My dog has oral cancer and won't eat. How do I know if he's suffering?

This can be a very difficult decision, especially with stoic (or stubborn) dogs. As long as he is eating, drinking and behaving normally otherwise, he may be fine. Signs of pain or discomfort include lethargy, loss of appetite, panting, drooling, lameness or walking "hunched". Whining is typically the last thing dogs do when in pain. If you haven't already, discuss palliative care with your veterinarian. Keep track of Chopper's "good" days and "bad" days. When the bad days outnumber the good ones, it may be time. I am sorry you are facing this decision. It is always one of the most difficult decisions for a pet parent and a veterinary professional to make.

First off, I'm so sorry Rocky has cancer! How sad for both him and you. I think you should keep doing what you are doing with him. Unfortunately osteosarcoma has a very poor prognosis, and the life span isn't very long even with chemo. At this point in time, keep feeding him what he will eat, and give him lots of love and attention since he is eating, drinking, and acting normally. You can monitor his quality of life for an idea of when it's time to say goodbye. Make a list of five things he loves to do, and when he's no longer doing at least two of them, then his quality of life has decreased to a point where euthanasia should be considered. This would include eating as well. As I said above, enjoy the time you have left with him, and spoil him. I'm sorry you are in this situation, but I hope my answer has helped you!

Poor guy. Your vet should be able to prescribe several medications to help with Ozzy's pain including: Gabapentin, Tramadol (mild pain control in many cases), Fentanyl patch, Rimadyl (NSAID, for pain) or even Hydromorphone (if severe). He may not be eating due to the pain, so its important to get him something prescribed as soon as possible. A simple phone call should be able to get him the pain medication he needs. We call this palliative care (keeping the pet comfortable) when dealing with inoperable cancerous masses. Until then, you can try offering him some plain boiled chicken or lean ground turkey and white rice OR canned baby food (meat/vegetables) to hopefully entice him to eat something. I DO NOT recommend any over the counter human pain medication as these can be very toxic to pets causing acute liver or kidney failure. I do hope that Ozzy's pain can be managed well soon! Best wishes and take care.

I'm so sorry Bradee isn't doing well! I work for a home euthanasia service, so I face this question often with my clients. While he doesn't seem to be in pain, it's likely that he is in pain from the malignant growth. I would make a list of five things Bradee loves to do, and if he's isn't doing at least two of them, then his quality of life has declined to a point where humane euthanasia should be considered. It can't be a comfortable quality of life for him to have to be spoon fed, bleed from a continually growing tumor in his mouth, and staying in his crate more. Dogs are often ready to go before we are ready to let them go, and it may be kindness to let him go now before he declines ever further. If you'd like to discuss this further with me, I'd be happy to consult with you. Simply click the "consult online" button under my answer. Again, I'm sorry Bradee is so ill, and I hope I've helped you.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I am so sorry that Gunner isn't doing well. If he is unable to eat and is vomiting everytime he eats, then you need to consider his quality of life. I would recommend a visit to a vet to discuss if a feeding tube can be placed and if that would be the best decision for Gunner or not. If he is vomiting, not eating, and sick, then you may need to consider and discuss euthanasia. I know this is very difficult, however it is important to talk to your vet about quality of life, and different options for Gunner. Best of luck and again I am so sorry that Gunner isn't feeling well.

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

If Taxx is refusing to eat, that could definitely be a sign of pain and discomfort. Unless you are planning on force-feeding him and syringing him water, he will absolutely continue to waste away. In terms of keeping him comfortable, I would just be sure that if he is wobbly and trying to walk, be there to support his weight in case he is falls. There are medications available to stimulate the appetite, and other meds potentially to make him less nauseous if he is experiencing any. I would take him in for an exam first to see what your veterinarian has to say, Unfortunately, this sounds to me like a situation or illness, that is advanced. If your vet concurs that he isn't eating due to discomfort, you may be faced with the choice that no pet owner ever wants to consider. There are pain medications but I don't usually recommend them in a situation like this. I try to ask people to consider if their dog still is able to do some / any of the activities he once enjoyed. If the answer is no, then this an indication there is a total absence of quality of life. Anyway, ultimately my advise is to have him looked at to see if your vet considers some of the types of meds I mentioned as viable options. Hope this all makes sense.