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If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Chocolate lab has blood cancer...

45 replies

barbie1 · 18/07/2012 18:49

Our beloved family lab has been diagnoised with advanced blood cancer, his body is ravaged by the bloody disease :-( there is nothing to be done for him now.
3 weeks ago he joined us in France after spending a few weeks in Dubai kennels after we relocated. He was fine when he arrived here. Then in the last three weeks we noticed he didn't enjoy his walks and was very slow. Took him to vets when overnight he could hardly stand.
Blood results confirmed the cancer.
They have given him a few days to a few weeks. Has anyone had any experience of this? Would my precious boy be in any pain. I'd rather have him put to sleep then let him suffer.
We have been given tablets, 16mg methylprednisolone. It perks him right up and he almost seems back to normal, but we know he isn't. Sad

We are all devestated, my dd 2.5 dotes on him.

(weeps)

OP posts:
BrianCoxhasSmellySox · 18/07/2012 18:50
Sad

So sorry. No advice, just a ((hug)) and a ((gentle pat)) for your lab.

x

ChickensHaveNoLips · 18/07/2012 18:51

So sorry barbie :( I have no experience, but I'm sure one of the vets will be along soon to give you more info x

SecretNutellaFix · 18/07/2012 18:56

I'm so sorry.

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 18/07/2012 19:00

So very :( for you all it's so upsetting losing a beloved family pet. All you can do is try to remember that you loved them and they loved you and no matter what they were meant to spend this time with you and they would have been happy.

If he were my dog I would probably have him put to sleep. My poor cat was diagnosed with a tumor and vet said she could last a few weeks at most and I decided it was kinder to do it there and then than have it happen while we were out and she was all alone. Or worse have my dd who doted on her find her on her bed in the morning.

It's totally your call And one that should not be taken lightly and all I can offer is some very un-MN-y {{{ hugs}}} :(

Please remember that you gave him some happy times and u will always have the memories!!!

Original poster
barbie1 · 18/07/2012 19:06

I feel physically sick when I come down stairs in the morning or return home after popping quickly out, I dread finding him. He is too big to move and I know dd won't really know what has happened. I started another thread asking for ways to tell dd. it's heartbreaking, it really is.
I we knew he was in pain there would be no questions about putting him to sleep, but the vets think he isn't and think we should only take him in if he gets worse.
I'm on tenderhooks, I'm just sat watching him breath, expecting him to stop at any moment

OP posts:
ChickensHaveNoLips · 18/07/2012 19:07

Oh, that sounds awful :( So, the vet is talking about days rather than weeks?

Original poster
barbie1 · 18/07/2012 19:10

To be honest our French is useless, we got the impression it could be days...or he could fight for a few more weeks. However looking at him (without the medication) Id say days. Not sure what the medication is doing but on it he looks like he could go for a weeks weeks.
I wonder if by giving thr medication it's just prolonging the inevitable. Or if the medication is easing the pain.
Kicking myself for not knowing French!

OP posts:
Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 18/07/2012 19:10

:( I would just suggest spoiling him rotten!!!! Make his time he has left as happy as possible give him treats lots of cuddles and tell him u love him they do understand! I'm sure u will know and he will tell you when it's time! He's a lucky dog to have a family and you should try and remember that! Animals sense these things and I promise you he will know how much you love him!!! :(

LookBehindYou · 18/07/2012 19:29

I'm so sorry. It's terrible to watch them in pain and even worse putting them to sleep. So so sad. I second what wheesmycaffeine said. Give him lots of love. He will absolutely pick up on your feelings and know that he's loved. Your dd will be okay. Kids are very resilient.

Scuttlebutter · 18/07/2012 21:41

Barbie, I am so, so sorry to hear this. With serious illnesses like this, change can come very quickly indeed. Do you have a friend or neighbour who could do the translating/ask the technical questions for you?

I don't know about French vets, but in the UK, you can ask, when the time has come, for your pet to be PTS at home. We recently had to do this, and I have several friends who have taken this option. This may be worth enquiring about at your vets. The advantages are that your dog does not have to be moved when they are very weak, it's much quieter, less stressful and very peaceful, and all the family can say goodbye in a private way. Also, you don't have to worry about facing the surgery, or driving home when you are in bits.

Original poster
barbie1 · 19/07/2012 07:22

Last night dh and I decided it would be better to put him to sleep rather than delaying the inevitable. Then we came down this morning to a dog that was very respondent, wagging tail and generally still very much alive. Now we don't know what to do.
We spoke again to the vets, still nothing new to learn. Could be days or weeks. They insist he is in not pain.
However we are taking into consideration a few post on this thread, I'm worried that his mood could change rapidly, or how hard it will be mentally and physically getting him into the car to make the dreaded trip to the vet if he does worsen. Having spoken to a few people we don't think it's possible for the vet to come to the house.

Guess I'm looking for answers, but I know nobody can make the decision for us...

OP posts:
Bossybritches22 · 19/07/2012 07:41

Op our old choccy lab had some sort of cancer (we didn't get him tested just treated the symptoms ) he was started on steroids + like yours perked up with+ had another 6 months pain free. Then one day he just sat down + we knew it was time .
Enjoy the time you have left you will know when he has had enough . ((((((hugs))))))

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 19/07/2012 07:49

Take a couple of days, spend some real quality time with him , buy his favorite treats and give him the best time ever! You know your dog better than anyone else and if u don't think he Is suggesting right now then maybe you have some time to decide still, these things r not an exact science and as you already know there is no way really to give a true expectancy could be more could be less. Maybe u should let your dog tell you :( they know these things way before we do and often they try soooo hard to not show how bad they feel. When it's time you will see it in his eyes, :(

Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 19/07/2012 07:49

Suggesting? Bloody phone ! Sufferring is the word Blush :(

Original poster
barbie1 · 19/07/2012 08:07

bossybritches could I be terribly rude and ask if your lab displayed any signs of illness while on the steroids?
Freddie has regained his movement, albeit slower but he breathing is still noticeably not 'right' some times it's rapid, other times quick, shallow breathes. His nose is really dry but has clear mucus running out of it when he lies down (which is most of the the) and the wind..gosh I never knew he could smell so bad! Dd came running up to me and said Freddie had done a poo and he was stinky, It was only gas but it's a constant smelly reminder that things aren't right Sad

OP posts:
Lizcat · 19/07/2012 09:15

Sorry to hear about your dog. It is particularly difficult having just relocated and when language is a barrier.

So of this comes down to which type of blood cancer your dog has as to what the precise prognosis is even then though it is a bit of a piece of string.
The steriods will make him feel, better and as they form part of chemotherapy they can slow the progress of the disease.
I would echo the suggestion of enjoying him now lots of special treats.

Gorran · 19/07/2012 11:08

I'm so sorry, how sad. x

Original poster
barbie1 · 19/07/2012 12:24

lizcat you sound knowledgeable about the medication, are you a vet? I'm just translating the diagnosis...

OP posts:
Original poster
barbie1 · 19/07/2012 12:31

Circulating Lymphiod blast cells. Blood smear.
No idea what this means. Fred hasn't touched his food today.
The only English speaking vet goes on vacation on sat for 2 weeks, if we wanted to put him to sleep it has to be tomorrow or drag it out for 2 weeks and risk a French speaking vet and the whole process being made so much hard.

Any vets around???

OP posts:
Original poster
barbie1 · 19/07/2012 13:48

A shameless bump in hope a vet might see this

OP posts:
Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 19/07/2012 13:51

Could u not chat to a vet online? Think there are web sites that enable you to I.M medical professionals. Might be worth a quick google search :(

Original poster
barbie1 · 19/07/2012 14:19

Never thought of that! Off for a look, sil is calling our old vets in the uk to ask some advice too. Drained and tear stained here .

OP posts:
Scuttlebutter · 19/07/2012 14:26

I think if this was me I would be also urgently locating a translator. Can't imagine being unable to communicate with a vet at such a stressful and upsetting time. Sad

There are also lots of breed specific forums - I know there's a good Labrador Forum which DaisyDotandgertie recommends often. You might find if there is a health section, other owners have experienced similar.

Also, Google the particular illness, you can find out a lot these days about its likely course, treatments, drugs, etc.

Original poster
barbie1 · 19/07/2012 14:31

A friend has offered to translate for us but our vet is out of office until the morning. They have offered to book us the appointment for tomorrow but it seems so final. Off to look at the website, thankyou

OP posts:
Wheresmycaffeinedrip · 19/07/2012 14:37

That's very kind of your friend. I hope u can get the answers you so desperately need to make your decisions :( really am so very sorry :( x

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