Advice needed: hospice for 6yr old spoo with late stage leukemia

1628 Views 10 Replies 10 Participants Last post by PeggyTheParti, Mar 5, 2021

ttownjayne

Discussion Starter · Mar 4, 2021

Hi All,

Sorry for such a sad post. A friend's apricot standard was diagnosed with leukemia yesterday. Her spoo is also pregnant so many of the symptoms (lethargy, etc) they figured were due to the pregnancy. They never imagined a diagnosis of advanced leukemia. The sweet girl probably has only a few days. And they will euthanize her soon, but my friend and her husband aren't quite ready to say goodbye today. It's happening so quickly. And the fact there are unborn puppies makes it extra heartbreaking. I can't blame them for not being ready to let her go.

Question: Does anyone have suggestions about palliative care? Specifically, mucus discharge. Overnight her girl started drooling and has a mucus running out of her mouth which makes it hard to swallow. Any thoughts on what could provide some temporary relief while the humans get the arrangements made? I wondered about prednisone. But I can't think of anything else. I assume this means the cancer has spread to her lungs.

Ironically it's my 3 yr old cream girl's birthday today. I can't hug her tightly enough this morning.

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cowpony

· #2 · Mar 4, 2021

I have no suggestions, just hugs for your friends. I'm sure they didn't go into this breeding on a whim. Losing the puppies as well as their girl after so much happy anticipation must be gutting.

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Liz

· #3 · Mar 4, 2021

I also can't offer any advice, but I'm so sorry to hear this. What a heartbreaking situation.

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Skylar

· #4 · Mar 4, 2021

I’m so sorry 😢. I had a hospice vet for one of my cats who died from a chronic illness. She came to the house and when it was time, she put him to sleep with me holding him.

Yhere are also vets who specialize in just putting pets to sleep in their homes so the poor sick pet doe have to be stressed by a trip to the vet to be put to sleep. I had one of these come this summer during the pandemic. We put my baby to sleep outside next to the garage because outdoors was safer.

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NJ Bob

· #5 · Mar 4, 2021

Skylar said:
I’m so sorry 😢. I had a hospice vet for one of my cats who died from a chronic illness. She came to the house and when it was time, she put him to sleep with me holding him.

What a heartbreaking thread.

I held my 11 year old Bouv when she was put to sleep and I must admit I cried like a baby. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done but I have no regrets.

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CieCie

· #6 · Mar 5, 2021

This is indeed a very sad post and I grieve in sympathy with your friends. I strongly suggest finding a local vet that specializes in at home euthanasia. Last April we had one come to help us help our old spoo pass over. What a horrible day of emotions and I still cry when I think of it but I wouldn't have said 'goodbye' to our sweet sensitive girl any other way. 😞🐾❤

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ttownjayne

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 5, 2021

Thank you all. The sweet girl improved temporarily this morning and is resting easier. Although it won't last long, it affords my friend time to contact the vet who will eventually come out to the house. Thank you all for your thoughts. I am sorry for the heartbreaking post, although I am warmed by the love and affection shared in these recollections. You all have good hearts.

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Asta's Mom

· #8 · Mar 5, 2021

Oh so tragic - thoughts and prayers to your friend that the crossing will be peaceful.

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Mfmst

· #9 · Mar 5, 2021

This is heartbreaking. Losing a young dog and her puppies all at once will be tragic for the owners. A quick farewell at home is a kindness for a terminally ill dog. I am so sorry for your friends.

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Rose n Poos

· #10 · Mar 5, 2021

Your friends and their beautiful girl and her unborn angels are in my prayers.

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PeggyTheParti

· #11 · Mar 5, 2021

Just devastating.

If there’s anything good about this situation, it’s that they can arrange the most peaceful send-off possible for her and her unborn puppies. Oh goodness, just typing that broke my heart....

But if she can be spared the terror of an emergency vet visit and invasive interventions in a sterile, unfamiliar environment, that’s a gift. It truly is. Holding this poor poodle and her humans in my heart.

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