Ronstar
Well-known member
I wasnt sure I could post this yesterday but as we found out more I felt I had to. If I can share anything from a loss that helps another then I can do it. I dont mean to be long but it has bearing.
Monday night was normal, take the dog out so he can do his doggy duty. Everything normal, ran back up the stairs and chowed down his dental treat just before bedtime around 10:30pm. Twelve hours later he crossed the rainbow bridge.
In 2019 Cooper, a spaniel cross mix began to develop a mass on his nose. We had it checked and the vet at the time diagnosed it as a “something” wart not all that uncommon. We were to monitor it for the time being (when we took him in it was the size of a pea). It continued to grow about three times its size but the vet continued to not be overly concerned. He also had two warts on his back which would grow, pop and dry up and repeat occasionally. Finally in August of this year the “wart” on his nose was about the size of 6-7 stacked nickels and it broke open. In to vet we went. New vet believes it should be removed and sent to lab. Little guy made it thru that just fine but had to wear the collar of shame for a few days. We got the call the mass was malignant cancer but the surgeon was confident she got it all, he was his happy ADHD self. Everything good for two years.
In early November he started to slow down (just into 13th year soooo…) By end of the month he was not eating his normal dry food but still took his treats, we switched over to a wet food and he ate small portions. Drank plenty of water so we monitored. Late November we noticed his left eye lid wasnt opening so vet got us in. Eye drops and a pain pill a day, drops were for very low eye pressure. On December 4th he pretty much stopped eating so we called the vet. We were told to monitor for any neurological changes or personality changes as the nose cancer may have made to his brain. On Dec 7 he stayed outside and played a bit in the snow and made his usual farm security check and inside by dark. Played a little fetch with the wife and after his nightly walk went “Ni-Ni” as usual.
At 4:30 am we were wakened by what sounded like some drunk walking thru the room crashing into stuff. Cooper was unable to stand and had no balance, his left side seemed paralyzed. There is no vet service that time of the night here so the wife and I got him prone and slept on the floor with him and kept petting and talking to him. We knew what we had to do and made that call at 8:00, the vet could be here at 10:00. We said our goodbyes, cried, and waited. The vet noted his left side was simply no longer working, a brain function. We hadnt noticed his left eye was blood shot and had no control of movement. He was put to sleep humanely.
I post this as we wonder if we shouldnt have fought more in his behalf. Why didnt the (then) vet suggest removal and lab check when it was early? Would it have prolonged his stay on earth longer? He never seemed to have pain or discomfort with the mass, in fact he was called FrontSight by those in the campgrounds (with his ears up and looking at him from behind the bump looked like a front sight on a firearm). This event happened so fast it was unreal.
If it doesnt look right or seem right advocate for your silent child, it could be significant to their well being.
Thanks for me get this out.
Ron
Monday night was normal, take the dog out so he can do his doggy duty. Everything normal, ran back up the stairs and chowed down his dental treat just before bedtime around 10:30pm. Twelve hours later he crossed the rainbow bridge.
In 2019 Cooper, a spaniel cross mix began to develop a mass on his nose. We had it checked and the vet at the time diagnosed it as a “something” wart not all that uncommon. We were to monitor it for the time being (when we took him in it was the size of a pea). It continued to grow about three times its size but the vet continued to not be overly concerned. He also had two warts on his back which would grow, pop and dry up and repeat occasionally. Finally in August of this year the “wart” on his nose was about the size of 6-7 stacked nickels and it broke open. In to vet we went. New vet believes it should be removed and sent to lab. Little guy made it thru that just fine but had to wear the collar of shame for a few days. We got the call the mass was malignant cancer but the surgeon was confident she got it all, he was his happy ADHD self. Everything good for two years.
In early November he started to slow down (just into 13th year soooo…) By end of the month he was not eating his normal dry food but still took his treats, we switched over to a wet food and he ate small portions. Drank plenty of water so we monitored. Late November we noticed his left eye lid wasnt opening so vet got us in. Eye drops and a pain pill a day, drops were for very low eye pressure. On December 4th he pretty much stopped eating so we called the vet. We were told to monitor for any neurological changes or personality changes as the nose cancer may have made to his brain. On Dec 7 he stayed outside and played a bit in the snow and made his usual farm security check and inside by dark. Played a little fetch with the wife and after his nightly walk went “Ni-Ni” as usual.
At 4:30 am we were wakened by what sounded like some drunk walking thru the room crashing into stuff. Cooper was unable to stand and had no balance, his left side seemed paralyzed. There is no vet service that time of the night here so the wife and I got him prone and slept on the floor with him and kept petting and talking to him. We knew what we had to do and made that call at 8:00, the vet could be here at 10:00. We said our goodbyes, cried, and waited. The vet noted his left side was simply no longer working, a brain function. We hadnt noticed his left eye was blood shot and had no control of movement. He was put to sleep humanely.
I post this as we wonder if we shouldnt have fought more in his behalf. Why didnt the (then) vet suggest removal and lab check when it was early? Would it have prolonged his stay on earth longer? He never seemed to have pain or discomfort with the mass, in fact he was called FrontSight by those in the campgrounds (with his ears up and looking at him from behind the bump looked like a front sight on a firearm). This event happened so fast it was unreal.
If it doesnt look right or seem right advocate for your silent child, it could be significant to their well being.
Thanks for me get this out.
Ron
