I adopt senior dogs and I adopted this one 2years ago and this year she is 15yo (30lbs BC/JRT). In March she had a Vestibular attack but was slowly recuperating. In mid May her front leg started knuckling under and other symptoms and vet dx brain tumor. She did not recommend putting her thru MRI etc however now we know for sure she is right because the back leg on same side started knuckling under last Friday and by Saturday she could no longer walk. I rushed her to the vet thinking we should let her go but vet said to put her on low dose pred (5mg) and see how she is this coming week. I cannot stop crying as it looks like I will have to make a decision to pts sooner or later. She was such a lively, happy dog, its hard to see her afraid to walk and just lying around. She is still eating and drinking and of course with the pred that will become beyond normal. Just wondering if anyone has had experience with a brain tumor. I hope and pray she does not go into seizures. I would feel guilty pts if its not necessary but how long would the pred work for her and what about the side effects? Originally I did not want her on it but agreed it was worth a try as it will take down the inflammation but after awhile the tumor will prevent it helping plus don't want her on a high dose (I saw what that does with another rescue that has an auto immune disease). Thanks for any input. ann

I'm so sorry, Ann.

Sometimes it can help us when we decide to maintain a calm demeanor for the sake of the dog.



A couple of questions: was this yesterday, or a week ago, that she was rushed to the vet and pred was started?

Is the pred being given for edema? (Brain tumors often have fluid accumulating around them and some of the symptoms can be due to that; the pred can alleviate those symptoms, I believe usually in about 24 hours.) If so, this is a short-term fix for adding a bit of better-quality time.

It doesn't really sound like long-term pred-related ailments are going to be a concern. Maybe the goal is to see if the pred gives her some quality remaining time ... time during which you can be a little more relaxed about planning when to let her go.

Did the vet anticipate seizures? Seizures too can sometimes be postponed to give you a bit of time, maybe with potassium bromide or Phenobarbital. (The vet may be able to predict the probability of seizures based on where the tumor seems to be ... that is, I believe that forebrain tumors are more likely to trigger seizures, but maybe the vet thinks this is more likely a brainstem tumor because of the motor abilities/balance symptoms. I don't know anything about this except what I've read, so the vet is the one to talk to about this.)

This girl is fifteen, so these things and the tumor itself will probably be hard on her aging system.

I'd probably be thinking about waiting another day to see how the pred affects her symptoms, and then deciding based on that how soon your PTS plan should be implemented.

Of course, the vet will have a better prognosis (for timing) when you see what effect the pred has.

I'd be planning to make some really good memories and some pleasurable experiences for you both with whatever time there is.

I know that, as another senior-adopter (and there are several among the regulars on this board), I've once made the mistake of waiting a little longer than I wish I had, and I never want to do that again. The trade-off for me is that I will never second-guess myself and make up stories in my head about having jumped the gun. For me, as probably for the rest of us, it's about giving that gift of a peaceful passing before it's urgent ... before pain or inability to function normally around dinner, potty, and sleep have drained the joy from life for the dog.

Pred is only palliative. You probably learned that not only is chemo limited for brain tumors (because of the blood brain barrier), but also even radiation is probably questionable for a dog this age.


I'm not a health professional, and this is all strictly opinion.

I know that you will have support and encouragement here.



ETA
http://www.caninecancer.com/brain.html


Edited by Connie Sutherland (06/16/2013 10:26 PM)
Edit reason: eta link

thank you so much for your thoughtful, helpful words. She was at vet on Saturday and a 5mg dose of pred given that day and yesterday. As you mentioned, it will help with the inflammation to a certain degree. She now is scared to walk but will do so with encouragement. I have a pathway of non slip mats for her around the house now. Her front foot still knuckles badly but the pred seems to have helped with abit of stability once she starts walking. I agree with you about not waiting too long and that is my dilemma. Eventually the pred will stop working as the tumor takes over. MRI etc was not done as vet did not recommend it for her because she does not do well with anesthesia plus vet felt very sure of her dx which without a doubt was correct in view of the way things are going. it was sad this morning to see this usually bright little girl afraid to get up but she eventually did so. I tried supporting her with a towel under her belly but due to both front and back feet knuckling or collapsing that does not work like it would with a dog with on hind end weakness. Will see how she goes each day. Last two that went to the Bridge the decision was taken out of my hands and many years ago out of ignorance I allowed my 16yo JRT to be pts too soon so never want to do that again. ann

How are things going, Ann?

Thoughts and prayers with you and your girl.

There is terrible guilt associated with the decision to put a dog to sleep. In my view we veterinarians do a client a great dis-service when we place the decision regarding choosing the time to put to sleep all in the hands of the client.

If I were your veterinarian, I would tell you how terrific you are to take on these older dogs, to give them a chance at happiness -- to give them added years of good health, and peace, and security. It is a beautiful thing, adopting an older dog. A big deal, to do this, take on an old one.

Regarding this dog, if I was your veterinarian I would tell you how wonderful it has been that you have nursed this dog for several months after the diagnosis of brain tumor. But now, in my view, with what you have reported, it is time to put the dog down.

This is not "throwing in the towel" but granting peace by allowing the dog to avoid the suffering to come, and it will come. So if I was your veterinarian, I would tell you that the decision for euthanasia was MINE, I will bear that guilt --- you will have to endure the loss of
the dog, and the sorrow of loosing a dear one --- but the decision for euthanasia, that is not your choice, with a brain tumor, in an old dog with worsening symptoms, that decision is mine.

My heart goes out to you. I understand this sorrow.

The post above from Dr. Betty is so very thoughtful, empathetic, and kind-hearted. Ann, my heart goes out to you, too. I know none of us on an Internet discussion board can say we know exactly how you feel. It's a very personal and individual journey that we go through when we have to say good-bye to one of our beloved dogs. Please just know that we are thinking of you and understand how painful it is.

You have my sympathy, and a lot of admiration for adopting older dogs and giving them the best possible ending to their lives.

Like most of us here, I've had to make the choice to euthanize several dogs in my lifetime...and will again, I know. The thing that makes it just a little bit easier for me is to remember that giving a beloved pet a pain-free, peaceful death with a loved one nearby is, perhaps, the greatest gift we will ever give them. Any living thing that can leave this world under those circumstances is lucky indeed.

"The thing that makes it just a little bit easier for me is to remember that giving a beloved pet a pain-free, peaceful death with a loved one nearby is, perhaps, the greatest gift we will ever give them. Any living thing that can leave this world under those circumstances is lucky indeed. "


Yes. The blessing to the dog of this gift seems almost commensurate with the pain of loss it causes us.

This gift of leaving quietly without suffering, going in peace and with dignity, not enduring an end that robs life of all that's good .... this is right up there with welcoming the beloved dog to share our lives, way back when ....

thank you all so much for your kind support. Lassie has improved a little daily thanks to the pred. She has now started following me around like she used to do. Her front foot still knuckles and she is not entirely stable but is able to urinate and defecate without falling ( robbing them of their dignity,a sure sign that the end has come as far as I am concerned). While in retrospect I do feel that letting her go last Saturday was probably what should have happened, I am keeping a close eye on her quality of life and will not hesitate to do the right thing as soon as its needed. I am not going to allow raising of the pred which I know from experience will cause other problems so as long as she does ok on the 5mg dose with no obvious side effects I will take it day by day. Thanks again everyone, you are such great support and so appreciated. I forgot to say that I feed a home made diet, mostly raw but now she is on pred which lowers immunity I am cooking her food. She is also getting Boswellia and fish oil which help with inflammation (altho obviously did not do enough prior to pred). I brush her every evening and tell her how much I love her and then gently help her up onto my bed for the night as she can no longer get up by herself. ann