Anal Tumour in Older Dog

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nicola_g

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My friend & neighbours 13.5 yr old shetland collie has a tumour on his anus. It all started with a bad bout of sickness and diaorreah. He has always had a very fragile stomache and she thought he had just eaten something he shouldn't have. He then started to act very constipated, straining a lot but not being able to produce anything and being sick afterwards. The tumour is now visble on side of his anus, it's quite large and has now started to bleed.

The vet won't operate because the dog has also has quite a bad heart condition. He has been given cortisone and morphine which seems to be giving relief, however he has already had a crises where he has been throwing himself around and groaning in pain. He calmed down quickly when he was given his medication but I am of the opinion that it would be better for both the dog & my friend to have him PTS sooner rather than later.

I am trying to persuade my neighbour that it would be kinder for both the dog and herself to have him PTS sleep peacfully at home. This way the dog won't have to go through the pain and trama of a nasty end and my friend will be left with good, if very sad memories of his passing. However she seems reluctant and although she is a very kind and goodhearted person she can be quite difficult at times, once she gets an idea in her head there is nothing that'll change things.

Poor Needie is still eating on and off at the moment but surely if he can't deffacte he will eventually be poisoned by his own body not being able to eliminate waste matter.

Just thinking out loud really and wondering what sort of horrible death he could be in for if she decides to keep him going for much longer.
 
Very sad but I agree with you. Poor dog seems to have no quality of life and at that age he doesn't deserve to lose his dignity or be in pain. Hopefully his owner will see that it will be a better kindness to act early rather than later.
 
Sometimes it takes a while for people to come to terms with the problems and make a decision! Although the anaesthetic is a risk it's also not fair to leave the tumour either so it's a catch 22! When they have anal tumours (anal adenomas) usually require castration at the same time!
 
Simply can't understand the refusal to do the right thing.

The only person she'd probably listen to is the vet - but they'd have to tell her straight, which they so rarely do.

Poor old boy.
 
As a person that is faced with exactly the same problem - my old pointer - 18yrs old has had numerous lumps all over his body for the past three years has in the past week gone down hill and I know that - of course I do - he is very unsteady on his legs and now needs help getting up and can't manage the stairs and all he wants to do now is sleep on his bed wrapped up in several blankets - he still eats ok but is now leaking a reddish stained fluid from his back side so a tumour is obvious - I love him to bits and have had him since he was three weeks old - he was heading for a bucket of water - a very showy kennels and he wasn't a very good example of a pointer ( separate story!) but has been an amazing friend for 18 years - we have only been apart for a handful of days in all those years - Don't be too hard on this woman - we all know the the right thing to do but it's hard and we all need a few days to come to terms with it - get the vet to phone her to invite her in for a chat - hopefully the right outcome will prevail ! I know what I have to do but even as I type I'm crying my eyes out.
 
My mum kept her old girl on for about two years longer than she should, that was almost 20 years ago and she feels guilty about it still :( everyone was telling her and she knows now they were right, but at the time she couldn't see past her own feelings.

I do agree with you but sometimes people forget to see if from the dog's point of view.
 
It is a very hard decision, but agree that your neighbour really should be considering her dog and to me it sounds as if he really needs to go now. Abina I do feel for you, but when you have had a dog such a long time it is always going to be a horrible decision, I honestly believe that when you get to the stage you have with your lad then it really is time, and giving yourself another few days is actually making it harder for you as well as him. Thinking of you. x
 
Quote:
we all know the the right thing to do but it's hard and we all need a few days to come to terms with it

Mmmm, I'm not sure I agree - sorry.

My thoughts exactly I'm afraid. Yes, it's very sad but it's even sadder for the poor dog that is suffering. Time to put the dog first above any feelings an owner might have I feel.
 
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