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

Original poster

Dog has cancer WWYD/WDYD

41 replies

Dog223 · 14/09/2023 19:26

I’m just looking for opinions on what you would do or what you did do if you’ve been in a similar position and would you make the same decision again.

My 14 1/2 y/o dog has cancer and I’m not sure what to do.

I have always said I will not put her through an operation, as she had a few when she was younger and I feel she’s too old to be proded and poked about.

Another treatment is chemotherapy but this can have side affects and she’d potentially need surgery too.

Considering she’s over 14 I do not want to put her through weeks/months of chemo to extend her life an extra year or 2.

But she’s in generally good health and putting her down seems so wrong.

I would absolutely hate her to be in pain and suffering and wouldn’t think twice about putting her down but the fact that she’s so well and happy makes me feel guilty for even thinking about PTS.

If I was to PTS then I don’t know how long to leave it before doing so.

So if anyone has any experience or advice then I’d be very grateful.

OP posts:
slopsan · 14/09/2023 19:28

Manage her symptoms for now and PTS when she she deteriorates. I don't think it's fair to put an old dog through surgery or chemo.

ToBrieOrNotToBrieThatIsTheQuestion · 14/09/2023 19:29

As she's in generally good health otherwise, my instinct would be to start the chemotherapy, and see if the side effects are significant, and reassess if they are.

My (limited) understanding is that dog chemo is relatively gentle because it's about prolonging life not pursuing a complete cure at all costs, as often happens in humans.

Ascendant15 · 14/09/2023 19:32

slopsan · 14/09/2023 19:28

Manage her symptoms for now and PTS when she she deteriorates. I don't think it's fair to put an old dog through surgery or chemo.

This would be my approach too. Never had a dog with cancer, but other conditions in old age. My experience is they'll let you know when they've had enough. Just be prepared to listen to them, and let them go when they want to go.

YourNameGoesHere · 14/09/2023 19:32

At her age I would manage her symptoms and make sure she's comfortable and then PTS when she starts to show signs of deteriorating further. I agree with you I wouldn't want to put her through chemotherapy.

Newpeep · 14/09/2023 19:34

Palliative.

We had this with our cat. We managed her symptoms as long as we could with vet support then let her go peacefully at home when the vet came out. I don’t regret it.

trulyunruly01 · 14/09/2023 19:35

If she has quality of life then just enjoy whatever time is left. Let pain be the dictator here.
I absolutely agree regarding surgical intervention and/or chemo at this age.
When I was in this position, I simply took him home, fed him all his favourite foods every day and cuddled him. I ensured the vet knew I expected a home visit on the day I decided it was time.
It's hard. When carry them in as tubby little wiggly pups we take on this responsibility, and we must make it loving, respectful and honourable.
Flowers

Lovemusic82 · 14/09/2023 19:36

slopsan · 14/09/2023 19:28

Manage her symptoms for now and PTS when she she deteriorates. I don't think it's fair to put an old dog through surgery or chemo.

This.
If she’s well at the moment then just let her be, when she becomes unwell you can manage it with pain medication for a while.
I wouldn’t put her through surgery and treatment.

MaMisled · 14/09/2023 19:36

I wouldn't put my wonderful little dog through surgery or chemo.I agree with others, enjoy the time you have with them now. Spoil them. I believe, when it's time, you'll know.

Ratfinkstinkypink · 14/09/2023 19:37

My Lab was 14 when he was diagnosed with an osteosarcoma in his leg, we decided to opt for managing the symptoms and then putting him to sleep when he woke up one morning and would no longer stand. He went off having consumed an entire packet of custard creams that he'd always lusted over but never been allowed to have. I don't think it would've been fair to put him through surgery or chemo but it is such a hard decision to make.

LaurieFairyCake · 14/09/2023 19:37

All choices are terrible 😞

I've always said I wouldn't have an animal have surgery again after my cat had cancer - it just made things worse

Chemo maybe if the prognosis was good

The last option (do nothing) also has the worst problem of how well dogs mask pain. When my dog suffered two days of faecal incontinence when he fell asleep I had an ultrasound done and he had 23 massive tumours in his body - no signs of pain. Vet shrugged and said dogs don't show pain until it's unbearable Sad and I just found that so sad

I'd like to think now I would treat with steroids and high dose painkillers for a few weeks and then say goodbye

I'm so sorry for what you're going through.

Sarvanga38 · 14/09/2023 19:38

slopsan · 14/09/2023 19:28

Manage her symptoms for now and PTS when she she deteriorates. I don't think it's fair to put an old dog through surgery or chemo.

This, unless it was bone cancer, when I would probably spoil her for another day and let her go because it is so painful.

Original poster
Dog223 · 14/09/2023 19:43

The last option (do nothing) also has the worst problem of how well dogs mask pain.

This is what I’m worrying about.

I don’t know how to tell when it’s time or when she’s in pain.

It would be easier if she was obviously in pain and it was her time but I wouldn’t actually want her to be in pain so it’s hard to know when the right time is.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dog223 · 14/09/2023 19:45

How long did it take for them to go downhill?

I’m definitely going to feed her lots of treats!

She loves her food and so I’ve always had to be quite restrictive and only give her dog treats that weren’t too fatty because of her weight but I’m just going to feed her lots of treats now 😁

OP posts:
Foggyfoggyfoggy · 14/09/2023 19:48

What is the average lifespan for the breed op? At 10 our rotty had major surgery. 3 months later it was as if it had never happened.. Sadly she got a brain tumour a year later and she was pts... Our lurcher is 14 and fit and sprightly.. I would def choose surgery for her if need be.

Ratfinkstinkypink · 14/09/2023 19:48

My fella went downhill in 10 days, we were told 4-6 weeks but it wasn't to be. He let us know he was ready in his own subtle way, I am so sorry it's a shit thing to deal with.

LaurieFairyCake · 14/09/2023 19:54

I'm not sure but maybe I'd persuade the vets to start painkillers/steroids now and see if she was actually EVEN happier/more bouncy in a week

That way you can gauge if she's already masking ?

Potentialmadcatlady · 14/09/2023 19:57

I would manage symptoms and give pain relief, do a bucket list with my one and then let him go when he starts to deteriorate. I had done palliative care fostering, they let you know when they have had enough so you can let them go peacefully… my last one went in the sun, listening to the birds and eating a large bowl of chopped up cheese…

Original poster
Dog223 · 14/09/2023 20:00

Foggyfoggyfoggy · 14/09/2023 19:48

What is the average lifespan for the breed op? At 10 our rotty had major surgery. 3 months later it was as if it had never happened.. Sadly she got a brain tumour a year later and she was pts... Our lurcher is 14 and fit and sprightly.. I would def choose surgery for her if need be.

I don’t know because she is a cross breed that I got from a rescue centre. So it’s hard to say what her lifespan would be.

OP posts:
redastherose · 14/09/2023 20:04

I've just been through this, my old boy was almost 13. A lump appeared on his leg in 2 days, took to the vets and had it tested but it was pretty obvious it was likely to be a sarcoma. The vets advice was that he was too old to have the leg amputated and that chemo would only slow things down and that t he bee at thing to do was to manage his pain. We did that for about 4-5 weeks of love and treats and favourite walks then he was sick and they said it had spread so we gave him one last day of live then took him to the vets to be pts. We all sat on the floor cuddling him and petting him while he went and it was really peaceful. 1 week short of his 13th birthday. He was a Labrador so average lifespan is 10-12 years so he'd had a good innings and he was as loved always.

Patchworksack · 14/09/2023 20:05

What kind of cancer? What grade? Is surgery likely to be curative? What is the life expectancy with and without chemo? ‘Cancer’ isn’t a diagnosis - you need to go back and get a lot more detail on the options open to you and the likely outcome if you choose each.

Foggyfoggyfoggy · 14/09/2023 20:05

Our mongrel when I was a dc had mammary cancer and pyometra and had massive surgeries at about 12.... That ddog was bloody invincible and lived until we were both nearly 21! She was an amazing furry sibling.. Ime it spurred me to believe in surgery being the right choice in a cancer crisis..

caringcarer · 14/09/2023 20:09

trulyunruly01 · 14/09/2023 19:35

If she has quality of life then just enjoy whatever time is left. Let pain be the dictator here.
I absolutely agree regarding surgical intervention and/or chemo at this age.
When I was in this position, I simply took him home, fed him all his favourite foods every day and cuddled him. I ensured the vet knew I expected a home visit on the day I decided it was time.
It's hard. When carry them in as tubby little wiggly pups we take on this responsibility, and we must make it loving, respectful and honourable.
Flowers

Yes, when my cat had cancer we bought him Tuna and chicken breasts every day and he loved it. He had about 7 weeks and when he deteriorated we let him lie in the garden in the sunshine in his favourite spot then the vet kindly came out and PTS at home. It cost more but I didn't want to stress him going to the vets.

tabulahrasa · 14/09/2023 20:10

I’d find out exactly what the treatment options are, what chemo protocols, the likelihood of side effects etc. and then decide from there.

Sheswearsby · 14/09/2023 20:11

My 8 year old lab had a tumour. Chemo gave us 5 extra months together and he honestly tolerated it really well. I knew when it was time to let him go and my heart is still broken 18 months later.
You know your dog OP. Sending love and support x

Original poster
Dog223 · 14/09/2023 20:17

Patchworksack · 14/09/2023 20:05

What kind of cancer? What grade? Is surgery likely to be curative? What is the life expectancy with and without chemo? ‘Cancer’ isn’t a diagnosis - you need to go back and get a lot more detail on the options open to you and the likely outcome if you choose each.

It’s called mast cell tumours but when I looked it up you get low grade ones that if removed msg be fine or high grade ones which even with removal and chemo probably won’t help.

The vets rang me and tried explaining it but I was crying and didn’t really know what to say.
They said that removal or chemo was an option but I said I definitely didnt want to put her through an operation but then I felt guilty and thinking I should.
So they said they’ll give me a call back in a couple of days to let me process things and then talk through it.

OP posts:
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