Quality of Life - when is enough, enough?

[CLArella]

My puppy Gabriel is only 10 months old. He's had epilepsy for 3 months and just had surgery to be tested for Lymphoma. His lymphnodes in his small intenstines have become so large, he can't even pass barium beads...

We're waiting for the results - it could be cancer, it could be autoimmune disease, it could an infection.

At what point is too much for my baby to handle? Am I selfishly keeping him alive and putting him through all these tests? Do you think there is ever hope he will be healthy and happy?

HELP!!!!

 

[shindig]

Oh wow, that is a tough one. I went through the same ordeal with my boxer Bandit, but he was 7.5 years old, not just a pup. It's hard to say. You want them to live forever, but you don't want to ever see them suffer. Bandit was a trooper and I firmly believe that he was never in any pain during his 10 mos. of chemo for lymphoma. He had his bad days but his quality of life was amazing, even up to the the very last night. These guys are pretty resiliant, but I wouldn't worry until you know for sure what the problem is. It could be an infection and easily treated with anti-biotics. I can't imagine a 10 mos. old having cancer, but I guess you never know.

Positive vibes your your boy.

Kevin

Loving Bandit forever.

 

[Nicos mom]

I'm sorry to hear of your troubles with such a young dog. If it were me, I would at least hold out, as shindig says, until you know what the heck is going on. He's awfully young to give up on without having some answers. I know you aren't giving up in the literal sense. I, too, do not believe in prolonging the life of a suffering pet for my sake, so I applaud you for asking the question. Please keep us posted; everything helps, and there is a lot of wisdom on this board. Once you know what is up, I'm sure more experienced forum members will be here to help!

Positive, healing vibes to you and your boxer pup!

 

[Roge]

Try not to panic. you wont know what your dealing until the results come through, So when that happens will you be able to sit and consult with your vet and discuss the best course of action. I really really hope that it is only an infection and can be delt with a course of meds. Sending healthy healing <<<vibes>>> to Gabriel and calming ones to you.
Keep us posted.

 

[Tuff Love]

I agree with the others. He is very young yet so he has that on his side. Try not to panic until you know what you're dealing with. Best of luck to you and your pup.

 

[CLArella]

Thank you Everbody

Thank you everybody for your responses - we hung in there and it is NOT Lymphoma... THANK GOD!!! Lymphoid Hyperplasia which could be stemming from cancer in another area but after $6,000 spent on Gabriel this year my boyfriend and I are financially drained and can't afford the testing.

Am sitting here on seizure watch now, the recovery medications from surgery and antibiotichs did a toll on his epilepsy. I am heart broken, I've been crying all day, and I am sick of fighting everybody telling me to put him down. I can't, he's my baby!

We need your prayers - his first birthday is Nov 11 and I HAVE to celebrate it with him.

 

[Sansal]

So sorry this is happening to your little guy :( what did the vets say in terms of a prognosis? Is there any treatment you could try without spending more money on testing?

Lots of healing vibes are coming your way!

 

[boxermom5]

I don't know if you have thought of this yet, but if immediate financial needs are a concern for testing, Care Credit offers interest free financing for veterinary needs. Depending on the cost, terms for no interest are 3, 6 and 12 months - sometimes I think even longer. It has come in very handy for me over the years - most recently for dealing with tumors, emergency insect sting intervention, and my sweet Tenaia's diagnosis of idiopathic hepatitis (a battle we sadly lost yesterday).

Good luck, and I hope your pup is able to beat whatever the issue is.