Paging JESVET - leukemia

[cr8zyforaf]

So, my six year old lab has been diagnosed with leukemia...we are in shock. This literally came out of no where and he is at the point now where he is just laying around. The doctor pumped him with antibiotics and an IV....and tomorrow wants to take a sample of his spleen and liver (both enlarged) to look at and have an oncologist look at.

What would you do - I don't want him to suffer, but I don't want to put him down if there is any chance he could be OK. He is miserable now...It hurts me to even look at him.

[jesvet]

I'm so sorry to hear this. You can PM me if you want to talk. I believe one of our other regular posters is a veterinary oncologist so she may have some input for you as well.

(((hugs)))

[junkinmytrunk]

Obviously I'm not Jesvet -- but I am posting to send you big hugs and tons of support and am sending good thoughts to you.

[cr8zyforaf]

Thank you both...we are devistated (that is acutally an understatement). I have very little solid detail as my husband can't even talk about it - he was the one dealing with it as my DD and I were on vacation - we are back now and I am going to the vet tomorrow armed with questions. The facts as I know them:

Liver and spleen are extremely enlarged, his lymp nodes are not
He is extremely lethargic and refuses to eat - anything.
His weight went from 75ish at last visit to 64
They gave him an IV an antibiotics - he was extremely dehydrated
They did CAT scan and xrays - no masses
He strains when he tries to poop and nothing comes out - and if it does - it is really runny.

Anyone have any input on how to explain the death of a pet to a 2 year old? My DD and Bay are best friends - she kept saying 'bay bay sick' and 'bay bay has a boo boo' and hugging him...what do I tell her?

[jesvet]

Here's a good link about children and pet loss:
http://www.cvm.uiuc.edu/petcolumns/showarticle.cfm?id=112

I sent you a PM. Did they do a cat scan or an ultrasound? (they are usually anesthetized for a cat scan.)

Here's some info about leukemia in dogs: http://www.oncolink.com/experts/article.cfm?c=3&s=32&ss=86&id=2122.

[daener]

My heart goes out to you...last fall we lost our beloved basset hound to lymphoma and it was so difficult. It's still hard, nine months later. I can't imagine explaining it to a child.

Sending you the best of luck and happy health vibes....one never knows what is going to happen.

[cr8zyforaf]

yes...both a CAT scan and an ultrasound....which showed no masses but an extremely enlarged liver and spleen. Also, the vet can't explain the problems with his bowels (straining to go, runny poop or nothing at all coming out)..is this is body shutting down.

Thank you for the links. It is going to be a long night.

[skyblu]

Oh, gosh, I'm so sorry. How sad for all. I'm thinking of you. :(

[snowzilla]

I'm so sorry for all of you. :(

[cr8zyforaf]

He is gone...we had him put down this morning. After getting a second opinion that matched the first, we determined that the 6-12 months that chemo would buy us wasn't worth the stress to the dog and if we choose to go down that road, it would be for us and not for him. He was in such bad shape when we took him in, he couldn't even walk.

I know we made the right decision but this is the most painful thing we have ever had to do...I feel like I've lost my best friend. He was such a good dog....our house is empty. When we picked DD up and brought her home, she looked all over for her 'bay bay'...and now she is running around saying 'bay bay dead'....

[jesvet]

I know it won't make you feel any better, but it sounds like you did the right thing for Bay. The image of your daughter missing her friend just breaks my heart. I'm so sorry.

Cancer really sucks.

[kithara]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[MLA]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope you can take solace in knowing that you did the kindest thing for your pup.

[pocket]

I'm so sorry to hear this terrible news. We had to put out 3-yr old GD mix to sleep 3 years ago, and I still tear up when I think about her. You did the right thing, and I know it must have been very hard.

[cr8zyforaf]

Thank you all. I am overcome with grief...in my heart, I know I did the right thing, but that sure doesn't make it any easier.

[junkinmytrunk]

Oh, I am so, so sorry. My thoughts are with you and your family.

[Boomer]

I'm not a frequent poster but wanted to let you know I am thinking of you. We had to put our beloved lab down a couple years ago after he had a stroke during the night. Although it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do, we had him with us for 14 great years. Our other lab who grew up with him his entire life wandered from room to room for weeks looking for him so I can only imagine how a child feels. It's devastating to lose a much loved pet, my thoughts are with you and your family.

[jnettie]

I'm very sorry for your loss, too. We had to put our last dog down because of cancer (he couldn't eat and couldn't walk), so I completely understand. I still miss him.

[daener]

I'm so sorry for your loss, but you've done the best thing for your beloved dog. The chemo process was so difficult for our dog, and it didn't end up working in the end...I don't think I would attempt it again.

My thoughts are with you and your family. Losing a beloved pet is so, so difficult. I know it may not comforting to you right now, but you made the right decision.

[cr8zyforaf]

Thank you all so much. I don't feel any better today. Every noise I heard last night, I thought it was him (he slept in bed with us). I caught myself telling our DD to go give him a kiss last night (something we did every night before reading stories). I keep expecting to see him standing behind me.

I have off for the rest of the week and I have to get us out of this house today - DH goes back to work today - I can't sit here all day with DD.

[colleenjoy]

I am so sorry for your loss. I know how much my dogs mean to me.


Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to the Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember then in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from you heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together.........

Author unknown

[sdianems]

Oh, how sad to come here and read this; it was so sudden. Thoughts and prayers to you and yours from me and my puppy-girl Tasha.

[fuzzy]

Oh, dear...I'm so very sorry. :(

[Lanapoo]

I'm so sorry (((HUGS))). It's so hard when they go too young (it's hard anyways but it's such a shock when they are young). I had to put my sweet kitty down last month at 10 years old when he was diagnosed with bone cancer unexpectedly. Who knew a limp could be something so awful? :( It'll take awhile before you stop looking for him. I still find myself doing it, especially when I'm alone.

[cr8zyforaf]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts.

colleenjoy - that is a great poem.

We are supposed to get his ashes tomorrow...I am happy he will finally be home but dreading the emotion that will go along with this.

[tealynn]

I'm so sorry Cr8zy,my heart goes out to you. I hope you and your family are doing okay. I look at my sweet little beagle and wonder how many years we'll spend together.

[cr8zyforaf]

tealynn - we never know....enjoy every minute - if someone would have told me we would have lost Bay so young, I would have NEVER believed it - he was so healthy and we suspected nothing until the last few weeks. Thank you for your kind thoughts.