Bladder tumour - when to PTS

[Marigold4]

So I posted a few weeks back about my border collie and her bladder tumour. It was diagnosed by ultrasound after we noticed she was squatting to pee more often than before. It is apparently quite large and near the urethra. She has just turned 14. She's been given some medication that is anti-inflammatory and provides chemotherapy and that did seem to have improved things. She seems OK in herself in that she enjoys a walk and still runs around and is eating well, but she is sleeping a lot of the day. She's been sick once but not since I last posted. She is squatting more with no result when in the garden and on a walk so I wonder if the medication is not helping any more. She has an accident every night as she can't last that long. I'm finding it very difficult to judge when to call time as I can't work out if she is in pain and is being stoic, or whether it is OK to let things go on longer. Playing god with life and death animal deicsions is so hard! Anyone experienced this and has some advice?

 

[Clodagh]

My mum is here, who as I mentioned her collie was pts with one years ago. She said the day she was pts she went to help her onto the sofa and accidentally put her hand in the soft part of her belly and the bitch screamed and screamed. That was also when she was squatting and nothing coming out.

 

[Jenko109]

I would imagine that the consistent squatting with nothing coming out, is a sign that there is some discomfort there. Wetting overnight is also no fun for them; they know they shouldn't be doing it and I'm sure it must upset them somewhat.

 

[Marigold4]

My mum is here, who as I mentioned her collie was pts with one years ago. She said the day she was pts she went to help her onto the sofa and accidentally put her hand in the soft part of her belly and the bitch screamed and screamed. That was also when she was squatting and nothing coming out.

Thanks for replying. I do rub and gently press her abdomen from time to time to check if this hurts. I was close to putting her down a couple of weeks ago when I thought she wasn't peeing at all, but then she started having a pee accident in the house so I could see that she was peeing, just not very often when out in the garden and on a walk.

 

[wren123]

I had to have my lab put down last year due to a bladder tumour. In hindsight I wish I'd put her down sooner.

I have a sensitive bladder and that feeling of needing to go to the loo and nothing coming out is very uncomfortable. My sympathies its a horrible decision to make.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Our Rottweiler started weeing blood again despite all the medication. We saw it because she had weed in the house, which was most unlike her. So we knew it was time. This was 6 months post diagnosis.

 

[Marigold4]

Our poor old collie was PTS this morning. The squatting and accidents were getting worse and the poor old girl was very tired. She was losing the strength in her back legs as well and had a bit of a fall on some stairs this morning, so we decided it was time. The vet couldn't have been nicer - they gave her a lovely bowl of roast chicken and a comfy bed. So kind and thoughtful.

 

[Birker2020]

Our poor old collie was PTS this morning. The squatting and accidents were getting worse and the poor old girl was very tired. She was losing the strength in her back legs as well and had a bit of a fall on some stairs this morning, so we decided it was time. The vet couldn't have been nicer - they gave her a lovely bowl of roast chicken and a comfy bed. So kind and thoughtful.

I'm so very sorry for your loss

 

[Abi90]

Our poor old collie was PTS this morning. The squatting and accidents were getting worse and the poor old girl was very tired. She was losing the strength in her back legs as well and had a bit of a fall on some stairs this morning, so we decided it was time. The vet couldn't have been nicer - they gave her a lovely bowl of roast chicken and a comfy bed. So kind and thoughtful.

I’m sorry for your loss and completely understand how you feel. I’m glad she was able to go before things got too bad and she got a lovely last meal xx

 

[Marigold4]

Thanks everyone. The house seems very empty without her.

 

[Above the snowline]

Follow your instinct which will tell you when the time is right. It’s so terribly sad saying goodbye but be proud that you are such a loving owner. Much better to let her go a day too early than a day too late. My vet was very kind and helpful when I asked her what she thought I should do with my dog. Yes I sobbed my heart out but looking back I have no regrets.

Oh dear sorry - I wrote this before I saw your latest post. Sending you a big hug. Your dog was so lucky to have been owned by you. Look after yourself.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Im so sorry for your loss

 

[Moobli]

So sorry to see you had to make the hardest of decisions but I’m sure your old girl would thank you if she could, you didn’t allow her to suffer. My sincere condolences on your loss.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I'm so sorry for your loss. What a lovely idea of the vet's, to give a bowl of chicken!

 

[wren123]

I’m sorry for your loss.

 

[Marigold4]

Thank you, everyone. She is much missed and my other, younger dog is not quite sure what to do without her.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Thank you, everyone. She is much missed and my other, younger dog is not quite sure what to do without her.

Our Rottweiler was bereft when we lost her sister to a splenetic tumour aged 6. So we got her 2x Lab pups. She absolutely adored them.