So sorry to hear this news @kateincornwall. Poor Sam and poor you. Everything crossed that Sam's feeling better soon but take some comfort that he's happy, eating and enjoying his walks - and not forgetting playtime with Nell xx
Hope Sam feels better soon. As long as he is happy, enjoying life and smiling that is the main thing.
Sorry to hear, upsetting for you. It must be a comfort that he's well in himself, but yes, much more worrying for you.
I hope it's not bothering Sam too much and he's on good form. It's so hard for you, but Sam's a fighter in the best sense of the word.
So sorry to read this Kate, it must be a blow when you are hoping for the best and sailing along and then this happens. I just hope it will wain again. My thoughts are so much with you.
So sorry to hear. It is a blasted disease. Hopefully the meds will bring him much comfort and you can continue on your happy ways, even though I know how difficult it is for you.
Kate, I am so sorry that you are having to go through this with Sam. If you don't mind, I would like to share my story with my beloved Duke. Duke is the first lab I ever owned. I rescued him from the dog pound. They were about to put him down and I fostered him and then adopted him. Duke is the dog in my avatar. Duke and I became really big pals. We bonded on long truck rides hauling hay between my farm and my mother-in law's farm when I first got him. Last August, he had his annual check-up and the vet said he looked good. We believe he was about 2 or 3 years old when we adopted him, so he would have been roughly 11 or 12 years old. Three weeks after the annual check-up, lumps came upon the side of his face the size of a golf ball. We took him to the vet immediately and they drew fluid from the lump and it was determined he had lymphoma. The vet said there was nothing we could do but treat it with medicine. We put him on prednisone and some other kind of medicine. The lump left the face and Duke seemed to do very well. About three weeks later, his right front leg swelled to double the size of his other front leg and he couldn't walk on it. I thought he had been bitten by a poison spider or snake. The vet said it was symptoms of the lymphoma spreading in his body. She increased his medication and it took forever for the swelling to go down. He finally got a little better and was still able to eat good and go to the bathroom, but his walks got much shorter every day. I was concerned about when the time would be right to have him put down. The vet said as long as he would still eat and could go to the bathroom that he had some quality of life. About another week went by and the lymphoma spread to his right, rear leg. It started swelling bad and this made it difficult for him to get up and walk. Two days later, he quit eating. I called the vet and said it was time. Unfortunately, that was her day off. She said that she could run by the house first thing the next morning and put him down. This was absolutely the worst day of my life. Duke couldn't make it back into the garage that night and he laid at the entrance of the garage outside by himself. I couldn't get him and I felt so bad. I figured he wouldn't make it through the night, but when I got up the next morning at 5 a.m., he was still breathing, but I don't think he knew where he was. His breathing was very shallow and he wouldn't respond to my voice. I called the vet and asked her to come on and then I went out and sat with him. He passed on his own within the next 15 minutes. The vet never made it. I called her and told her not to come, that he was gone. Duke lasted about 10 weeks after being diagnosed with the lymphoma. I still have that vivid image of him laboring those last few minutes before his poor body gave out on him. Duke died last November 3rd and I still think about him every day. I have another yellow lab that I've had for six years. His name is Jake and I bought him from a breeder. I also just picked out a little female yellow lab from another breeder and she will be coming home July 25th. I'm naming her Daisy Duke in memory of my old boy Duke. I wanted to tell my story just to say that it is hard when our best friends come to the end of their life. They are such an important part of our lives. Kate, I know that you are cherishing every moment you have with Sam. My heart breaks for you.
So sorry, Darrell. Heartbreaking sure is the word. Duke's story brought a tear to my eye. Both eyes, that is. I'm sure you miss him every single day. Thank goodness Sam is still active and is enjoying life. How are things with his ear, Kate?
Sam is doing pretty good at the moment thank you @Oberon Rachael x He has days when he is tired, so we let him rest , he has the odd day when food isn't his main interest , that's fine too . We are just blessed that he is still here with us , almost a year post diagnosis . His ears are fine now , although there is some swelling in the ear canal , but it doesn't seem to affect his ability to hear a cheese wrapper from 50 paces ! All in all , we are thankful , always reminded that he has cancer, but always thankful for his enjoyment of life xxx
To @Darrell Day I am so sorry for your loss . I lost a much loved dog last year too and then Sam was diagnosed just weeks later , which makes his life more precious to me . Thank you , for sharing your sad story , our dogs are a gift x
@Darrell Day, I was so sorry and upset for you to read your post, your dog sounded such a wonderful companion and will have enjoyed his life with you, but parting is very painful. May Daisy Duke bring you some joy.
Kate, there are many different forms of Lymphoma in humans, so I am hoping that Sam's is one of the ones that is more indolent. Always in my thoughts,
