Things Aren’t Going Well for the Big Brown Dog…
Wednesday, April 19th, 2006Well. Damn.
Hershey went in Tuesday morning for surgery on his hip. During the extensive pre-surgical examination, they discovered that he doesn’t have hip displasia afterall. That is not good news.
What he has is a large tumor that destroyed the hip and forcefully seperated the joint. It is now consuming the bone. It was remarkably evident on the current x-ray…but not at all on the one taken just two weeks ago (until you’ve seen the newer one and know exactly where to look on the old one). It is growing rapidly. It’s currently about the size of a softball. We have seen the physical changes evident outwardly in the last couple days or so.
He has lost 14 pounds since his last exam (15% of his body weight).
Basically, he has inoperable bone cancer, 98% certainty. The tumor is part of the hip AND the femur…if it was just his leg, they could remove the leg and if he survived the operation, AND the cancer didn’t spread…he could still have quality of life.
The prelimary surgical exam/testing (to make sure he could tolerate anesthesia) cleared him for narcotic pain killers, so we have a supply of those ($100 bucks worth).
He’s still a happy dog…he got to stop by the farm on his way home to play with all Mom’s dogs and a couple of the more tolerant cats, and I think even the rabbit said, “Hi!” (I’m pretty sure it was “Hi!”…I don’t actually speak rabbit…)
When we’re riding in the car his tail wags so much the vehicle shakes. He had a ball at the vet…even though they are poking and prodding he is always glad to see them. There’s not a mean bone in his body. (He’s lying on my feet as I write this).
He’s also thrilled that we’ll actually throw the “kong” (his ball) for him again…we had been avoiding that to minimize further damage to his hip…we now know that was pointless.
He obviously is experiencing pain though. That’s also impacting his appetite, particularly over the last couple days he is having difficulty standing up from a lying down position.
We will be watching how effective the pain killers are and the progress of the tumor.
The decision is inevitable. Only the timing is adjustable….and probably not very…
Damn. Sometimes I hate being an adult.
We’ve three week supply of pain killers…
… I expect that’s a lifetime’s worth.
Hershey at about 6 weeks age
Hershey a couple days ago
CUAgain,
Daniel Meyer
April 19th, 2006 at 4:52 am
Oh no.
Oh that poor dog. And poor you too.
But, Hershey has enjoyed a wonderful life with loving humans. And that is far more than can be said for many pooches.
I am so sorry. I know how much it hurts. I still haven’t gotten over losing Tobey.
HUGS!
April 19th, 2006 at 5:55 am
How does this happen?
I can’t imagine how you and the wife must feel.
That tail wagging thing with labs…I knew one once that would clear the coffee table in front of the sofa just by walking past…
Hugs Daniel.
April 19th, 2006 at 7:15 am
I hate to think about loosing our dog.;( Our thughts are with you.
April 19th, 2006 at 8:01 am
You know my thoughts are with you and Carey. It is so hard to see a loved one in pain.
Big hugs for you and Carey,
April 19th, 2006 at 8:01 am
I haven’t the words. The tears rolling down my cheeks will have to do for now.
*hugs*
April 19th, 2006 at 8:42 am
We lost ours the day before Christmas. 14 1/2 years, but good years.
Never any fun. Waiting for summer vacation (both teachers) to find another with time to train…
April 19th, 2006 at 8:48 am
Well bugger it.
Never met you but I feel the hurt.
April 19th, 2006 at 9:44 am
Sorry to hear about Hershey’s cancer. We just lost one of our chihuahuas this past weekend. She was adopted 4 1/2 years ago and they gave her 6 months at that time.
She had 4 1/2 great years with us.
Hugs…… for Hershey.
April 19th, 2006 at 2:25 pm
Sorry for your loss.
Been through it 4 times!! It never gets easier!! But the memories are still priceless!!!
April 19th, 2006 at 3:37 pm
hey daniel, sorry about hershey. I lost my best buddy to cancer about 5 years ago and still miss him. Chang was big black chowchow. And he went every where with me. sorry for your loss. luther.
April 20th, 2006 at 7:24 am
Sorry to hear about Hershey. They truely are man’s best friend. My prayers are with you, your wife and Hershey as you go through this.
Roger
April 20th, 2006 at 8:00 am
Sorry to hear about Hershey! I laughed when you got him - a cat person getting a lab. I lost a beagle to cancer many years ago, so I know how just the thought hurts.
April 22nd, 2006 at 9:19 am
Daniel… I’m very sorry. I hurt with you at this time. Hershey’s got great heart… but then, so do his dad/mom.
April 23rd, 2006 at 5:58 am
How is Hershey doing?
April 23rd, 2006 at 5:00 pm
Hi Raine,
Hershey is comfortable…but having trouble getting up and lying down. We have him on pain medication twice daily. It looks like it’s even hurting him to wag his tail (and labs always wag their tail). He’s also still losing weight. He’ll fetch the “kong” (his ball), but only once or twice…then he has to stop. You can tell he’s disapointed.
April 23rd, 2006 at 6:53 pm
Hugs!
April 23rd, 2006 at 10:13 pm
Words fail me. Glad we got to spend some time with Hershey. My prayers for you and Hershey. I know this is a very difficult time and my heart is heavy….the Beav.
April 26th, 2006 at 8:31 pm
Ahh Geeze. I just hurts. Maize, our yellow lab is in the throws of cancer. She still runs and romps but it is becoming more evident.
I have had a great choclote pal named Hershey in the past.
I am so sorry for the pain he is in and the pain it causes you to witness it.
More than I can say…
Jimbo