Has Anyone Taken Dr. Couto's Advice

[MP_the4pack]

Dr. COuto says that chemo will shrink those tumors. If she were his he would go forward with the chemo.

 

I'm thinking we're too late.

 

We've been emailing all weekend.

 

Part of me is saying, enough is enough.

 

But.....if she's not in pain, only feeling crappy (like the flu) what do I have to lose? If it doesn't work, she was with me for just a few more days.

 

She's barely eating, but still is none-the-less.

[Guest FastDogsOwnMe]

I wish I had advice. From what I know of him, he's the best of the best, but at the same time, NO ONE knows your baby like you do. I know, that was no help. I don't know what I would do- except to say I'd look my pup in the eyes and do what my heart told me.

[Guest bigorangedog]

You know her better than anyone, of course. If you think she is at her limit, then let her go. But if you think she still has some strength and will, then go for the chemo. Like you say, it can't hurt and maybe it will help. Ask her what she wants and maybe she will let you know. Whatever you choose, enjoy every minute of your time with her! Sending lots of hugs from all of us, including our two 3-leggers...

[Wonder]

No advice but

[Guest kar]

No advice but plenty of hugs

[CaliforniaGreys]

Without mentioning who the vets were, I kept being told not to give up with Misty, my vet who loved Misty almost as much as I do, and the consulting 2 vets who cared deeply.

 

But she was at home with me,I was the one with her day and night, watching and praying for a sign to tell me what she wanted me to do.

 

I made the decision not to listen to the 3 vets and to let her go.I love Misty more than I could ever explain and I felt I owed it to her to end her struggle.

 

You both remain in my prayers, and making a decision based on your love, will never be the wrong decision

Edited January 31, 2010 by cbudshome

[Guest Downtownhoundz]

I so agree with Claudia.You know your girl better than anyone and it's one of the most difficult and painful decisions to make.My Kylie struggled to be with me up until the end,her body just couldn't continue.

I still believe Pearl will let you know when she's ready and you will feel a kind of bittersweet peace about it.Take it one moment at a time,my friend....

[Guest Greytluv]

You both remain in my prayers, and making a decision based on your love, will never be the wrong decision

 

So true. You know her better than anyone.

[Guest PhillyPups]

Oh Mary Pat, my heart breaks for you.

 

Only you truly know her, and you are the one person she truly trusts to do what you think is best. As said before whatever you decide, it will be a decision totally made out of love.

[Guest Adrianne]

I so agree with Claudia.You know your girl better than anyone and it's one of the most difficult and painful decisions to make.My Kylie struggled to be with me up until the end,her body just couldn't continue.

I still believe Pearl will let you know when she's ready and you will feel a kind of bittersweet peace about it.Take it one moment at a time,my friend....

 

 

So true. I believe Pearl will let you know, and whatever you choose will be completely out of love for her.

 

When our little Macy got sick a few weeks ago, I knew in my heart the end was near. The vet (not our regular vet) said Let's try this, this, or this. I opted for the treatment that would allow the least amount of stress for Macy and would allow her to be home with me caring for her. She got subcutaneous fluids at the vet's office, and then we took her home for what was supposed to be 7 days of meds and then reevaluate. The medicine was in liquid form and I was having to force it down her throat with a syringe, which I did for a day and a half. By then, I was also having to give her water the same way because she wasn't drinking. I know it takes time for medicine to work, but she was so much worse that I knew it wasn't going to work. I called my husband at work and told him I couldn't do it anymore. I wanted Macy's remaining time with us to be filled with loving scritches and belly rubs; I didn't want her fearful that every time I came near her, I was going to grab underneath her chin and force something on her that she didn't want. She deserved better than that. She was telling us that it was time for her to go. I made the appointment for her that afternoon, and she went very quietly and peacefully. I don't think that particular vet was happy with my choice, but I knew Macy better than her.

 

I'm crying as I type this, because I haven't had a chance to grieve for sweet Macy. Wilbur broke his leg that very evening.

Edited January 31, 2010 by Adrianne

[Guest GryffinSong]

I don't think there are any right answers when dealing with these catastrophic illnesses. Do what you feel is best. Hugs to you and your girl, and whatever you decide, please be at peace with it.

[Guest MnMDogs]

I am so sorry you're going through this. I didn't take his advice to amp because I knew my girl, and I knew that it wasn't for her. Listen to your girl and yourself. Dr. Couto is an amazing man, but he sees the clinical picture only, so doesn't know everything that is happening.

 

Good thoughts for you and Pearl.

 

I just want to add that like others have said, everything you've done is for your girl - out of love. I beat myself up for quite some time for not amputating, to give Matty more time, to take away that horrible pain. Whatever you do, you do out of love. Pearl knows you love her no matter what.

Edited January 31, 2010 by MnMDogs

[fourofem]

My vet is just about the only one who didn't push amputation with Lewis after he was diagnosed. I sent his films to Dr. Couto and he confirmed the diagnosis and suggested a biopsy and possibly amputation. It was an agonizing decision but I knew in my heart that he wouldn't be able to handle it and opted to keep him as comfortable as I could for as long as he wanted. You know Pearl better than anyone...listen to her and your heart.

[Batmom]

I did take university advice, kinda sorta, and tried one dose of longshot chemo for Batman. And I did regret it. It dropped his white count so low that he needed antibiotics, and for the first time in his life the antibiotics made him sick. Was only a couple days but I felt that I'd stolen a couple days that might have been good ones for him. Never again.

 

Before we did the FNA, fibrosarcoma was mentioned as a possibility, and even after FNA there remained a small chance that that's what it was. At that time I was told that chemo was pretty useless for fibro -- that the best option was surgical removal or, where that wasn't possible, debulking. And the research I did pretty much bore that out.

 

University docs in particular -- their job is to treat stuff, not "give up" on it. It's a bias of sorts.

 

Sending lots of hugs and all the best to you and lovely Pearl.

[Guest KennelMom]

I think this is one reason many vets lay out options but don't go as far as to say what they would do or what they think you should do...when a vet tells you they would do something, it puts a load of pressure on the owner to go along with the suggestion or face feeling the guilt that the "didn't do all they could" to save their pet or eek every single second of life they could out of them. (though I have often asked our vet(s) to tell me what they would do...when it comes to euthanasia issues, they have always dodged. Only afterwards have they said they would have done the same thing).

 

Only you can really make this decision b/c only you really know your girl. At this point, it sounds like you are only buying a bit more time...and that's usually more for the human. Dogs don't fear death and they don't understand "ticking clocks" - they only know the here and the now. I would want to make sure that was always the best it could be.

[Guest alyssap99]

I've been following along because Pearl was sick right around the time I was losing Greta to cancer. I'm so sorry you are dealing with this! What a sad situation.

 

I agree with the poster who said that university hospitals have a certain bias. I think that hospitals with a stellar reputation for research are inclined to try to solve every problem with the hopes that they can continue expanding their knowledge base. It seems like Dr Couto has an excellent reputation around here and I don't mean this disparagingly at all, but I do agree that his latest advice puts undue pressure on you.

 

When Greta stopped eating, I knew deep down that she was ready to go. I think I even posted it on here a few days before we had her diagnosis. She really seemed to have given up and I think she was perfectly okay with that decision! Once I knew she was okay with it, I was too. That's not to say that it was incredibly devastating to let her go, but I'm glad she passed on her terms. It was also a bit easier for me, I think, because our local vet didn't recommend any additional options. Perhaps if I'd taken her to a larger vet hospital I would have been faced with a similar dilemma.

 

You have done so much for Pearl and no matter what decision you make now, you can rest easy that you've done everything possible. But please don't blame yourself in any way for following your instincts with this one. Take good care and I hope you have a wonderful day with your girl.

Edited January 31, 2010 by alyssap99

[Guest Energy11]

I DEEPLY respect and trust Dr. Couto. To be HONEST, I don't do what my vet here says, ever, without consulting him, and my former vet/employer in Florida. I get three opinions on everything, but that is me. I have a pretty deep distrust of HUMAN doctors, from how they misdiagnosed My Bob, while all along, I told them it was cancer, AND, what type! Anyway ...

 

If Pearl were mine, ... I would totally follow my gut. YOU know her better than Dr. Couto, your local vets, or ANY of us here. I can tell you though, spoiling her, giving her love, and telling you, you love her everytime you can, is THE BEST medicine.

 

I wish I could take away her pain, and yours, too! Sending you all my love, many hugs, and a ton of prayers, Dee and The Five

[LuvAPuppy]

As others have said, you know her best.

 

Not living your situation I think I'd base my decision on how she is right now. If she's still holding her own like I think you mentioned last week...still somewhat normal for her I mean and eating well, give a dose a shot. See if she has side effects and how bad. If it goes well continue. If she has bad side effects or an outcome like Batman did, discontinue.

[robinw]

Follow your heart and what Pearl tells you. Although Dr. Couto wasn't working on Loca's case at the end, I went against the local vet school specialist's recommendation and opted for euthanasia rather than treatment, which may or not have been successful with a 13.5 year old dog. best case scenario would have involved keeping her off of her feet for 4-6 weeks. i knew she was in lots of pain and she told me she was ready to go to the bridge.

 

go with your heart and listen to Pearl. She'll tell you what to do

Edited January 31, 2010 by robinw

[MP_the4pack]

This is what I got from Dr. Couto this morning

Hang in there Mary Pat; what a shame! If Pearl is hanging in there, I would give her a week or so after the chemo before making a decision…Hugs

 

He's been made aware of her poor appetite. That's why he suggested getting another ultrasound.

If it were any other vet, I won't put as much weight into this decision. But Dr. Couto is THE greyhound oncologist. I know he has told others that there is no choice before. So I can't see why he would push this unless he truly felt Pearl can rebound.

[TinyMityMo]

no advice, just a hug

[Guest 3greysinPA]

Follow your ; It's ok to stop the chemo only you know what is best for your sweet Pearl. Sending you lots of hugs from PA.

[tbhounds]

What type of chemo--are there bad side effects, would she need to be hospitalized for the day, could you treat with orals like pred? These are all questions that may need to be answered before you make your decision.

[joejoesmom]

This is what I got from Dr. Couto this morning

Hang in there Mary Pat; what a shame! If Pearl is hanging in there, I would give her a week or so after the chemo before making a decision…Hugs

 

He's been made aware of her poor appetite. That's why he suggested getting another ultrasound.

If it were any other vet, I won't put as much weight into this decision. But Dr. Couto is THE greyhound oncologist. I know he has told others that there is no choice before. So I can't see why he would push this unless he truly felt Pearl can rebound.

Mary Pat, you know how much I respect Dr. Couto. But you know Pearl best.

 

Here are the things I would think about if I were in your shoes. Would going in for the chemo treatment be extremely stressful for her? How likely is a negative reaction to the chemo? If she had a negative reaction, would this mean you would have fewer quality days with her? If it wouldn't be terribly stressful and it has a reasonable chance for giving her a good quality of life for a few more weeks, I would consider it. The cost of the treatments are small compared to the costs that you have already incurred. If at any time (including now), she tells you that she has had enough, then I wouldn't push it any farther.

 

It concerns me that you say "if it were any other vet" you wouldn't be as conflicted. As someone else said, Dr. Couto is a clinician. He is looking at it purely from the science of it. He does not know Pearl's personality. Although I have heard him tell others that amputation or chemo doesn't make sense, I think that he would still err on the side of providing treatment rather than recommending none if there is a chance that treatment might help. He obviously feels that there is still a chance of shrinking the tumors enough with the chemo that she will have a good quality of life for her remaining time. That does not mean that this is what is best for Pearl.

 

I wish I could tell you what to do. All I can tell you is that whatever decision you make will be out of love. I have never heard anything from you that would lead me to believe that you (even unintentionally) have ever put your own needs in front of Pearls.

 

If you would like to talk about it, please give me a call.

 

Jane

[CaliforniaGreys]

It concerns me that you say "if it were any other vet" you wouldn't be as conflicted. As someone else said, Dr. Couto is a clinician. He is looking at it purely from the science of it. He does not know Pearl's personality. Although I have heard him tell others that amputation or chemo doesn't make sense, I think that he would still err on the side of providing treatment rather than recommending none if there is a chance that treatment might help. He obviously feels that there is still a chance of shrinking the tumors enough with the chemo that she will have a good quality of life for her remaining time. That does not mean that this is what is best for Pearl.

 

Very well said.