Update on Tess

Tess&Coco · 04-13-2007, 12:08 PM

About 6 weeks ago I posted about having found a tumour in our 8-year old lab's mouth, and the trauma of whether to put our girl through surgery that will only prolong her life rather than cure her. Well, after much soul-searching and a consultation with a soft-tissue specialist we decided to go ahead with the surgery, and I wanted to give you an update. Three weeks on from the surgery, you would not know anything had happened to Tess. She started eating again with her reconstructed mouth just over 24 hours after the surgery, and is now relishing her food. As a special concession she has soft tinned food and is on 3 small meals a day (so gets fed every time Coco gets fed which she thinks is the business!). She has been going out for walks since day four post-op, and we've let her dictate the pace. Yesterday she spent about 90 minutes fetching her tennis ball in and out of the river, her absolute very favourite pass-time (well, which doesn't involved food, she is a lab after all).

So we are now looking at 10-12 months with her, instead of the 8 weeks that the specialist estimated it would have taken for the tumour to grow so much it would prevent her eating. It will come back as he was not able to take a sufficient margin within her mouth to remove every vestige. But we've all heard the stories of people and animals who have been given x months to live and are still going years later... so... we will spend the time we have left making her life as full and enjoyable as possible and storing up those positive memories against the time when we have to let her go with dignity.

Coco, our five month old puppy, has been a bit bemused by her "big sister"'s change in demeanour, but has got used to not playing with her like she used to. Tess has been very short-tempered with her and lets her know when she doesn't want to be bothered. They have just started playing together a bit more, so hopefully they will get back to how they used to be.

So a big thank you to the forum members who offered their sympathy and support when we were in the midst of the dilemma of what was the kindest thing for Tess. I am now certain we made the right choice although it was hard to see her in pain in the days after the op. It's such a joy to see her play, sleep, eat, swim and run with the sheer pleasure of life. I will not take her (or Coco) for granted and I am thankful for having the wake-up call to appreciate every day for what it is.

DOBERMAN_07 · 04-13-2007, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tess&Coco

About 6 weeks ago I posted about having found a tumour in our 8-year old lab's mouth, and the trauma of whether to put our girl through surgery that will only prolong her life rather than cure her. Well, after much soul-searching and a consultation with a soft-tissue specialist we decided to go ahead with the surgery, and I wanted to give you an update. Three weeks on from the surgery, you would not know anything had happened to Tess. She started eating again with her reconstructed mouth just over 24 hours after the surgery, and is now relishing her food. As a special concession she has soft tinned food and is on 3 small meals a day (so gets fed every time Coco gets fed which she thinks is the business!). She has been going out for walks since day four post-op, and we've let her dictate the pace. Yesterday she spent about 90 minutes fetching her tennis ball in and out of the river, her absolute very favourite pass-time (well, which doesn't involved food, she is a lab after all).

So we are now looking at 10-12 months with her, instead of the 8 weeks that the specialist estimated it would have taken for the tumour to grow so much it would prevent her eating. It will come back as he was not able to take a sufficient margin within her mouth to remove every vestige. But we've all heard the stories of people and animals who have been given x months to live and are still going years later... so... we will spend the time we have left making her life as full and enjoyable as possible and storing up those positive memories against the time when we have to let her go with dignity.

Coco, our five month old puppy, has been a bit bemused by her "big sister"'s change in demeanour, but has got used to not playing with her like she used to. Tess has been very short-tempered with her and lets her know when she doesn't want to be bothered. They have just started playing together a bit more, so hopefully they will get back to how they used to be.

So a big thank you to the forum members who offered their sympathy and support when we were in the midst of the dilemma of what was the kindest thing for Tess. I am now certain we made the right choice although it was hard to see her in pain in the days after the op. It's such a joy to see her play, sleep, eat, swim and run with the sheer pleasure of life. I will not take her (or Coco) for granted and I am thankful for having the wake-up call to appreciate every day for what it is.

Wow, I give you a lot of props for going doing what you did for Tess and Im assuming its a lot harder on you than on the dog knowing that there is an X amount of time you two are going to be together. I know I would be crushed if I was in your place.

I honestly hope that you will spend as much time with the dog as possible and show these vets they know nothing about the resiliency of dogs when given enough love and attention.

Good luck

Tess&Coco · 04-13-2007, 12:21 PM

Thank you DOBERMAN_07. I really value the warmth and understanding of you doggy people. So many people just don't get the anxst that we go through, and we have had the "it's only a dog" reaction more often than the empathy.

We are giving Tess flax seed oil (also known as linseed oil) twice a day as a supplement, as our trainer mentioned it as a cancer therapy. I would be interested to hear if anyone else has used it and how successful it is.

Tamara · 04-13-2007, 12:21 PM

Welcome back

and check your inbox

Curbside Prophet · 04-13-2007, 09:21 PM

I think I know a great place where the tin man from the Wizard of Oz can find his heart. Welcome back!

sobreeze · 04-13-2007, 10:47 PM

Welcome Back So Glad Tess Is Feeling Better

squirt1968 · 04-14-2007, 12:28 AM

Thanks for sharing in info. you truly have a terrifc heart. Welcome back

Tess&Coco · 04-15-2007, 04:08 AM

Thanks everyone! It's good to be back on the forum. I'll post updates and pics from time to time. We're just taking one day at a time.

cshellenberger · 04-15-2007, 05:12 AM

Wonderful to hear that Tess is feeling better, I look forward to the pics!

Chloef_2799 · 04-15-2007, 10:49 PM

Wow, its always good to hear stories from people who care so much for their pets instead of dumping them or euthanizing them at the first sign of bad things to come.
Glad to know Tess is feeling better and I am glad to know you are caring for her so lovingly. Kudos to you!