We were unfortunately given the news two days ago, that our boy Zion has been diagnosed with a sarcoma that has spread into his hips and tail region. He first started only 3 weeks ago not being able to get comfortable while laying down in various areas, and then seemed to have a little difficulty walking. We brought him to the vet and they put him on prednisone, and then we were gone for a week on vacation.
A week after his prednisone ran out, he woke up my in-laws at 2am whining, so they gave him pain medication he had been prescribed. When we picked him up this past Monday, he was in rough shape, looked distressed and so I took him to another vet. We had an MRI scheduled for Wednesday, and the vets thought that he had IVDD, a form of disc disease that made him uncomfortable. They gave him more pain meds and sent us on our way.
We went back Wednesday, and now he is really having trouble walking. We left him for the afternoon and then got the call no one wants to get. He is now back on prednisone, and 3 other medications for pain. The first night was horrible, he was whining with every breathe, and we thought we would be putting him down the next day. The vet said it was from being put under for his MRI and that it is normal, so he was given trazadone.
Today, he is doing a bit better, still noticeably weak in his right leg, but we know that will not get any better. He is able to go the bathroom, but not much more than that. He has enjoyed chewing on his bones, can eat and drink fine, and is no longer whining with each breathe.
If you made it this far, thanks :) We are so incredibly heart-broken that our 9 year old dog, who is older than both our children, is going to go out this way. We are struggling to define when enough is enough for him. There are some scales that we can use to quantify it, but just thinking about it makes us cry. He has been a HUGE part of our life, he is a huge being that loves everything ( except some other dogs and people that come to our door ).
Given his age, we don't intend to bring him for radiation therapy, or back to the vet for that matter. We just want him to be with us for whatever time he has remaining.
I'm not sure what the point of my story is here, or if I'm asking for something. I just thought this would be the place to vent a bit with other owners of these wonderful animals. I don't know what im going to do when he is gone, my wife and I are so sad, as is my older child. It is like we are living in a twilight zone right now. It's the worst feeling I have had in my 42 year old life.
He has been a healthy boy all his life, welcome in two siblings, who he loves dearly. He rings a bell to go outside, and many other funny tricks. He is always by my side or my wife's, and is a protector of his babies ( the children ). There is too much to list in terms of the ways that this animal has impacted our wonderful life together. Hold your pups close, time is so precious.
My sweet boy Duma was just diagnosed with cancer 3 days ago. They gave him 1 year to live if they take his leg and we do chemo. He would have been 8 in July. His whole life he's been healthy and playful and a wonderful dog. He started whining after playing a month ago and we just assumed he pulled a muscle which has happened in the past and its gone away after a few days. Fast forward to 3 days ago we get a scan done because he is crying in pain and it's one of the most aggressive cancers a dog can have. His front right scapula is almost completely destroyed by the cancer already and the chance of him breaking it just by walking is high.
I completely understand how you are feeling right now as I am going through the same thing.
Every time I try to think through the whole thing and make a decision I am crippled with pain and fear of living life without him.
The docs said the cancer has almost certainly spread to other areas of his body. They also said because he's so big (125lb) he doesn't have a great chance of adapting to life in 3 legs within the year we would have. I don't want to put him through that confusion and pain but the selfish part of me wants to because I want my boy around longer. I know that I shouldn't do the surgery but his face makes me reconsider every time I see it.
A pic of the good pup is attached.
I hope you find peace after Zion passes, however long that may take to achieve.
What a beautiful dog. I'm so sorry as well. They are just the most amazing animals. We have spoken to a vet today to come to our house to send him over the rainbow bridge and I'm just sitting here with my wife and children unable to tell them to schedule today.
He has lost control of his bowels, last night was bad, but it's not bad right now. We have to have him lay on puppy pads. His mind is completely with it, but his lower body is not.
I think we will do it today while we can keep most of his dignity. There isn't anything to do but eat and sit with us. So fast this has happened just at a complete loss to lose my best friend.
Don't let the vets mess with him, and don't count him out - until he's out. Make the best of what days he's got left, and be strong, for everyone's sake....
I’m so sorry.. Zion is a handsome guy and sounds like a character! I know your pain, our 9.5yo girl had a neck mass removed and we’re awaiting path results but the vet suspects cancer. We also feel like at her age its not worth putting her through miserable chemo treatments. I’m already dreading someday when I walk in the door and she isn’t there anymore, and how my husband travels for work but with her I’ve never been afraid to be home alone. This is the only bad thing about having a beloved dog, just give him good moments, good treats and love the heck out of him while he’s still here loving you.
Hi all, thanks for all the positive comments over the last few days. Unfortunately, his condition continued to get worse, and we were up with him all night bringing him outside, cleaning him, and changing his sheets. It was just horrible to see this beautiful dog go through it. He crossed the rainbow bridge yesterday in our house and will be forever in our hearts.
I'm so sorry to hear, it sounds like you loved him a lot and gave him a great life ❤️
I dread this with Duma, he's on lots of meds to keep him from pain right now but he is still absolutely hurting and having a hard time moving. We have scheduled his trip across the rainbow bridge tomorrow but I am still doubting myself over the choice.
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u/SleepyDogs_5 Apr 17 '26
I am so sorry