Gosh I am so sorry! I bet you know what to do you just need to really be sure. I know I went through the same thing 3 weeks ago. When the vet todl me that Junior had a mass in his abdomen and would not be around long I thought she was mistaken as he was living like normal just changing a few small things in his pattern. He was still a huge cat and looked healthy as a horse. Well in 3 weeks he lost weight and his breathing got worse and finally he stopped eating so on the second day I called the vet and we agreed it was time. When I took him in he had more masses in his stomach in that short time. It was difficult but I knew for his sake it was time.
I know you know to look for signs of change in her routine, etc and I know you are torn because I was.
Give her all your love now well she is able to enjoy it. Dont be sad for she will be sad because they go off our feeling. Hug her more and hold her more, take pictures.
Dont forget Moonbeam also for he must feel that something is wrong I know my other cat did.
I will support you in any decision you make. Hugs to your furbabies from Nova Scotia.
Tigger and Junior will be at the bridge to help your baby when it is her time.
Take care
Thanks again for your thoughtful and heart felt responses.
You know, I have come to the conclusion that this surgery is NOT A LIKELY prospect for Persalina. Your posts have, however, given me a few questions to ask Persalina's Surgeon. One is that I do not know approximately how many days her recovery might take. I was only told that she would have to stay at the pet hospital one to two days. The balance of the recovery time is a very important factor to consider.
To me her length of life and quality of life is not only centered around this surgery. My scenario is, if she stops eating (her appetite has been off and on) then her length of life is drastically reduced. It is my belief that, if the rectal sarcoma is successfully removed, she will be able to eliminate without so much effort. Thus improving her appetite and maybe allow her to continue for a while longer. I think that this is another very important question for our Veterinary Surgeon.
Because we have been through this loss of appetite before, I have a few words to pass along to those of you who’s pets have been diagnosed with Colitis. Several (maybe five) years ago, Persalina would not eat anything! Thankfully, I found an Emergency Hospital Veterinarian who was filling in for my regular Veterinarian’s vacation. He took his personal time to research the situation and found an antibiotic called Tylan Powder. This medication is used in farm animals and honey bees. Yes, honey bees! After a day or so on the Tylan, Persalina’s appetite returned. She has been taking Tylan twice a day ever since. When I drop the drug she looses her appetite again. Of course, due to her other medical problems, I think that the positive effects of the Tylan have been somewhat diminished.
Some of you have asked about medications to make Persalina comfortable during this time. For your info, following is the list of her medications:
Simplicef 100 mg, ½ pill, once daily (antibiotic)
Tramadol 50 mg, ½ pill, twice daily (pain medication)
Lactulose Solution, 2 mls, twice daily (soften stools)
Hydrocodone 5 mg, 1/2 pill, every 6 - 8 hours, per my request to relieve cough (if possible)
Several years ago, Persalina was placed on Tylan, 2 mls, twice daily for Colitas
Well, got to go and prepare Persalina’s lunch. Guess you can tell that I have a lot of time on my hands. I am retired and thankfully have all the time I want to keep Persalina as well fed and happy as possible at this time.
Thanks again for all your kind and sincere words of advice.
Sincerely,
Dawn & Kevin
Persalina & Moonbeam
PS: I started my first post by stating that I wished that I had a funny pet story to tell. Well, I did remember one about “Little Miss Happy Fins”. I will tell you all when times are better.
Kevin & Dawn
Doggies:
Persalina, We love you & miss you so very much!
Moonbeam
Chloie Pearl
'07 Itasca Suncruiser 35L
Workhorse 24-8.1 Vortec w/6 sp. Allison
93 Jeep Wrangler Toad
Roadmaster Even Brake
Thank you for the medicine details you provided -- someone here will benefit from that information when they need it most.
Regarding the tough decision, it seems that we admire our pets with our brains (admire their agility, admire their ability to understand us, admire their beauty, admire their ability to heal from most illnesses and so on).
But it is with our hearts that we feel their love, happiness, playfulness and unfortunately their pain.
This struggle between logic and heart is something I may never master and conquer. But for me personally, having loved fur kid is worth every tear and every smile.
We are all in this together...all animal lovers. I appreciate seeing everyone's ideas, suggestions and concerns.
Dawn and Kevin... take care and thanks for sharing your story with us.
Livin Lite Quicksilver 8.0 (Folding Tent Camper) only 900 lbs!
The problem that I see is that although indeed, removing the mass would probably ease her elimination and thus remove what would keep her from eating... if she has already gotten to the point of coughing due to the other issue, the stress of surgery and the resulting effect on the immune system may well accelerate the process with whatever is going on there. The time from "coughing a little" to "it's time" is often very short anyway, and putting her under for a few hours, plus all the other stress from the surgery, could shorten that interval substantially.
susan
What I want to know is, when are they going to start selling Comfort Zone for HUMANS????? 'Cause some days...
Dawn, there are some breeds of dogs (German Shepherds are one of them) that tend to have colitis. Some of these dogs actually live on Tylan for years, and do well. Tramadol is a handy pain medicine commonly prescribed (Hydrocodone also helps with pain). While I'm sure that your vet prescribed tramadol appropriate to your dog's weight, if you see that she's in pain (panting, lethargy, grumpiness, etc), don't hesitate to ask for a higher dose.
For more info on pain: http://www.cvmbs.colostate.edu/ivapm/animals/dogs.htm
If she's already having problems with her appetite now, there's a great article in Whole Dog Journal, March 2008 issue (you can order back issues at www.whole-dog-journal.com) about helping a dog with a failing appetite to eat. It's one of the most compassionate and most useful articles I've read on this sort of subject. I recommend it very highly.
If taking pills doesn't cause too much consternation, I like Ester-C for boosting immune function. I've been reading a lot about the benefits of extra virgin coconut oil, including that it assists in nutrition absorption, which might be helpful, as well as boosting immune function. PM me if you'd like.
I'm sorry that the news wasn't better. I truly am.
Dh, our 2 year old German Shepherd, 15 yr old Beagle/Spaniel and me.
Exploring every National Park (and Monument) in USA, Canada, Mexico & beyond.
3 well-used backpacking tents.
2008 Itasca Impulse, 24'
Thanks again for your compassion, experiences and words of wisdom!
You know, I have read and pondered all of your comments and suggestions. I have taken them all to heart and HAVE taken the medical steps that you have suggested.
We have an appointment on Monday, May 12th, at California State University Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Their operator/consultant, after my giving her a few details about Persalina's condition, has referred us to the Oncology Department. I have learned that they are very helpful and quite willing to take private patients. Now we have found another use for our RV. We plan on getting the “entire family” to Davis in the motor home and without further a due.
The consultant did say one word that made my heart stop. Metastasized! I know, Persalina’s Veterinary Surgeon did say that the cancer might have “spread” to the lungs, but that word scared the (bleep) out of me. Anyway, we do have an appointment and we will be there with Persalina’s file, X-rays and pathologist reports.
If you have any suggestions on how I might ask her Veterinary Surgeon to release the documents without insulting her, I would appreciate your thoughts. We will always have the “little furry ones” and will need the services of a convenient Emergency Veterinary Hospital. In any event, I will get the documents one way or another.
Aside from the comfort we will have for getting a second opinion, apparently the cost of the procedures at UC Davis, such as MRI or CT Scan, is decreased by approximately two thirds.
I do want to point out that Persalina’s cough is much better. She has fewer episodes and the duration is shorter. I do not know if the Hydrocodone is helping. I picked up the prescription and when I returned home she was in front of the house with Kevin and Moonbeam. She was excited, barking and not coughing. Thus she was apparently doing better anyway. (Our Veterinary Surgeon had stated that, if the mass in her lung was cancerous, the medication would not help her.) The only way to find out is to stop the medication and I do not want to do that to her. As I have stated before, aside from the cough, one would not know that she is ill at all. Even though I know that her appetite is somewhat diminished.
Well, I wanted to send this update as I feel more confident that we can make the most appropriate decisions for Persalina with the extensive information we can get from UC Davis. Then we might not be guessing if the cancer has spread (metastasized) to her lung.
Thanks again to all!
Sincerely,
Dawn & Kevin
Persalina & Moonbeam
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I seriously doubt your surgeon will be offended, our vet encourages second opinions as most do, and being UC Davis, doesn't get much better than that.
The best part of this is you will have all the information and knowledge to make an informed decision on what will be best for you and your Persalina.
Just call your vet and make the request, you may have to sign a form but that's it.
Good luck, I pray there is no metastasis, give her lots of hugs and we'll keep you all in our prayers.
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