He was diagnosed with a heart tumor a little over 3 weeks ago, a tumor that was partially growing inside his heart. At that time, we were told that he had about 6 to 8 months left. Then, last Wednesday we took him to the oncologist at the Animal Hospital in Calgary. After running X-Rays, she was able to confirm that the tumor was definitely cancereous and had already spread to his lungs.
Unfortunately, because the tumor was an extremely aggressive one, we were told that there was really nothing that could be done for him other than keeping him comfortable and pain free for the time he had left. The oncologist estimated approximately a couple of weeks to a couple of months at the most.
Because the tumor on his heart was patially growing inside his heart as well, it almost completely blocked one of the main blood vessels to the heart which was causing fluids to back up in his stomach cavity. After the ultrasound that first revealed the tumor 3 weeks ago, he was placed on drugs to help drain the fluids from his stomach. This worked for only a few days. By the time we met with the oncologist, his stomach was disdended with fluids again. They performed a "stomach tap" on him, which is a minor procedure where they insert a catheter-like kind of thing in his stomach to drain the fluids.
Although we never felt that he was in pain from the fluids, we know that he was in great discomfort and the stomach tap greatly helped to relieve his discomfort. We were just so very sad to know that pretty soon we will have to have him put to sleep. He has been such a delightful little companion all these years, it just breaks our hearts...
The vet and the oncologist were quite surprised at how aggressive his cancer was. They said he definitely does not follow any of the text books. It's hard. He has always had a clean bill of health until this. When we returned from our holidays last August, we took him to the vet to have a cough he had looked after. He was put on medication and the cough cleared up nicely. At the end of September, at his annual check up, all was okay and he was doing good. All of a sudden in mid-October, we started noticing that he appeared to be getting very thin on his back, but that his belly was getting very big. By late October, it wasn't improving so we brought him to the vet.
Blood tests were done but all came back inconclusive as all his levels were in the normal range.
We decided to change his diet and placed him on an organic brand of dog food. It seemed to worked and his belly started to go down.
Unfortunately, by the Holidays, it was starting to grow again and fairly rapidly too. Also, he started vomitting a lot. We brought him to the vet and asked for an ultrasound and now you now the rest...
Since I had to be away a couple of weekends ago we celebrated his final Birthday a day early. He had a small steak for supper, served on China and for the first time ever, he sat at the table with us... His energy level was pretty good that night, Luckily I was on night shifts last week so it was nice to have someone home with him around the clock, in case he took a turn for the worse.
This past weekend was an up and down weekend, at times he was full of you know what, and for the most part he was laying down attempting to find a more comfortable position as the fliud build up was difficult for him, then he turned for the worse with a tar like substance leaking out of his bum, it was difficult for him last night as he spent most of the night trying to find a comfortable position, all the time the tar was leaking. My wife researched what that tar could have been, our worse fears were realised when we found out that the tar was in fact internal bleeding.
It was decided this morning that we should put him to sleep, as the most humane and dignified way would be to euthanize him, so we bundled him up in a big blanket and took him to the vets for the last time, my wife held his head and I laid my head down on his stomach and we said our last goodbyes.
We will truly miss our camping buddy, but he is in a much better place.
Retired 22 years Regular Force (Army/Air Force), 3 years Army Reserves.
2004 Dodge 1 Ton 5.9 Cummins, 2004 Thor Jazz 3100XL 5th Wheel.
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so sorry, but lots of good memories to make you smile. a site that gave us some comfort a few years ago when we went through the same.
http://indigo.org/rainbow/
* This post was
edited 02/11/08 08:45pm by tonkatoys *
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in
a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, loudly proclaiming---WOW WHAT A
RIDE!!!
.......you have my deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences. I went through the same thing with my sweet girl Bordercollie Augie, about 10 years ago.....I feel your pain......
Mandrake
he ain't heavy..........he's my brother....
So sorry to hear of your loss - I have 5 dogs waiting at the Rainbow Bridge so know how hard it is to go through this. We have replaced each of our 'children' as this happens and still have 4 buddies who all enjoy camping. Hang in there my friend
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 Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of 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 them 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 your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
2004.5 Dodge Ram 2500 QC CTD 4x4 SLT; 2007 Coachmen Chaparral 267RLS;
Reese 15K Slider;Prodigy;JT Stabilizers;2 Honda EU2000i's;
2006 Glastron MX175; rv-forums
2005 Dodge Magnum for the DW
Brother Rusty & Loving Family...............i'm very sorry for your loss of Beloved Cujo................my Heart aches for you all.............
In my life quite a number of my 4legged pal's have unfortunately gone ahead to the Rainbow Bridge.....................all the puppies & kittens are running, playing, laying in the Sun & in the forest.........having a Great Time together............eating good.................................waiting for all of us to join them...................when it is our time to do so......................
I am so sorry to hear of Cujo's passing. What a wonderful tribute to your buddy. He sure is a cutie pie!
It sounds like you did everything you could... Perhaps one day you will be able to think about honoring his memory and adopt another dog. Of course, they won't replace your Cujo, he will always have a special place in your heart, but they might wiggle their way into a new spot.
May your good memories help sustain you. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle.... Live simply, love wholly, give generously, care deeply, speak kindly.
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