Sick pooch and an addition to the pack...

[Cread01]

sorry to hear about your dog. hope all will be well. I know how hard it is when your dog is sick they truely are a part of the family. I dont think people who aren't dog people understand but they are like your kids and it's terrible when things happen.

[DRJDVM's '69]

Hey Steve
Sorry to hear about your dog. Its never easy to hear bad news.

Dont be upset that your original vet didnt find it earlier with the x-rays. Xrays can find some lesions but in reality alot of lesion have to be very advanced before you will ever see anything on a plain x-ray. They just arent that sensitive for alot of lesions in the area you describe. X-rays exams have limitations..... thats why people invented MRI and CT. If everything could be seen on a plain x-ray there wouldnt be a need for those types of tests.

Just enjoy the time you have left with her and keep her as pain free as possible.

I just had a patient today..... (you guys know the "DVM" part of my user name means Doctorate of Vet Med...right ??)..... 5 year old Boxer...fine this AM.......owner came home around 10 AM and dog was collapsed....brought him in ASAP.....belly full of blood....ultrasound of abdomen showed a huge tumor that had spread to multiple organs...wife had just flown out of town because her dad died yesterday......dad had to decide to euthanize the dog since there was nothing we could really offer this dog that wouldnt just prolong his suffering. Think your dog is fine one minute.....3 hours later you find out he has terminal cancer and is dying....... breaks your heart.

Enjoy the time you have left.....

[Steve1968LS2]

Originally Posted by DRJDVM's '69

Hey Steve
Sorry to hear about your dog. Its never easy to hear bad news.

Dont be upset that your original vet didnt find it earlier with the x-rays. Xrays can find some lesions but in reality alot of lesion have to be very advanced before you will ever see anything on a plain x-ray. They just arent that sensitive for alot of lesions in the area you describe. X-rays exams have limitations..... thats why people invented MRI and CT. If everything could be seen on a plain x-ray there wouldnt be a need for those types of tests.

Just enjoy the time you have left with her and keep her as pain free as possible.

I just had a patient today..... (you guys know the "DVM" part of my user name means Doctorate of Vet Med...right ??)..... 5 year old Boxer...fine this AM.......owner came home around 10 AM and dog was collapsed....brought him in ASAP.....belly full of blood....ultrasound of abdomen showed a huge tumor that had spread to multiple organs...wife had just flown out of town because her dad died yesterday......dad had to decide to euthanize the dog since there was nothing we could really offer this dog that wouldnt just prolong his suffering. Think your dog is fine one minute.....3 hours later you find out he has terminal cancer and is dying....... breaks your heart.

Enjoy the time you have left.....

Thanks Ned.. I know I can't blame the regular vet, hindsight is just so 20/20. Just wish we would have gone to the MRI sooner. It's not like we wanted to go the "cheap route".

Anyways, today we all (myself, my wife and the three pooches) just goofed off in the backyard all afternoon. I looked over and Athena was dozing in the grass and just loving the sun. It made every dollar we've spent worth it.

We know this isn't a cure, but it's made her feel much more comfortable and she can lay down without trying to find just the right position. Dogs are so much tougher than people. They just suck it up.

The puppy is integrating with the family well and learning fast. Athena has already taught her how to use the dog door and the pecking order in regards to who gets fed first. lol

We really appreciate all the comments, it makes a tough situation easier.