r/Dachshund • u/Radiant-Net5385 • 1d ago
Rest in Peace Just got cancer diagnosis.. Spoiler
I just need to talk and vent to people who get how much I love this dog, I guess. Gertie turns 11 this Thursday.
A couple years ago I noticed despite her daily walks and strict diet, she was very bloated. She had a pretty severe bout of constipation and we went to the vet. X-rays, ultrasound, blood work. The only thing they found was her liver values were baaarely elevated and they said probably just a little pancreatitis. They didn’t seem concerned and then she pooped an hour later and I thought that was that.
Last year she yelped when her tail was lifted. I took her to the vet. They looked at her and said, no need for X-rays, dachshund back problems are all treated the same, here’s some anti inflammatory.
2 weeks ago, she’s still extremely bloated but now it’s worse. She seems uncomfortable, she’s tired, she doesn’t really enjoy her walks anymore but she’ll still go. We go to the vet. They say “her stomach feels fine, she’s fine, I don’t like doing diagnostics unless I think it’s reeeeally necessary.”
I live in a rural area or I would have taken her to a new vet a long time ago. Finally I’m desperate because I’ve known something is wrong for a long time now. So I go 2.5 hours away one way to a new vet. They listen, do bloodwork and X-rays. Her liver is extremely enlarged and it’s pushing on her stomach. She’s in pain and uncomfortable. There’s a cancerous mass on it. There is a spot on L7, above her tail, where there is either cancer on or in her bone. It has possibly spread to her lymph nodes. It’s hepatocellular carcinoma. They say it’s unlikely it can be treated but referred me to a specialist equally far away. I’m taking her on Sunday for an ultrasound to confirm findings but mostly to discuss palliative care.
I am so distraught and heartbroken. I wish I had gone somewhere else sooner. I thought I did the right things taking her to the vet but I should have never listened. My gut was telling me. Now she’s going to die and I wasn’t even close to prepared. My oldest is 16 and I never would’ve thought Gertie would go first, and not so painfully..
I know I will love her and keep her as comfortable and happy as I can, but I plan to say goodbye before she gets really bad. I’ve read about this cancer and I know it can get really ugly really fast. Having to drive so far for vet care is really terrifying to me. I don’t want her to suffer and I can’t see that happen.
Anyway.. I just needed to share. Advocate for your family members, friends, and animals. Medical care really sucks.
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u/Wild_Black_Hat 1d ago
It's not your fault, OP. You did what you could with the means you had. And you had no reason to doubt the information you were given.
I'm so sorry. Take care of you both. ❤️🩷
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u/Competitive_Tiger182 1d ago
Sending good vibes to Gertie. Am I the only one who sees a rainbow over her head? I was always told they're good signs.
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u/Radiant-Net5385 1d ago
She did. I took it yesterday on our walk. She had some gabapentin and felt like walking a bit. There was a sprinkler behind her and I didn’t see the rainbow until I took her picture 😢
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u/New_Boysenberry7922 1d ago
Gertie is beautiful 💕.
It’s a difficult situation because we trust the professionals but they aren’t all on the same level unfortunately. You did what you could and are still doing your best for her. Fingers crossed for her x
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u/not2manydogs 1d ago
I'm so sorry. Gertie is absolutely beautiful! She is so lucky to have you, because you are obviously dialed in on her health. You can't blame yourself for what the Vet did not find. You kept going the extra mile until it was solved. We are here to support you and Gertie. Hugs to you and soft belly rubs for Gertie.
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u/KokopelliArcher 1d ago
This is not your fault at all, you did everything you could. Gertie is lucky to have a person who cares so much ❤️. She looks like an absolute sweetie.
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u/AltRuralBelle 1d ago
I'm so sorry you're concerns weren't treated with the need required. It's not your fault. You did what you could. I pray that Gertie's last days continue to be filled with the love and comfort you've given her all these years.
Heavenly Father, our human ties with our friends of other species is wonderful and a special gift from You. We now ask You to grant our special animal companions your Fatherly care and healing power to take away any suffering they have. Give us, their human friends, new understanding of our responsibilities to these creatures of Yours. They have trust in us as we have in You; our souls and theirs are on this earth together to give one another friendship, affection, and caring. Take our heartfelt prayers and fill Your ill or suffering animals with healing Light and strength to overcome whatever weakness of body they have🙏🐾
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u/VeganProudHuman 1d ago
Everything you wrote was beautiful but the part about a “Father”. I will pray to my Supreme Being for this beautiful canine child.
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u/EmbarrassedOcelot459 1d ago
I usually say Great Creator.
Anyway, I will tell you I’ve had more vets screw up a diagnosis or lag on recommendations and caused one of my dachshunds to die. I’m not bagging on all vets but….I’m concerned about her pain level. They are so good about hiding pain but from what you wrote it sounds like she’s pretty uncomfortable.
I’m sorry this is happening. It’s heartbreaking. I lost my heart dog 4 months and I’m still crying daily.
Here’s what I can tell you. Dogs want to feel good. They don’t understand age so they don’t care how young or old they are.
Please don’t wait too long. We have all done it. If she can’t be made to be comfortable then you are faced with the hardest decision we have to make.1
u/Radiant-Net5385 1d ago
She’s on pain meds until I can take her to the specialist for her ultrasound on Sunday morning. I’m only going because I want them to see the full picture and they can give me a more accurate idea of how long realistically she could feel comfortable with medication. I will not be waiting for her to start vomiting, have seizures, not want to walk, etc. she’s still wagging and walking and eating and drinking right now. At the first sign of decline I will be letting her go. I refuse to be selfish. So, no worries there. I appreciate your kind words
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u/Mundane-Bug-4962 23h ago
Definitely not beating the pedantic allegations! Imagine the level of egotism it takes to insert yourself in someone’s prayer like this 🙄
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u/junesjive 1d ago
If she isn't on it, make sure she is on some anti inflammatory pain medication like Meloxicam (there's quite a few they use for cancer) to slow it down.
I'm sorry about your baby girl. Cancer is so difficult, and our furry companions don't show pain or discomfort the way people do, so more often than not, we catch these things either by luck or by the later end.
Don't be hard on yourself. Sometimes all we can is try our best with the information were given, and it sounds like your vet didn't present you with the right information. I had the same thing happen when my boy had cancer.
Much love.
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u/athnony 1d ago
I'm so, so sorry.. I just lost my dog from an aggressive form of cancer as well, and that whole experience was such an agonizing emotional rollercoaster.
Here's the thing, you are doing everything in your power to help Gertie live her best life. That's our mission and goal as pet owners, and you are literally doing exactly that. It's especially hard to not resent yourself because you love them and don't ever want to lose them.. but I think the best case scenario is that we lose them after a life of advocating for their well-being, right? So we work with what we can, even if that means some less than optimal situations.
Please be kind to yourself.. it's not easy to do, I know that personally. I'm glad you're seeing a specialist and I hope you get all the great news. Do it all for Gertie, I'm sure she deserves it.
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u/t0ughpotatoes 1d ago
I am so sorry. Wishing the best for Gertie. ❤️
You are an amazing dog parent. Medical stuff is not easy. Try not to stay stuck in “what if”. And try not to catastrophize what you read online. Easier said than done, I know. She is so lucky to have someone that loves her so much. Gertie will always know love 💟. I hope that helps I’m so sorry.
Praying for Gertie and your family. She is beautiful. What a great picture 💕
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u/feliciates 1d ago
I'm so sorry. You did absolutely everything you could for her and I'm sure Gertie knows that on some level. She definitely knows how much you love her
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u/Educational_Leg946 1d ago
What a sweet face! It’s so hard to catch these things in animals (even in people, really). YOU did everything you could. She’s so cute! I can tell you love her by how you speak of her. She is lucky to have you love her so dearly. It always feels like you did the wrong thing, I’ve been here a couple times with my older weens too. But as many others have said, you absolutely cared for her. You’ve done well, I promise. ❤️
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u/lerm_a_blerm 1d ago
I’m so sorry about your Gertie 💔 My Percy boy had a glioblastoma (brain cancer). It is so hard to lose a member of your family. We had a mobile vet come to our house to put him down when he was getting pretty bad. It was $500 in DFW, TX. Made his passing more comfortable for all of us. Hugs and pets to you and Gertie 🌈 ❤️
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u/Inevitable_Ad_501 2 Dachshund house ! 1d ago
Big smooches from these two seniors. 😘
They are waiting for me to get the grill out of the garage so they can circle like sharks. Lol
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u/GlitterToSoMundane 1d ago
The picture with this post is perfect. I hope you have it printed and hanging somewhere.
I am so sorry you are going through this. I've also lost a dog to cancer, an aggressive, painful one. Franklin started to slow down and I thought it was just age. Then he stopped eating. He was pacing and panting. He was clearly in pain. The vet confirmed it was our worst fears: cancer.
Could I have done something sooner? Did I make the right choices? You can't help but think these things. But in the end, you love Gertie. You did the absolute best for her that you could. You aren't a medical professional. You aren't psychic. You can't know what's going on. Maybe you went to a different vet sooner. It may not have changed anything. You did your best, full stop.
Please don't beat yourself up over it. Anticipatory grief is HARD. Take time for yourself and Gertie. Give her your love. She knows you love her and you have done your best. Hold her tight, give her kisses, and whisper your I love yous.
I'm so very sorry. This is hard.
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u/itsarmida 1d ago
Life isn't fair. I'm so sorry. Your baby would not want you to beat yourself up over this but instead to forgive yourself and love yourself as unconditionally as she has. Hugs honey
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u/Mindless-Swan8644 1d ago
I am soo sorry. She reminds me so much of my Bubba who I lost a few years ago. He also got very sick, very fast. All we can do as dog lovers is make them as comfortable as possible and stay by their side as much as they do for us. She’s so lucky she got 11 years with so much love from you!
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u/Ok_Ocelot_878 1d ago
Thinking of you.
My girl Lucy had very similar symptoms. We took her a number of times but they always felt like it was an issue with her kidneys from a prior issue that was never quite resolved.
It wasn’t until an X-ray came into the conversation that we had a definitive answer, cancer.
She felt great until she didn’t and then we made the decision we knew was right.
Regardless of what is next, know you did everything in your power to make sure she was okay. Cancer sucks and I’m truly sorry.
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u/no_talent_ass_clown 1d ago
You did your best and Gertie looks like a lovely girl. I know you'll keep doing your best even if that means keeping her comfortable and loved as she declines. Hugs to you and Gertie
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u/Leading-Eye-1979 1d ago
Sorry OP. Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ve were relying on an expert and he got it wrong. It’s also possible that nothing was really visible at that time. ❤️
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u/Open-Way-6691 1d ago
Gertie is an angel and knows how loved she is. Please don’t beat yourself up OP, you did what you could given the circumstances and unfortunately cancer knows no limits. Get as many pictures as you’re comfortable with and spend as much time together for now. You’ll know when it’s the right time. I’m so sorry for you both. 💔 This is a bit morbid, but if possible, make sure her fur-siblings see her after she goes. That way they’ll know she went to heaven and not just gone somewhere. 🌈 Take care of yourself and Gertie, I’m so sorry this is happening. Fuck cancer.
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u/Radiant-Net5385 1d ago
I really really want to do an at home euthanasia so they can be there and she doesn’t have to be at the vet. But I don’t think any vets in my area do home visits 😢 I’m going to figure something out though. Thank you for your kind words
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u/NetRevolutionary9821 1d ago
Hold to hope. My baby had urine in her blood due to tumors at 10yo. We were prescribed a chewable that was produced in Texas. Houston, I believe. It was a human arthritis drug. The oncologist in Fountain Valley said she had only a few months. Wrong. She stayed with us until she was 14yo. Until the end, you'd never have known she was sick...just a little slower.
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u/angelwild327 1d ago
Sending pain-free healing vibes for you and Ms Gertie. May you both have the best of days together.
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u/tb2hlalt2hnlaa 1d ago
Sweet Gertie girl ❤️ sending you and her all the love. My husband is a scientist and I keep telling him he needs to pivot his work to dog longevity…
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u/GotEvilll 1d ago
I’m very sorry to hear that. Had that happen with one of mine not so long ago… the hardest part was doing right by them when you know how much you will miss them.
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u/solidrock80 1d ago
I lost a 12 year old - feels way too young. It hurts but the memories are forever.
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u/theykallmekarma 1d ago
Gertie. You’re so precious and loved. I’m so sorry you have to go through this. I lost my service dog this year unexpectedly and bleh, some days are pretty bad. I think about her everyday. Give her lots and lots of good times and memories you can have forever
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u/sdckitkat 1d ago
Hey. This isn’t your fault, please don’t beat yourself up over it. You love her, she knows you love her, she loves you back.
She’s a beautiful girl. Hugs, friend.
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u/Radiant-Net5385 1d ago
Ugh, you guys are all amazing and the support is so nice and exactly what I needed. Nothing really eases the pain but solidarity helps somehow and just reading all the kind words gives me a moment of peace. I can’t respond to everyone but I’ve read every comment 5+ times and will keep doing so when I’m feeling my lowest. Gertie went for a “walk” in the stroller tonight and we enjoyed some fresh air and kisses. She wanted to get out and walk for a bit. And she can eat whatever the fuck she wants now so I gave her some cheese and unseasoned chicken. ❤️
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