French Brittany has cancer

[Troy Giles]

Hoping for some thoughts, comments, etc. Our 9.5 year old French Brittany out of Sur Le Delavan had blood on her tongue. I lifted her jowl to find a tumor. We took her immediately to the emergency vet client in Waukesha, Wisconsin and then to her regular vet. This was the Tuesday prior to Memorial Weekend. In both instances, the diagnosis was....probably not serious. Remove some tissue and she should be okay. The surgeons were on vacation but we continually followed up, multiple times a day, asking what's next, where does she go, when does she get a biopsy, who will do the surgery, when is her appointment...help! I cannot begin to explain the panic and frustration as everything we read said "timing is critical". She finally (after pleading) had a "consultation" with the surgeon at the Waukesha Emergency Vet clinic. The comment was "this is grave, she is likely beyond help." I cannot begin to explain the frustration and sadness. Hazel is a family dog and we love her. We won't let her go without trying...but so far nothing but consultations. The clinic "tried" to get her in for an oncology visit yesterday but ultimately said there was no opening. Our next appointment is Thursday...oncology. Meanwhile, the tumor grows.

I don't want to give up without some fight but I cannot even start the process! Has anyone had experience with this? Anyone tried an experimental treatment? Anyone with advice of any kind? Any hope? We were told removing her entire snout might be an option but I don't know if I can or should go that route.

Adding to this all is our 16 year old American Brittany out of Tainter Creek is fading fast. I cannot imagine burying our two dogs within days or weeks of one another. I love them like kids.

[Dean Romig]

I only wish I could offer you some hope...





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[Troy Giles]

Yes, and there isn't any, I guess. It's cancer, a hideous disease. But I will remember the frustration and lack of assistance or sense of urgency forever.

[Timothy Salgado]

Troy, it’s not going to be easy, follow up with the oncologist.
We just went through this last year with our ten year old Labrador, breast tumors/ cancer found in July 2020- surgery and biopsy determined an aggressive cancer. Referred to an oncologist, who told us at the consultation the he could not guarantee he could save our dog. We opted to have her go through the chemotherapy from September through December and what appeared to be a success. Unfortunately at the follow up appointment in March of 2021 the oncologist spotted something on her lung X-ray and a reading by a radiologist determined cancer in one of her lungs. Discussion with the oncologist was that the only treatment would be an inhibitor drug, very expensive and necessary for the remainder of her life with no guarantee it would work or that she wouldn’t have side effect problems. We opted to stop treatments and just let her enjoy life for what time she had left. We gave her a good Spring and Summer and I had hoped we could get out for a few hunts in October, but that was not to be, her health went down hill and she passed away on November 17, 2021.

I hope this helps, I know it was a little long winded but I wanted you to know how involved this can get. We’ll keep you and your family in our prayers,
Good luck and take care.
Tim

[Dean Romig]

I wish we could do for our loved ones that final act of loving kindness we are allowed to do for our cherished four-legged family members.





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[Troy Giles]

Timothy and Dean:

I cannot thank you both enough for taking the time to respond. We will fight for her but only to the point that its fair. We see the oncologist on Thursday and will go ahead with aggressive treatments if that is an option. For my three kids, it really isn't an option...we will do all we can to save Hazel. I am proud that they were raised to have that commitment and respect for these fine animals that give so much to us. She was never a great hunter (that is on me, Clint raises fine dogs). But she was my best friend in the field. Never busted a bird and never more than a single call and she was by my side. For 16 years I have been blessed with two friends in the field that made going for a walk, with a gun, on crisp Autumn day so wonderful. My wife would ask "how was Hazel"? I'd say, she was perfect. Hunting wild roosters in Wisconsin is hard work and more often than not, we'd come home without a bird. But the day was filled with joy just watching them run. Those perfect days of Autumn. That chapter, I think is about to close. And I am just not ready for it to end. We will give it heck and hope and pray. And pray. And then pray again asking for mercy and just a year or two more. Oncology on Thursday. We will see.

[Troy Giles]

Timothy, I neglected to say how sorry I am for your loss and for your struggle. I am right there with you and must be feeling the same way you did. So very sorry for your loss and for all the members of this forum that said goodbye way too early at the absolute wrong time. My heartfelt condolences to you.

[Mike Poindexter]

With tumors, you just never know. Even the vets have a tough time calling it right. It is frustrating to get the medical runaround though. Prayers for you and your Hazel.

[Phillip Carr]

First Troy I am sorry that you are having to go through this with Hazel. These things are never easy. At times like these it is normal to make decisions based on emotions, we all do it.
Sometimes we proceed to treat our animals at a great expense even when we know, there is little hope and without consideration on the toll the treatment will take on our animals, and the financial impact to our family.
Is she in pain? Will the treatment cause her more pain and impact the quality of time she has left to be with you and your family?
I believe if you decide to not move on with an experimental treatment and enjoy the time you have with her until you know she deserves to be without any pain. You will have little regret.
Do not make a decision to treat Hazel based on you or your family’s emotions, make your decision on what is best for her, and the likelihood of any sort of quality of life during or after the treatment.
I hope this does not come across as being unkind but I have been down this road a few times over the years.
My heart goes out to you.

[Dean Romig]

Phil’s kind and thiughtful words resonate the truth of the situation.





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[Garry L Gordon]

Troy,
Your post was painful to read as it brought back the recent loss of our girl, Cedar, who also had cancer in her mouth. We took her to the Univ. of Missouri hospital. They laid out our options and chances. We got a year more with her, but I’m still haunted by the question whether we did the right thing for her. It was costly—over $10k—and she bravely suffered through all of it. It’s difficult to let them go, and the choices we have to make don’t come with a script. I wish I could give you good advice, but in the end your pup depends on you to do what’s right. Thank God they never doubt our love. My best to you, your family, and your pup.

[Dan Steingraber]

Terribly sorry to hear about your pup. Those if us committed to spending our lives with four legged friends are destined for heartache every time we bring a new pup home. I've had to make that last trip to the vet way too many times and the most hearbreaking ones are when it's just too damn soon. I had to let a beautiful 8 year old English Setter go a few years ago and I cried every time someone mentioned her for at least 3 years. (and I'm teary eyed now) My personal approach is to give them the best quality of life I can and let them go when I think the time is right. I'd get that pup some birds to point as often as I could and enjoy your time together until the time comes when you have to let her go. Hopefully, a few wonderful hunting seasons from now.

[Troy Giles]

Thanks everyone. My sympathies to all of you who have had to go down this road.

[Andrew Sacco]

I am very sorry for you and your family. We had a Lab, Lucy, with mast cell cancer that spread and my only regret with her is letting her go too long. It was purely a selfish thing I did, not wanting to say goodbye. Dean is right, God gave us dominion over animals and we can choose to do what is truly right for them. I made the mistake the first time with Lucy, but didn't when her sons time came (Duck was put down at 9am on Christmas morning 12 years ago). Gene Hill wrote that a dogs life is so short so we can enjoy more of them in our lifetime. Those are pretty wise words but in due time...

[John Dallas]

It's always hard to make the "right" decision. I asked a Vet friend of mine "How do you know it's the right time to let the dog go?" His answer - "When the dog is no long having fun being a dog". Tough call, but you have to do what's right for the dog, not us.

[John Taddeo]

I have also been in these shoes Troy and truly feel for you. If I could share my 2 cents of advice it would be to locate a college university (if possible, in your area) with a veterinary program. I was able to take my last 2 Shorthairs to The Ohio State University for cancer diagnosis and treatment and the difference between my local Veterinary resources and the University was stunning (to say the least). To mention the obvious was the sheer number of opinions and knowledge as well data to access. The part that really kicks it in the ass is the total cost incurred was far less at Ohio State than anything I experienced locally. Obviously not for the random vet visit but in my last instance, my avatar dog gained 3 years (to 16) and had tail wagging quality of life for most
all of it (and did not die from the Liver cancer). Just food for thought looking forward, I have pet insurance on my dogs both young and old. There are some pretty good plans offered if you shop around, it sure helps take the cost issue from the decision equation.

[William Woods]

Troy,

I am sorry to hear of the health issues facing your dog. I have lost many fine dogs over the years. My vet clinic is the most advanced in the area, and I trust their judgement completely. My vet suggested taking one dog to a specialty clinic that they had examined. They told us their diagnosis, and they were correct. They had given us all the options available to us and I know that their suggestion was more for our benefit than for the dog. My vet always gives us all the options and lets us make the decision, but I always ask them what they would do if the dog was theirs. Often the vet will tell me that I will know when it is time. I think they want us to accept the fact that it is time. I have waited too long on occasion to end my companions suffering because we were not ready to let them go. There comes a time when it is selfish on our part to want to keep them around. I echo the sentiment from previous posts on this. I hope you find some comfort from your fellow members posts regarding this issue. Thoughts are with you.

[Troy Giles]

I just wanted to close the loop on this. And writing is a motion forward and helps me. We tried but ran into so many obstacles. In the end, we were given the option to try a vaccine or a new program at UW (Madison) vet research. We opted for the later knowing it might help and help others. The university could not take her for 2 weeks but we held out hope. She was admitted on Tuesday and given a single treatment. The cancer had spread and a second would not be offered. We picked her up on Wednesday and made an appointment to euthanize her yesterday at our home. We could not do it; my children were not ready. I was not ready.

My wife and I drove her one last time to our farm in western Wisconsin. My wife sat in the back seat of my truck with Hazel's head on her lap the whole 2.5 hour trip. We drove through the fields of our farm with the windows open and stopped for ice cream. She hadn't eaten in a couple days but was able to enjoy a dish (twice). We took some photos of her and my wife and I drove sharing memories of her and our kids. Laughing and crying. I think we forget sometimes how close our wives really are to our hunting companions. Just she and I and the dog that grew up with our kids. We put a blanket on the ground near our cabin and let her look out at the hills she flew through just a few months (weeks!) ago. In May, she pointed a badger and luckily he pointed back!

This morning, the vet came to our home and with our family surrounding our beloved Hazel, she was delivered from the pain. The vet helped my daughter make clay impressions of her feet and we told stories about her. I had my last shot of bourbon with her. And I told her I was sorry for the times I let her down and was less than a perfect owner. She took her last breath at around 10 a.m. with her head on my lap.

She is at peace but I am not and I don't know when I will be. This dog helped my little boy manage his own illnesses. He was in bed for three weeks with her by his side. She was always there for him and was a perfect little dog for him as he grew up.

I am old enough to know the answer to so many questions is "because". But I will never understand the struggle we had to get treatment. The helplessness we felt and the disappointment. Mostly, I will remember the impossible reality of a perfectly healthy dog in May running miles and miles through open grass fields is now gone. How?

I don't ever want to lose the memories I have of her and of my family. I started a journal and as memories pop into my head, i write them down. I see videos on my phone but they are way too hard to watch. I told her how sorry I was and how I promised to never forget her and that we loved her always (even when she stole food and got in trouble).

So the loop is closed and I won't write any more about Hazel and the past six weeks. Thanks for affording me this opportunity to express my grief. And to all of you who have gone down a similar path...so many memories...my sympathies. My little boy just said our family will never be complete again. God I wish we could turn back the clock.

[Troy Giles]

Sorry, I posted twice.

[Phillip Carr]

Troy my heart goes out to you and your family.

[Garry L Gordon]

Troy, my heart breaks for you and your family. You loved your pup, and I know she loved you. In the end, that's what we have left, and that memory will be strong and it will evolve from the pain you have now to something that will allow you to smile when you think about those wonderful moments you had together.

[Mills Morrison]

Saying goodbye is a sad but inevitable part of dog ownership. Hopefully they will find peace and you will see them again over the rainbow

[John Taddeo]

Very sorry to hear..

[Timothy Salgado]

Troy,
sorry to hear of your loss, we’ll keep you and your family in our prayers.

[William Woods]

I just read your post on losing your beloved friend.

All the memories, and emotions, of the ones I have lost came flooding back.

My condolences on you, and your family's loss.

[Troy Giles]

Thanks to all of you.

[Garry L Gordon]

THE CURATE THINKS YOU HAVE NO SOUL

The curate thinks you have no soul;
I know that he has none. But you,
Dear friend, whose solemn self-control,
In our foursquare familiar pew,
Was pattern to my youth -- whose bark
Called me in summer dawns to rove --
Have you gone down into the dark
Where none is welcome -- none may love?
I will not think those good brown eyes
Have spent their life of truth so soon;
But in some canine paradise
Your wraith, I know, rebukes the moon,
And quarters every plain and hill,
Seeking his master... As for me,
This prayer at least the gods fulfill;
That when I pass the flood and see
Old Charon by the Stygian coast
Take toll of all the shades who land,
Your little, faithful, barking ghost
May leap to lick my phantom hand.

-- St.John Lucas

[Phillip Carr]

Get yourself another puppy as soon as you can. Sounds like it could do a lot of healing and it would do your son a lot of good.
Morning the loss of a loved one including our pets is normal and healthy, but it’s important that we allow some joy back into our lives.
If we are lucky those of us that love hunting dogs will have a dozen or more in our lifetime.
I lost one of the most loving dogs and hunting partner over 10 years ago.
Lots of great memories, wish she was still around but she would be 24 now.
The dogs that have come along since took away some of the sting from her loss, and have filled me even further with some wonderful moments.