I have a 12 year old yellow lab, who is as you all know , not just my dog but my baby . She is so sweet and gentle. We just found out that she has an adrenal mass on her right adrenal gland that is growing in size. It is fairly large and is pushing against the main artery, the vena cava. We were told by two internist from different animal hospitals that if it was their dog , they would do the surgery. We spoke to two different surgeons who say that it is a very difficult surgery. one surgeon gave her 50/50 odds of survival vs complication, the other said 75/25 odds. What we were told is that she may die during surgery, or after surgery while in ICU for 3 days she may have complications from infections to a bleed and / or clots. If she survives all this her chances are good for another year if this is not cancerous(they will not know this until surgery) If we do nothing, she will continue with Cushings symptoms of panting, UTI's, muscle weakness . high blood pressure and possible diabetes. They say she may only have 3-4 months before this all happens. There is no medication to help with this, and she would just be on meds to control her symptoms. So we need to make a decision that we can live with . I am so heartbroken and am having a difficult time trying to work this through my mind and can't seem to get a handle on this. would love to have some advise from other dog lovers.....
Oh I’m so sorry. My dog Leo (12yo) is my baby. He has been with me through 2 divorces and god knows how much upheaval. Recently he got poorly and thankfully it was something easily treatable (hypothyroidism) but I have always felt strongly that he has been so loyal to me that I would do anything it takes to help him.. I think it boils down to what is best for her? It’s so hard to differentiate between what we need (to keep them forever) and what is best for them. The recovery period sounds brutal
Hi,@patw. Sorry you are having such a difficult time with your dear girl. For me, it comes down to the quality of life she will have. It's hard I know when they mean so much to us but I think it always comes down to that Thank goodness you have found this wonderful forum, where you will be able to get all the care and support you need.
I’m so sorry you’ve had this diagnosis for your lovely lab. It’s very tough having to make decisions and I can’t give you any advice, as you know her best. As the others have said, it’s quality of life in the future that’s important - and that’s hard to think about if she’s relatively ok now. Do let us know what you decide.
So very sorry. You have already done everything that I'd suggest....got second opinions, found out about the prognosis, thought hard about it. Now it comes down to the fact that you know your girl better than anyone. I've never been through this (and I'm dreading the day that the time comes, as I know it will), but others here have and I'm sure they will share their stories and experience with you. I hope you find something in others' experience that will help you make this decision for your girl. But when it comes to the point, all that matters is that you are making the decision for her from your heart. There is no easy way through this, but you will make the right decision. That's what love is. Thinking of you both.
So terribly sad and sorry to read this post . I agree with @selina27 , quality trumps it for me every time . I had to part with my beloved six year old Lab seven months ago, he had lymphoma , and so I know how absolutely devastating and cruel these diseases are to our darlings . It is the hardest but also often the kindest decision we can make , and thank goodness we can make , I wish you all the very best xx
Hello @patw, and sending you much sympathy and support. Exactly as others have said, you've done a huge amount to find out all you can about the condition, and what the options are. This is so much a part of loving your dog well, and whatever you decide you've recognised that it needs to be a decision you can live with. It's the decision making that's so difficult, and I can completely sympathise you're struggling to work this through in your mind. Perhaps you can start to unpick it by writing down your options, along with all the emotions and instinctive feelings that go alongside each option, and then talking through it with a close friend? Hopefully you can draw strength from others on this forum, and we're thinking of you along the way.
Oh no, I am so sorry to read this. It is so, so hard when our beloved dogs are sick. I knew my old dog Bones had liver problems, and when he was suddenly taken really bad and was clearly in severe pain, I took the decision to have him put to sleep. The vet said she could try therapy, but we all knew it was only postponing the inevitable by a few weeks or months, and that he would have pain again. I don't regret for a moment my decision, but oh how sad it was... My thoughts are with you. You will make the right decision for your girl. Big hugs. x
How awful, I am so very sorry. I have never had to face this but my first ever dog Hattie is almost 11 years old. I am of the same opinion as some of our members that quality of life far outweighs quantity. I would like to think that when/if I have to make a decision for either of my dogs I will know and do what is best for them. I am sure you will know what the right thing is for your girl and you will make that decision our of love for her. Thinking of you. xx
Thank you all for your prayers thoughts ,kind words and support. I am so glad I found this post. I have yet to make a decision but I know it comes down to quality of life for Daisy. I will keep you all posted of our decision and how Daisy is doing.
So very sorry to read this, what a difficult place you are in. I think if it was my dog and I could afford it, I would op for the operation, but on the other hand if it doesn't work, you will blame yourself. I would talk to the vets again and then make the decision. Whatever decision you make will be the right one. Thinking of you at this difficult time.
I'm sorry to hear of this, so sad to have to make decisions. It's your heart against your head so often. Quality of life definitely beats quantity in my book, hands down. Sending you strength to do the best for your baby. xx
I agree with the others. We have also discussed here on the forum that we would rather be two weeks (or months, or whatever) too soon in making that final decision than two weeks too late. That’s something I completely agree with. It is such a hard decision, though...I do send sympathy and hugs. We are all behind you.
Hi Pat and Daisy, My 13 yo cat just had his left adrenal gland/tumor removed 2 weeks ago and is doing well. It was a heck of a size at 6 x 3 cm. A cat is not a dog but some thoughts you may find useful. Ideally your dog should be seen at a hospital attached to a university veterinary school. If there is nothing near you, check the website of the closest one and call and ask for the name(s) of suitable experienced surgeons in your area. I assume Daisy had an abdominal ultrasound or CT scan? These tests are important because the surgeon can see if there is spread to nearby organs or into the vena cava. If the tumor/gland can be removed and there is no spread to nearby organs the outlook is good. With cats it doesn't seem to matter whether the tumor is benign or malignant, provided the surgeon removes it entirely. It may be different with dogs - ask questions. Right after surgery Daisy would need to be nursed in an intensive care unit. Because the tumor hypersecretes hormones, the other adrenal gland has (loosely speaking) gone to sleep. After it's removed, the remaining adrenal gland has to wake up and until it does, blood chemistry can be a bit wacky so fluids and drug support is crucial. My cat spent two days in ICU and was discharged as soon as he woke up and ate. He had medicine for pain and the only difficulty we had was keeping him from licking the incision. He didn't tolerate the e-collar so I basically spent a week with him in my bedroom keeping an eye on him. Hopefully the man on the other thread with a dog who had this surgery will give you more relevant information Sending good thoughts. Yes I do actually have a lab and will introduce myself and say thank you to the wonderful people on this forum.
So sorry to hear about your beautiful girl. It's such a hard decision knowing what to do for the best but I think you know deep down when the time is right. My 2 boys were both struck down with problems breathing & muscle waste. Eventually after months of my vet emailing specialists they were both diagnosed with Distal Symmetric Polyneuropathy or as my vet explained it to us basically the doggy version of motor neuron. They think it was genetic & affecting males only, as their sister is still going strong and just turned 14. There is very little known about it & no treatment other than steroids for the breathing which in turn sped up the muscle wastage. In August Monty couldn't stand up on his own due to his muscle loss but was fine once standing, when he turned round half way through his walk I knew the time had come. Simba's breathing continued deteriorating & in November we were warned he could go into respiratory distress at any time & as this had already happened to Monty and was terrifying for both him & us, we again made the decision. I was more at peace with Simba as apart from the rasping and slowing down he was still having a good quality of life which although a hard decision I knew I hadn't let him suffer.
I want to thank you all for your caring and informative posts. We have decided not to go ahead with the surgery for Daisy, instead trying to see if medication would be something that may help her out . She was just diagnosed with Cushings disease and they may want to put her on a medication for this. I also want to pursue holistic vets . If anyone knows of a good one please let me know as they are difficult to find. As one post said, it is the quality not quantity of their lives, and we are trying to make every remaining second be wonderful for her. Any information with medication for Cushings would also be helpful as I am told there are many side effects. Thank you again to all the wonderful people on this post.
