Good Thoughts For My Max If You Would
Max had developed a slight tremor in his hind legs and then some weakness...trouble getting his feet under him on slippery floors and sitting down when it wasn't intended. He also has 2 fatty lumps on his neck. They have been static for several months...not my first rodeo with those pesky things but I wanted him to check them.
Part is what I thought it might be and the other blindsided me.
He has progressive posterior paralysis, which is common among dogs with long spines as you all know. There is nothing that can be done...because it's degeneration of the spine, acupuncture will not do anything. He has no pain and won't from this because the signals between his back end and brain aren't firing correctly.
The lumps...tho they feel like the fatty tissue kind to me they aren't. It's his lymph nodes...in his neck, which are ones I originally felt, also in his shoulders which I didn't feel and behind his knees in his back legs. The ones in his back legs are not affecting his walking problem. So, my boy has lymphoma.
He has had the ones on his neck for several months and they have not grown which is good. If they do start to enlarge we will try steroids which can help shrink them for a time. Spent almost an hour talking with Dr Tremper about what can be done, what should be done and what his recommendations are. Basically...keep doing what I'm doing and watch. Trying to do even a needle biopsy (which he does not do..I would have to go to a oncologist) is expensive. Chemo doesn't work all that well on this and would be in the tens of thousands of dollars.
I have been with Dr Tremper for over 35 years. I know I can go and have all kinds of work ups done with someone else but I also know my vet and I know he will always be straight up with me on what I should do. And when your vet cries with you, you know he truly cares.
And I don't want to put Max thru all that stuff. He is 13. I want him happy and comfortable and as long as he is we will be grateful.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on
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Not much comfort but I agree with everything you say. I don't want extraordinary measures to prolong life for myself and don''t want them for my beloved animals. Our pets' lives are usually shorter than our own and our part is to see that they have a good quality of life as long as they stay in our care and help them not suffer when they make it clear they would rather go, and they do let you know when that time comes.... Max has been such a wonderful friend, just remember that nothing you love is ever truly lost and enjoy the time you have together right now, as I am sure Max does, one day at a time. Loving thoughts to you and to Max.
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Permalink Reply by Jane Christensen on
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Oh Linda,
I am so sorry you and Max have to go through this. I do agree that putting him through all the "possible" treatment is not something I would want to do for my dog nor would I want it for myself....I always feel that I would rather go through this (even though it's hard) and be as comforting as possible to Max...than to see him suffer more by trying to keep him alive a bit longer. That's all we can sometimes do for our beloved 4 footed friends! Hugs to both of you!
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Permalink Reply by Beth on
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Oh, Linda, so sorry to hear that! I know how much you love your big fluffy boy. I agree that I also would not pursue more aggressive tests or treatments, though I'd give steroids a shot if it came to that. My vet and I mutually agreed not to test for heartworm for my Maddie, because she would likely not tolerate the treatment so what's the point of knowing?
We bought a whole mess of cheap (cheap cheap, VERY cheap) throw rugs and runners and scattered them all around the bare floors to help out Madison. We spent maybe $125 on about 8 of them. We even got a small bathmat size one for under our dining room table so she can sit there while we eat dinner! She can sort of haul herself from rug to rug without skittering around like Bambi on ice. They look ridiculous, they don't really match each other, let alone the décor. And I will cry like a baby when the time comes when we can get rid of the hideous things.
Hugs for you, and gentle scratches for Max.
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Permalink Reply by Linda on
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Thank you my friends. I contacted Max and Katie's breeder...they are both Hersonsway/Crystal corgis. I have always kept Karen updated...Max came back to her as a 5 year old when the new wife didn't like him. Katie was one of her show dogs and had 2 litters, we got her when she was 4 after her second littler. Karen said she lost one of her girls years ago to lymphoma, she went the same course we have chosen for Max.
Karen said my contacting her yesterday was all too strange. For only the second time she has had a dog returned to her....Max was her first. This new one is a 5 year old male...just the same as Max. She was about to contact us to see if maybe we thought he might fit in with Max and Katie. Part of me says no and part of me says is fate stepping in. Every one of my dogs over the years has had a story behind it coming home to us. Do things happen for a reason? My husband believes so and deep down I do too. I just don't know.
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Permalink Reply by Alison Prasavath on
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Linda-
I'm sorry to hear about Max. I personally haven't had to make a decision like this with my own "baby", but I applaud your decision to make Max happy and comfortable while you have him. Please know I'm saying prayers for you all.
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When a door closes, a window opens...I would check it out.
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Things do happen for a reason and I would suggest taking a few days to think about it...your heart will tell if it's the right time or not.
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Spent an hour on the phone with the breeder, Karen, this afternoon. We spent time talking about Max and her experience with the lymphoma. Then we got into talking about the new guy.
He is a 5 year old, red/white male. She said he is a beautiful dog, she started out showing him but for whatever reason some judges just didn't favor the way he handled himself in the ring. She adopted him out about a year ago to an older couple...LOL...older couple, about our age. When Karen asked why she wanted to return the dog....he barks too much. Then Karen asked if he resource guarded...what did he do if you took his food bowl away. Woman didn't know because she never tried. How about toys....oh, he doesn't like toys, they don't play with him. What about when you trim his nails....oh no, we never trim his nails. Definitely not dog people. Bring the dog back. When they brought him back Karen asked more questions. Apparently their son and his wife just had a new baby, they came to visit. DIL DOES NOT LIKE DOGS AT ALL....told her the dog had to go or they would not bring the grandchild to the house again and I guess they live a distance away. Woman started to cry because she felt terrible but was afraid she'd never see her grandchild.
Karen has had him since last Friday. Dog doesn't mind you taking his food bowl, likes toys, gets along with all the other dogs including the puppies and has no problem having his nails trimmed. She said he is a moderate to low energy corgi...which is perfect for us. Said he could stand to lose 3-4 lbs. Karen said he is a total joy to have around. She had told her husband that she was going to contact us this weekend about this guy....Brady..and then she got my email this morning.
Said there is no rush, she is content to keep him...she said even for 6 months if necessary. Needless to say we are discussing it. If her email to me had come even if Max was healthy as a horse we would be discussing it.
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Haha Linda....reminds me of the Lays potato chips and you can never have just one!
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Permalink Reply by Holly on
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So sorry for you and Max. I could never afford to consider paying for extraordinary measures but I know I would not do it if I had unlimited resources. I totally agree with just making sure the animals are happy and comfortable but I would never judge people who feel the need to pursue other paths. I plan to talk to the vet about it before I have any big decisions to make but I admire your strength in accepting his needs as realistically as possible. Money doesn't solve everything and the poor dogs don't even know that uncomfortable treatments are not meant to hurt them. Sounds like Max is in good hands! I hope he continues to feel well and have happy days.
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I'd want to see if Max found a new dog to be a comfort or stressor, with all his issues. However if the breeder is willing to hold onto the new guy for some time, then that gives you lots of options.
Please keep us posted, both on Max and on rehome boy.
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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on
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I'm sorry Linda to hear you going through this. I had a similar situation with my specal dog, Sparty. He had bone cancer and after having a toe removed it came back further up in his leg. He was 12 , i think ,at the time. I had decisions to make too! I made the choice based on my wonderful vet's advise and my knowledge of Sparty's temperment not to try chemo or further amputation. We just moved on and enjoyed our last year with him and when he became depressed we let him go. I will miss him forever but looking back I still believe that we did the right thing. I am not against anyone doing chemo etc but it wasnt right for us. You know your corgi and the situation so just go with your gut and do what you know is right. As far as another dog, that has always been somethingthat works for me. Get another dog and consider your love for them as a tribute to the one you lost. Only you can decide what timing is right for your situation. Hugs!
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