lung cancer

I'm searching for advice. My handsome 13yr old boy was diagnosed with lung cancer back in May having had a cough for few weeks. I knew in my heart it was going to b bad news and was afraid to take him vets! However I did and he had a large mass on his lung pushing his heart to the side. The vet gave him a possible 6 months... I cried so much!! Well staffies being staffies he's been amazing and apart from his cough worsening and slight loss of weight u wouldn't even know he was so poorly! Over the last couple of weeks he's took a decline in health, vomiting more causing him to pass out several times, coffee ground vomit indicative of a bleed! His coughing is horrendous especially through the night and this I'm sure must be distressing even if he doesn't show it! The trouble is I know he's not going to get better and my vet has advised the cancer has more tgan likely spread and he's perhaps nearing end stage. I don't want to let my loyal dog suffer and I feel I owe it to him to let go maybe in the next week or so with some dignity!! I'm worried he's going to bleed out or have some awful traumatic end to his life. Having said that he still wants to play ball,wagging his tail and still eating. I feel like I'm going to be snuffing his light out but I want to do my absolute best by him. This is a heartbreaking decision!! Sometimes I just look at him now and his eyes seem so very sad. I'm sure many of u have been through similar so any words of advise/wisdom would be appreciated.

I am so sorry to hear this have no experience so cant help much. Only to say you will know when the time is right and I do feel your pain in the awful desicion you will have to make xx

Thank you I just feel so torn! Of course I would love him to be with us forever. But he's my responsibility i knew that the day i brought him home as a tiny puppy its up to me to love and protect him and do the right thing by him after all he can't speak for himself eh

it must be the hardest decision we as owners ever have to make,i have'nt had to do it and it must be heart breaking,i'm sure you will know in your heart when is the right time

aww i feel very sorry for u i will have to make the same decision 1 time or another too keep ur chin up you will know when the times right

Thank you both for your kind words. I hope I get it right! X

It is the hardest decision we have to make. If I was in your sad position I would take advise from your vet as to when. If he has good quality of life I think I would delay things but the min he starts being too ill to have any quality then I would have to take that painful decision.

I do think you'll know when the time is right

you will get it right love x

Thank you. I'm taking him for a bit of an assessment on Friday evening after quite a long chat with his vet today. X

Bless you, you sound such a caring person, take advice from the vet and enjoy your time left with your boy... please accept a hug from Molly amd me XX

Thank you hug accepted! Your all so lovely this is my 1st time on here. X

Stay strong, I'm sure when the time is right you will know. Bless you both!

So feel for you Rachel. I had to make the decision for my last girl who had kidney disease.
It's one of the hardest decisions you have to make.
My heart goes out to you x

Heart wrenching it's going to be so quiet without him

We recently had to make the decision. Our boy was 14. It's a situation where only you know when is right.
We made the decision on quality of life, not quantity. We felt the tablets he was on were for our benefit, not his.
Best wishes.
Pete.

Thoughts are with you and your darling Staffy.

Firstly thank you all for your kind words and to those who have already had to make that horrid desicion I'm so sorry for loss :'(
jasper boy has been vets today and she's really pleased with how well he seems to be doing/looking at the moment was very reassuring, she thinks he still has fairly good quality of life at the minute. She's started him on prednisolone instead of foruzomide to see if that better helps settle his cough and also help with his arthritis! Fingers crossed for now

Oh that's good to hear. They really do amaze us with their resilience and love of life don't they

They sure do Ian!!

That's great news, you sound like such a caring person, enjoy every moment you have left with him

So my little soldier has suddenly deteriorated in a day he became quite distressed last night, wouldn't eat his breakfast this morning, had a drink but was then sick, passed out and then pee'd where he lay. Hes managed a bit of tasty casserole tonight (trying anything he will eat) He's gone so quiet and listless and his breathing is shallow and quicker! Is this the beginning of the end?! I'm hopeful he'll pull his usual trick and bounce back by morning.... My instinct is telling me different.

Poor baby so sorry you will do what you have to do when you feel time is right, lets hope he will bounce back xxx

Thanks Inez. Xx

Thoughts are with you hun xxx

Thinking of you and your lovely boy

Ah Rachel I hope he bounces back. It's so hard to see them unwell.

Thinking of you.

Thats heartbreaking I don't know what I would do but he's loved and cared. Stay strong.

heart is going out to you right now, hope your boy is okay. sending one big hug from me and my two to you and your boy

Thank you all so much xx

How are things now Rachel? I lost my gorgeous girl in April due to same sort of thing so I know how much it hurts

Not good Niffer he's just given up now tonight will be our last night before we say a sad goodbye to our darling boy tomorrow, his vet is coming at 2pm and he'll be surrounded by his family and all the love we can send with him! Heartbreaking isnt it?! I'm so sorry for your loss too! X

Thinking of you Rachel, hugs x

Oh Rachel I'm so sorry to hear this. Love and hugs to you all from me and Flo

So sorry to hear this We are all here for you x

So sorry Rachel . We are here for you.
Lots of love from me and peppa.

So sorry to hear this Rachel. We had to do the same for our sweet Keiko last month and it's heartbreaking. There's comfort knowing you make the decision for them and they go peacefully with no pain or distress.
Thoughts are with you and your family

So sorry to hear this Rachel, please take comfort that you have done your very best for him and that he will be surrounded by his family, love from me and Gordon

Overwhelmed by the love and support from you all xx

My boy went to sleep today with his head in my lap surrounded by the love of his family. May he rest in peace xx

R.I.P Jasper boy. So sorry for your loss but you did the right thing and the best for him. Don't disappear so we can support you.

I wont disappear this community is great besides I have my 2 other staffies to chat about.. Miss Meg is looking lost! They had an a couple of hrs with him after he passed to say goodbye in their own way. Dollie I'm sure just had her eye on his toy cheeseburger he was taking with him!! Xx

I am so very sorry for your loss!!! xx

I hadn't read this thread before - I'm so sad to read of your heartache and of your loss.

so sorry for your loss hun thoughts are with you and your family.

He will always be with you xxxx

so sorry for your loss thoughts are with you at this very heartbreaking time

Thoughts are with you Rachel. RIP Jasper.

so so sorry for your loss, it realy did wrench at my heart. good that he went over the rainbow bridge in your lap and in the comfort of all he loved.

Our thoughts are with you.

Thank you again for all your kind words at this sad time... Feel so lost without him. X