My 6 year old flattie had a huge benign tumour (hemangioma) on his spleen in October. His spleen was removed (along with the tumour) and he made a remarkably good recovery, if a little slowed down!

Unfortunately he now has a very distended abdomen. Our excellent vet found a huge amount of fluid with an ultrasound scan and his liver does not look good. We talked about options and, I think, made the right one not to put him through any further very traumatic surgery when the outlook is very poor indeed, particularly when the fluid would just return very quickly. It seems to be a question of making him happy and comfortable and the vet said we should just take it a day at a time.

I have every confidence in her - she knows Raffi well and I know would do anything possible for him. He was lucky to survive in October.

So....my question is....has anyone been through the same thing? How long do you think we still have with him? I think the vet didn't want to commit herself to a time frame but I just don't know quite what to expect.

At the moment he is eating well (as always!) and seems happy. We are taking him on short walks and his breathing really isn't too bad at all, almost normal. And yet he has this terrible abdomen which I am sure is getting worse.

I just want to make his last days as good as possible. Everyone says we'll know when is the right time to say goodbye but I feel a bit adrift in this awful situation.

It would be a comfort if anyone can give me any advice - I know nothing can be good news but not knowing is the worst.

Many thanks.

My heart goes out to you and your boy.  I'm not sure I can give any specific advice as every case is different - except to say that I think you will know when the time has come to make your decision.  It's really good that you like and respect your vet and if you keep in close touch with her that may help you to know when the right time is. 

I went through similar with a very, very young dog (same breed).  I had a wonderful vet who would do anything to help but who was also realistic about prognosis.  His aim was the same as mine - to keep my lad happy and comfortable but to be alert to any changes which suggested that he was starting to get uncomfortable.  In our case his enlarging abdomen was a secondary to bone cancer and followed a leg amputation.  We suspected his liver, spleen or pancreas was probably involved but we did not choose to have further investigations or treatment.  In the end there was something about the way he was moving which worried me, and he was panting even though he was not obviously hot.  I took him in and with the help of the lovely vet decided to let him go while he was still happy and still wagging his tail.  I know it was the right thing.  He might have been OK for a few more days but I would have hated to cause him any extra distress and it would only have been delaying the inevitable and prolonging the agony for us all.

Things may be different for you but it sounds like your vet knows what's going on and I wish you strength at this awful time.  I am sure you will do the kindest thing at the right time.  I always think of the saying often quoted on here 'Better a week too soon than a day too late'.  So true.  Spoil your gorgeous boy, keep him safe and comfortable while you can and then prevent any more pain and discomfort.  Thinking of you and your lovely boy.  He'll always be in your heart - just as my boy is in mine.  X

Thank you Blay, that is actually really a comfort - I think your saying 'Better a week too soon...' is the most helpful thing I have heard or read.

Unexpectedly, my vet has just rung to see how he is doing - which I really appreciate - and to say what to do if things go downhill over the weekend. I can't ask for more from her, as she went through again, very patiently, what is probably happening. I do trust her completely which is another blessing. She thinks it is almost certainly his liver causing the problem and we again agreed that to tap his abdomen and do an X-ray to find out what exactly is causing this is just pointless, even cruel.

I am speaking to her again on Monday morning, so will, as you say, spoil him (he's just had some bacon - I didn't have the appetite for it!) and keep him comfortable over the weekend.

If they hadn't been such wonderful dogs, we wouldn't feel so bad about losing them...
Thank you again for taking the time to post...X

so sorry to hear you are going through this trishm, we too are on a "one day at a time" routine at the moment, so know what you are going through. You have been given these extra few days to spoil him and say goodbye properly, so try to enjoy what time you have left, and I'm sure you will know when the time has come for you to let your boy go. The better a week too soon rule is a real help when the time comes, and at that time you will know you have done your very best for your boy, you have loved him and at the end will put his need before your own - the best owner any dog could ask for. Stay strong x

Thank you, samsmum, and so sorry that you are in the same boat. I am deliberately being as cheerful and loving as possible with him - would hate him to pick up on our desperately sad mood.
We've had a great 6 years with him so so much to be grateful for. We lost our last dog suddenly at 11 months with haemorrhagic enteritis , so actually this is not so bad after that appalling shock.

At least we have had time to adjust to Raffi's illness and we have loads of lovely memories. Thinking of you. x

> I know it was the right thing.

Blay

And that is exactly why 'better a week too soon' is key.  You took away your lads' pain and made it your own.  No dog could ask for a better owner.

Thanks Jean.  We never ever get used to making these terribly difficult decisions, do we - but it does help a bit to remember that we must try to do the best for our beloved dogs, however hard it is.

trish - so sorry to hear that you last your dog so young and now you are going through this with your boy aged only 6.  Life can be very cruel.  Our young boy was first diagnosed with cancer at 13 months old and we let him go when he was exactly 18 months old.  Truly devastating.  But like you say we do have lovely memories of him.  He packed a huge amount of happiness into his short life.

I hope the weekend goes as well as it can for you all.  Your vet sounds great - thank goodness for that.  X

I am so sorry to here this unsurprisingly I lost my fcr after the op for her third tumour , they are so prone.  This going to sound awful but I also lost my gsd to haemangiosarcoma . in our case we were unable to have the tumour removed so we did the one day at time for about 2 months altogether. I feel for you its so hard when all you can do is watch and wait. you may feel inclined to contact a holistic vet who will be able to prescribe supportive care of a slightly different nature to the conventional vet which will help to keep her comfortable for as long as possible in a calm and gentle way.
I don't know if any of what I said helps but I too strongly believe in the day to soon rather than too late, we are "lucky" to beable to make these choices for our animals something as yet not possible for humans

Thank you all for your support - we knew the risks with flatties when we chose to have one but I suppose you think that if you do the research about a good breeder etc you'll be lucky.

We had a good weekend with Raffi; he is slowing down and sleeping more but also went on a short walk and enjoyed doing his hippo impression wallowing in the river. It seemed to make him more comfortable. He also loves gloves and hats - rarely allowed them for obvious reasons! - but we found him a hat which he pounced on and 'killed' then paraded it round very proudly, so he still has quality of life and we feel it's still too soon to say goodbye.

This morning his breathing is just a little more pronounced, though you couldn't say he was in difficulty, and he didn't completely lick his bowl clean, so I think the fluid is beginning to restrict his lungs and stomach.

The vet phoned again this morning - she's fantastic - so we will just keep on monitoring him. I can't see him going on for 2 months - that must be so difficult to handle - but perhaps a few more days. People keep saying we'll know when the time is right and so I am trusting to that.

So hard...so many lovely dogs we have all loved...

You do know but it doesn't make that choice any easier . thinking of you and him

So sorry to hear this, if I am correct I think I gave him a haircut a good few years ago. How fate works, we too are on borrowed time with my 6 year old. He was diagnosed with Histiocytic Sarcoma a month ago today which had spread from his leg (thought it was arthritis to start with) to his lymph nodes and lung. He is still running around like an idiot as he doesn't know his fate and we have decided to let him enjoy what time he has left without intervention.

You will know when he has had enough, don't be upset in front of him plenty time for that, keep doing the things he loves for as long as he can.

flattiemum - so sorry to hear that you are going through this with your boy.

Trish - yes, I know what you mean about taking the risk with a Flatcoat.  We did our research as well as we could but we were still unlucky with our youngster.  My older boy (8 yrs) is fine as we speak but he had a malignant lump removed from his leg when he was 5.  He now has lots of fatty lipomas which we test and watch like hawks.  It is hard to relax knowing how prone they are.  They are a fantastic breed (in my opinion) and it is such a shame so many are subject to this terrible disease at such a young age.

Glad your boy is enjoying his swimming and his hat - I can just picture it!

Keep strong, all.  X

Hello flattiemum; yes, I remember the haircut! So sorry; it's heartbreaking.

Raffi is now not really eating - and food was his greatest pleasure - and he sleeps a lot. His abdomen is definitely worse and he must be very uncomfortable so, after speaking to the vet this morning, we have decided to call it a day while he still has a little quality and enjoyment from life. As she said, he deserves not to lose his dignity.
She is coming to the house tomorrow morning to put him to sleep so at least he will be relaxed and comfortable. He went for a last dunk in the river this morning, which he loved.He stayed in for ages, just sitting, so I think he probably has a temperature. It is time.

No easy way to do this, is there? But we will make sure his last hours are as stress-free and relaxed as possible.

X

So sorry but you are doing the best for him. Give him a cuddle from me and know that we will be thinking of you tomorrow.

They break your heart, lost one 3 years ago at seven year old and didn't think lightning could strike twice, how wrong I was. I still cannot give up on the breed though.

Best wishes and hold on to those hairy ears.

Thinking of you xx

I am so sorry for you and for Raffi.  They break your heart, don' t they - but you are doing the right thing and the kindest thing for your lovely boy.  Thinking of you.   X

How sad. Thinking of you at this difficult time. Hugs x

I will be thinking of you and Raffi tomorrow morning.  So very sorry.  {{{{  HUGS  }}}}

Raffi's gone...he was worse this morning so the time was right for him. He didn't want to eat and he looked so tired, though he had got up in the middle of the night and given us a good lick, which was lovely!

He was so pleased to see the vet, which made it much easier, and he just lay very peacefully with his head on my lap. As these things go, it couldn't have been better, and I am so pleased I decided to do this at home. The vet, Mimi, has been wonderful throughout and it also helped that she was the one who was here with us at the end.

My love and hugs to all of you who are facing this - it is heartbreaking but at least the comfort is that I feel we have done the best we can for him.

Thank you everyone for your lovely words and thoughts - it has been really appreciated and has helped enormously to feel we weren't alone.

X

Sorry to hear about Raffi. It's never easy but it helps to remember all the fun times you had together. xxx

Have been thinking of you.  Thank goodness for your wonderful vet.  Well done to you all for loving and caring for him and for doing the right thing.   RIP Raffi XXX

Sleep tight Raffi.

R I P Raffi xx

So sorry it is never the right time for us, but we have to make the best decision for our furkids. Run free Raffi, no pain, young & happy XX