Chee Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 My sweet boy, Logan.... I don't know where to start. Logan is 9 years old. On Thursday when my dog walker arrived, Logan had urinated all over the house and was acting strangely. My dog walker let him out in the backyard while he cleaned up. Logan immediately laid down under a bush and would not get up/ could not get up. My dog walker picked him up and put him in the car to go to the vet. Logan had a seizure in the car. He had more seizures at the vet's office. He was then transfered to an animal specialty hospital where he has been in ICU since Thursday night. They did find the problem-- he has a mass in his pancreas. The mass has created insulin problems, causing his blood sugar to spike. The blood sugar problems caused the seizures. The seizures caused some neurological issues. The blood sugar issue is completely under control. If he didn't have neurological problems, he would be a candidate for surgery. The surgery has a huge success rate and he will not need any chemo. Right now, my boy is not my boy. He is not aware of his surroundings. The vets have told us that there is a chance-- very slim-- that his neurological functions will come back and that he will be our boy again and healthy after the surgery. They have said that it can take up to a week to know how things will go. It is likely that he will not improve. They have also told me that he is not in pain, even though it looks and sounds like he is in pain. But, they have also said that there is a chance, and that if he were their dog, they would try to give him that chance. I want my dog back. I want my sweet sweet boy back. He was fine on Thursday morning, and now.... it's bad. What would you do if multiple vets were telling you to keep on, yet your gut was telling you to let him go? I want so badly to keep him, but I don't think he is going to pull through and I feel like I am torturing him by keeping him alive.... even though they keep assuring me there is no pain. What would you do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest luckydog Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I would tell the vets to pound sand and I would end my dog's suffering. But first, how do the vets *know* that Logan isn't suffering? I am so sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytfostermom Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 (edited) I agree with you. I would not want my dog to suffer or go through the surgery. I'm sorry that this has happened to you. Edited March 9, 2009 by greytfostermom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ss556 Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I don't know what to say except that I am sending prayers. How sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytkidsmom Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Only you know your baby. I am so sorry you are having to go through all of this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scouts_mom Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 (edited) I had vets once assure me that my cat was not in pain. When I was with her in the hospital, she was calm. The instant I left she started screaming like nothing I've ever heard. Maybe she wasn't in physical pain, but she was in mental pain and there was nothing I could do. They convinced me to wait and try surgery. She died alone in the horrible hospital that night. I have always regretted that I didn't follow my first impulse and let her leave while she was in my arms, knowing she was loved. I think vets can get so caught up in trying to fix things, that they forget to look at the overall picture. What is your relationship with your everyday vet--not the ICU vets. Can you talk with that person to get their honest take on the situation? Edited March 9, 2009 by Scouts_mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvgreys Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 OMG. This must be tearing you apart. You know your boy best and can weigh the advice of the vets with your gut feeling and intuitive sense of what to do. You have my support for whatever seems right. Holding Logan in my prayers and sending lots of hugs your way. Quote Jeanne with Remington & Scooter the cat....and Beloved Bridge Angels Sandee, Shari, Wells, Derby, Phoenix, Jerry Lee and Finnian.....If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heavenand bring you home again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytgrandma Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 (edited) sending prayers and hugs Edited March 9, 2009 by greytgrandma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lilly5 Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I've been there before and it isn't an easy decision to make. I'm sorry you're going through this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjpk Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I am no MD but it sounds like Cushings. My collie had the same symptoms but she was diagnosed to late. She was not in pain but did have seizures. Are you in a position to have Logan have the surgery? Can you get a second opinion or talk to another vet the success rate of the surgery? I wish you good luck and keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest suzye Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I personally would go with my gut. It seems like any time I have ignored my gut, I have regretted it. I've always wondered how they know if an animal is in pain or not. I am so sorry this happened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Can't give any advice, just want to send some hugs. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I think you have to go with your gut feeling. You know your dog better than they do. Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I always tell people to go with their gut. I wish I had an answer for you Sending lots of prayers and hugs. Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LovesDoggies Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Is Logan on pain meds? Could that be why he is not aware of his surroundings? As someone else suggested, can you talk to your regular vet about his situation? I was just having this conversation with a co-worker. Often, it seems that vets that work at surgical centers/referral hospitals/emergency hospitals are not well equipped to talking to pet owners about the overall picture (as another poster suggested a few posts up.) Their job is to perform surgery, not to counsel us on what is really the best choice for our pets. I think you should try talking to your regualr vet. He or she might be able to provide you with some clarity. I think you are being very sensible. I no longer fight just for the sake of fighting, especially when the chances of success are slim. Too many times I have met with loss anyway. I am so sorry you have to go through this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I'm a firm believer in going with your gut feelings. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest trevdog Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I'm sorry you are dealing with this......with my two I have lost, the vets told me surgery was an option with both, but probably not a good idea and the success rate was not high and the chances of the mass being cancerous were pretty likely. I asked what they would do if it were their pet and they said they would not put them through it....so I'm not sure how I would feel if the vets seem to think there's a chance....tough call, but you know your boy the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 What a nightmare for you. Having never been in your shoes, I don't know what I would do other than be sure whatever it was, it was in the best interest of my pup. We will keep you both in our prayers. Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WarmheartedPups Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I am so very sorry....You know your pup....follow your heart....you will never be wrong. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Annie Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I am so sorry you and Logan are going through this! My father passed from pancreatic cancer... it is renowned for being one of the most painful. My prayers are with you both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Greensleeves Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I too believe in going with your gut... but I also know that *my* gut hasn't been to veterinary school, is scared and stressed and in pain, and may not be in the best frame of mind to make an informed decision. I think you should try talking to your regualr vet. He or she might be able to provide you with some clarity. I second this (although "regular vet" can be *anybody* whose medical opinion you trust). When Nelly was sick, it was sometimes hard to sort out what we should do from her specialists (one who seemed overly pessimistic, and another who was overly optimistic). When our regular vet started to worry, we knew. :hug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest fatesrelease Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 We had to put our siamese cat Tate to sleep about a month ago. He was fine and then all of a sudden he was pooping all over the floor, couldn't stand up, and puked everywhere. He couldn't walk anymore and when we tried to stand him up he fell backwards. We tried for a week with meds, and fluids...he wasn't eating anymore and was losing weight increasingly. Our vet determined it was a brain tumor and we had to put him to sleep. It was the hardest thing to do. I really hope everything works out and it isn't neurological and he is able to get well soon. If you have to put him to sleep, just like my vets told is, he'll be in a place where he isn't hurting anymore, and he can be the "old logan" that you love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest LoveMyJoseyBean Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 Go with your gut. "Better a day too soon, than a day too late" My heart goes out to you. Hugs and prayers for you and your sweet Logan. :grouphug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chee Posted March 9, 2009 Author Share Posted March 9, 2009 Thank you for all of your thoughts. I have now spoken to 3 of the vets at the hospital and with my regular vet, and they all agreed that we should give him a few days. But... that was yesterday. He had a bad night last night. They want us to come in early this evening to talk about what is happening. It's clear from the conversation that I had about an hour ago that they are going to recommend that we put him down tonight. My heart is breaking. I am trying to hold it together, but this is killing something in me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted March 9, 2009 Share Posted March 9, 2009 I am so so sorry. So many of us know exactly how you are feeling. We will hold you both in our thoughts and prayers Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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