Doggie decisions

[stgulik]

Well, my poor dog Daisy has been diagnosed with cancer. She is 13. Sonograms and x-rays revealed a tumor in (near?) the bladder, as well as nodules in the chest.

I couldn't bring myself to ask how much time they think she has left, not with her sitting right there. :-)

The vet prescribed an anti-inflammatory to help her pee more easily. I'm glad to say it appears to be working. I'm not glad to say, it's generally working up and down my hall carpet.

She doesn't seem to be in pain yet, weirdly, but we are all keeping a close eye on her (still lively and trouble-making) behavior while we go through the steps to decide whether to permit chemo or let her illness run its inevitable course.

Chemo and surgery seem so extreme for someone who would not understand why she was being made to suffer through them. And they will really only buy her some time. I don't know. If you have any thoughts, I welcome them.

Comments

[mimimanderly.livejournal.com]

Since there is no cure for cancer, I think that chemo would only cause pain and discomfort during her remaining days. It would do nothing for the quality of her life, only perhaps adding a month or so to the quantity of her life. I wouldn't want her to lose her essential self, her joie de vivre. I would do what I could to ensure that she was not in pain. And if/when she was obviously suffering, I would opt for euthanasia. Actually, I think that would be my plan if it were me in her shoes (paws?), even though euthanasia is not legal for humans. What could they do? Throw my ashes into prison?

[stgulik.livejournal.com]

California is moving toward allowing the means to allow death with dignity for humans with terminal illnesses, and I'm so glad of it. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. The last thing we want is to put her through needless confusion and pain.