What a day. My dog has prostate cancer

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 12:30 am

Man

I'm crushed.

Assumed it was a UTI initally, as did the vet. Round of clavamox, which should have knocked out the discomfort quickly.

No change.

Urine culture, negative.
X-rays showed an abnormal growth near the bladder.
Ultrasound narrowed it down.

Good new is it's not a transitional cell tumor, bad new is it wasn't a tumor at all but an enlarged prostate.
Best guess prostate cancer.

All but untreatable unless you go the chemo, radiation, surgery route.
Even then most dogs live 6 weeks. You can treat it but you can't cure it.

This sucks.

Happy (until recently,) big, dumb Sam.

If you have any good thought please send them our way.
Especially him.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 1:07 am

ah $hit ! that makes me sad,good luck with helping him,sweet doggies don't deserve that crap !

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 1:34 am

Thanks Dan.

minir · Post by **minir** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 10:00 am

That is a sad day Humboldt

Will include you & Sam in my prayers

---

Larry

ace · Post by **ace** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 6:18 pm

Sorry to hear this Humbolt. Dan is right, dogs don't deserve that ****.

Sending good thoughts to you and Sam and the rest of your bunch!

loop2kil · Post by **loop2kil** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 6:51 pm

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Sam. He sure is a beautiful dog and lucky to have such an awesome doggie owner looking out for him.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:12 pm

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:15 pm

Humboldt wrote:Thanks Dan.

how can we help besides good thoughts ? could we help with the costs of medication/treatment ?

this is a big community here !

RaisinCain · Post by **RaisinCain** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 7:54 pm

Dan wrote:how can we help besides good thoughts ? could we help with the costs of medication/treatment ?

this is a big community here !

I second that! I am so sorry and sad. "If the end is so much better then why don't we just live forever?" (quote from a Shinedown song always makes me wonder whether it is a pet or a human). If you need anything just let me know.

9mmprincess · Post by **9mmprincess** » Wed Jul 31, 2013 9:46 pm

I'm sorry <3

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Thu Aug 01, 2013 2:20 am

Thanks.
Took a couple days off, should get biopsy results tomorrow.

Assuming it is cancer, which everything points at, there's no treatment.
Spend $10,000 and you might prolong their life by a few weeks.

That's with chem, radiation, surgery, artificial parts and valves.
Not putting him through that.

Quality of life call, the hardest part about owning pets.
I have one co-worker who puts them down without blinking, another who feels life is too sacred for that and that a natural death is the best course.
I understand both routes but will not allow my pets to suffer.
I do what I can to make sure they're comfortable and have no problem spending ungodly amounts of money on them, but can't justify prolonging their life artificially if they're in pain.

I've faced this many times and it just sucks. The dog's well-being is foremost, it has to be, and you have to make the decision for them. It's just a really ****** and difficult thing to call it a day.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Thu Aug 01, 2013 7:55 am

Humby,
Sorry to hear about Sam's condition... I agree 100% on the quality of life, I learned that lesson the hard way, not to mention that it would be selfish to try and prolong his pain just to have a few more weeks with him... He has done his duty and completed his mission, if the vet is sure, then it is time to let him have peace...
Death is a part of life, unfortunately it completes the cycle for all living things...

He is beautiful! Posed perfectly showing off his beautiful 'space invader' marking! That is how you want to remember him.
Ken

9mmprincess · Post by **9mmprincess** » Thu Aug 01, 2013 12:36 pm

Ken wrote:Humby,
Sorry to hear about Sam's condition... I agree 100% on the quality of life, I learned that lesson the hard way, not to mention that it would be selfish to try and prolong his pain just to have a few more weeks with him... He has done his duty and completed his mission, if the vet is sure, then it is time to let him have peace...
Death is a part of life, unfortunately it completes the cycle for all living things...

He is beautiful! Posed perfectly showing off his beautiful 'space invader' marking! That is how you want to remember him.
Ken

OMG, I didnt even notice that til you said it - it's totally a Space Invader! Too cool

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 3:09 pm

Well, he's all good now.

RIP sweet boy.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 4:40 pm

Humboldt wrote:Well, he's all good now.

RIP sweet boy.

oh Jeremy ! I'm so sorry,that is the toughest thing in life to go through.
makes me cry

.
.
.
"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown..."

Mark · Post by **Mark** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 6:53 pm

Humboldt wrote:Well, he's all good now.

RIP sweet boy.

9mmprincess · Post by **9mmprincess** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 8:24 pm

Dan wrote: oh Jeremy ! I'm so sorry,that is the toughest thing in life to go through.
makes me cry
.
.
.
"Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown..."

Beat me to it <3

I'm sorry Humboldt. xx

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 11:56 pm

Woke up early this morning, new meds to fetch, lots of errands to run, chicken to cook.
Make him feel better.
Friends coming to say goodbye.

Couldn't put him through it.

Called the vet early, asked them to come out to the truck instead of bringing him in.

...

DePlano and his woman gave me a big hand in burying him (85lb down to 65 but still a big dog). Much appreciated and needed.

He's comfortable now.
Dead, but not in pain.

Nice big grave under an apple tree.

Sigh