Took my yellow lab, Boone, to the vet yesterday. Boone will be 13 in March. He hasn't been himself over the last week and seems very slow and stiff to rise and his weight is dropping. Had an xray and he has a very large tumor, size of a deflated soccer ball in his abdomen, which is pushing and squeezing everything. He's lost his bladder a couple times in the house no doubt due to the pressure. Vet says we can do surgery and take it out, but there is a good chance it's cancerous, and being 13 and all it doesn't make a lot of sense. He looked worse to me this morning before leaving for work, very sad eyes. I was really hoping I was going to get him out on some lazy grouse hunts this fall and just have him be with us in the house for pheasant but that's not going to happen.

Any advice, this being my first time. He may die on his own and he doesn't seem to be in pain, just very uncomfortable. Do I wait until it seems obvious and take him in, do I do it now? Anyone that's been here before would appreciate your experience. Thx.

I am very sorry to ehar this. I do not think anyone can really tell you what to do. I have made the decision before and usually go by whether the dog is in a lot of pain and whether he has given up. If he is not in a lot of pain and is getting some enjoyment out of life then I would defer the decision. Sometimes the vet will tell you what they think as well.

These things are never easy.

Your options are: 1) do nothing until Boone's quality of life deteriorates to an unacceptable level, then put him down, 2) euthanize him now before suffering begins, 3) surgical excision of the mass with possible chemotherapy following, or (4 give him some corticosteroids to make him feel a bit better.

My experience with large abdominal tumors is that they are usually inoperable due to their incorporation of parts of the different abdominal organs. Also, this kind of major surgical procedure would be very hard on Boone given his age. Prognosis for survival of the surgery would be only poor to fair. Chemotherapy might or might not be helpful. Couple that with the cost and you have a mess.

In a few cases, dexamethasone or prednisolone can ameliorate some of the signs and somewhat improve the quality of life for a pet's remaining time. This is probably what I'd choose were I in your situation.

The vet gave us 50mg of Tramadol for pain. Would you agree with giving this to him?

If he is starting to seem very uncomfortable, as you say, knowing what his problem is, I would do the humane thing and take him to the vet after spending one last quality night with him. He deserves the dignity only you can give him, at this time. And he will love you more for this last act of kindness.

Good luck with what ever you decide. It's a hard decision to know when it's the right time, but it sounds like he's hinting at it.

Peace.

HL

Is a sad time for sure. You do what you can afford to do to keep him comfortable, make sure he knows he's loved, and say your goodbyes.

I've had two 14 year olds go kinda this way. They are mentally alert but failing. I tear up just thinking about it.

It is a very, very difficult time.

My condolences!

Give him the Tramadol! f nothing else it will tell you if he's hurting and hiding it. It won't hurt him.

If you do surgery at 13 he likely won't be able to hunt until October. Ask your vet what the chances of him making it to October are with and without surgery.

Prewar70,

Sorry to hear about Boone. A few years ago, my black lab had a bladder tumor. I had it surgically removed based on the vet's diagnosis that it was a slow growing tumor and would probably take years to grow back, if ever. So, I did it. After all it was my boy; I would have done anything, like most dog owners. It didn't take long at all before it was back. It was pressing on his bladder and colon. Poor boy never had an accident in the house and the look on his face when he did, broke my heart. I took him everywhere I could; short walks and swimming in the lake with his chocolate lab sister to fight for the stick; and to the beach one last time. He and I just sat and watched the ocean. He looked up at some birds flying over and I remember the look in his eyes. I brought him home that evening and laid on the couch with my arm hanging over letting him know I was there; getting up every 5 minutes to let him outside. The last time I let him out he went and sat on the grass in his kennel. He didn't want to do it anymore and he let me know.

I wish it were easier for you to decide. Unfortunately, these creatures get into our souls like no other. There is no greater love, for them or us. Do some special things for Boone and watch him while it's happening. Take pictures. It'll make your memories sweeter and in a dog's special way we can learn so much from them. Just like the birds flying above us, take the time to notice them, slow down and breathe it all in.

I haven't given much advice and for that I am sorry. You will know when it's time. Boone is a very lucky dog to have had such a good life with you.

Take care.

Prewar,

I'm sorry to hear about Boone's condition. It sounds like his cancer is similar what my 12 year old Lab had.

Just a word of caution, Tramadol CAN quickly shut down a dog's liver. You may want to follow up with a blood test to avoid this possible side effect.

I wish you the best in this very tough situation.

All great advice and I truly appreciate the responses. I gave him the medicine and he watched me mow the yard tonight. Just about every pass I stopped, gave him a hug, he licked the sweat off my face, and then I continued. He's coming up to the lake with us this weekend and we are going to take a lot of photos. I'm going to keep him comfortable and not take him in until I think it's time. Here's a picture of the ole boy in his younger days. He's always had a young look, in fact, it wasn't 2 weeks ago someone asked me if he was 5 or 6. He had a fairly famous Dad around these parts, "Brock", was a stud English lab. Boone had his distinguished blocky head. His whole life he never varied more than 4 pounds from 75lbs. He had a great nose, which often reminded us of a hoover vacuum. He's older than my oldest daughter and my first real hunting dog. He will be missed but we are going to enjoy every minute up until that time.

quote:

Originally posted by Prewar70:
The vet gave us 50mg of Tramadol for pain. Would you agree with giving this to him?

Yes, give him the Tramadol as needed up to a frequency of every 8 hours if he's hurting. I'd ask your veterinarian if (s)he thinks the mass is operable, too, regardless of what I said earlier!

BTW, if you're only giving 1 Tramadol at a time and you think he's still painful, you can give up to 3 at a time if he still weighs in the neighborhood of 65 lbs. The dose is 1-5 mg/kg body weight or .45-2.27 mg/lb...which comes out to 4.5-22.5 mg/10 lbs every 8-12 hours.

What a handsome, bright and noble companion!?!

Thanks for sharing the photo and your concerns. Count your blessings and enjoy the time with your trusty fella.

Had similar problem w my 12 year old Eng.setter.Vet removed an 8# splenic hematoma.that was 3 yrs ago,she still runs(slower)20 mi/wk&hunts for 2+hrs.get an ultrasound.if its smooth¬ stuck to anything go for it.glad i did.if it is debulking the mass+intraperitoneal chemo might help.BEST,kim

Yes, that's the best one can hope for...a mass that is contained within a single, removeable organ such as the spleen.

Very sad. This is the one bad thing about owning a dog, They become a member of the famiy but everything goes in "fast forward" mode.

I grew up with dogs, most of the time we had two, it's still sad when one has to go or suffers an accident.

My current dog's breeder and hunting comrade kept a sister of him, to continue breeding that blood line because the bitch was too old already and it was her last litter.

Very fine dog, with 9 months she was hit by a car when chasing a roe deer. I still remember how he broke out in tears when he called me.

quote:

Originally posted by ACRecurve:
Your options are: 1) do nothing until Boone's quality of life deteriorates to an unacceptable level, then put him down, 2) euthanize him now before suffering begins, 3) surgical excision of the mass with possible chemotherapy following, or (4 give him some corticosteroids to make him feel a bit better.

My experience with large abdominal tumors is that they are usually inoperable due to their incorporation of parts of the different abdominal organs. Also, this kind of major surgical procedure would be very hard on Boone given his age. Prognosis for survival of the surgery would be only poor to fair. Chemotherapy might or might not be helpful. Couple that with the cost and you have a mess.

In a few cases, dexamethasone or prednisolone can ameliorate some of the signs and somewhat improve the quality of life for a pet's remaining time. This is probably what I'd choose were I in your situation.

Very sad, but we are talking about a 13 year old dog, which my friend tells me is an exceptional age for this breed. I would take option 1. No sense dragging the suffering out for either one of you. I hope, if I ever reach this stage, no one makes me suffer any further.
Grizz

Thought I would post an update since I started this thread 8/20. Boone is still plugging away and actually doing quite well which is amazing. When I took him in he was acting so sick I thought we had a few days. Then he snapped out of it and started acting like himself again. We even took him up to the lake and I got tired of throwing dummies in the water for him to retrieve! I can see when he lays down on his side the tumor is more pronounced and he has had a few accidents again but nothing else. I stopped giving him the pain meds to see how he'd do and again, no real change. He's had a few days since then that he feels bad and then I give him the medicine but I'd say he's been looking as close to normal as possible 8 out of 10 days. So, glad I didn't put him down at the vet as his quality of life seems really good right now. He even ran away the other day out of the yard with some scent stuck in his nose that he couldn't get rid of until he found the source. His hearing is going so once he makes his mind up it takes a jeep to stop him. The kids finally got him headed in the direction of the house. I will try to post some pictures over the weekend.

Very sorry to hear about your dog. I have a mixed breed lab/poodle. Her name was Queenie and she was 16 when we found out she has bone cancer. They advised amputation of her left front leg and Chemo was the only treatment. Rather then she her on 3 legs, we just made her the happiest dog she could be for her remaining time with us. I knew it was time by the look in her eyes and that the pain was undearable.She died in my arms after the vet injected her. That was 6 years ago and I still miss her. I have 2 Border Collies now. Elroy was rescued by us when he was 6 and Bella was a gift at Christmas and she is now 3. Again, I can I know what you are feeling and your in my thoughts and prayers.

Nick10Ring

My thoughts are with you and Boone.

The bond between a hunter and his dogs bridge the gulf of speciation between man and animal in a way not replicated by any any other man-animal bond I am familiar with.

Something you may want to consider is that some dogs are uncomfortable at a vet's office. If you are presented with euthanasia as an only option it may be better done at your and Boones home than in the sterile environment of a vet's office. Obviously Boone's level of pain and discomfort and your vets ability/willingness to accomodate such a request would figure into this.

I wish the best for both of you.

Here's a couple pics from the lake. He will be a hard dog to replace. Hard to believe he's 12.5 and sick, because he doesn't look it.

He's a beautiftul dog!

Boone -- March 5, 1996 -- January 7, 2009

He was a fantastic companion, loyal and beautiful, he will be greatly missed.

Really sorry to hear this.

Prewar70,

My thoughts go out to you tonight. So sorry to hear about Boone.

Take care.

quote:

Originally posted by Prewar70:
Boone -- March 5, 1996 -- January 7, 2009

He was a fantastic companion, loyal and beautiful, he will be greatly missed.

Prewar,

I'm very sorry to hear of your lose. I,too, have been there. My wife and I made a photo album of our dor Bobbie who we had put down in October of 07. We look at it and get alot of good laughs and alot of tears.
Anyway, I'm sorry for your lose.

TONY

Someone here on the forums ends each post with a signature "If there are no dogs in heaven, I want to go where they went" I second that notion. I'm very sorry to hear about Boone.

I'm real sorry to hear about Boone also, What a picture perfect lab......Being a lab lover (we have 4 at home currently,(all rescues) it still brings tears to my eyes when we have to say good bye to such a loyal friend .....I try to remeber all the good (great ) times we have had with our labs ,and dread the day I have to say goodbye to them .....so once the grieving subsides,we rescue a lab that needs a place to call home .....so far we have had no complaints from the labs we have rescued .....Good luck to you and god bless,BB34

PreWar70,

Soooo sorry to hear of your loss. Our most sincere condolences.

The Babes are soo hard to lose. I still tear up when I think about my buddies lost and it has been some years since.

Best,

My heart goes out to you!

He was a handsome dog, may he rest in peace.

He is waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge.

PreWar70,

Sorry for your loss...happy for your memories.

Those of us who love dogs know their death is the real price we pay for their love and affection.

Enjoy the memories....