects that people experience). She's had cheeseburgers and pizza and more walks, and I know when it's time to say goodbye, I'm going to be tempted to say "one more day."

Take solace in the fact that you gave your dog a great life, one much better (and longer) than he would have had if a great owner hadn't come along. That's what I'm trying to tell myself.

This pains me to write. I took my dog to the specialist yesterday afternoon and left her overnight for chemo IV. It was going to run off and on for about 24 hours and then I was going to pick her up this evening.

This morning the vet called me. I answered the phone and there was a pause, and I knew. She was crying and calling to tell me that she died in her sleep this morning. She had been monitored throughout the night and was doing well, and even went for a brief walk early in the morning. The vet doesn't know what happened, but suspects heart failure or a stroke. I didn't think I'd be able to handle going to see her, but I did and I am glad that I did. I do feel an immense amount of guilt that I didn't just bring her home last night to think about doing another round of chemo. I am also beating myself up over not being with her when she passed.

I am glad that I got a lot of pictures with her over the last couple of weeks and that she lived a full life. Today my home is not as bright without her wagging tail.

To everyone with a pet - enjoy the time you have with them, because it's far too short.

 

[n0razi]

why dont you go down his bucket list real quick.... let him pee on fire hydrants, hump the neighborhood cat, and eat tbone steak

 

[Summer Haze]

I feel your pain, OP. We had our border collie, Milo, put down a few days before Christmas last year and I've never felt a loss like it, not even with human family members. I even had to go back and delete the OP from a thread I made about it because it hurts so much to go back and see it.

All you can do is take comfort in the fact that your dog had a great life surrounded by people who loved him.

 

[Zach]

I'm so sorry.

I just adopted a terrier(-ish mutt) from the SPCA about a month ago. Your dog reminds me of him. It will be incredibly hard, but you know what must be done. Don't let the ol' boy suffer.

And just remember, you should be proud of giving him a good life. After the wounds heal a bit (and your kid gets a hair older), go out and find another dog -- not a replacement -- but another dog that needs a family. Spartan would probably like that.