my labrador Ichigo....

[cutechinelas]

Hi all,

I am new here and i would just like to ask people if they have similar case like my dog Ichigo. I went to the vet to have him checked since he's not able to walk anymore. It looked like he has tumor on his spine but the vet cant find out if its cancer or not since we dont have mri for dogs here in Cebu. So the vet just gave me anti-inflammatory Gel to apply on the area of his spine, since I can't afford surgery. You can see on the xray looks like a huge lump. At first, I thought that a tree branch migth have fallen on him when the typhoon Haiyan hit Cebu, but the people who were left with Ichigo at my aunts house denied it and said Ichigo just got a fight with our other dogs. But anyway, the vet said there are no signs of bone fracture but I want to know what you guys think.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c332/leck2/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-01-09121517.jpg (http://s30.photobucket.com/user/leck2/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-01-09121517.jpg.html)

I can't afford surgery but I really love this dog and he goes swimming with me everytime I go back home in the province. He's in a lot of pain right now and he twitches when I try to touch him. I keep him lying on his side and everytime I turn him on the other side he cries in pain. Not sure if I'm doing it right. My biggest fear is when he might get really worse and I have to decide whether to put him to sleep or just keep going and just wait for his time... but I just want to be there to take care of him...I've been learning stuff from the internet to make him comfortable as much as possible.

Here's a picture of Ichigo.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c332/leck2/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-01-09121517.jpg

[labblab]

Oh, I am so sorry that Ichigo is in such pain. It is clear that you really love him and are trying to do the very best thing for him. I am afraid we may not be able to help you with many suggestions, though, because our focus here is on the treatment of Cushing's disease in dogs, and not on cancer or bone issues. But since I know you are urgently trying to get some info, I am going to leave your thread here on our main forum for a while in hopes that one of our members may have some suggestions for you.

I know you all have suffered so much there in the Philippines ever since the hurricane, so I can well imagine that advanced medical help may be hard to come by for both people and animals alike. I have to tell you, though, from the pictures and what you are describing, I do think a spinal tumor is likely and if so, Ichigo's pain will just become worse and worse. If he is already unable to walk and flinches and cries when you touch or move him, I am so sorry to say that probably the most merciful thing you can for him is to go ahead and release him from the pain by putting him to sleep. I know what a hard decision this is, and I am hoping that others will also stop by with their thoughts and maybe some other suggestions. I am just so sorry, and we will stay here with you as you make your decisions.

Marianne

[goldengirl88]

This is so sad it breaks my heart to read it. I would not rule out an injury to the back yet. Are you sure people are telling you the truth about what happened. How long sis they have your dog, and this was not on his back before hand right? I am so sorry, is there any vet clinic that would help you until you got some money. Can you at least get him some pain medication, it sounds like he is hurting. Blessings
Patti

[lulusmom]

I'm so sorry for the reasons you are posting here and my heart breaks for Ichigo. He looks miserable in the pictures and I'm going to be brutally honest here because sometimes we need someone from the outside looking in to help us be objective when our dogs are suffering from a catastrophic disease or injury. Our love for our dogs is so great, it often blinds us to the real suffering of our dogs. Because we can't imagine not having them in our lives, we may put off making that very difficult decision to release them from their suffering in the hopes that God will grant us a miracle. Unfortunately, I think it's evident that your dog has a catastrophic injury that is causing him tremendous suffering and it will not be healed without medical intervention. If you do not have, nor can afford, a veterinary facility to properly diagnose your dog and treat him, I agree with Marianne and truly believe that you need to consider making the very selfless decision to be merciful and release your precious Ichigo from his suffering.

(((Huge Consoling Hugs))))
Glynda

[flynnandian]

i agree with the other posters. if you really love this dog, then don't be selfish and let him go in peace. whether his back is broken or there is a tumor inside, he won't heal on his own.

[Cooper is missed]

I'm so sorry your dog is suffering so much. My dog had an aortic blood clot which I learned was a cushings related complication. He looked like your dog, he couldn't walk and laid on the floor and cried. He was in utter agony. We put him to sleep when we realized there was no hope for recovery. It was extremely difficult but I knew it was the only thing I could do for him. I miss him terribly but I'm comforted knowing he's no longer in such horrible pain. If your dog has no hope please free him from his suffering. Again, I'm so very sorry you have to go through this.

[doxiesrock912]

I agree with the others.
Please, please don't let Ichigo stay in pain.
Since you can't afford treatment, let a vet help him cross the rainbow bridge where he'll be pain free.

This is the kindest thing to do. Waiting will only make him feel worse and he doesn't deserve that.

[goldengirl88]

I am so sorry for you and your sweet dog. This is an unfortunate circumstance you are in. However you are the care taker of a life that depends on your decisions. I would never tell someone to let there dog go as I cannot even speak the words, so all I will say to you is look in your heart it will tell you what is best for your baby. God Bless you both
Patti

[goldengirl88]

We have not heard from you and I am really wondering how you and your sweet Ichigo are doing? Blessings
Patti