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The doghouse

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

Original poster

My cocker spaniel has cancer :(

39 replies

Ingles2 · 27/12/2012 22:03

That's it really.... Am gutted and can't stop crying which is ridiculous as it's just the dog... But I love her and can't imagine life without her.
She's 10 and we noticed a lump about a month ago which has grown really quickly. Vet thought it was more likely to be a cyst at first, but x rays today confirmed it and as her chest is also full of tumours he said there was no point in operating. So that's it,.. I'm waiting now for the day we put her to sleep. I get the impression the vet thinks it'll be in the next week or so, but he said it was up to me
Am so sad, she's my first and only dog.

OP posts:
ijustwant8hours · 27/12/2012 22:06

She isn't just the dog, she is your dog. Thanks and I am so sorry.

PartridgeInASpicyPearTree · 27/12/2012 22:09

So sorry. Like 8hours said she isn't just a dog she is family. Don't try to squash it down, it is okay to grieve for her.

Susieloo · 27/12/2012 22:10

I'm so sorry, how devastating and painful for youHmm

Original poster
Ingles2 · 27/12/2012 22:17

Thankyou for your sympathy... My dh and sons are upset but obviously think I've gone mad with all this sobbing... :(
It's just shes been such a fantastic dog and pet.. I didn't realise it would be this hard, I knew it was coming:(

OP posts:
AndARedwingInAPearTree · 27/12/2012 23:27

I'm so sorry Ingles, that sounds like a real shock Sad

Charliefox · 28/12/2012 08:13

I'm so sorry. Such an awful, heart breaking thing to face. I wish you strength for when the time comes.

Lilyloo · 28/12/2012 08:42

So sorry we lost our girl when she was 10 to heart failure we were all devastated, much love to you all x

ScarletWomanoftheVillage · 28/12/2012 08:47

So sorry. I have been through exactly this, two summers ago. It was like losing a member of the family and I was surprised how devastated we all were. Sad

MadMumToThree · 28/12/2012 08:56

I am so sorry x we lost both our cockers to cancer - one last year also a very fast growing lump and then this last August her daughter - didn't know until her spleen ruptured - devastating they are such wonderful companions x

Lifeisontheup · 28/12/2012 09:28

Ingles You kindly posted on my thread about the death of my old girl yesterday so I know what you're going through. We were told that ours had acute renal failure which causes heart failure about three months ago and the vet said it could be any time.
We decided that as long as she was happy and not in pain we would not have her PTS but as soon as she showed signs of pain we would. I'm glad we didn't as she was happy right to the end but you will know when yours is ready to go.

Original poster
Ingles2 · 28/12/2012 21:08

Thanks everyone... I an so grateful for the support.
How are you feeling today life? You must be totally wrung out?. I've been back at work today,but with such a headache from crying and puffy eyes from hell.. :)
Well pippa has been asleep most of the day it seems... She got up when I came home for turkey and a cuddle but today's about it... It's going to have to be soon, this is no life for what was a lively, fun loving dog who loved nothing more than chasing balls and rabbits through our orchard.
Also the skin around the tumour is bleeding where she is licking it... The vet wasn't very concerned but it looks so sore...she doesn't seem to be in pain, but she's not really with us either if you know what I mean. She's got a check up on the 2nd and I think unless she takes a then for the worse, that'll probably be the day. I'm fitting in as many cuddles as I can now

OP posts:
kid · 29/12/2012 15:46

I am so sorry to hear your sad news, its awful when our pets die, even harder when we have to make the difficult decision of when to end their suffering.
I remember hearing that its always better to pts a day too soon than a day too late.

We had to make the decision to put our yorkie to sleep. He was 14 and had multiple organ failure. It happened while we were on holiday so we never got to say bye to him. But, it would have been cruel to keep him alive and suffering just for us to be able to say goodbye. I didn't tell dc for a long time about us having him pts, I let them believe he had passed away.
I hate owning pets at times, but I guess they bring so much love, it's worth it.

My other dog died at 7 months old, I never thought I'd get over him dying. I now have a 2 1/2 year old springer who I hope will be with us for many years to come.

Original poster
Ingles2 · 30/12/2012 13:16

Thanks kid....
well, I think the time has come already :(
Today, she's become incontinent, she's lost any sign of a wag, and isn't really moving and the biggest change, she's refused all food including sausages, black pudding and turkey:(
She doesn't seem to be in pain thank god, but has given up... am heartbroken
:(

OP posts:
MadMumToThree · 30/12/2012 14:01

Holding your hand today x

Original poster
Ingles2 · 30/12/2012 14:39

Thankyou madmum.. I appreciate it

OP posts:
needastrongone · 30/12/2012 14:58

Ingles - kind thoughts today x

SecretSantaFix · 30/12/2012 15:04

Be kind to yourself.

It's the hardest decision for anyone who has an animal in pain, better for them but so, so horrible for you.

Original poster
Ingles2 · 31/12/2012 08:31

She's gone :( died during the night...
I thought there was a good chance of it happening so gave her plenty of cuddles before I went to bed...
I miss her already :(

OP posts:
kid · 31/12/2012 10:13

So sorry ingles
You will miss her for a long time, but you will also remember all of the lovely times you shared and start to let go of the sadness over time.
I still get upset about my puppy dying and that happened in may 2010. It's not something that ever goes away but it definitely gets easier over time.

People who don't have pets will find it hard to understand but who cares, losing a pet is no different to losing a member of your family.

PartridgeInASpicyPearTree · 31/12/2012 13:17

Run free at the bridge inglesdog. Very sorry for your loss.

outtolunchagain · 31/12/2012 13:33

Oh no,so sad,we have a cocker too and they are such special little dogs .How lovely though that she died at home and in her own basket,thats a very special gift that not many dogs have now.Look after yourself ,she was your friend and it doesn't matter if human or canine

Original poster
Ingles2 · 31/12/2012 19:44

Thankyou for your messages... Such a hard day, on my 11yr old son especially. He has taken it very badly and has spent a good chunk of the day in tears :( he loves the rainbow bridge story but it has us both sobbing hysterically. It will take a long time to get over this, she was such a special little dog... I've never met a dog as devoted as she was...

OP posts:
Lifeisontheup · 01/01/2013 17:32

So sorry for you and your family. There's such an empty space isn't there? We've just lit the fire for the first time since the night before our Pippa died and there's no smell of slightly singed fur from her lying as close as possible and I have to sweep the kitchen floor as I have no furry hoover.Sad

Original poster
Ingles2 · 01/01/2013 20:56

hi life ... thanks for your message...how are you feeling?
I can't believe how painful this is.. there's just a bloody great big hole where she should be...trotting at my heels (literally), hoovering up anything I drop in the kitchen, running to the gate every time I open the kitchen door and I keep thinking I catch a glimpse of her and have to look again to remind myself she's not there :(
Pippa was my first dog, I never had a childhood pet, so this is my first experience of losing a long term pet...and my god, it hurts as if it was literally one of my family.
I had no idea.....

OP posts:
SecretNutellaFix · 01/01/2013 21:10

I still wonder why my Kes isn't there to welcome me when I go to visit my mother and then remember. I half expect a soaking wet sheepdog to come in from outside with a solid rubber ball in her mouth and drop it on my bare feet.

That was over two years ago. She was my birthday present for my 19th Birthday. It gets easier