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

Experience of pain management with cancer

6 replies

WishingForTheImpossible · 08/11/2024 09:36

Can I start by saying I know no-one can diagnose or predict - I'm simply asking for experiences

Our dog had a lump removed which was highly malignant
Within a month another lump appeared. She had CT scans which also found a tumor in her lungs. Her diagnosis was broad, she could have anywhere between 3 months and 2 years to live.
Had she had surgery to remove part her lung and full mammory tract would have been 2 ops and a recovery period of about 4 months with no guarantee of a cure . As such we decided the surgery would not be fair on her and chose to enjoy our time with her.
It's now 7 months since the initial lump was removed.
She's in some pain, were experimenting with drugs to try and ease because it's also causing anxiety.
She eats, toilets and plays all as those she is perfectly normal but her behaviour is totally different, she can't settle, won't recognise when out of breath and needing to rest.
Honestly it's exhausting as she's either barking at me to play or crying and whining. I can't leave her alone for more than an hour at a time.
We're off to try a different cocktail of drugs from the vets and he did warn me some dogs simply play until the very end and they are the hardest to know when to put to sleep.

I guess I'm just wondering for anyone else whose had a dog with cancer, how long between starting pain medication and the end was it?
Did you have weeks or possibly months?

OP posts:
CMOTDibbler · 08/11/2024 09:39

To be very honest, I'd ask for them to throw all the painkillers at her today so you can have a nice weekend eating chicken nuggets, snuggling and doing whatever she likes best and make an appointment for her to be PTS on Monday at the latest.

Killingoffmyflowersonebyone · 08/11/2024 09:40

I’m sorry, OP, but she sounds miserable - the fact she eats and toilets and plays is a red herring - and I think that you know that?

Honestly, if I knew my dog was suffering and in pain (remember dogs really don’t show pain unless they’re in agony) and the diagnosis was terminal, I would PTS. I don’t think it’s week or months - every dog is different - and she’s suffering now. I’m really sorry.

CurlewKate · 08/11/2024 09:42

I'm afraid it's time @WishingForTheImpossible . Better a little too soon than too late.

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 08/11/2024 10:01

She's riddled with cancer and in pain 🤷‍♀️

This would be a no brainer for me, lots of love and kisses and then quietly, peacefully PTS.

WishingForTheImpossible · 08/11/2024 10:37

I've just collected pardale, amantadine as well as the gabapentine she started Monday
Been to get a mass of dog treats

The vet has pretty much said if these don't help and she's no better Monday we need to discuss final appointment. He's an absolutely amazing vet who was with us just 5 months ago when we lost our other dog to cancer and said he'd come to the house to put her at ease, we already have her sedative because as great as he is, our dog dislikes everyone!

I guess I'm calling the kids back from uni 😭

Thank you for telling me what I don't want but need to hear

OP posts:
Fraggle78 · 08/11/2024 21:11

It does sound like time. I am so sorry.

We have also lost two dogs in the last two months to cancer so know how horrible it is. With the first we waited too long because we hoped for a miracle and I regret that. With the second, we knew what was coming so as soon as he started to seem uncomfortable we made the decision and I am so glad we did. He was a beautiful, dignified boy who hated the vet, so being able to let him go at home scoffing his favourite food was the best thing we could do for him. It's still awful, but it was the best we could make it.

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