I took Rumpy to the vet today.
His breathing has been worse, and I wanted to follow up and discuss next moves.
Our vet said this is due to the laryngeal paralysis and partly a result of the rising temperatures. She felt the window a/c unit I installed for him is a good idea.
She also said there isn’t much she can do besides surgery.
She prescribed a steroid to see if it will lessen the inflammation in his throat and help him breathe a bit easier.
If the meds don’t help, we’ll do another X-ray to see how much the tumor has grown, then discuss whether or not we should do surgery.
I don’t want to put Rumpy through surgery in his last days, but could it give him a better quality of life during the time he has left? This is a lot to think about.
I just hope the meds work.
Dogpaddling Through Life 
I know you will do the best for Rumpy, Bud and i have followed him for many years. My main wish for Bud in his final days was quality of life. I know you will do the same for Rumpy, Bud left us with a tummy full of cheese and a heart full of hugs. I would want no less for more myself, hugs. Budsmam xxx
I also hope the meds work. I know that no matter what happens you will do what is best for Rumpy. You two love each other without reservation.
I’m praying for you and the Rumpster and will add you to the list I pray for during the healing part of the service at synagogue tomorrow. Hugs.
Rumpy is in my prayers,
Jen, I know you want the best for Rumpy and will do all you can so he won’t be in pain and have a quality of life. I went through the same thing with BJ. To have operated on his cancer would have been worse for him. I loved him and made the difficult decision.
BJ spent his last morning having vanilla ice cream and hugs, and I held him and talked softly to him as he closed his eyes and went to sleep for the last time. I know he had a good and loving life since the day I adopted him. It didn’t and still doesn’t lessen the pain.
I have to write about it because it helps me get outside myself and think rationally. You sharing helps because it feels so lonely. Nothing about this is easy. Thank you.
Sending prayers your way for you and Rumpy!
I hope the meds work also.
Holding all of you in Love and Light, Jen. xoM
I really hope the meds make that handsome boy more comfortable. I also believe that, no matter how difficult it is, you will know what to do for him and when. It’s so hard. Positive thoughts and prayers.
Glad Rumpy is finding some relief with the air conditioning.
A hospice vet told me an interesting story about an 18 year old cat with kidney failure. He also had very bad teeth but his family was reluctant to put him under anesthesia for a tooth cleaning since he was fatally ill and very old. But they decided to clean his teeth and he started feeling better. He even gained back some of the weight he lost and regained much of his quality of life.
Not saying surgery is the right answer for Rumpy. But the hospice vet made the point that all decisions have to come from what you suspect is best for your relationship. Because everything else is too hard to know for sure.
Just wishing you the best wisdom in caring for your precious boy. And that you feel a sense of peace with any decisions you make.
Thank you. Because I go back to my wish for him not to suffer. And difficulty breathing is to suffer. If the surgery gives him a better quality of life for a few months, i have to consider it. But that’s a big if because this isn’t just a fix-it-and-go kind of surgery. So I have to weigh all the pros and cons.
Hope the meds work!
I think they are somewhat. I hope that’s not just wishful thinking on my part.
Steroids can work wonders in inflammation-related conditions. If you were to ask my opinion – which you did not, so there’s that – I would advise against surgery. It has been my experience, with animals, that the surgery option puts them through more suffering for very little gain. Not to mention the outrageous cost. I know money isn’t something you want to think about now, but I’m sure Rumpy himself wouldn’t want to lead you into crushing debt on his behalf. More important, though, is that it usually offers little or no longevity, and puts the animal through a traumatic experience. Have faith in the steroids, though. They can be life-saving all on their own. Best of luck. You know I’ve long loved you both. Jack and Maureen send their best.
I will not consent to any procedure that brings more suffering than its worth. That having been said, he eats well, has a desire to explore his world, and enjoys the company of his family, but he has difficulty breathing. So if the meds don’t work, we will do an X-ray to see how much, if any, the tumor has grown, then discuss if surgery is a reasonable option. I am inclined to say no to surgery, but I am not going to euthanize a dog that still has a desire to live, So I must weigh all options.
Very good point. I completely understand.
Hope Rumpys meds work. You guys are in our thoughts through this tough process. 🐾 Sending puppy hugs your way.
Keeping you and Rumpy in my thoughts and prayers. 💞
We went through this with a cat we loved. That late surgery didn’t improve anything. We were deeply sorry we did it. Her last few months were miserable and we swore we would never do it again.
If you find yourself on the fence, there’s a beautiful side on which to land: http://www.reshareworthy.com/german-shepherd-last-day.
This is so sad, and he is so beautiful, our neighbor here he had a beautiful sheep dog, and when he found out his dog was full of cancer , and he knew he would have to put him down, I spent the whole day with him doing whatever he wanted, running on the beach, eating a big ice cream cone at DQ, walking with him all over town, then stopping for a hot chocolate, (why not, and no he never gave him chocolate before. Then took him for a nice long car ride, and ended at the vet’s office, he held him as he passed onto Rainbow Bridge. He walked past our house after he got back, my hubby talked to him, my husband said the old man could not stop crying, we gave him our condolences.
And that is how I want Rumpy’s last days to be as well.
Sorry peoples HE spent the whole day.
You will make the right decision for Rumpy,you already are by trying the steroids first and if they don’t do the job then another xray,keeping you in our thoughts,xx Rachel
I don’t envy you your decision. I think the hardest thing is knowing when to stop treatment and go for palliative care, or even euthanasia. Do you trust the vet to advise on what is best for Rumpy, not simply to prolong his life? I wonder f you have read Atul Gawande’s Being Mortal. End of life care (in humans in this book, but I’m sure much applies equally to animals) is the subject, and what outcomes patients and doctors see as successful.
Thinking of you both.
I trust her. But I believe I have to say out loud what I am going through, not only for me but for others who face this now or later on down the line. I’ve already had people contact me and thank me because they are in a similar situation.
He has been a wonderful companion and you have loved him and given him wonderful home. I’m sure you will make the right decision.
And I’m sure that regardless of decision made, I will regret it and wish I’d done something else.
Isn’t that what we all do? Blame ourselves and go through the what ifs. I have never been able to avoid that. Go with your heart.
Poor Rumpy.I wish I had advice for you.
I wish you did too. There are no easy answers, and none of my options are good.
☹️
Rumpy looks very happy with his own personal A/C. Good luck with the medication. Thinking about you both. Cheers,H🤗😍
He does like it. Last year this is how he spent many summer days.
My heart goes out to all of you.
Chelsea has had many health issues of late as well.
Hang in there.
It’s amazing sometimes what steroids can do, and I hope they can help Rumpy. These decisions are so tough to make, and I feel for you.
Thanks Jan.
Sending you all love and hugs from Maine!
Always keeping Rumpy in my thoughts….
I am so sorry to read about Rumpy’s health issues. Sending good energy your way and hopes for a good solution. Dear Rumpy, you are the best doggie!!!
We went through the same type of situation with our beloved, “C.J.” Very tough. I’m so sorry that you are going through this with Rumpy. 😦 My thoughts and prayers are with you .
We sure hope those meds work, Jen. Just know that you and Rumpy are in our thoughts, purrs and prayers, okay?
He looks like he appreciates the AC. Ffs this is a hard question to deal with, and I will not presume to give advice. You know him, and your self, better than anyone else. You will make the right decision for everyone, and please don’t second guess yourself afterward. Furry hugs, dear.
I was so conflicted on Friday. Today he is letting me know he’s tired. I think he’s about done. I am crushed.
Ah, fuck. It has to be exhausting to not be able to breathe. Just do what you would want someone to do for you in the same situation, if it were legal (and it should be).
Dear Rumpy and June Buggy and Peeps!
Oh Rumpy, I am sorry to read you are not well. When the Cat from Hell blog went off into the sunset about a year and a half ago, I was not sure I would blog again, but Nellie insisted on it.
Thanks so much for stopping by and wishing me condolences. It was such a thoughtful gesture. And hearing from you has made the Nellie sized hole in my heart a little less painful.
Rumpy, I will remember you in my prayers…and now that I have found your blog again, I shall be reading you!
Thanks
Barb (Nellie’s Mommy)
Despite it all, Rumpy is smiling into that AC unit – dreaming of snow runs perhaps.
Molly has a damaged tracheae from first owner abuse. We have to watch her closely in hot weather.
Go with your gut. You and Rumpy know each other. Meanwhile the companionship of love and care is worth everything between both of you. Hugs and gentle paw waves sent