Sad News to report

nikimcbee · 03-14-08, 02:27 AM

I guess since subsim is practically family, I have some sad news to report. Niki McBee, the official Boston Terrier of Subsim, is rapidly approaching the end of his doggy life.

Niki has a large tumor on his throat that is effecting his breathing. I took him to the vet today to have his tumor looked at again. It has grown considerably since I first noticed it. The vet tried to take samples from the tumor, but that effort failed to yield results (a diagnosis). An operation is considered too dangerous to perform because of the location of the tumor in regards to the arteries that are located in the throat. Plus the operation is out of my price range (>$3000) It is most likely (unconfirmed) that the tumor is malignant and it may be too late to do anything. So at this point the vet and I discussed euthenasia. At this point I just need to make "the decision."

I don't know the time line for making this decision.

This is a very hard time for me, as I raised Niki from a puppy, so making the decision to end a friend's life is not easy.

Thanks for your support and friendship.

Ol' McBee

Dowly · 03-14-08, 02:32 AM

So, so sorry to hear that.

danlisa · 03-14-08, 03:07 AM

It's like loosing a member of the family. I'm very sorry for you.

_Seth_ · 03-14-08, 03:29 AM

I'm a dog lovin' person myself, so this is indeed bad news...Im so sorry, mate

d@rk51d3 · 03-14-08, 03:43 AM

I don't know quite what to say, except, I'm sorry to hear that sad news.

Dmitry Markov · 03-14-08, 04:00 AM

Sad news indeed (((

STEED · 03-14-08, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

This is a very hard time for me, as I raised Niki from a puppy, so making the decision to end a friend's life is not easy.

It never is mate.

As long as he had a good life you can be proud you did your bit and had a good time with him.

ReallyDedPoet · 03-14-08, 06:50 AM

Very sorry to hear that.

RDP

AVGWarhawk · 03-14-08, 07:09 AM

As many dogs as I have seen in my family, and it has been plenty as my mother bred pugs for show and is a AKC judge, she always was in the thought that as long as the dog is comfortable and not in pain with a problems such as Niki has, let it be. One pug in particular had a mass growing on her leg and chest area. Could do nothing about it. She let the dog be and we kept her comfortable fat and happy until there was evidence of pain and discomfort. Niki should be handled the same way. If the little guy seems to be ok and making it around without much issue, let him be. Make him comfortable and let him enjoy what he can. When the day comes were he is in pain or life is just miserable with his cancer, then euthanasia is the one best possible thing you can do for Niki. Although the thought of euthanasia sucks, it is a avenue you can take to relieve Niki of any pain that you or the vet can not do anything about. Sorry to hear of his ailment and yes, these little guys get to be your best friend and a family member. They all have a personality of their own for sure.

nikimcbee · 03-14-08, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

As many dogs as I have seen in my family, and it has been plenty as my mother bred pugs for show and is a AKC judge, she always was in the thought that as long as the dog is comfortable and not in pain with a problems such as Niki has, let it be. One pug in particular had a mass growing on her leg and chest area. Could do nothing about it. She let the dog be and we kept her comfortable fat and happy until there was evidence of pain and discomfort. Niki should be handled the same way. If the little guy seems to be ok and making it around without much issue, let him be. Make him comfortable and let him enjoy what he can. When the day comes were he is in pain or life is just miserable with his cancer, then euthanasia is the one best possible thing you can do for Niki. Although the thought of euthanasia sucks, it is a avenue you can take to relieve Niki of any pain that you or the vet can not do anything about. Sorry to hear of his ailment and yes, these little guys get to be your best friend and a family member. They all have a personality of their own for sure.

The vet thinks (as do I) that the tumor is pushing on his trachia (sp). At times he sounds like he has a smokers cough. He's lost 5 pounds in his weight, which normally, that would be great, as he is a " little pudgy". But he still is active I guess, when its time to go outside, he's ready to go. It's a tough call, because he doesn't seem too miserable. The last month though, I have become very concerned for him.

SmokinTep · 03-14-08, 07:24 AM

Sorry to hear about your dog. It's always a sad time when you have to say goodbye to a friend. I cried like a baby when I had to take my dog in. He was just like looking at me and all.........

AVGWarhawk · 03-14-08, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

As many dogs as I have seen in my family, and it has been plenty as my mother bred pugs for show and is a AKC judge, she always was in the thought that as long as the dog is comfortable and not in pain with a problems such as Niki has, let it be. One pug in particular had a mass growing on her leg and chest area. Could do nothing about it. She let the dog be and we kept her comfortable fat and happy until there was evidence of pain and discomfort. Niki should be handled the same way. If the little guy seems to be ok and making it around without much issue, let him be. Make him comfortable and let him enjoy what he can. When the day comes were he is in pain or life is just miserable with his cancer, then euthanasia is the one best possible thing you can do for Niki. Although the thought of euthanasia sucks, it is a avenue you can take to relieve Niki of any pain that you or the vet can not do anything about. Sorry to hear of his ailment and yes, these little guys get to be your best friend and a family member. They all have a personality of their own for sure.

The vet thinks (as do I) that the tumor is pushing on his trachia (sp). At times he sounds like he has a smokers cough. He's lost 5 pounds in his weight, which normally, that would be great, as he is a " little pudgy". But he still is active I guess, when its time to go outside, he's ready to go. It's a tough call, because he doesn't seem too miserable. The last month though, I have become very concerned for him.

That is the thing, Niki is still active, goes outside. He experiences some discomfort every now and then from the sound of it. By your description he sounds somewhat ok with exception of the growth making him cough. Keep him comfortable and happy. He will tell you when things are not so great. Dogs have a way of doing that. It is a crappy situation no doubt. Do the best you can because that is all anyone can ask of you, even Niki.

Torplexed · 03-14-08, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

At this point I just need to make "the decision."

I don't know the time line for making this decision.

Aggggh! Grim news mcbee. This is a heart-rendering post. I've gone through this before. With cats mostly. Watch for signs of apathy. If he has no more enthusiasm for life, no interest in food or water it's time. It's mercy, but that doesn't make it any easier.

Now, I'll be depressed all day.

nikimcbee · 03-14-08, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torplexed

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

At this point I just need to make "the decision."

I don't know the time line for making this decision.

Aggggh! Grim news mcbee. This is a heart-rendering post. I've gone through this before. With cats mostly. Watch for signs of apathy. If he has no more enthusiasm for life, no interest in food or water it's time. It's mercy, but that doesn't make it any easier.

Now, I'll be depressed all day.

Yeah, he hasn't hit that stage yet. I had a talk with my son when we first discovered the tumor, I guess it's time for the talk again.

03-14-08, 12:56 PM

Not just this family, but any family. Dogs are family, period, and it breaks one's heart to see this thing happen.

My sympathy to you, sir, as one dog lover to another.

03-14-08, 02:27 AM	#1
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Sad News to report I guess since subsim is practically family, I have some sad news to report. Niki McBee, the official Boston Terrier of Subsim, is rapidly approaching the end of his doggy life. Niki has a large tumor on his throat that is effecting his breathing. I took him to the vet today to have his tumor looked at again. It has grown considerably since I first noticed it. The vet tried to take samples from the tumor, but that effort failed to yield results (a diagnosis). An operation is considered too dangerous to perform because of the location of the tumor in regards to the arteries that are located in the throat. Plus the operation is out of my price range (>$3000) It is most likely (unconfirmed) that the tumor is malignant and it may be too late to do anything. So at this point the vet and I discussed euthenasia. At this point I just need to make "the decision." I don't know the time line for making this decision. This is a very hard time for me, as I raised Niki from a puppy, so making the decision to end a friend's life is not easy. Thanks for your support and friendship. Ol' McBee __________________

03-14-08, 03:07 AM	#3
danlisa Navy Seal Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Cornwall, UK Posts: 5,499 Downloads: 45 Uploads: 1	It's like loosing a member of the family. I'm very sorry for you. __________________

03-14-08, 03:29 AM	#4
_Seth_ Ocean Warrior Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: In Tromsoe, @Tirpitz' final resting place.. Posts: 3,277 Downloads: 94 Uploads: 0	I'm a dog lovin' person myself, so this is indeed bad news...Im so sorry, mate __________________

03-14-08, 04:00 AM	#6
Dmitry Markov Officer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Moscow, Russian Federation Posts: 236 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Sad news indeed ((( __________________ Большому кораблю - большая торпеда!

03-14-08, 06:50 AM	#8
ReallyDedPoet Canadian Wolf Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canada. The one and only, East Coast Posts: 10,884 Downloads: 946 Uploads: 5	Very sorry to hear that. RDP __________________ Back in the Day

03-14-08, 02:32 AM	#2
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,052 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	So, so sorry to hear that.

03-14-08, 03:43 AM	#5
d@rk51d3 Sea Lord Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 1,951 Downloads: 207 Uploads: 0	I don't know quite what to say, except, I'm sorry to hear that sad news.

03-14-08, 07:09 AM	#9
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	As many dogs as I have seen in my family, and it has been plenty as my mother bred pugs for show and is a AKC judge, she always was in the thought that as long as the dog is comfortable and not in pain with a problems such as Niki has, let it be. One pug in particular had a mass growing on her leg and chest area. Could do nothing about it. She let the dog be and we kept her comfortable fat and happy until there was evidence of pain and discomfort. Niki should be handled the same way. If the little guy seems to be ok and making it around without much issue, let him be. Make him comfortable and let him enjoy what he can. When the day comes were he is in pain or life is just miserable with his cancer, then euthanasia is the one best possible thing you can do for Niki. Although the thought of euthanasia sucks, it is a avenue you can take to relieve Niki of any pain that you or the vet can not do anything about. Sorry to hear of his ailment and yes, these little guys get to be your best friend and a family member. They all have a personality of their own for sure. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

03-14-08, 07:24 AM	#11
SmokinTep Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Suffolk, Virginia Posts: 1,027 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Sorry to hear about your dog. It's always a sad time when you have to say goodbye to a friend. I cried like a baby when I had to take my dog in. He was just like looking at me and all.........

03-14-08, 12:56 PM	#15
Zayphod Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	Not just this family, but any family. Dogs are family, period, and it breaks one's heart to see this thing happen. My sympathy to you, sir, as one dog lover to another.