What's condition continues to degrade. He has refused to eat anything offered to him, including canned dog food, dog biscuits and grilled steak. He did manage to lap some turkey noodle soup. When offered a spoonful of canned dog food, he turned his head and gagged. He will lap at water out of a cup. His weight loss is obvious.
He was unable to climb the fourteen steps to the top of our deck, and was out of breath. I have been carrying him up and down the steps. His breathing is very rapid. He will lay with his head lifted to get more air. After about 30 minutes, he will lay on his side, but not for long.
He looks at us with sad eyes, but will still wag his tail. He enjoys head scratches and rubs. He will walk around, but not very much.
We gave him one aspirin for pain and let him sleep in his dog house.
Last night we discussed as a family having him put to sleep. My daughters both asked that he not be brought back home to be buried in our yard. They also asked we not do an autopsy or send his body for research.
Just months ago he would wake us up barking and spinning in circles for his food. Now we have to go to his dog house on the patio under our deck to make sure he's still with us. This morning he was standing there with just a slow wag of his tail.
I contacted our vet and made an appointment for this afternoon (April 30). If the doctor agrees putting What to sleep will be best for him, we'll have it done. They said they will prepare the body and provide a special box for burial, or they can have his body cremated. Cost of euthanasia is $50 (sometimes waived) and $25 for cremation.
We are all very sad, but don't want to see him suffer. Why have we let it go this long? Because we held out for hope he would improve. Even though he's "Just a dog." he's part of our family. It's hard to let go.
We'll spend some family time with him in the yard this afternoon before we take him to the vet.
Wednesday, April 30, 2003
Tuesday, April 29, 2003
What Has Cancer
Our soon to be seven year old Beagle, named What, has what appears to be terminal cancer. I thought I would share his progress here so others could know what to look for in their own "dog hospice" situations.
What is a typical AKC 13-inch Beagle. Other than a fish, he's our only pet. His domain has been a fenced in backyard sniffing for birds, squirrels, toads, and taking long naps in the sun.
His symptoms started over 12 months ago, in early Spring 2002. He had several seizures that we witnessed. These were quite surprising for me and my family. Our vet suggested they could be an indication of a problem or a limited reaction to something. Those two were the only ones we have seen.
In March 2003, he seemed to be having trouble urinating and urinating frequently. There was some indication of pain. A vet visit March 24, 2003 confirmed blood in his urine. He was given antibiotics. The vet suggested we be aware there could be a growth. X Rays and physical exams indicated a mass near the bladder. The vet suggested an ultrasound, which could confirm the diagnosis. The cost was nearly $200. We opted against that, considering the vet's 99% opinion that What did have a bladder growth, probably cancer.
I did some Internet searches on canine bladder cancer, and realized it is mostly fatal. Oddly enough, there is some indication herbicides could be a major cause. I have sprayed or spread weed killer on my yard for years. Here's a very detailed site: http://www.vet.purdue.edu/vcs/Pcop/caninebladdercancer.htm.
I read about several solutions to ease his pain and improve his quality of life. I suggested Piroxicam (Feldene Rx) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
medication that is usually used for that effect but also has chemotherapeutic properties for transitional cell carcinomas, a tumor that affects the
urinary system. The vet agreed and the prescription was filled at a human pharmacy. It was $14 for about 30 pills. They are given twice a day.
What's condition improved, but by April 24, 2003, he showed indications of discomfort again. He was more sluggish and not eating, something very unusual for him. The vet suggested Pregnisone, a prescription he filled. It was $10 for about 20 pills. They are given once a day This improved his appetite almost immediately. We also changed his food from Wal-Mart Old Roy Bites and Bones dry food to Pedigree canned food. He has been eating every meal and enjoying dog biscuit snacks. We let him lay in the den and give him lots of extra hugs and love. He doesn't like taking the pills.
Since the 24th, we've noticed his breathing has become short. He's also lethargic again. Although he's eating, he's looking skinny. He lays down more frequently. Although he doesn't appear to be in pain, we are considering if he should be put to sleep.
Our soon to be seven year old Beagle, named What, has what appears to be terminal cancer. I thought I would share his progress here so others could know what to look for in their own "dog hospice" situations.
What is a typical AKC 13-inch Beagle. Other than a fish, he's our only pet. His domain has been a fenced in backyard sniffing for birds, squirrels, toads, and taking long naps in the sun.
His symptoms started over 12 months ago, in early Spring 2002. He had several seizures that we witnessed. These were quite surprising for me and my family. Our vet suggested they could be an indication of a problem or a limited reaction to something. Those two were the only ones we have seen.
In March 2003, he seemed to be having trouble urinating and urinating frequently. There was some indication of pain. A vet visit March 24, 2003 confirmed blood in his urine. He was given antibiotics. The vet suggested we be aware there could be a growth. X Rays and physical exams indicated a mass near the bladder. The vet suggested an ultrasound, which could confirm the diagnosis. The cost was nearly $200. We opted against that, considering the vet's 99% opinion that What did have a bladder growth, probably cancer.
I did some Internet searches on canine bladder cancer, and realized it is mostly fatal. Oddly enough, there is some indication herbicides could be a major cause. I have sprayed or spread weed killer on my yard for years. Here's a very detailed site: http://www.vet.purdue.edu/vcs/Pcop/caninebladdercancer.htm.
I read about several solutions to ease his pain and improve his quality of life. I suggested Piroxicam (Feldene Rx) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
medication that is usually used for that effect but also has chemotherapeutic properties for transitional cell carcinomas, a tumor that affects the
urinary system. The vet agreed and the prescription was filled at a human pharmacy. It was $14 for about 30 pills. They are given twice a day.
What's condition improved, but by April 24, 2003, he showed indications of discomfort again. He was more sluggish and not eating, something very unusual for him. The vet suggested Pregnisone, a prescription he filled. It was $10 for about 20 pills. They are given once a day This improved his appetite almost immediately. We also changed his food from Wal-Mart Old Roy Bites and Bones dry food to Pedigree canned food. He has been eating every meal and enjoying dog biscuit snacks. We let him lay in the den and give him lots of extra hugs and love. He doesn't like taking the pills.
Since the 24th, we've noticed his breathing has become short. He's also lethargic again. Although he's eating, he's looking skinny. He lays down more frequently. Although he doesn't appear to be in pain, we are considering if he should be put to sleep.
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