Hi,
So Friday afternoon I got the call that nobody wants. Our vet asked me to pull over, as I was driving with hands free and she wanted my full attention. Right away I knew it must be bad.
They've found what they strongly suspect is a tumour in her bladder. She said it could be something less sinister, but she's fairly certain it's bad news. She also said how incredibly rare this is in a dog of her age.
I basically haven't stopped crying since then. Feeling utterly drained and I just can't seem to get my head around it.
She's still a pup. Bouncy and full of life and of course, mischief.
We have already made the decision that if it is that, we won't go down the chemo route. We don't want to put her through all that for a few more painful months, but then I suddenly realised that with covid, we probably won't be allowed in with her when she's being PTS and I can't bear it, quite honestly.
If she was an old dog, I think I could accept it. I would still of course be mortified, but at least she'd have had a full life. This just seems so wrong. We also have another dog who will miss her to pieces. It breaks my heart.
I suppose I'm just posting for a bit of moral support. I need to find my strength from somewhere. This is likely going to be an incredibly difficult few months...or weeks 
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
Our 3 year old Ddog very likely has cancer. Beyond devastated.
ItBurns · 13/09/2020 15:31
that must have been such a shock. So sorry
I suddenly realised that with covid, we probably won't be allowed in with her when she's being PTS and I can't bear it, quite honestly
My vets have been doing this in your car at peak lockdown and I think they might be now allowing owners in but I am not certain but I just wanted to say you might want to ask so you know and can put that out of your mind as something more to worry about.
OK firstly OP you most likely would be allowed to be with her should you choose euthanasia, I work in a vets and we absolutely are allowing clients to be with their pets at the end, we're also doing home euthanasia where necessary with precautions obviously.
I'm not sure what investigations your dog has had but it seems like surgery might be an option and one I'd likely go for myself. People often think a surgery is awful for animals but it's no different to getting them neutered. They get some nice drugs, go to sleep then wake up and get cuddles before going home. Even if they find the worst she can still be woken up to come home for more time with you. And don't be scared to ask questions no matter how silly they might seem. 
I had 3 surgeries on a cat I regretted as he was so elderly
But I really would consider chemo for such a young dog (and surgery) - they have the best chance at it
Ddog had the tumour and so many mm of tissue around it removed. No need for further treatment.. Cost 2k and not insured - !!
@ItBurns what tests have they done and what breed is she?
That does sound quite unusual
@Noted, thank you.
@tabulahrasa, I've just seen so many pets suffering over the years on treatment, just hanging on in there. Existing, not living. We aren't ruling out anything though and nothing is 100% official yet, although I'm expecting them to say that it is.
@Sunnydaysstillhere, a malignant tumour?
@MJMG2015, keeping everything crossed for your friends ddog. I think this kind of cancer though has a particularly bleak prognosis.
@Veterinari, she has had a scan and blood tests. I should have those results today, but the vet did say that regardless of those results, further testing would need to be done. It is incredibly rare in ddogs of this age, yes. The vet kept asking if I was sure she was this age, because she was so shocked. She's a lab x cocker. She's a beauty
I lost a dog to this age 9. I'm so sorry to see such a young dog affected. I was told that there was little hope of any treatment and I didn't want extensive invasive treatment anyway. Mine was a lab x and a wonderful dog too.
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
I’m guessing that if they’re saying what kind of tumour they think it is with a bleak prospect they’re talking about a sarcoma.
I know someone whose working guide dog recently had to be put to sleep because of this. He was well one day and then completely knot the next and had been put to sleep by the evening. he had had some kind of internal rupture, but the vet said that with these cancers there is usually only a three/six months time frame and they are very aggressive.
In this dog’s case the surgery to even stabilise him would have been difficult, and that’s before he would have had to potentially suffer for the next three/six months so the decision was made to let him go, even though it was hard for the owner...
Tbh I am not in favour of treatment at all costs which is essentially just delaying the inevitable. But am keeping fingers crossed that this isn’t what she’s saying she thinks it is.
How did this all come about? Was she ill?
@clareykb
@Sunnydaysstillhere, oh I'm sorry. What is the prognosis?
@Veterinari, I think it must have had the typical characteristics of malignant tumour on the scan, as she really didn't want to get my hopes up and said that she would be very surprised if it wasn't that. I suppose they're so used to seeing these scans and can at least make very accurate predictions.
Yes, urine tests for repeat infections. This is how it started. However, the last time that all came back clear. No infection, no blood.
She did mention biopsies and something about being reluctant to do a standard one for risk of spreading the potentially cancerous cells elsewhere. Tbh though, a lot of what she said didn't go in, as I was in total shock.
@AlternativePerspective, I can't remember exactly. I thought she said something about a carcinoma, but I suppose that just means cancerous. I really don't know tbh.
She had reoccurring urine infections. Maybe 3 or 4 in the last 18 months or so. All treated with anti biotic successfully. However this last time, her symptoms were the same, lots of accidents on the sofa, lots of licking that area, but that test came back clear.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.