Dogs and Cancer

shilala · 01-24-2013, 08:32 AM

I'd have the surgery done, and quickly. Mainly because of his age and odds of success.
I'd have to absolutely trust my vet as much as I do my family doctor.

I think much like Greg, in that I'd consider it a death sentence, first. I'd have to assess the situation based on information. I wouldn't think of the cancer any differently than if he was run over by a car, or in some other sort of accident. I'm very pragmatic, and don't think at all about what might happen a year down the line because I'm a firm believer that I just have today, and that plays in all my decision making. I'm never slowed down or stifled by "what if's?", so I'd consider my good friend in just that light.
If he's going to be better for the surgery at the end of the day, done deal.
I wouldn't consider the chemo and radiation at this point because it's not even part of the equation, nor are recurring tumors.
Being that it sounds like the surgery would be a success, I'd see if the he wants to go for a ride.

mhailey · 01-24-2013, 10:58 AM

My father is a veterinarian and i saw him counsel people on this type of situation through my whole childhood. There is no easy answer. As for me, I have a cat that, if it wasn't for my wife, I wouldn't even spend the money to vaccinate. I had another cat, that suffered from end stage renal failure, and I gave her nightly subcutaneous fluids for 1 1/2 years. She went on vacations with us so i could give her the fluids.

Subvet642 · 01-24-2013, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhailey

My father is a veterinarian and i saw him counsel people on this type of situation through my whole childhood. There is no easy answer. As for me, I have a cat that, if it wasn't for my wife, I wouldn't even spend the money to vaccinate. I had another cat, that suffered from end stage renal failure, and I gave her nightly subcutaneous fluids for 1 1/2 years. She went on vacations with us so i could give her the fluids.

Thank God for your wife, then.

01-24-2013, 08:32 AM	#1
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	Re: Dogs and Cancer I'd have the surgery done, and quickly. Mainly because of his age and odds of success. I'd have to absolutely trust my vet as much as I do my family doctor. I think much like Greg, in that I'd consider it a death sentence, first. I'd have to assess the situation based on information. I wouldn't think of the cancer any differently than if he was run over by a car, or in some other sort of accident. I'm very pragmatic, and don't think at all about what might happen a year down the line because I'm a firm believer that I just have today, and that plays in all my decision making. I'm never slowed down or stifled by "what if's?", so I'd consider my good friend in just that light. If he's going to be better for the surgery at the end of the day, done deal. I wouldn't consider the chemo and radiation at this point because it's not even part of the equation, nor are recurring tumors. Being that it sounds like the surgery would be a success, I'd see if the he wants to go for a ride. __________________

01-24-2013, 10:58 AM	#2
mhailey Splitter of Hairs Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: Matt Location: out west Posts: 492 Trading: (21)	Re: Dogs and Cancer My father is a veterinarian and i saw him counsel people on this type of situation through my whole childhood. There is no easy answer. As for me, I have a cat that, if it wasn't for my wife, I wouldn't even spend the money to vaccinate. I had another cat, that suffered from end stage renal failure, and I gave her nightly subcutaneous fluids for 1 1/2 years. She went on vacations with us so i could give her the fluids. __________________ Never try and teach a pig to sing. It frustrates you and irritates the pig.