Hi all
My dog (10) has been diagnosed with lymphoma. We are not doing chemo for various factors - not the cost, more that the vet and I were honest it was probably going to make a vet phobic, anxious dog unhappy and not add to his life. So he's at home with me, where he loves, on steroids. It’s also seemingly aggressive, and pretty much become evident quickly he was not feeling at all well, so quite symptomatic.
We had a really good first 2 weeks on the steroids, so continuing and vet said we can increase the dose if needed, and I have noticed some of the previous symptoms coming back again and one of the lymph nodes has got massive again and giving him very noisy breathing and gagging/retching. I will call the vet tomorrow about the dose. The first 2 weeks he seemed almost back to ‘normal’ and they shrank so I am feeling sad he’s getting some of these back which I think aggravates him and them not working as well so fast.
This is my first time nursing a dog in this way, he’s my first dog and I suppose I am just looking for some support. Has anyone been through this? I find myself being anxious all the time about whether he’s happy or feeling unwell - being a dog they mask these things. The vet can’t really tell me what to expect, we don’t know where the cancer actually is and I get the impression from her she doesn’t think he is going to have very long. I’m coming to terms with that and that it’s my decision when it’s ‘time’, which feels like a huge responsibility to make such a decision although I know it’s kindest for him and I owe it to him.
I want to walk him but I’m anxious about whether it’s too much for him as he gets so puffed out, I feel guilty if he’s on his own if I have to go out (although he is fine and is a really good boy, he just sleeps), I feel guilty just all the time and end up just sitting with him for hours listening to his (very noisy now) breathing while he sleeps.
I don’t want him to go - he’s my best friend but I know he can’t stay forever. I’m also feeling really anxious and horrible about that when it’s ‘time’ I will have to take him into the vets and he bloody hates it in there and I don’t want him to be afraid, and I will feel so guilty that was the place he hates and I made him go there
sorry, very morbid and I am sorry if this upsets anyone.