Sadly I don't have very good luck with dogs

[skipnchar]

Some of you may already know I had to have my 7 year old Flat Coat Retriever put down last January due to a brain tumor. It was a painful experience for me to do this but she was suffering terribly. I rescued her from a local rescue organization three and a half years previously and her health was never very good. During the time Lucky lived with me she had a bout with heart work (at the time I adopted her) then an infected uterus that required emergency surgery. She had a hip displasia that made it difficult for her to get around in her later years so I had to carry a ramp to get her into and out of my truck and trailer, then the brain tumor ended her life.

Now the little boarder collie I again rescued from a shelter in Kansas City has been diagnosed with bone cancer primary in her left hind leg. It developed as a slight gimpiness that I had my vet look at. It was then diagnosed as an ACL problem and was told she MAY recover from it with rest and drugs or she might need surgery. It was decided to give her a chance to take pain meds and keep her as calm as you can keep a border collie to see what happened. After repeated trips to the vet and continued treatment for three months I finally took her to another vet (my original could not do the ACL surgery and I wanted to have it done locally. When the xrays came back it was clear there was no ACL damage but the bone where it joins the ankle showed the cancer.

Now she will be going in for limb amputation in hopes she can be one of the small percentage of animals who survive this ailment. She certainly deserves better than she's getting from life. Sassy is less than three years old and otherwise happy and healthy. Vet says we're finding this problem early but there is a high probability that the cancer will spread to her lungs. I'm totally beside myself and felt it might help to share it. Take good care of your animals, they can't do it themselves and they're worth it.

[Deb_and_Ed_M]

I'm sorry that you've got to deal with this - but dogs seem to adapt quickly to anything that comes their way. Keeping you in my prayers.....

[agteacher]

Here's a suggestion. Do some research, but you may find that colostrum might be something to give. The research I found said that it might help boost the immune system to the point that the body goes after cancer and fights it. If you know a dairy farmer, you might be able to get some from there. Otherwise, they sell capsules or powder online. I have seen it do wonderful things, both for people and animals.

[knshook]

Your topic "I don't have very good luck with dogs" only tells part of the story; after reading your post my first thought was this.......your dogs have certainly had good luck with you!! Bless you for loving your dogs and caring for them to the very best of your ability. Well done.

[Mont_G_J]

That little Boarder Collie is a mighty lucky dog having you for a companion. Sincerely hope everything works out well for both of you. Jack

[magnusfide]

toedtoes wrote:
Having done rescue for years and facing more losses than most people do, I have learned that had you not adopted these dogs, they would have had NO life. A few years in a good home and a peaceful death is FAR BETTER than what they would have faced.

It doesn't make it easier when the time comes, but do not EVER doubt that you make a difference for these dogs and that they are forever grateful for the time you gave them - time in a loving home, with a family that cares, and with compassion.

Couldn't have said it better. Well done!

[CA_POPPY]

We have a friend whose dog turned up with mast cell cancer. She opted for surgery + chemo and spent a small fortune. I thought, "Why? You're probably just going to lose him, anyway." That was five years ago and the dog is fine. You're right, you really do have to go with your own gut feeling, after gathering all the info you can. That way you don't have to wonder What if.

[dspencer]

Oh my god Skip, I'm so very sorry for you. I know all too well how difficult it is to loose your precious fur kids. I've been wondering how you been, hadn't seen you online much lately. I truly hope everything goes well for you and your new pup. I will keep you in my prayers.

Doug

[skipnchar]

I made my decision for amputation based on the almost immediate relief from pain, allowing her to enjoy another year or more though in all likelihood it is only putting off the inevitable. The other option that I was told many people use is to treat her with pain relief only until that no longer works but it is my understanding that fractures from minor injuries like walking are often experienced. She still enjoys leash walks very much and I want to give her as many of those as is possible in what time she has left. After amputation the expectation is that she will no longer need pain meds once the surgical recovery is over (about two weeks) and she can lead close to a normal life. I feel I owe her that much at least. I really thought that since I was adopting basically a puppy she'd outlive me and who knows, she still could, but I NEVER wanted to go through having to order a loved ones death again. Guess it's all part of life. Thanks for the kind thoughts from my RV.net friends.

[CA_POPPY]

Oh, what perfectly rotten luck, for Sassy and for you! I've known canine amputees (caused by accidents) that did very well and hardly seemed to miss the limb, but this is different. I wish you both the very best of luck. Keep us posted, please.

[toedtoes]

Having done rescue for years and facing more losses than most people do, I have learned that had you not adopted these dogs, they would have had NO life. A few years in a good home and a peaceful death is FAR BETTER than what they would have faced.

It doesn't make it easier when the time comes, but do not EVER doubt that you make a difference for these dogs and that they are forever grateful for the time you gave them - time in a loving home, with a family that cares, and with compassion.

[rwjejits]

Sorry Skip. Feel for you.

[RoyB]

Good Luck Skip.... Know that Char is watching over you guys...

Roy Ken

[JayGee]

Sorry for the poor luck with your fur friends.

If it were me with the poor hope for a full recovery I would consider giving the little girl all the comfort I could provide until her pain was too intense. Letting her go might be the better thing. Of course it is much easier for me to say because it is not my dog. I cried like a child when I had to put down my last two dogs at ages 18 and 13.

[stickdog]

Good luck with the surgery.