Hello,
my 14 year old Wicklow Collie is at the vets over the weekend on a drip.I was told today he has prostate cancer (he was neutered at age 10) & his prostate is enlarged and in the past 3 weeks he has developed CRF.
The vet thinks he doesn't have long to go.

Is there hope of surgery on the prostate? The vet told me surgery is not possible.Are there drugs to help him? The vet is giving him Metacam even though his kidneys are bad & he was on it for arthritis.

Is this just the end of the line? I have missed him so much not being in the house today.

I collect him on Monday.Can anyone give advice?

Thank you.

Hello
I am sorry to hear that your dog is sick - it is, alas, something that many of us have to face,

I think all I can be is to be honest with you, your vet is indicating to you that you boy may not get better, I think is all honesty that you need to be steered by what he says.

I have been in your position not so very long ago - and it is the most heartbreaking decision you will ever make. But it is the last act of kindness that you can do for your dog - don't get me wrong I am not for one moment suggesting that you PTS is he is not is any pain or living a reasonable life.

In my own experience I could see in my girls eyes that she had had enough - we had already been told to expect the worst so we did know the time ws near - I fear this is what you vet is preparing your for.

If IU could give you one bit of advise it would be to bring your boy home - spend some time with him and it you see 'that look' they do what you feel is the kindest thing - BUT - please request that the vet visit you at home - do not agree to go to the surgery.

I am almost in tears myself now - so i'll end it there - but rest assured whatever decision you make your dog will still love you for it.

so sorry
regards
DT

Thank you.
I am finding hard to face this.He was not well last week but he still had that sparkle in his eyes.He was happy enough but not himself.

My 16 year old cat died in August 2007.He had early CRF but had a big tumour in his stomach.I did not have to put him to sleep but he died with me there beside him.He was in pain but I am dreading having to put the dog down.

I know many go through this all the time its just he has been a great friend for many years.

Thanks.

If the sparkles still there then wait awhile - assuming he is in no pain -14 years is a good age - my baby was only 4 years old - we had been up and down the country to so many specialists for almost two years nursed her for maybe 6 months, changing dressings, cleaning sores - it was heartbreaking seeing her own body attacking itself (she had AI) all that time we really did expect her to get better -but the odds were always stacked too highly against her.

I would not wish to stand in you shoes with what you have to face - I can tell by your post that you love you dog dearly - you have spent a long time together - almost as long as if he had been a child - it will be like losing a limb. But I am sure you have made every day of your dogs life a happy one, and that is something that every dog deserves yet many never have the chance of.

I really hope to speak to you again.
Thinking of you
regards
DT

I never felt lonely with the dog around.I always let Jake get his way because he had such character and he really enjoyed life.He has a strong determination to live.

It will be great to have him back on Monday, he has been to the vets a lot in the last 3 weeks and it takes a lot out of them.

I am sorry your dog was only 4, that could been even harder than a dog that has lived a good innings.I know what you mean by going anywhere to get help.They mean so mch to us.

I'm off to bed now, I have to ring the vet on duty in the morning.

The IV drip should help him for a time.He is a fighter.

See you.