KramersMama

Hi all...I joined this message board in the hopes of getting some advice with some decisions we suddenly find ourselves having to make.

Our basset, Kramer, is almost 15 years old. Aside from being blind (glaucoma) and deaf she has always been very healthy. We have taken her to the vet regularly over the past few years to test her blood etc and make sure her age is not taking a toll on her. She has been on supplements for her back but that is about the extent of her illnesses.

This past Friday I took her in to get a wound checked that is not healing well. She had one of her frequent cysts removed. The doctor found a heart murmur while examining her and suggested xrays to see if there was enlargement of the heart. WHen they returned to the room from xray I was informed they found a grapefruit sized tumor on her spleen. They did an ultrasound and say it does not look like it has spread to the liver. They say surgery is an option but, because of her age, they cannot guarantee a great recovery or that once they open her up and see the tumor it may be too bad off to let her continue to live...in other words, they would want to put her down while in surgery.

Our other options are to let her go on with the tumor and risk her bleeding out one day if it ruptures or to say our goodbyes now. Has anyone else dealt with these types of growths? I am torn as to what to do. I think surgery is absolutely out of the question since she has trouble getting around as it is. I cannot see her being sliced open like that and healing from it well. We are at a crossroads...any advice is appreciated!

Thank you!

Boomer's Mom

I am so sorry to read that you have to go through this. We have some members here that have had to make similar decisions for their bassets; I'm sure someone will be along with advice
Although the decision is ultimately yours, maybe it will help.

__________________
Boomer: Born 4/18/2010
Biscuit: Rescued 1/26/12, approx. 2 yo

Chez Basset: Come for the kibble, stay for the belly rubs.

eclairs mom

Ahhh I'm so sorry! I let my 16 year old baby go 2 years ago, that was not after putting her through stuff for my own benefit because I diddnt want to let go. I have regretted it ever since.

My advice would be to make her comfortable, let her tell you when its time, she will you know. Her long term prognosis is poor, she's had an awesome life with you sure! Treasure the time left with her!

KramersMama

Thank you so much!! We truly have been blessed with such an awesome dog...she was our first baby :-) I just want her to leave this world as she is and not in some painful emergency...I want only good memories.

Wworm

awww, sorry u have to go through this now with Kramer, do u have a pic?
can't give u advice except to follow your heart & instincts about Kramer... please keep us posted...
--Worm

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see what the Worm is up to: http://bassetworm.blogspot.com/

BubbaLeroy

I'm so sorry to read this. Just enjoy Kramer as she is and she will probably let you know when it is time. We lost our seven year old Basset to Lymphoma Cancer and on the day he quit eating and had trouble getting up from his bed we knew it was time. Like you we did not want him to be in pain and needlessly suffer, and we wanted him to enjoy his last days with us. It's a terrible decision to have to make, but know that many here understand what you are going though and that our thoughts and prayers will be with you.

__________________
You don't own a Basset, a Basset owns you!!
Aroooooos from Bogie !! - Trumbull's Who's Teasin Bogart CGC- Born April 21, 2005
ATB: Bubba - (Trumbull's Surley It's Stormin Norman) Sept. 8, 1998 - Dec. 20, 2005

Soundtrack

This sounds like splenic hemangiosarcoma? Very nasty. I'm sorry

I've lost two to this. I didn't do surgery, although in Rainbow's case I wished later that I had because she did so well post diagnosis (about 4 1/2 months as opposed to the 3-6 weeks that the vet estimated. Webster was not a candidate for surgery, he had other health issues. In both cases I let them continue on. I lost Webster to bloat. Rainbow did very well until the final weekend when she refused to eat and basically told me she'd had enough.

I am a big believer in a cancer fighting diet , I believe that's what helped Rainbow to do so well. Minimal carbohydrate, adequate protein, plenty of fat as an energy source. I'd suggest doing some research on that - a good place to start is the cancer links at dogaware.com I'm currently doing this with Gabby, who is being treated for Oral Melanoma.

Unfortunately, SH is a very sneaky cancer and usually by the time it's found there's not much to be done and not a lot of time left.

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houndmomma

I’m so very sorry about Kramer. No matter how much time we have with them it’s never enough is it? I just had to make the same decision with my Flash last August 4th – her full journey was my first post here also – and we went on a rollercoaster ride for months with what she had until the final surgery that she had knowing I could lose her.

The hardest decision we have to make is when is it the right time? I kept hearing that – I kept asking myself that – and when am I doing everything I’m doing for me because selfishly I don’t want to lose her? All the loving and caring people on this board kept telling me she would let me know – but when you’re in the mist of the nightmare its sometime hard to see what others see isn’t it?

This is what I used as my gage – was she eating? Did she have the light in her eyes? Did she want to go outside and lay in the sun? Did she want to go for walks? In other words – did she still enjoy life? As long as she still enjoyed life, I did everything under the sun I could for her. I knew her final surgery was scheduled for the right day when the night before for the first time she didn’t want to eat her favorite chicken dinner I make special for her. For the first time in 11 years – when I laid down next to her to cuddle – she got up – walked one step and laid back down and gave me the saddest look you can imagine. And the light in her eye had dimmed. She looked like she was drained and had – had enough of it all. Even knowing everything I do and that it was the right thing to do – I have tears as I type this – because it’s never an easy decision to make.

The most we can do is share our stories and hope a sliver of something we share helps you in one of the hardest decisions you have to make. And… Be there for you every step of the way. Pray that you’ll have the strength and that Kramer is pain free and as comfortable as possible till the end. I truly am so very sorry for the journey and Kramer are on.

I found this poem after I lost her and it helped – I wish I would have found it before – I still find myself going back to read it at times to reassure myself.

Please keep us posted
Jen~

The Last Battle
If it should be that I grow frail and weak,
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this, the last battle, can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.

Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me,
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree,
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don't grieve that it must be you,
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close, we two, these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

__________________
Momma to Lucy age 12 ~ Basset Hound
Momma to Rickie age 5 ~ Shi-Poo (don’t tell him though – he thinks he’s a hound dog)
Momma to Mabel age -1 ~ Basset Hound
Momma to Flash – RIP 2000 ~ 2011 – Gone in body but with me in spirit ~ You will live on forever in my heart baby ~ Je t'aime

bubbad

Brown up a nice steak sit with her and feed it to her piece by piece.The poster before me ,Jen, didn't just have tears in her eyes she was bawling her eyes out.I know that without even talking to her today. Jen has Mabel ,one from a litter of puppies I raised. Don't bother yourself with this now, but later, think of the opportunity to love again.

loopylou

Sorry to hear you are going throough this, it's the hardest decsion to make.

I went through this with my last dog Ben, he was 15 and had several conditions he was battling with. I know it doesn't help but you will know when it's time, what Jen said is absolutely true, if she's still enjoying life then you should cherish the time you have and make some more happy memories.

I still can't read that poem without becoming a total wreck