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Discussion: CANCER IN GOLDENSReported This is a featured thread

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bearmyheartofgold
bearmyheartofgold
80. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS TO MY DOG LOVING FRIENDS
Mar 29 2008, 10:14 PM EDT | Post edited: Mar 29 2008, 10:14 PM EDT
I thought all my dog loving friends would enjoy this, so I'm passing it along.

A little perspective......

A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old)

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish
Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their
little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping
for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we
couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia
procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be
good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as
though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family
surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last
time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few
minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any
difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's
Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are Shorter
than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned
me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life
- - like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The
Six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they
don't have to stay as long."

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

CONTINUED PLEASE READ ON ...............................

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bearmyheartofgold
bearmyheartofgold
81. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS TO MY DOG LOVING FRIENDS
Mar 29 2008, 10:15 PM EDT | Post edited: Mar 29 2008, 10:15 PM EDT
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure
ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle
them gently.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!
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Posted Anonymously
82. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS
Mar 30 2008, 2:01 PM EDT | Post edited: Mar 30 2008, 2:01 PM EDT
Thanks so much for your kind reply----we took Goldie to a specialist on Tuesday and unfortunately it has spread to her liver so there really is nothing that can be done at this point----it is so strange, if I didn;t know she was sick you would never know it---they put her on pain medication (Deramaxx) and that has helped with her joints---she is running, cheerful and while she refuses to eat her dog food, she is quite happy eating the homemade stew I've made for her! The internist seemed to think she would only be alive for about another month, but at this point we're spoiling her, and hoping and praying he vet is wrong! Thanks again....... Do you find this valuable?    

Posted Anonymously
83. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS
Mar 30 2008, 2:04 PM EDT | Post edited: Mar 30 2008, 2:04 PM EDT
Good luck weith your lab---we are devastated as well, but we don;t want to show it in front of Goldie because she gets upset when we do----I gues the beauty of being a dog is that she doesn't realize anything is wrong with her----she is still active, happy and eating well----we're just appreciating everyday that we have with her now----the vet told us it had spread to her liver and there is really nothing htat can be done at this point....... Do you find this valuable?    

Posted Anonymously
84. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS
Mar 30 2008, 6:47 PM EDT | Post edited: Mar 30 2008, 6:47 PM EDT
We just brought Maui home from the vet. He looks like Maui again. He is still weak but much stronger today then yesterday. His blood work is still in normal levels. We have to bring him to our regular vet tomorrow to check his blood count. I have such a wait off my shoulders that he is home. The house felt empty and cold without him here. Now we just have to wait for the pathology results but we will deal with that when arrives. Thanks again for your kind words and support. I will keep you informed. Do you find this valuable?    

Posted Anonymously
85. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS
Apr 1 2008, 4:21 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 1 2008, 4:21 PM EDT
Maui had his checkup yesterday with our new regular vet. Our other vet blew us off when he had his episode last friday. The vet told us in his years as a emergency vet that masses the size that Maui had on his xray usually turn out benign. It gave us a little hope but we will not get a definitive answer until the path reports. Maui is back to his active self and we had to bring out his crate. He has not fought us on it yet. His personality has not changed. He acts like nothing happened. It is amzing how fast animals can spring back to their usual selves. Hopefully by posting this that I can shed some hope to other families that are going thru the same ordeal. Talk to you soon. Do you find this valuable?    
bearmyheartofgold
bearmyheartofgold
86. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS
Apr 1 2008, 5:05 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 1 2008, 5:05 PM EDT
"Maui had his checkup yesterday with our new regular vet. Our other vet blew us off when he had his episode last friday. The vet told us in his years as a emergency vet that masses the size that Maui had on his xray usually turn out benign. It gave us a little hope but we will not get a definitive answer until the path reports. Maui is back to his active self and we had to bring out his crate. He has not fought us on it yet. His personality has not changed. He acts like nothing happened. It is amzing how fast animals can spring back to their usual selves. Hopefully by posting this that I can shed some hope to other families that are going thru the same ordeal. Talk to you soon."
i'm checking for updates on Maui. i'm so happy to hear he is feeling better. please keep updating .
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Mauismom
Mauismom
87. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS
Apr 3 2008, 7:12 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 3 2008, 7:12 PM EDT
We just got the path results from the emergency vet and it is NOT cancer. They said it was a splenic hematoma. I am just so relieved and ecstatic. Thanks to everybody that responded. Your kind words helped me get thru this ordeal. Maui is getting stronger day by day. He has his appetite back. We take him for two short walks a day so he can get stronger. He is starting to fight us regarding the cage but I will not give in. Thanks again. I will keep in touch. Do you find this valuable?    

Posted Anonymously
88. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS
Apr 3 2008, 7:28 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 3 2008, 7:28 PM EDT
Our Max is 8 and he had ear hematoma and about a week ago his right eye looked like someone poked him in the eye. We took to the Vet but he is eating acting okay happy. Tonight the vet is closed and his other eye isread and looks droopy.. anyone having these issues or did your dog have any of these signs... calling Vet in AM

Max's MOMMY
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Ethel'sGrace
Ethel'sGrace
89. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS
Apr 3 2008, 8:38 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 3 2008, 8:38 PM EDT
I am so VERY happy for you and Maui. It's wonderful to hear some good news... Do you find this valuable?    
bearmyheartofgold
bearmyheartofgold
90. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS
Apr 3 2008, 10:28 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 3 2008, 10:28 PM EDT
thanks for posting the good news about Maui. I agree with Ethel's Grace - it's nice to hear some good news. It sounds like he is making a remarkable recovery. I hope he grows stronger by the day. Did you happen to ask the vet why a splenic hematoma could just occur out of nowhere - what would be the cause? Do you find this valuable?    
Mauismom
Mauismom
91. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS
Apr 4 2008, 7:38 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 4 2008, 7:38 PM EDT
We meet with our regular vet tomorrow and the emergency vet was going to fax over the report. Last Thursday Maui rammed into our recliner harder than usual. He does not like to get his face and head wet so he was running his laps around the downstairs like usual. When he was runing down the hallway which is hard wood, he lost his balance and crashed into the recliner. He hit it much harder than usual but he was fine. He didn't cry, limp, wince, nothing. Maybe he had a tumor and by crashing into the chair may have seperated it. I have no clue. I will be asking alot of questions tomorrow. I will fill you in when I get the answers. Do you find this valuable?    

MDKS
92. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS
Apr 30 2008, 9:45 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 30 2008, 9:45 PM EDT
Ok so its been a weird few weeks. Just when I thought we were getting better tonight my son had a horrible night. He breakdown over missing our Bailey. It lasted a long time and he feel asleep crying. He is getting made at her for leaving us. I still feel so guilty about putting her down - it is overwhelming. I wish I could have a beautiful dream about her to make sure that she is doing OK. I think I need reassurance before I can move on - - does that make sense? Do you find this valuable?    
bearmyheartofgold
bearmyheartofgold
93. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS
May 1 2008, 12:35 PM EDT | Post edited: May 1 2008, 12:35 PM EDT
Hi- your posting tugged at my heart strings. Being a mom of 4 myself I can appreciate and understand where your coming from. The loss of a childhood pet is something that will stay with us forever. I know it doesn't ease the pain any but it may help to understand that Your son is going through normal grieving stages- he is angry now and will finally come to the acceptance stage. My suggestion would be to consider getting him a new puppy in the near future - not to replace Bailey , but to help him heal and find enjoyment again in a beloved pet. Do you find this valuable?    

stacycva
94. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS
May 25 2008, 12:08 PM EDT | Post edited: May 25 2008, 12:08 PM EDT
I apologize for tagging on the last post. I lost my Golden, Pumpkin, almost 13, yesterday. We had had her since she was eight weeks old. My son was 8 when we got her and he just turned 20. What an amazing friend! My heart is truly broken. My question is, "Did anyone else's Golden have vomiting, diarrhea, and collapse with their hemangioma?" The vet said that she suspected cancer. She went very, very quickly. Pumpkin also had a cutaneous sarcoma removed two years ago. Is it possible that that one spread? Thanks! Do you find this valuable?    
Ethel'sGrace
Ethel'sGrace
95. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS
May 25 2008, 1:29 PM EDT | Post edited: May 25 2008, 1:29 PM EDT
I am so sorry about your Pumpkin. We, at this forum, have experienced the pain you are feeling. Our Goldens are true members of our families. My twin boys were 8 when we adopted our Ethel @ 8 weeks of age. Ethel was a little more than 11 when we lost her to a hemangiosarcoma. She did have diarrhea (mostly blood) the day before she collapsed for the last time. The pain you are feeling is terrible, and I'm sure you want an explanation as to what happened, or what can prevent such a dissaster. Our Ethel was diagnosed with a hemangiosarcoma about 8-9 weeks before she died. I did lots of searching, reading whatever I could find. Bottom line is there are no explanations. Goldens just happen to be predisposed to having this dreaded condition, along with Labs and German Shepherds. I know this info doesn't help with the pain...only time will. Your Pumpkin will always know you love her. God Bless. 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    

stacycva
96. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS
May 25 2008, 1:37 PM EDT | Post edited: May 25 2008, 1:37 PM EDT
Thank you Ethel'sGrace for responding. It is greatly appreciated. I wish that I had known more about this condition before the worst happened. I was totally unprepared as it was so sudden. It sounds as if our good friends were around to be with our children while they grew up. Such wonderful memories....Thanks again! Do you find this valuable?    
bearmyheartofgold
bearmyheartofgold
97. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS
May 25 2008, 4:48 PM EDT | Post edited: May 25 2008, 4:48 PM EDT
"I apologize for tagging on the last post. I lost my Golden, Pumpkin, almost 13, yesterday. We had had her since she was eight weeks old. My son was 8 when we got her and he just turned 20. What an amazing friend! My heart is truly broken. My question is, "Did anyone else's Golden have vomiting, diarrhea, and collapse with their hemangioma?" The vet said that she suspected cancer. She went very, very quickly. Pumpkin also had a cutaneous sarcoma removed two years ago. Is it possible that that one spread? Thanks!"
Hi There - So soory to hear about your sweetie Pumpkin. To answer your question - YES, My dog Bear did have vomiting (it was bile), Diarrhea (frequent, bloody and lose) , and he had 5 episodes of collapsing and vertigo (related to internal bleeding and electrolyte imbalances) this lasted 3 months - till he finally succumb - I actually had him euthanized knowing that he would have only survived another 24 hours at the most I wanted to end the suffering.
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sandysmom
sandysmom
98. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS
May 25 2008, 6:30 PM EDT | Post edited: May 25 2008, 6:30 PM EDT
I have an 11 year old Golden. Yesterday she was outside enjoying the nice weather. I did see when the sun moved to her side of the house. She moved in the shade. Before it got dark out. I tried to get her to come in. She would not get up to come in. I had to get my son to get her to come in.
This morning when I woke up she would not budge to go out. Me and my sons tried to coax her outside. She would not get up. She was alert but would not stand even when we tried to lift her. So, I called my husband to come home. We took her to the vet and they withdrew blood from her abdomen. The vet told me that she was bleeding internally either from her spleen or liver.
She said that the only thing we could do for her is operate for at least $3000 which there would be no guarentee of her survival or put her to sleep because she will basically bleed to death.
Since she is still alert and she seems basically happy to be around us and since the vet told us that she would most likely bleed to death within the next day or two. We brought her home to die with us.
The vet just told us. To do everything we can in the next few days until she goes to make her comfortable. Including going and buying her prime rib and giving it to her in small portions. She is drinking water and eating things like small portions of cooked chicken and little peices of cheese.
My reason for writing is. Does anyone really know how long she will last with internal bleeding like this. I'm hoping the weakness will make her sleepy and she will die in her sleep. The vet told me she is not in really bad pain like as if she broke a bone. She is just very weak and not feeling really well.
I don't want her to be in bad pain. We have to put food and water at her mouth for her to eat and drink.
Any help with experience with this sort of thing is appreciated. And also.
If anyone would like to pray that she is not in bad pain.
Thank You so much.
Sandys Mom
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Ethel'sGrace
Ethel'sGrace
99. RE: CANCER IN GOLDENS
May 25 2008, 9:36 PM EDT | Post edited: May 25 2008, 9:36 PM EDT
Situations are all a little different. In my Ethel's case, she had periods of lethargy, lasting as much as 24 hours, then she would bounce back (but some weaker each time). She lasted about 8 or 9 weeks after she was diagnosed. The Vet told us she was not in any pain, so we spoiled her as long as we could. She tried so hard to "please" us until the end...such a special girl. We ultimately decided to euthanize her to end her suffering. I will always cherish the time with my Ethel Grace. My advise is follow your heart. You will know what to do and when. I pray for your Golden and you and your family as well. 2  out of 2 found this valuable. Do you?    
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