lucybooz
01-08-2006, 06:54 PM
my murphy, a 12 yr. old mixed pit, has had a mast cell tumor on her leg (inoperable) that was diagnosed maybe 6-8 months ago. my vet told us that it was malignant, but until her quality of life changed, we would treat her with prednisone and benedryl (for the itching caused by the histamine in this type tumor). she was always a strong-willed dog, gentle as a lamb but strong as an ox. she would eat any time, anywhere - would come out of the woodwork if she heard the rustle of the treat jar.
i'm beginning to question the changes in her "quality of life". the tumor is on her left-rear leg (quite large and unsightly, and she is CONSTANTLY licking it because of the itching). as for the tumor itself, she doesn't seem to be in any pain, she doesn't limp, or show any signs of distress on the leg. her eating habits, however, are changing drastically. she would never leave a bowl anything but empty. now i feed her in the morning and she still doesn't eat it all by bed time. she used to go crazy for her chew ear every night. she doesn't even look at it anymore. when it's time for treats, you have to practically beg her to come, but once she is there she will eat the treats with no problem. she eats the cat food with no problem either. i've even added gravy and rice to her food, thinking if i spruce it up she might eat. that isn't working either.
she is by no means the same murphy. she lays alot, and is not the energetic dog we know she used to be. she was a dog so strong that she would jump a 6 ft. chain link fence!!!!! not anymore.
my question, tho i hate to ask, is this: i thought that knowing she was in pain would be my signal to put her to rest, but is there a chance she can be getting near the time even with no pain? the non-eating is quite a concern to me, knowing what a good eater she used to be. i don't want her to suffer in any way, and i made up my mind that when i ever thought she was in pain i would do what i have to do. but.....maybe the time will come even tho there is no sign of pain.
if you would see this tumor on her leg, you would wonder how she could NOT have pain. i move her leg, press on it, and she shows no sign of discomfort at all. i'm really wondering if there is cancer in other parts of her as well.
please help me - i know what the outcome of this is going to be - i just need some advise on knowing when i must do what i must do.
jane
i'm beginning to question the changes in her "quality of life". the tumor is on her left-rear leg (quite large and unsightly, and she is CONSTANTLY licking it because of the itching). as for the tumor itself, she doesn't seem to be in any pain, she doesn't limp, or show any signs of distress on the leg. her eating habits, however, are changing drastically. she would never leave a bowl anything but empty. now i feed her in the morning and she still doesn't eat it all by bed time. she used to go crazy for her chew ear every night. she doesn't even look at it anymore. when it's time for treats, you have to practically beg her to come, but once she is there she will eat the treats with no problem. she eats the cat food with no problem either. i've even added gravy and rice to her food, thinking if i spruce it up she might eat. that isn't working either.
she is by no means the same murphy. she lays alot, and is not the energetic dog we know she used to be. she was a dog so strong that she would jump a 6 ft. chain link fence!!!!! not anymore.
my question, tho i hate to ask, is this: i thought that knowing she was in pain would be my signal to put her to rest, but is there a chance she can be getting near the time even with no pain? the non-eating is quite a concern to me, knowing what a good eater she used to be. i don't want her to suffer in any way, and i made up my mind that when i ever thought she was in pain i would do what i have to do. but.....maybe the time will come even tho there is no sign of pain.
if you would see this tumor on her leg, you would wonder how she could NOT have pain. i move her leg, press on it, and she shows no sign of discomfort at all. i'm really wondering if there is cancer in other parts of her as well.
please help me - i know what the outcome of this is going to be - i just need some advise on knowing when i must do what i must do.
jane