My Lottie

Dear Annie, I haven't been able to contribute to this thread with any sort of help, but as Kittylester says, I am good at hugs and sending thoughts of love through the GN ether. You have been on my mind , but please, never apologise for posting your worries. There are many here who can and do help, and you are never a nuisance

If it was me I’d go ahead with the operation and hope they’ve caught it before it spreads.

But that’s only my opinion.

PS When my daughter has her bitch neutered she used a baby vest with poppers to stop it biting/licking the stitches and to keep it safe from her other dog.

I think I tend to agree with OldMeg in view of Lotties age. My Hattie is also terrified of the vets, having had so many problems over the years, but she usually recovers quite well from various procedures. Oh; if, as you say, Lottie hates having her claws clipped might be worth asking the vet to cut them back while she's sedated. You can get all sorts of coat things for dogs these days that should prevent the puppy from scratching her stitches. Or maybe a crate to keep her in out of harms way.

...and tell the vet there is a limit to how much you can pay; as I've mentioned before my vet charged £1200 for an operation that had cost me @£800 the previous time, because they decided to do other things [x rays etc] without telling me. Vets think that people have unlimited funds these days, due to insurance policies. If you 'ignore' the lump you won't really be 'ignoring' it because it will be on your mind all the time.

Oh Annie my heart goes out to you right now. Poor Lottie. It must be so difficult right now. Is Lottie showing any signs of slowing down or being poorly?

I was never going to ignore the lump, I cannot decide to put her through the op or ops or watch her carefully and let her go when discomfort starts.

Thank you NannyTee x

Annie you have been and are going through so much it must be dreadful trying to make all these decisions. I'm in agreement with Oldmeg that due to Lottie's young age she probably should have the op if this is what the vet is recommending. I certainly wouldn't send Phoebe away though - she is obviously a great comfort to you and will also help Lottie post op. I'm sure the vet will be able to advise on how to avoid the stitches being pulled. Do you have a quiet room you could put Lottie in for a couple of days to heal a bit? I know she hates the vets - I have a cat who is completely traumatised and has to be sedated for every visit. I'm in a similar situation in that she needs very expensive treatment and has to be sent away for 2-4 weeks and be in isolation for it - its so worrying but I've been reassured that it's far worse for the owners than the animal so I've agreed to have it done as I know it's the best chance she'll have of a cure. Obviously you have the final decision - thinking about you x

I didn't mean you were going to ignore it completely Annie; what I meant was [and this is what happens with me if I'm worried about something health wise] I sort of try to put it to the back of my mind, but it's there all the time nagging away at me. I often find [as someone who can't make decisions most of the time] that I feel such relief when a decision has been made, even if that decision means something extra to worry about [I hope that makes sense]...

I would think that what is now being suggested would be cheaper and less traumatic for Lottie, buy maybe less safe in that they could miss part of the cancer. However, the vet must know best and I would be inclined to follow their advice if you can afford it. They probably know something of your circumstances and unless pounds, shillings and pence is truly heartless, I doubt if she would try to shaft you at this time.

You could however ask if it would endanger Lottie to postpone the op for a couple of months, and be guided by what they say.

I have heard it said that trials in this life are a sign of God’s love, like refining a knife in the fire. If you are not being tested you are either perfect or God thinks you are not worth fighting for! Annuebach I think you are a best beloved in His sight.

So sorry to hear this annie- and sending hugs and good wishes too.

I have never had to make that decision with a young dog - so I just cannot say what I would do. But I wouldn't want a beloved dog to suffer and be really stressed- and probably would come to a different conclusion than most here.

If you are going through difficult times in your life - you also have to put yourself first at this time- or you won't be in any fit state to help yourself or anybody.

xxx

If youdo decide operating is not the best option for her- make sure the vet comes to you- to avoid stress. The best money ever spent for us for all our pets.

Thank you all x

starbird, he loves me , as he loves us all, I have never doubted this.

Well I have had another talk to the vet and made a decision.

Lottie will go there Monday morning, they will sedate her , x ray to see if her lungs are clear, if they are they will remove the lump, if her lungs are not clear no way will I put her through surgery. If another lump appears at a later date I will then decide on letting her go. Depends how she copes with this op.

Now have to see if I can get Phoebe into a crèche so Lottie can have quiet through the days and I can give all my time to her.

Am I fearful? Yes, but I must give her this chance.

Something helpful came from the conversation, because I have been with this practice for many a long year , several new partners, I have no need to take out a pet insurance plan for Phoebe, should the worse happen with her the vets will give me a payment plan should I need it.

I am so grateful for your support and kindness to me and your care for Lottie, thank you so much x

Jura, when all my dogs have come to the end of their lives I have the vet come to my home, I think this is the kindest way for them to end their lives, in their home, on my sofa. X

Well done for making a decision- it is so hard.

When I finally managed to tame Minou, with his fallen off mangled leg - this is what we decided- if there is no infection further up, amputate, if there is, don't let him suffer more. We were lucky ...

Courage x if I was nearer I'd ofer to have Phobe- perhaps someone else here could help? x can't post flowers, my keyboard does not have square brackets

Thank you Jura, if they find anything troubling they are not to bring her around , so I will have to accept I made the decision for good or bad

Good decision Annie; the awful thing about our pets is that we have to make the decisions for them and I for one, am always getting it wrong . Whatever happens you have made the RIGHT decision for Lottie. We must all think positive thoughts for her.

Thank you .Tegan, x

Hello Annie - my heart goes out to you. You have had way too much to deal with for way too long. If you decide to go for a second opinion, first ask the original vet for copies of all the tests - blood and xrays. You paid for them, you own them. Then when you go to a new vet you won't have to pay for more.
Also, a decision to euthanize your pet does not have to be yours alone. You have two objective people who could take this decision out of your hands. (your SiL and your Sil who isn't). Being on your own makes it harder to look at the situation objectively, and the vets have their own agenda (including money and also their "Hippocratic Oath"). I have euthanized a cat who appeared completely healthy but he had an incurable cancerous growth on his spine, and I did it before he was in agony. Then another cat ate a poisonous plant. For a couple of days, I tried to force feed her because the vet told me to. My decision to euthanize was made way too late, and I still feel so sorry for putting her through those last days. There will always be regret and heartbreak, but maybe this is the time for SiL and "SiLwhoisnt" to take the decision out of your hands. Lottie is a link with your daughter, which makes the heartbreak harder to bear. But this situation is not good for your own health, both mental and physical, and there are younger beings - your DGCs and puppy - who need you. I send you so much love and hugs and wishes for peace and wisdom in your decisions.

Lottie is still quite young, and I think you are making the right decision for her.
Is there someone locally who can take the puppy for a short while - perhaps someone who takes in puppies to train for charities such as RNIB who may not have a puppy at the moment, or a kind friend nearby who could bring the puppy over occasionally to visit?

Thank you NannaM. I have made the decision many times over the years , I will not hang onto my dogs if their quality of life is declining . This is the first time I have struggled to make a decision , think I am mentally exhausted , and yes Lottie is a link with my daughter . Son in law and son in law who isn't have advised against the treatment, I will decide when it is time to let her go, I will not subject her to treatment for cancer . Just hoping it is only in that one lump .

Jalima , there is no one who can take Phoebe for a few days so it will have to be a crèche, some very good ones here .

I'm glad you've decided, Annie, and it sounds like the best course of action. Fingers crossed that removal of the lump will be successful, and Lottie will have a good and happy life afterwards, for years to come.

MissAdventure, it was being able to share my fears and emotions here which helped so much , I find it difficult now I am so isolated , I ask myself questions and give myself the same answers , in other words, I go around in circles

I've never heard of a puppy creche - they sound like a good idea, at least you know that Lottie will have some peace and quiet afterwards while she recovers.

annie my dogs were 3 when one had her big op. Lottie is quite young at 7. I think your decision sounds well thought out and the right thing to do. A crèche sounds like a good idea but dogs can make quite a quick recovery from operation scars their skin is better healing than ours I think (sorry, with having had so many dogs you probably know more about it than me). My little dog had a huge scar down her whole tummy. She looked dreadful. Her first night home (7 days post operation) I stayed up all night with her and in the morning was horrified to see her stomach was deep red all over. I was sure something had gone dreadfully wrong and dashed off to the vets with her (in floods of tears I may add) but the vet assured me it was only bruising from the operation and nothing to worry about. She healed really quickly and was soon playing with her sister again. We had them both for many years until she sadly died one night from an undiagnosed brain tumour.

I will keep everything crossed for Lottie and pray for her safe return to you x