PT Prayers for Springen- Update Post #18

[luvofallhorses]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I know how much you all love him. Springen, you, and your brother will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[ChrisH]

Such awful news. Springen, you, and your brother are in my thoughts and prayers.

[dab_20]

Thought I would update you all on Springen's condition.

I haven't been able to see my brother or Springen very much lately, as I'm hugely pregnant with twins and am about to deliver in the next few weeks. I do however talk to my brother often and he came to visit two weeks ago and brought Spring along with him.

Springen's been suffering the last few months from bouts of extreme swelling, especially in his limbs. The vet said it is due to the tumor in his chest. Springen has been on steroids for a couple months now which has made him lose most of his urinary control. I was shocked to see him a couple weeks ago, he has lost 10 pounds since Christmas and you can see his spine and ribs, he has little muscle tone anymore. The next step is basically waiting on my brothers decision on what to do. Springen needs an ultrasound to get a biopsy of the tumor in his chest which will be close to $1000 dollars, on top of the thousands he's spent on vet visit consultations, xrays, and medications since November. If the tumor is malignant, the vet says there is really nothing they can do. If it is benign, he could attempt a pretty risky surgery to remove the tumor and hope it doesn't come back. The other option is choosing not to treat and do euthanasia, as he is suffering at this point.
This decision is further complicated because of the untreatable bone disease Springen has. Is it worth it to put him through all this, if my brother could come up with the money, but have him live in eventual pain as the disease progresses? It's a really difficult decision my brother is having a hard time with, but I really am pushing him to chose soon because this tumor is causing Springen some major problems with mobility and he is obviously pretty miserable.

I'm pretty torn up about this. Springen is only four years old. Seeing him in the weakened state is heart breaking. He's losing a ton of his hair and is quite thin. When going through his bouts of swelling he can barely walk. He can't jump up on the bed anymore. He pees all over the place and you can tell it upsets him because he knows he's not supposed to in the house, but my poor boy can't help it
I've never went through this with a pet. He is one special boy and it seems so unfair.

Just thought I'd update you all even though I have not been around much. Hope all of you and your furkids are doing well.

[robinh]

Oh my, many prayers being said. Poor baby!

[Karen]

Oh dear, dab_20 - maybe your brother could invest in belly bands for Springen, so he doesn't get pee everywhere and feel badly about it? Have they, can they biopsy the tumor without cutting into it? It just seems so sad, an I'd not want the poor boy to suffer needlessly.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this. I can't stand to see animals suffer so I know what I would do. I hope that your brother will make a decision soon. Lots of prayers and positive thoughts are being sent Springen's way.

[pomtzu]

All of this is very sad, but it does appear that Springen has declined drastically in the past several months, and the future does not look promising. I'm with KAK, and I too know what I would do, even tho it would break my heart. I really believe that Springen would want this also, if the choice was his.

Peace to you, your brother, and most of all, to Springen.

[Casper]

It breaks my heart to hear about any dog that has to go through something like that... let alone such a young one.

(((Hugs))) going out to Springen, you, and your brother. I'll keep you all in my thoughts.

[chocolatepuppy]

I'm sorry Springen is so ill. I feel bad for your family. (hugs)

[cassiesmom]

I am saying big prayers for Springen and sending (((HUGS))))

[sasvermont]

I am so sorry to hear about Springen. It seems that his pain is significant now. I would allow him to go to the Bridge. No doubt in my mind or heart. It is so sad of a decision to be made, but I don't see an alternative. So sorry for all involved. Springen needs to be rid of pain.