Suspected Lymphoma - any experience?

[PearlHeart3]

My beautiful mini schnauzer is undergoing a biopsy on Monday as the vet suspects Lymphoma.

I took him to the vets on Friday as I noticed the glands under his jaw were swollen. They checked him over and found his glands in his groin were also swollen. They took some fluid from his glands for testing but they wanted to do a biopsy; they were unable to do the surgery then as he'd only had his breakfast a couple of hours before his appointment.

He's 4 in August, I've had him since he was 8 weeks old and I'm dreading the results. Has anyone been in a similar situation? What was the process/treatment like? What was their prognosis?

I have full lifetime insurance (£15,000) for him and would do anything for him if it would help. He's been really lethargic the last few weeks but thankfully still eating. He has lost 1kg though. Any advice would be helpful.

[PearlHeart3]

Thank you all. I spoke to a vet yesterday (Teddy's usual one wasn't in). We discussed options and although they couldn't be the ones to tell me when the right time is, they said when their quality of life is poor, it's time. I wanted to wait until Teddy's usual vet was in (today) before making the decision because I want her to be the one that does it.

However, by yesterday afternoon, Teddy was completely back to normal. No limp. Chasing after squirrels in the park. Waggy tail when I returned home. Drinking and eating normally. Toileting normal. No fever. No vomiting or seizures.

And he has been good all day today as well. Even jumping up on my lap to try and lick my plate after dinner, the cheek!

So I'm really confused and torn. If I had him put down now, I'd feel like I was doing the wrong thing. I read a lot of threads on animals being put to sleep with advice like, rather a day too soon than a day too late. But what if I'm doing it a week or a month too soon? (Obviously I wouldn't let him suffer a month too long!) He doesn't appear in pain. You wouldn't even think he had cancer unless I told you.

I don't know what to do. I've never had to make this decision before 😔

[Chelonia]

Honestly, as a vet nurse I can understand how you're feeling. If he's genuinely acting 100% today then today is not the day.
The thing to remember is that he will deteriorate, maybe tomorrow, maybe next week. And that will be the time. My beloved cat was ill a couple of years ago and I can put my hand up and say I left it that day too late because I was so desperate to fix him. He had one not-great day and then the following day was extremely ill and I had to rush him in and have him put to sleep. I so regret it. The thing about having to do it in an emergency is that you're rushing around, you may not be able to see your regular vet, you might even have to drive to an unknown branch practice, etc.
Still, if you're sure that he's having a great day then today is NOT the day. Enjoy today. Take him for a drive in the car, cook him a little bit of bacon, give him a brush and a massage. But promise yourself some criteria - if he ever won't get up when called / won't eat favourite food / no interest in going in the car, favourite toys etc then that's the time. If you can then I'd advise booking in a couple of days in advance to take him in (on the proviso that if he deteriorated before then you go in as an emergency) so you can be sure your regular vet is there, they have time to put a room aside for you, etc. And you can pre-decide what you would like to do afterwards (cremation or taking him home?) and if you want to you could pay beforehand too, then you don't have to wait at reception to sort anything afterwards or if you're collecting ashes another day. I would give your vet surgery a ring to discuss it, just to prepare you.
I hope you have a few more days with him being bright and cheerful and use the time to take photos and have lots of cuddles.

[BiteyShark]

I don't think there is ever a right and wrong decision about this but I know that I would prefer one month too early than a day too late. I would rather be sad and live with any guilt than see my dog in pain (and I have watched him in pain for different but fortunately known temporary health issues). I also hope that when the time comes I can choose a peaceful and calm death for him rather than an emergency, painful and probably traumatic trip to the vets.

[TheOnlyKoiInAPondOfGoldfish]

I've had many pets over a lifetime - the only regrets I've ever had were when I left it too late. It really is the last bit of love and kindness we can give them, to go without fear or pain.

[PearlHeart3]

Thank you all so much for your comments. I've had them in my thoughts theast couple of weeks.

Teddy had been sleeping downstairs more often, preferring to be alone (he normally sleeps upstairs either on his bed or ours).

I woke up at 5am this morning to find him lying on top of our duvet covers. He must have come upstairs in the night. Normally he gets under the covers but he must have been too warm. I think he had another seizure during the night because when I woke up he was shaking. He woke up when I did and wanted to go straight to the toilet. I let him outside and he struggled for a while before passing quite a soft poo.

He walked back inside and I noticed his limp had returned. I carried him back upstairs and let him sleep on the bed in the spare room whilst I did some work. He was constantly shaking. I called the vet when they opened a few hours later and they let me take him in. About an hour before his appointment was due he completely perked up. Even doing his excited little trot. I took him in anyway.

They confirmed his lymph nodes had gotten bigger since they saw him last about 3 weeks ago. They were concerned a new lymph node that appeared on his chest was the cause of the lump. They were also concerned that he had 2 seizures in 2 weeks. They said I didn't have to make a decision now but if I wanted to spend a couple of days with him and then decide, that would be okay.

I couldn't bear the thought of prolonging the inevitable. I didn't want him to be in discomfort. He was struggling to find a comfy position on the bed and I wasn't comfortable walking him anymore as I felt his paw might be hurting him even though he didn't cry out.

I held him in my arms whilst we sat on the floor. He was so excited to see me. He licked my tears away and happily sat in my arms as the vet injected him. He died instantly, his head resting against my forearm.

I'm absolutely devastated. I howled when he died. Even now I'm crying whilst writing this. He'd seen me through the death of my mum and my best friend. He was always there for me and I can't help but feel I might have kept him a little longer. I miss him so much 💔

[BiteyShark]

So sorry

[GuckGuckDoose]

Oh I am so sorry @PearlHeart3, I read your thread briefly a couple of weeks ago, very sorry your boy has passed.

I think the phrase goes ‘better a day too soon, than a day too late’ - though from the sounds of it this was absolutely his time and you made the best decision you could have. It’s a blessing in a lot of ways that we are able to put animals out of their pain and discomfort before it gets too much. Please don’t be too hard on yourself!

[Frazzled2207]

i'm so sorry.
You did the best you could for him and gave him many more happy months.

[UhtredRagnarson]

Oh OP I am so so sorry!

I lost my lovely boy to lymphoma just before Christmas. Much like your situation he had a very restless night sleep and I knew he was suffering, the vet saw him the next day and the decision was made. Hardest thing I’ve ever done but I absolutely know it was the right thing, just like it was for your boy.

I’m still broken hearted. They leave a massive gap when they go.

[Beetle76]

Poor you and your little Teddy. They are never with us for long enough x

[TheOnlyKoiInAPondOfGoldfish]

well done for making a tough decision and putting him first. I looked at my old boy today, not really enjoying the last bit of the walk in the way the youngsters were, and realised I was going to have to start preparing myself once again to let a dog go when it's time.

Bloody heartbreaking, but we owe it to them to put them first.

thinking of you tonight.