Off-Topic Forum

My profile pic is my baby ZOEY. She was just diagnosed with an anal sac tumor. Probably cancerous. We are devasted. Not sure what to do...1. Meds, hope for the best. Buy her tennis balls, her favorite....and enjoy what time we have left. 2. Consider not guaranteed surgery..... blood tests, x-rays, MRIs, radiology and chemotherapy $$$$$$. for a chance to save her life. We would do anything for her, she is part of the family. 

My heart breaks for you bud. Lost my Hurley about a year ago to a stroke. We could have done a few different things but chose to cross the bridge as his life would have been to difficult as a large breed. I feel that meds and hospice is always the sensible for our pet families as like you said it could be thousands and thousands with no guarantee. Think of the pet rescues, adoptions or spay/nueters you might be able to do in the name of your dearest Zoey's name. If you can afford the surgery route then so be it but most of can not so the other option is what is done. Regardless it is one of the toughest things we can deal with other than the real people in our lives. I will snuggle with my Shitzu a little more tonight for you Bob. Just remember to think all your options through. =(

Best of luck as you work through this. I know I would choose option 1. We have several pets (used to have a hobby farm) and loved them all very much but financially I couldn't make sense of option 2. Enjoy your time with your pet and which option is best for you will come to you in time.

Very sorry to hear that. 

So sorry to hear that.  My dog has replaced the kids now that they have moved out.  I understand how they are part of the family.

Sorry to hear this as well. How old is she? Our little Frenchy has a tumor on her left front paw that really started to grow last year until it was actually punctured while she was rough-housing with our other pup. She is 10 now which is elderly for her breed and removing it would have meant amputating at least one of her toes, no guarantee it would stop anything from spreading and you never know how they'll respond to that kind of surgery. We decided to treat the wound medically and wait and see. To our glad surprise she healed extremely well. It has had another growth spurt here over the last month it seems however. To date her behavior, appetite have been good as at least it's not lungs, etc. but feels like she is on borrowed time for now. We're blessed we have had time and her comfort to just spoil her and let her tell us when it's her time. Hope things work out for the best for her. 

Sorry to hear that Bob! I hope it works out well. She looks so much like my dog in that picture (except mine only chews on rawhides these days). My dog has a non-cancerous tumor on her head. It would cost $800 to remove it. While it's unsightly, I'd rather not spend the money and risk her not coming out of the anesthesia required to cut it off. Since it doesn't bother her, that seems like it was the best decision. "Streak" is a lab/retriever mix that wandered into my life back in 2006 and I've loved her like a child since then. She'll be 15 years old in a couple of months. She may not be as fast or as active as in the past, but she's still in good health.

I know the pain all to well..... my cats are my world.

My big boy, best friend and our HOH I put down in May ...his treatment plan was a painful one and with out much optimism from my Vet.

Toughest decsion I have ever had to make - it nearly killed me

I hope you find peace and some comfort in the tough times ahead.

Sincere condolences, Bob - we just went thru that with our Bichon - diagnosed last spring and we had his tumor removed with no guarantees.  We got 8 more months with Chase Muttley - the tumor slowly came back and we took her to the vet in October for the bad news that we were expecting.  He lasted another two months until we faced the inevitable and had him put down on Dec. 12th last year.  Rough Christmas and I still miss him.  Hang in there!!

I completely know that pain too. I had to have a cat put down about 20 years ago. His kidneys were failing and he had several other problems mounting b/c of it. Have you ever seen a cat that required diapers? Mine did and eventually I couldn't watch him suffer like that any longer. It was hard, but the decision had to be made to spare him the indignity of living like that any longer.