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The doghouse

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

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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:

Original poster

Dog223 · 14/09/2023 20:18

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..

Wow! I’ve never heard of dogs living that long that’s amazing!

OP posts:

tabulahrasa · 14/09/2023 21:06

Dog223 · 14/09/2023 20:17

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.

Show quote history

I’d definitely have another conversation with them.

mast cell tumours can be a very small op and it’s gone, right through to anything you do however aggressive is only buying time.

You want to know what you’re looking at before deciding what’s best.

Foggyfoggyfoggy · 14/09/2023 21:19

Our ddog had multiple appointments and I paid as I went along... Best 2k I ever spent... Not sure how I found the money but I did! Rooting for your ddog op...

OnTheBoardwalk · 14/09/2023 21:26

I think a lot depends on how your dog handles being at the vet and staying there for periods of time

i was told early on that some animals tolerate being at the vets but some absolutely hate it, they told me my cat hated it. They did say they were being extra nice to her which prob made her hate them even more

when age 15 she developed cancer it was a factor in letting her go as well as fighting with her to take medication to extend her life slightly.

I kept in touch with the vets and took her there straight away when she started to look uncomfortable

you'll do the right thing whatever you decide for your dog

RudolfsLeftToe · 14/09/2023 21:33

I’m so sorry. We were told our 11 year old ddog had a tumour and only had 4 weeks unless we put her through an operation which itself would only give her an extra 2 weeks. We decided not to put her through it and amazingly she lasted another year with no signs that her quality of life had deteriorated and in the end she just went in her sleep one night.
We just kept an eye on her, constantly looked for signs she was in pain and treated her like she could go tomorrow so it was treats and cuddles galore!

HamBone · 14/09/2023 21:46

I’m another one who thinks that managing her symptoms for now and PTS when she she deteriorates is the best approach. Focus on what’s best for her, even though you’re devastated. 💐

I’m saying this, because on of DH’s sisters did the opposite with her elderly lab, because she couldn’t bear to part with her. The vet warned that chemo was unlikely to work and the poor dog ended up v.ill, dosed up on strong painkillers. She had no idea what was going on and it wasn’t fair.

Original poster

Dog223 · 14/09/2023 21:46

Thank you for everyone’s advice.

I think I will speak to the vet again and see if they can tell me how aggressive it is and go from there.

I don’t want to wait until she’s in pain and suffering but I also don’t want to do it too soon in case it’s not her time yet.

I would love for her to go in her sleep so I don’t have to make that choice as that sounds lovely.

OP posts:

Original poster

Dog223 · 14/09/2023 21:52

HamBone · 14/09/2023 21:46

I’m another one who thinks that managing her symptoms for now and PTS when she she deteriorates is the best approach. Focus on what’s best for her, even though you’re devastated. 💐

I was very sensible and said beforehand that if she gets an illness like cancer then I won’t put her through the surgery and even when she went in to check to see if it was cancer I kept to that and was adamant that I wouldn’t put her through anything.

But then when they told me, my feelings got the better of me and I keep having pangs of guilt that I’m not trying hard enough to save her life.

But then I’m also telling myself that my own feelings need to stay out of it and just do what’s right for her but I don’t know what that is.

I guess the majority of advice has been to manage the symptoms and give her lots of love and treats until it’s her time and then PTS.
Which sounds like the best advice.

OP posts:

justasking111 · 14/09/2023 21:55

We had two mammary cancer surgeries when ours was four and six, she lived to 18.

In this case I'd manage with palliative care unless the vet says that they'll recover and bounce back.

Todaypicard · 14/09/2023 21:59

for mast cell tumours you can have then injected with a medication called stelfonta - it causes it to drop off, no surgery needed

HamBone · 14/09/2023 21:59

@Dog223 It’s so hard, I’m potty about my DDog and know I’ll be a wreck if I ever have to make a difficult decision. 💐

BiteyShark · 14/09/2023 22:41

I have had to put my dog through lots of vets admissions although not for cancer. If you haven't had to do this before then you might not appreciate how much that can affect their mental health.

Sounds daft but I know that unless it is an acute illness with treatment meaning they will most likely be 'cured' then no I would not put mine through it.

You asked what would people do. I would manage symptoms, give them the best life and ultimately the best death I could surrounded by people they trust. Dogs mask pain so I would have no guilt to PTS when they seem well because I know when mine shows pains he is very very ill and by that time for a cancer prognosis I feel I would have left it to late.

ThePoetsWife · 15/09/2023 07:20

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.

I have an elderly dog and this is what I would do

EdithStourton · 15/09/2023 07:31

Breed can affect longevity and I know you've said you don't know what breed yours is, but size is a factor too. Most small dogs do well to make it to 15-17, and larger ones about 14, so that is something to factor in.

I think in your position with a dog that age, I'd treat palliatively and PTS once the dog showed he or she had had enough. We did this with our elderly JRT and it was the right shout for her.

It's the worst part of dog ownership. 💐

CatherinedeBourgh · 15/09/2023 07:36

I operated my dog because the vet told me he was otherwise in great shape and could live another couple of years. He was dead 3 months later. I regret putting him through it.

Fixesplease · 15/09/2023 07:36

Oft, it's such a tough decision. Sympathy no matter what you decide is best for her!

My boy passed last year, he was 12 and diagnosed with Throat cancer, we decided it was too much for him to go through chemo/ surgery and with vet assistance he managed another 6 months quite happily with minimal discomfort.
I knew he'd had enough when he lost his sparkle.
After watching a previous loved pet die quite a rotten death after leaving PTS too late,
I swore I'd rather be a week too early than a day too late after that.
He was PTS at home, surrounded by his favour things and people.
I still miss him.

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