How do I know if my dog with cancer is suffering and when is it time?

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Louie. I'm so sorry that you and him are going through this. I usually tell clients that once he stops eating, drinking, develops difficulty breathing, becomes severely lethargic, etc. it's time to start thinking about euthanasia to prevent suffering. So those are the guidelines I suggest. Again, I'm so sorry you are going through this. I wish you the best in the coming days. Remember, this is the hardest thing that humans will go through in this life. Follow your heart. Louie will tell you when he's ready. God Bless

I'm so sorry Ghost has cancer and you are going through this, it's very hard! I work for a home euthanasia service, so I face these questions with my clients all the time. I would speak with his vet about pain medication. He can be put onto a pain management protocol that could make him feel better, and increase his quality of life. You can also talk to your vet about the possible use of laxative on him, which may make it easier for him to pass feces. Having these medications on board can help significantly improve him quality of life for a period of time so that you can have more time with him before having to let him go. I would have him seen by a vet today or tomorrow to speak about these issues. When it comes to saying goodbye, I tell my clients to make a list of five things their dogs loves to do. When they aren't doing at least two of them, then their quality of life has declined to a point where euthanasia should be considered. It's very important to take his quality of life into account when making the decision to let a pet go or not. I hope this helps! If you'd like to discuss things further,, I'd be happy to snout with you, just click the "consult online" button under my answer.

Hi there! Thanks for letting us take care of you today! Sorry to hear about Sam. I definitely know where you are coming from as I mostly see cancer patients. What I usually tell my clients is that the time to consider humane euthanasia is when they stop being themselves. For example, when they stop doing 3 out of their 5 favorite things (eating, playing, or whatever these are), it is time to let them go without suffering. Of course this is if not considering treating the cancer. There are always palliative medications you could consider like pain control medications such as Tramadol and NSAIDs to be added to the gabapentin just from a palliative standpoint to try to make Sam feel better in the meantime. Sorry you are going through a rough time.

Hi there! Thanks for letting us take care of you today! Sorry to hear about Ruger. I definitely know where you are coming from as I mostly see cancer patients. What I usually tell my clients is that the time to consider humane euthanasia is when they stop being themselves. For example, when they stop doing 3 out of their 5 favorite things (eating, playing, or whatever these are), it is time to let them go without suffering. Of course this is if not considering treating the cancer. There are always palliative medications you could consider like prednisone and anti-nausea medications (as cancer can cause nausea depending on the type) just from a palliative standpoint to try to make Ruger feel better in the meantime. Sorry you are going through a rough time.

Pain is not always a factor in these condition, common places where those tumors like to go are the lungs, the liver and the brain, in case of the lung you will start seeing respiratory distress, in case of the brain you will see neurological signs and seizures. It's very different from case to case and it's difficult to know when the right time will be, but when the time comes you will probably know.

Hello, I am so sorry for your concerns about Rocco. If he is still eating & drinking, & happy just to be with you, then you might try giving him some Pepcid to reduce stomach acid & hopefully help his appetite a bit more. A 23-pound dog would receive 5 mg every 12 hours. If any of his normal behaviors deteriorates further, or he begins to vomit regularly, then I think it will be time to say goodbye to your friend. He has put up a good fight, & we do not want him to suffer. You will know when the time is right. Take care & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Boppa. The mass appears quite large from your pictures and ulcerated. I assume this is painful to him. If he is no longer eating well, this is also a sign of pain. I recommend discussing euthanasia with his veterinarian. He appears to be a stoic dog based on his breed and other than not eating well, will likely not tell you he is in pain. I am sorry for your situation and hope this information helps.