What a terrible few weeks we,ve had, my girl was generaly under the weather and not her usual self id also found a small lump on her chest so i took her to the vets and they gave her the once over at the same time they did a biopsy of the lump, the vet said he was 90% sure the lump was a fatty lump by the way it felt but said he obviously couldn,t say for certain and that there is a cancer that mimics fatty lumps, well we got the results the next day and she had cancer (a mass cell tumour).
The lump was removed on the wednesday and she came home that night on 65 tablets a day (what fun that was) she seemed her old self again and we were so relieved, however this was short lived and she was readmitted sunday night with a high temp and she seemed in pain, they have done test after test on her which all came back fine, the vet thinks that whatever is causing it is not related to the cancer which was removed. Well she came home on wednesday on steroids and with a morphine patch and again she was great, the patch had to come off on saturday and the steroids reduced, today she has again had to be readmitted she seems in pain around her neck area and she has lost 5kg in 2 weeks, the vet is doing a scan today of the neck area .

Sorry for the long rambling i just feel helpless for her, and i dont mean this horrble at all but so far it has cost us £2100 she is insured but the vets want payment from us first, then we have to claim and to be honest i'd pay any thing to get her better but the pot is drying up.

As i'm in the middle of posting this the vets has phoned and she wants us to go in at 6 to discuss her findings and the posibillity of taking her to newmarket for an MRI.

hope to have some good news soon

(((((((((((((((Big Hugs))))))))))))))))))))

Cant offer any suggestions, or words of wisdom.  But I know how hard it can be when your girl is sick, and it seems you are living at the vets. 

Thankyou i know what you mean about living at the vets, this is the first dog i have owned myself that ive had to be the one to make the desicions on her futer, i have another dog but he's 18 months and very healthy (touch wood) i hope that the vet has some good news today, she is only 6 years old and time just goes too fast, the vet says she suspects more cancer, especially because of her breed it's just finding it, the one thing that keeps making me well up is the fact that even when she was quivering in pain she still kept wagging her tail.

Sorry to hear about your girl, maybe the MRI  scan is the way to go, to see whats causing the pain, I hope everything turns out well for you all, and big hugs to your girl.

Fiona xxxxxxxx

Keeping everything crossed here -for your girl to feel better, for no more problems to be found.

Hi Bernesebaby

So very sorry to hear about your poor girl, I know what youre going through as my boy was diagnosed with a tumour a few months back.  What sort of tumour is it please?
An MRI scan is a good idea so you must go ahead with that.

How dare youre vet demand payment up front for such a large amount!! Who has that kind of money in their back pocket!  I had this trouble with my vet when my boy had to have repeated x rays at £400 a go, at first they said they didnt do direct claims anymore as they had to wait for the money to come through!  (Tough)
So I said well in that case I will go to another vet then!! How quick they changed their minds!

Fingers crossed for your girl, give her a big hug

Beth
xx

Hi,

The tumour she had removed was a mass cell tumour, which from what the vet explained is a form of skin cancer, although under the skin they are filled with histamine which can leak and this is what happened with my girls so she was put on piriton , the tumour was removed along with agood margin of healthy tissue, the biopsy from the tumour came back at a grade 2, from what i can make out from the vet 1 is good it's been caught in good time, 2 is not so good although not a grave prognoses the vet said it basically means the tumour hadn't decided what it wanted to do i.e stop at one tumour or spread, although for my girl no other actual evidence has suggested anymore cancer(i.e bloods previous scans) grade 3 has a not so good prognosis.
I'm a bit miffed about the vets wanting the payments first but they said they only deal with petplan up front and i'm with tesco.

I too can offer no advice, but wish you and your girl the best of luck and hope you get to the bottom of her illness quickly.

Hugs,
Sarah.

I am very sorry to hear of your problems Lisa, hope things turn out OK eventually.
They are such a worry to us our dogs, if it's not one thing it's another. I think you need to get your claims in as soon as possible if your insurance payes out after the event! Just make sure they know they are all related to one illness, (Your vet should give you a covering letter ) then you can claim as many times as needed and only pay one excess. I am with M&S and they will happily pay each visit seperatly even though they are one illness. That way you can try to keep on top of things and replenish some of your costs as you go along.
Hope things turn out well for your girl. cancer is a frightening thing to be dealing with.
Aileen and the Girlies.

We had all this with our GSD unfortunately we didn't have any insurance for her..We lost our beloved girl last October.I cant offer any advice but I hope the outcome is a good one.for you I am sending you positve thoughts.

Well came back from the vets in a bit of a state, the scan has shown what is thought to be another tumour at the nape of her neck so everytime she lifts her head she is in agony she stayed in last night as she was in a lot of pain because of the way they kept moving her while she was asleep for the scan.
We went in to see her before we left and it was horrible she was laying there crying with a muzzle on.
We are now left with two options 1) take her up to london for an MRI  2) end her pain by having her put to sleep, i just can't deal with option 2 but i feel maybe that is me being very selfish. after seeing her pain last night i don't want to put her through anymore.

Thanks all Lisa

Hi

we have had several of these mast cell tumours removed from our wee staffie........ grade two is not a death sentence... Sky had grade 2 tumours removed 3and a half years ago.... and is still going strong... she is now 13.1/2 and is doing away great for an older girl.. she doews have other tumours that are present but at 13 1/2 we dont feel it appropriate to take them off.... and if we can deal with the odd sickness and runny tum that the histamine causes and she is ok in herself we are happy.... she certainly is.....

Just though i would let you know that it is not all bad news......  perhaps the vets can advise if the tumour is removable ?

pm if you want to chat ((xx))

My heart breaks for you and the place you are in right now.  Having lost two dogs this year to cancer I know how you are feeling. There was no option for my first girl - she had no chance and I couldn't put her through any more suffering.  My other girl was diagnosed just two weeks later with lymphoma - we managed with chemo to get her another 5 months of good quality life until we also had to let her go.  I really think in these situations you have to think of quality of life, it is never too early to let them have peace - just too early for you sometimes.  One of the poems I was sent says about taking their pain away and making it mine.  It was true.  I don't regret what I did for either of my girls, my first one was right to let her go as soon as the diagnosis was made - there was nothing for her to look forward to - just unhappy days, with my other we knew she couldn't be saved but until the time was right we kept her happy and enjoying life. 

If you do let your girl have peace it will be very hard for you, particularly as you haven't yet come to terms with it.  However, you will know deep down that you did what was the right thing to do for your precious girl. I pray that you can reach the right decision for both you and your girl - what ever that is.  Take care.

Hi Lisa I am so sorry to hear this awfull news. Only you can make the choice of what to do but you will know in your heart what is right for your lovely girl. If you decide to give her peace then be with her at the time, she needs your love and understanding at this time. Is it feasable to keep her comfortable with pain relief for you to get her MRI done? Taking into consideration the travelling etc. The diagnosis seems a little unsure so it may be worth getting the true picture befor you make any decisions.I must say I am a little shocked at her being muzzled? why did they do that? has she drips etc. that she may pull out? You need to be strong now for her, your own feelings must take second place for her and her pain. It is the hardest time in our lives when we are obliged to make these heart-wrenching choices.Our hearts and feelings are with you at this time, whatever you do you know you will make the right choice for her.Aileen and the Girlies.xxxxx

Lisa So very sorry to hear this sad news.

You really have to do the best for your girl, the prognosis doesnt sound good at all and if you love her you wont want her suffering. These cancers are horrid things and once they set hold are difficult to irradicate.
My boy had a bone tumour that was growing day by day, I let him go to save further suffering and have never regretted it.

Do the best for your girl

Thinking of you

Beth
x

Thankyou all for your kind words, Vanya was PTS at 10 o'clock this morning i'm devasted and can't stop crying, the vet phoned and said that during the night she had been crying so the vet had hooked her up to a morphine drip, she has suffered a lot of pain over the last few days and i knew what was the best thing to do i think i just needed someone else to say it, the vet said she was basically unconsious and if we were going to make that decision then that was the time as something just had to be added to her drip.
I'm feeling terribly guilty wondering if i did the right thing, after seeing her last night i'm sure i have.

Please don't judge me but the one thing i feel really bad about now is the fact that i didn't go to the vets to be with her when she had it done, i just couldn't do it and i knew that if i went i may well have stopped them, the vet said she wouldn't have known if i was there but i'm just so selfish i couldn't even do that one thing for her, i don't think i will forgive myself for that.

I'm so sorry :-(.  We haven't any right to judge you but for what it is worth I think you have done the right thing.  Being there was not important to her at that time and she would not have wanted you to suffer any more pain in the same way as you wanted to release her.

So sorry youhad to make the final decision {{{hugs}}} but please don't blame your self for not being there. You made the best decision for her try to remember the good times it will get easier with time.

I had to have a very special boy pts at 3, because he was at a specialist having tests I wasn't with him at the end but as he was unconscious after having tests he wouldn't have known I was there either. I can look back now and think of him with a smile.

We all deal with things differently so don't beat yourself up bernesebaby. It is hard letting them go whether you are there or not.   She is now not suffering and that is the most important thing. 
Sending a supporting hug.

You made me cry then :(

I personally think you made the right choice, you ended her suffering and she wasnt herself or happy. You have sent her to a good happy place and i am sure she is really grateful to you for not having to feel the pain anymore.

Dont feel bad for doing it and not going, i am not sure if i could go and in your heart of hearts you must know you did the right thing. You obviously cared so much about her and that love will never die. Just dont beat yourself up over it because she wouldnt of wanted you to be sad

Chin up you will get through this although right now you probably dont feel so good. keep smiling and think of all the good times you shared and relish in the fun and happiness and joy you both brought each other :) :)
xxxx

I am afraid that the decision was out of your hands. You couldn't have let her go on like that, she would have been so 'out of the game' with the morphine that she wouldn't have known what was going on. Be honest with yourself, she was not going to get better. I know it is hard for you now, knowing that she can not be with you again but you did the right thing for her, not yourself. Yes, it will take some time before you feel you can stop crying, but it will in time get better. I feel for you, it is a terrible loss.

This is a decision we will all have to make at some point my heart goes out to you, but I read somewhere a while ago better 1 day too early than one too later, she could not have gone on in pain, you would have not wanted that..with dog's we are lucky to have the choice , You will realise in time  it was the best thing too do but I know you cannot feel that at the moment, but my thoughts are with you XX

Please, please don't feel guilty or bad you did the right thing, and soon your heart will tell you that the right decision was made.

thankyou again, i stopped crying long enough to go to tescos now i'm at it again, god knows how i'm going to face getting the kids from school and this is the one day no one is about to help, think i'm going to put the shopping away then have a cup of tea and a cuddle with my boy, i'm sure he knows  whats happened.

Oh no so sorry Lisa, but you have done the right thing definately! Your girl was suffering and it was the kindest thing you could have do, as the vet said she was unconscious she wouldnt have known you werent there.
Its so sad Im crying now,  just think of all the good times you gave her

Beth
xx

I'm so sorry to hear about your girl, I'm sure you have done the right thing, she couldnt suffer any longer, and you have done the kindest thing for her.

RIP Sweet Vanya.

Hugs & Kisses

Fiona xxx

I'm so sorry to hear of this sad outcome. Please don't blame yourself for anything - you did nothing wrong. Vanya was well-loved, and you gave her the best gift possible; the gift of release and freedom from pain. The grief you feel now is evidence of the great love you had for her. Sleep well Vanya.

I'm really sorry that you had to let your girl go but I believe you did the right thing and deep down i'm sure you know you did.  One of our Rottie's had cancer last year, they took her in for tests and asked us if it was really bad would we let them put her to sleep while she was unconcious.

It turns out our Rottie had a tumour in her chest and the vets estimated she would live for 2 - 3 days so they let her go, she was that poorly she only need a sedative for her x rays.  We felt guilty for a long time for not being there as we have been with all our other dogs but this time the decision was taken out of our hands.  She was too poorly to bring home and take back to the vets.

Be comforted with the knowledge that you've had 6 good years with your girl and you have done the right thing by letting her go.  Be strong for your kids and remember to keep up a routine for your other dog.

So sorry for you sad loss.  No-one has the right to judge.  You did what was right for you girl.

Hugs,
Sarah.

No one will blame you-my granddad always said"Rather a day too early that a second too late"It is the last act of love we can give our pets to let them go in peace & without pain.

Run Free at The Bridge Vanya-free from pain

Mega Cyber {{{{{HUGS}}}}} to you, your girl knew you loved her

I,m so sorry to hear about Vanya.
Please don,t beat yourself up about not being with her ,its hard making the decision but Vanyas life was filled with love and she would have known that.
God love her and sending you big hugs.
Sharon

(((((xxxx))))))
Do not feel guilty..you have only had her best interests at heart.....

Sleep tight .....away from all that hurts.. ((xx))

I'm so sorry for you loss. It was the bravest, kindest thing you could do for her. If she was that knocked out by the morphine she wouldn't have known you were with her in the end - I don't think you have anything to feel guilty about there. My thoughts are with you and your children on this sad day.

Oh Lisa I am so very sorry for you. These decisions can only be made at the time and you did the right thing for her. She would not have known you were not there, she will remember only the good times of her life now she is at the bridge.
Poor Vanya has peace and no more pain now and we are so lucky to have that option with our best friends...I am watching my Father die piece by piece at the moment and only wish I could do the same for him...but thats not to be.
Weep, cry and mourn her, she was a great friend to you, others will come and go but they are all so very special in their own ways.
Look forward in peace your decision was the right one.
Aileen and the Girlies (((((HUG))))) xxxxx

RIP Vanya - waiting at the Bridge.

So sorry to hear of your loss.

*hugs*

Oh Lisa.... I'm not really a regular here, but I have been following Vanya's story and I'm so sorry to hear of your loss.  We none of us know how we will react in such an awful situation, but there was no more generous gift than the one you gave her by relieving her terrible pain.

And being there in body was not necessary, she knew you were there in spirit.  And now she is running at the bridge, pain free.

(hug)

Susie xx

So sorry for your loss :-(

I am so sorry for your loss,she is at peace now running free at the bridge .Dont beat yourself up about your decision you did the right thing she is not suffering anymore.

I am so sorry.

Run free Vanya!

Please don't torture yourself for not being at the vets when your girl was put to sleep, if she was unconcious then she would not know, I understand how you must feel as I had my boy put to sleep when he was under anaesthetic as I didn't want him to wake up only to have to be put to sleep afterwards.  It is a horrible time for you but you did do the right thing for your girl, you did the kindest thing for her and she has no more pain.

I am so gratefull to all your posts, i'm feeling very guilty today, my sons were devasted last night my youngest is 7 and i tried explaining she's in heaven so he wants to know when she's coming back and if he can go and see her, he's now decided that shes still here but shes just invisible and she slept on the sofa last night and every now and then i caught him waving to her in the sky.
I really don't think it's sunk in that she's never coming back to me, she was only ill for a short time i just can't believe how quickly she went down hill and i didnt get a chance to properly say goodbye.

R.I.P Vanya i miss you so much and i'm so sorry X X

So sorry to hear this, seems that it's been a bad month for many of us on here.  From what you say you definitely did the right thing and she is in the best place now. Just think of all the great times yuo had with her.

Take care.
Diane

So sorry to hear your sad news.  I'm sure you did the best thing for your special girl.  It's always hard when you aren't there at the end, it happened to us once and it feels like you didn't get to say goodbye. But the truth is that in that situation they don't know whether you are there or not. So try not to feel bad about the last part. Instead remember all the good times and know that you always did your best for her.

((((((Hugs)))))) to you.  Sorry to hear about your precious Vanya. she is now at Rainbow Bridge and no longer suffering.