The old dog is sick,

notfarnow · 10:31 AM

Chance is around 12 years old. We got him 6 years ago, well-used, from a rescue group that saves abused hunting beagles.

He was a sickly old bugger when we first got him, lethargic and many infections. Over time he's gotten healthier and more active. Last year we had a scare when he popped a disk in his back, but he recoverred with a bit of a loss in mobility in his hind legs.

Just the same, he's had a ton of energy and bounds around the house, loving every minute. Then he lays down on top of the nearest person, and sleeps with his tongue out. (he had 8 teeth removed last year)

Anyway, over the last few months he's been losing weight, shedding a lot and has a lump on his neck. A cell sample was inconclusive, and his blood work was normal.

The vet thinks he has thyroid cancer, which beagles are more prone to than other breeds.

Tomorrow AM I'm taking him info an xray to see if they can see what's going on, most importantly to see if cancer may have spread to his lungs. He's been coughing more than normal (he's always had a hacking cough). Depending on what they see, we'll get a biopsy of the lump on his neck.

The vet has cautioned that we may just want to ride it out, anything invasive might be too hard on him.

fingers crossed

Rot 911 · 07-29-2008, 11:07 AM

Jake I am going through the same thing with my mutt Max. He turns 13 in September. I got him from the pound when he was 8 weeks old. Most days he still acts like a puppy, but in the last 6 months has gone almost completely deaf. I have to use hand gestures with him now. His back legs have also been getting weak. Two nights ago he was crying in the middle of the night because he could not get his back legs to stand up. I had to hold him for almost an hour while he just shivered all over from fright. Eventually his strength came back and he could stand up. Right now he is happy again, but I fear he may not last much longer.

widgeon13 · 11:15 AM

Good luck on that situation, always hate to see a member of the family under the weather. We'll keep our paws crossed and say a short one for Chance.

He's a good lookin boy!

Just looked at youtube, pretty funny, wish my golden snored, it would take some of the pressure off me!

notfarnow · 07-29-2008, 11:22 AM

Thanks guys. The tough part is that in the past couple years, he's really become a healthy dog, almost like a puppy. But in the past few months he's been wasting away... even after increasing how much we feed him, he's lost 4 pounds in two weeks.

I'm trying not to be too melodramatic, there are more important things in the world for sure, and far larger problems. But the fact is that this guy is a real charmer and a loverboy, and we're shaken by the thought of losing him.

Best we can do for now is spoil him rotten. I went to the deli at lunch and got an extra sandwich for him. A nice ham & cheese on kaiser, with all the fixins. He'll go nuts.

We're up at the cottage for the rest of the week, so he can lay on the beach and get petted by all the girls. He loves that.

carnutzzz · 07-29-2008, 11:24 AM

That sucks.

Hope he hangs in there.

rammstein · 07-29-2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notfarnow

I'm trying not to be too melodramatic, there are more important things in the world for sure, and far larger problems.

I disagree- this is the stuff that actually matters. Have fun with him at the beach!

Seahawk · 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rammstein

I disagree- this is the stuff that actually matters. Have fun with him at the beach!

I am so on your side...it is absolutely these moments that matter most. How we treat our animals is a window on our soul, a sure bellwether of our character

Hold Chance while you can...oops, looks like you are

Rikao4 · 07-29-2008, 01:54 PM

Ramm is right.
your friend brings, and will have brought more joy into your life when gone..
than many of people you have encountered.

Rika

slodave · slodave's Garage

Best wishes from Skyler and myself. I hope he pulls through.

masraum · 07-29-2008, 02:13 PM

I'm sorry that you're going through this. It always hurts me to hear about this sort of thing, and makes me think of the eventuality with my Sherlock and Angel and reminds me of the loss of my Yuki a year ago.

Enjoy this time.

DUK · 07-29-2008, 02:26 PM

We too have a beagle (and a min pin, and a choc. lab and a dobie) who is 13. She's the greatest stress reliever out there. And I am dreading the day she goes (as well as the others). So give Chance a hug from us and keep the good thoughts going.

oldE · 07-29-2008, 02:39 PM

Jake,

Good luck with him. I know you'll do your best.

(I hope if I get near the end someone will take me to the beach and let the girls pet me. I'd like that too.)

Les

pwd72s · 07-29-2008, 03:59 PM

Damn...we "pet people" love our pets a ton! Best wishes for Chance....

carnutzzz · 07-29-2008, 04:26 PM

Sadie says feel better soon!

lm6y · 07-29-2008, 05:36 PM

Jake sorry to hear about Chance, but as others have said, these ARE the most important things in life. Our family members are all wishing your family the best.

Kurt, do you think Max's problem might be from displasia? Good luck to Max too.

targa911S · 07-29-2008, 06:17 PM

Big Henry and Henry's Buddy say get better soon....

07-29-2008, 06:57 PM

Love him all you can. There are few real blessings like a good pet. I just lost my Bandy about a month ago. She was the best friend I ever had. Her loss still makes me cry.

pwd72s · 07-29-2008, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Wilson

Love him all you can. There are few real blessings like a good pet. I just lost my Bandy about a month ago. She was the best friend I ever had. Her loss still makes me cry.

"Few real blessings like a good pet." Truer words never spoken. Kudos and sympathy, Mark.

BlueSideUp · 07-29-2008, 07:07 PM

Bentley (the little one) still misses his buddy Nutmeg. She passed away in October of last year after 13 years. It was especially hard on my wife to lose Nutmeg.

We now have Mia who is a rescue from the shelter after being abandoned by a breeder.

Bentley and Mia are pulling for Chance as well. They are both half Beagles.

notfarnow · 09:08 AM

Thanks for the kind thoughts guys.

I took Chance in this morning. The good news is that he hasn't lost any more weight in the past 2 weeks; he's at 27.5 pounds. That's still down ~4 pounds compared to 3 months ago, but at least he hasn't lost more.

The Xray showed no spots of cancer in his chest or lungs, that was the primary concern before we go ahead with a biopsy of the lump on his neck. Apparently when beagles (or maybe all dogs?) get thyroid cancer it tends to spread to the chest & lungs. Glad that's not the case.

The xray did reveal that his heart is enlartged & a bit round where it shouldn't be, and is pressing against his lungs. They think that is causing his hacking cough, basically it's tickling his lung. We're putting him on blood pressure meds for that. The xray also revealed some calcium in his lungs, but not too much for a dog of his age.

Anyway, they weren't able to get his biopsy done today, so we're doing that next week. In the meantime, the vet suggested we start on those heart meds and up his food by ~20%.

The vet also said that with his heart condition, he should avoid stimulants.

"What's that mean, for a dog?" I asked, a bit confused.

"It means keep him off cigarettes and coke!" he replied

Funny guy, my vet.

Anyway, I'm relieved. His coughing really had teh vet & I worried about cancer. Next step is the biopsy. Once we know what teh issue is, we can decide whether to leave it be or get it out.

Thanks again for the nice thoughts guys, I really appreciate it.

No recent shots of Chance on the beach, but here's a couple from 3 years ago: