dead
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Post by dead on Nov 15, 2023 22:41:23 GMT -5
On a dog's life. Our 11+ year old german shepherd mutt isn't doing so well, licking himself to the point of balding on one side. Vet visit today, blood tests normal, but they think it 'might' be stomach or spleen cancer. Do we pay a shit ton of money for additional testing/xray/etc or just go for the needle? Quality of life is important to me and I don't know that even if it was confirmed cancer that QoL would be changed. He's 120lb 11 year old dog.
Fuck.
He's laying down in his cone of shame currently. QoL is very low right now. He's on antibiotics and we'll let them run their course to see if it helps but IDK.
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Post by yourmom on Nov 16, 2023 8:27:51 GMT -5
Tough situation... Personally I wouldn't put him down just based off of a maybe. Paying for the proper testing is entirely dependent on your financial situation... Set a number in your mind and anything over that is a no go. Is your dog active? My Aussie will like himself out of boredom if I don't get his energy out. Did you change shampoos or dog food or anything else before he started licking?
I feel for you, never an easy decision when it comes to a pet's health vs money and time left. I've spent 6k keeping a 2 year old cat alive and just spend 4k for my aussie to have knee surgery. Don't regret it, but it was still very difficult.
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Post by Pdono on Nov 16, 2023 9:57:33 GMT -5
We buy the dry food at costco. It seems like its missing some real aspects of nutrition.
I would spend some money on cheap, real hamburger. Like the stuff on sale near expiration date. I do that just about every week. We have 3 dogs. I don't give them a ton at a time, maybe an ounce or two. Its actually cheaper than the premium refrigerated dog food. I feed it to them raw. Give him a little and see if he eats it and how he reacts. It may be just a nutritional aspect. This is a way to test.
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dead
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Post by dead on Nov 16, 2023 9:59:50 GMT -5
Tough situation... Personally I wouldn't put him down just based off of a maybe. Paying for the proper testing is entirely dependent on your financial situation... Set a number in your mind and anything over that is a no go. Is your dog active? My Aussie will like himself out of boredom if I don't get his energy out. Did you change shampoos or dog food or anything else before he started licking? I feel for you, never an easy decision when it comes to a pet's health vs money and time left. I've spent 6k keeping a 2 year old cat alive and just spend 4k for my aussie to have knee surgery. Don't regret it, but it was still very difficult. Active, not really. he's part german shepherd and 11 years old with some crumbling hip issues. We have two husky puppies he can't stand to be near, they're extremely hyper and want to mess with him at all times, they're usually seperated by a gate that divides the house. I don't want to put him down but we also can't afford all the tests the vet is suggesting. His main problem with licking has been his life long allergy to freaking grass of all things. |
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Post by Pdono on Nov 16, 2023 10:00:27 GMT -5
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Post by Pdono on Nov 16, 2023 10:03:32 GMT -5
His main problem with licking has been his life long allergy to freaking grass of all things. So, that sounds like an immune response. There are ways to bolster that. Over the counter supplements. Plus the additional food sources of course. |
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dead
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Post by dead on Nov 16, 2023 10:04:52 GMT -5
We buy the dry food at costco. It seems like its missing some real aspects of nutrition. I would spend some money on cheap, real hamburger. Like the stuff on sale near expiration date. I do that just about every week. We have 3 dogs. I don't give them a ton at a time, maybe an ounce or two. Its actually cheaper than the premium refrigerated dog food. I feed it to them raw. Give him a little and see if he eats it and how he reacts. It may be just a nutritional aspect. This is a way to test. Besides table scraps, I don't think we've ever given him actual hamburger. Cooked chicken, all the time (no bones) esp when he has stomach issues, and we usually nightly put low sodium chicken broth on his food. For years. Or coconut oil. |
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dead
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Post by dead on Nov 16, 2023 10:06:10 GMT -5
So, that sounds like an immune response. There are ways to bolster that. Over the counter supplements. Plus the additional food sources of course. Yeah that's what we thought too, but I guess there's considerable swelling on one side where the stomach/spleen are located which has the vet sounding the alarm |
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Post by Pdono on Nov 16, 2023 10:07:09 GMT -5
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Post by Pdono on Nov 16, 2023 10:10:22 GMT -5
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dead
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Post by dead on Nov 16, 2023 10:18:01 GMT -5
They checked white blood cell count, as far as i'm aware. I wasn't there as I'm currently dealing with the flu, but that's what my wife said. The swelling is directly associated with where he's been licking the fur off and creating and open wound (which is why he's in a cone currently) and in the same spot as the spleen/stomach according to the vet. Since I'm not dog biology major, i'll have to take their word on that. |
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Post by Pdono on Nov 16, 2023 10:20:21 GMT -5
"The swelling is directly associated with where he's been licking the fur off and creating and open wound (which is why he's in a cone currently) and in the same spot as the spleen/stomach according to the vet."
Poor thing. Must be in huge pain. Then get that turkey tail asap and get him some relief on his way out. Read that turkey tail link.
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Post by 3rdrgr on Jan 13, 2024 18:22:31 GMT -5
All I'll say is that "you'll know" when it's time. There will likely be a period of time where you know his QOL isn't good and that you are keeping him going "for you." But at a certain point you'll know that's the case and hit a tipping point. If you don't have a "soft cone" get one. It is a lot more comfortable for them, and still keeps them from licking a wound. I would look for a specialist. I know they aren't cheap, but better than getting nickle and dimed by vets that are just throwing darts and taking your money. Food is important. We pony up for a Royal Canin Cardiac diet for our Dachshund that has a heart condition. She was eating Blue Buffalo which isn't cheap either, but she went from pooping like 4 times a day to two maybe with the same amount of food intake. That means her body is absorbing a lot more of the nutrients now than she was on the other food. I know it's tough. They are family and unlike human family we are the ones who have to decide when to sign off on their death. Praying for you man!
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