The NOT irresponsible dog owner, well I think that I am!

Caski

Caski

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Well, I am faced with the final deed, to pts my much loved labrador at age 13.

She has a pyrometra and mammary cancer, the vets are very keen to perform hysterectomy and 'deal' with the cancer as it develops.

I have asked for a scan first of all to help guide my decision, but the vet has insisted that they book H in for the op immediately following the scan, I have said a firm no to that option. My thinking is that if the scan confirms a cancer diagnosis as well, it is possibly time to call it a day. I don't think that the poor old girl deserves a prolonged illness with a delayed and possibly painful 'end'.

Am I wrong? I may be because I am so upset, but I have made hard decisions in the past with my horses so why should my dog suffer?

The vets have already emailed me the consent forms for the op, despite me saying not at the moment thanks....

Trying not to cry but that will not help the situation and I know it!
 
Oh I'm so sorry, it appears that they are making a hard time harder.

While a closed pyo only really has two options, PTS or spay and the decision has to be made quickly as the dog is so poorly, I can sort of see what they are thinking but there is no reason that you can't be at the vets or on the phone while they scan as long as they make you aware it'll probably have to be an instant decision on your part.
 
I don't necessarily disagree with your decision. But I'd be at the vets whilst they scan. If no cancer is found I'd probably go through with the surgery if I'm honest (if she's otherwise fit and healthy for her age). If cancer is found then yes I'd PTS.

Sorry you're in this position.
 
A 13 year old lab. Is she sound as a pound?
I think it’s fair to offer you the choice but the vets should just respect your decision. If she absolutely is fit and well, with no lameness or anything I can almost see why they want to make sure you are clear on your choice.
 
Clodagh said:
A 13 year old lab. Is she sound as a pound?
I think it’s fair to offer you the choice but the vets should just respect your decision. If she absolutely is fit and well, with no lameness or anything I can almost see why they want to make sure you are clear on your choice.
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She is a tad arthritic tbh, in so far as not wanting the long walks and getting a bit stiff, rather like her owner.

The vets have planned that they operate and then move her to a local 24hr vets for care , it just doesn't sit well with me at the moment.
 
Caski said:
She is a tad arthritic tbh, in so far as not wanting the long walks and getting a bit stiff, rather like her owner.

The vets have planned that they operate and then move her to a local 24hr vets for care , it just doesn't sit well with me at the moment.
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Well the bottom line is she's your dog. So the final decision is yours.
 
Pyo needs to be operated on pdq usually. I wouldn't do it unless she is cancer free. Sorry she's so poorly.

Our 14yo lurcher has cancerous lumps. Vet said £4k to remove the biggest one and they'd see exactly what it is before removing the other ones. I am not putting a dog that age through even one GA with guarded outcome. He's eating, walking and happy. Any deterioration and will be pts immediately.
 
Caski said:
She is a tad arthritic tbh, in so far as not wanting the long walks and getting a bit stiff, rather like her owner.

The vets have planned that they operate and then move her to a local 24hr vets for care , it just doesn't sit well with me at the moment.
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Well it is entirely your decision. But I would just have her pts at home if I were you.
But we can all only say what we would do.
 
Whatever you decide it’s not wrong , I wouldn’t put a 13 year old dog through surgery unless otherwise they were completely healthy with no sign of arthritis etc . My lurcher was 13 and she had arthritis in her hips , pain killers made her ill so I decided to let her go . It was really difficult for me but the best for her..
 
Caski said:
She is a tad arthritic tbh, in so far as not wanting the long walks and getting a bit stiff, rather like her owner.

The vets have planned that they operate and then move her to a local 24hr vets for care , it just doesn't sit well with me at the moment.
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I wouldn't allow that.
13 is a pretty good age for a Lab, so whatever they do is unlikely to buy her years of extra time (my oldest Lab made it to 15).

I had a cat, years ago, who had an ulcerated eye. Vet removed it but it didn't heal as expected. Vet scanned her and found fluid in her lungs from a bad heart. I asked about pts. Vet, who was a big softie, said 'no, we can treat it".
The poor cat spent several weeks with a cone on her head, living in the bathroom so that the other animals didn't bang into her. The eye never did heal and she was pts about 3 months after the original operation. I learned then to trust my own judgement.
You are paying the bill, your decision is final.
 
Courage ! You know your dog better than anyone else, it's your decision, beside the cost of the treatments will probably be enormous, let alone
putting your girl through an operation and chemio treatment.

I am doing a few weeks at a vet's practice and I think sometimes, they go too far....

I saw a blind, demented, 17 years old, Australian Sheperd the other day, he is unable to walk, incontinent, the owner can't let him go...

Animals seems to get much older, we saw a 21 years old female cat, they removed her ear due to cancer....

My Basset had a spleenectomire aged 8 years old, before opening, they checked for cancer, if she had any, I wouldn't have gone ahead.

It's hard but you know best.
 
Caski said:
Well, I am faced with the final deed, to pts my much loved labrador at age 13.

She has a pyrometra and mammary cancer, the vets are very keen to perform hysterectomy and 'deal' with the cancer as it develops.

I have asked for a scan first of all to help guide my decision, but the vet has insisted that they book H in for the op immediately following the scan, I have said a firm no to that option. My thinking is that if the scan confirms a cancer diagnosis as well, it is possibly time to call it a day. I don't think that the poor old girl deserves a prolonged illness with a delayed and possibly painful 'end'.

Am I wrong? I may be because I am so upset, but I have made hard decisions in the past with my horses so why should my dog suffer?

The vets have already emailed me the consent forms for the op, despite me saying not at the moment thanks....

Trying not to cry but that will not help the situation and I know it!
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I would PTS in this situation. I would also be changing my vet because from your post their behaviour is utterly disrespectful. I am sorry it's such a hard descision but at least we CAN make that final journey a bit easier for our beloved animals.
 
I guess the question is - are you proposing PTS or hoping to treat the pyometra? I'm not really clear from your posts. I'd also ask if doing the surgery that it is all done at the 24/7 hospital rather than a transfer post surgery. Hoping you have a resolution you are comfortable with .
 
CastlelackSportHorses said:
Vet nurse here, unfortunately any older bitches I have treated with Pyos generally die after surgery.
It's a tough surgery on them, and takes its toll on their hind end.
At 13 years old it's a lot to ask of her.

But she is your dog and you know her best.

Such a hard decision. Thinking of you.
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Conversely we have post op pyos in most nights (we are the 24hr care), I can’t remember losing one. Pre op presented collapsed yes some are too septic but the surgical ones generally do well.
Many mammary lumps are benign, you won’t find out until post biopsy which is too long to wait with an active pyo assuming it’s closed. If they’ve been there a long time and are not hugely invasive they’re unlikely a quality of life cancerous concern. If they’re rapidly developing and you’re looking at mammary strips rather than lumps to come off then that’s a different call and a very big surgery. Often you’d look at a chest xray pre op to check (very crudely) for mets.
I’d base the descision on her usual quality of life. Some Labradors are in a terrible state by 13, others still fit and active!
 
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IKW said:
If it helps, I am completely on your side and very sorry you are facing this. You have her best interests at heart and I took would do what you are firm on. She is lucky to have you in her corner.
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This! and I think it is awful they are pressuring you to consent to major surgery on a 13 year old dog. It does not sound like it is in her best interests. They have absolutely no right to do this and in the meantime giving you feelings of guilt I imagine. Totally disgraceful. I am sorry you are having to go through this, stick to your guns, you are doing the right thing by her, unlike them.
 
Thank you all for your kindness and understanding, sorry I haven't updated but I've felt a but raw.

The deed was done, and my lovely dog is now playing with her forbears over the bridge.

I am now looking for another, just took me a while to get things straight in my head!

Lovely people on here.......
 
Ahh bless, you did the right thing, she went with dignity and loved by you, she was a lucky dog. Be kind to yourself and take care xxxx
 
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