This morning our big dog Angus was very much not right. I walked into the bedroom after blogging, feeding the horses, and picking Katia up from volleyball. And he was laying on the floor in the wrong place, in a very strange way, and not responding to my voice. Eventually I got him to sit up, and with great difficulty he stood up. Nothing was right about the way he was acting - he was obviously in a lot of pain. What really told me something was very wrong was when he didn't eat. This dog's whole world revolves around feeding time. He thinks about it for hours beforehand and then wanders around hoping for more after he's done eating. The vet wasn't open quite yet but I put him in the car (with difficulty) and went to the vet, calling them when I got to the edge of town.
Long story short, after a bunch of diagnostics, they find that he has a 5cm mass in his spleen that ruptured. It didn't bleed a lot and seems to be clotting fine, but he needs some fluids and pain meds throughout the day. I can pick him up this afternoon. But that's not all. This is pretty common in large dogs, and it's an aggressive form of cancer. We could spend a couple thousand on top of what we spent today to have his spleen removed, but the truth of the matter is that it is very likely to metastasize if it hasn't already. So that's not really an option. Just like with Soxy, we have to hope we can get him comfortable and wait out the end. It doesn't sound like it will be a matter of years. We might have months. We might not even have days depending on how he responds to treatment. We'll see.
So, Bella didn't get ridden yet today. I might be able to get to it but I have all this pesky housework I've been neglecting.
4 comments:
I'm so sorry to read this. What a tough thing to find out. Sending a big hug your way.
My golden retriever had the same thing, and he did manage to have some good times before the end. When the paid meds no longer kept him comfortable and he couldn't eat, it was time - never a happy thing but at least they have us to help them when they need it.
Sending best wishes and thoughts.
Quality of life he has had and will have until you know it is time. So many don't have a home like you have given him ... that doesn't take your sadness away, but at least in your heart you KNOW he has been and is happy. My heart goes out to you...
Sorry sorry to hear about your dog :( I hope he feels better.
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