I feel I let my dog down

[vercetti2021]

Today we had surgery for him to remove a cancerous part of his hind leg so he could continue on living. But goddamn I think we made a huge mistake. He is in pain, the meds aren't helping, he has been non stop crying for hours on end. I feel we effectively ended his life trying to make sure he didn't die from cancer later. I'm distraught, I absolutely hate myself for what we have done to him. This isn't what we wanted. But we are torturing him by letting him be in pain. I know its surgery, but this is killing all of us.

I don't know what to do, I've cried endlessly for hours and I can't figure it out anymore.

[catbyte]

1. I'm so sorry. When was the surgery?

This is an obvious duh, but maybe he needs IV pain meds. You didn't let him down--you did what is best for him. Your vet should know what to do about the pain. Again, I'm sorry you are all going through this.

[vercetti2021]

2. Yesterday morning

But he is in pain and the meds we were given just aren't helping. I don't know what to do besides maybe it's time for him to head to rainbow bridge? I feel this was all on us. We tried to do the right thing and we ended up making him suffer more.

[catbyte]

4. Don't give up on him. Call the vet ASAP this morning and let he/she know he's in pain.

This isn't normal and he needs to be seen. How awful for you and for him. I feel so helpless, too. They're family.

[vercetti2021]

9. I am

I have 2 more hours to go, just I needed to talk to someone. This is very hard right now and I'm out of tears.

[Tetrachloride]

3. Speculation and suggestions : a nerve block ?

additional surgery at the site of pain

topical pain killers (surface pain)

General anesthetic for sleep for 6-24 hours?

In my episodes with broken bones, 24-48 hours is the hump.

Extra deep mattress

Put mattress high enough to see out a window?

Rice and ground beef if he’s not eating. I had to feed my dog by hand.

[vercetti2021]

6. Maybe?

Depends on what the vet says, I'm taking him back up there to see what can be done.

[hlthe2b]

5. Call your veterinarian first thing in the morning and comfort your dog until then

There are pain options. If it was bone cancer and a partial amputation-- that is inherently painful in both humans and dogs/cats. The unfortunate downside of the Opiate crackdown is that physicians and veterinarians are under a microscope with narcotic use and that has caused some conservative decisions that may lead to unintentional under-controlled pain in both fields for humans and animals. I'm sure that either your veterinarian or those staffing a local emergency clinic (which would be an immediate option) will show you the compassion to add additional medications and possibly sedation to get your beloved pup through this post-operative pain. If you do opt to go to an emergency clinic, bring any meds and records with you.

Until then hold your pup and do all you can to make him comfortable. I'm really sorry.

[vercetti2021]

7. Thank you

I'm trying, but this is just awful. I feel like I unintentionally just tortured him more with this surgery.

[Rhiannon12866]

8. Tell the vet ASAP that the meds aren't working. Maybe he should be under their care for a couple days

My dog had major dental surgery a few years back and was initially on meds. He slept for the first few days which made me very anxious, but at least I knew he was comfortable.

[vercetti2021]

17. That's my plan

I hope they can do something like this. Otherwise I fear the other options

[NanceGreggs]

10. Dogs (and cats) are sensitive animals.

They can sense that our motive is to "do the right thing", even when it may not be the right thing from their perspective.

They know your pain, as well as their own. They understand your love for them is as unwavering and unconditional as their love for you.

He is not crying because you caused him any harm - he is crying because he doesn't want to let you go. And you are crying for the same reason.

Be at peace with the decisions you've made - I've no doubt that your canine companion understands the incredible love and devotion that guided you every step of the way.

[MissMillie]

11. Please stop beating yourself up

You made your decision based on what you believed what was in his best interest.

Sometimes things happen that we can't foresee. You'll be working with the vet to correct the situation.

Just try to keep him calm in the meantime--and yeah that means you need to stay calm too (animals can sense when you're not).

[Botany]

12. Take your dog to your vet ASAP

Last edited Sat Sep 17, 2022, 09:23 AM - Edit history (1)

You tried your best and you did nothing wrong. See if his pain can be managed better,
what will be the quality of the dog's life, and how much time the dog has left?

Remember that at sometime you will have to give your friend the best gift that you can
and that is to stop his suffering and that is a good thing.

[Vinca]

13. Maybe he should be sedated at the vets for a couple of days. Call and find out.

Don't give up yet and don't flog yourself. Sometimes there's pain post-surgery in both people and pets. In the end you did the right thing having the cancer removed.

[vercetti2021]

15. I have another 30 mins to go before they open

This has been a very long and tiring night. My body and mind is frayed completely

[TNNurse]

14. You did what you believed to be best for your dog.

Do not kick yourself. Get him to the vet now and see your options. You did nothing wrong.

[vercetti2021]

16. What I am afraid of

Options always being putting to sleep which is what I fear so badly

[TNNurse]

25. You will do what is best for him.

It may not be best for you, but you clearly love him enough to decide what it best for him.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

18. You did what you believed to be best for your dog

It is tough having a family member in pain. From what I read, you did the right thing. I hope that you puppy feels better soon

[ramapo]

19. Give him time

The first couple of days can be tough. He had major surgery and might need more meds for a day or two

Dogs and cats do just fine as tripods. I am part of an animal rescue and it is not uncommon that we have dogs and cats that need a leg removed due to injury or disease.

Within a few weeks they heal and are running around

The amazing thing is they don’t feel sorry for themselves or rue their new reality.

Your dog needs time to heal. Hang in there

[vercetti2021]

20. Trying

Just not all in control here sadly. Others have a vote in this and yeah it isn't positive where they'll vote

[ramapo]

22. It's distressing but don't give up

What you’re going through is not unusual. It’s also not easy

Believe me that your dog can get through this unless the vet says otherwise

You can too

[Bettie]

21. I hope the vet can help

we do the best we can. He knows that.

Hoping the vet can help out with his pain.

[csusan]

23. Pain meds?

Just saw your post don’t know if you have talked to vet yet. It could be a reaction to pain meds especially if they gave your dog tramadol. I have greyhounds and am part of a greyhound adoption group. I have heard of strange and usual behaviors from dogs put on tramadol. Vets don’t tell you this. Tramadol is a narcotic. Strong pain med. dogs will sometimes pace all night, panting, whining and crying. Any of these behaviors could be a reaction. It doesn’t mean they are in pain. Not sure about other pain meds but any strong pain med I would think can cause usual behavior in a dog. I agree you did what you thought was right. What you did was out of love. Hang in and hopefully things will get better over the next few hours. One other thing greyhounds are drama queens and will scream like they are dying when getting their nails trimmed. If you have a dog that is very vocal at other times it may be not much pain but your do is just being very vocal about what happened.

[niyad]

24. Just seeing this post. I have nothing to add to all the thoughtful and

loving comments and suggestions. Just sending hugs and vibes for best posdible outcome. Your DU family is here for you and that precious baby.

[mahina]

30. Seconded

[ramen]

26. Call the vet, for sure, but I went through this recently,

and day one was fiendish, much like what you are describing. Day two was not great. But then recovery began, and our cancer-free dog started to get better. It is horrible to not be able to explain to one's pet why they are going through this, and I felt a lot of guilt and wondering whether it was the correct move at her age. But yesterday we both ran up and down a mountain and she then laid in the late summer sun for hours.

Your mileage may vary, but caring for your dog's health is good, even when it is as hard as you're describing. I hope the pain eases soon and recovery is quick.

[vercetti2021]

28. Working on it now

God I just hope everyone else in the house will not jump the gun

[Farmer-Rick]

27. I hope you got a chance to talk to your vet.

That was really your only solution.

I hope the vet prescribed something that works for your furry friend. Even in humans pain medicines don't work sometimes and you have to change it up. When I stepped on a nail that went through my foot, they gave me some weird meds that gave me a rash, made me dizzy and didn't even touch the pain. But some simple Tylenol really helped the pain.

Around here we have emergency animal vets. They open up after hours and on weekends to help people with sick pets. You may want to look one up and have it's location and number on hand, if your vet doesn't offer after hours emergency services.

Let's us know what happens. I hope everything works out.

[vercetti2021]

31. Good news

We were able to get the medication dosage higher so it should be okay for now hopefully I don't want to give up on him

[StarryNite]

33. That's good news.

Today will be rough but with each day he will heal more. It's the same with people when we undergo surgery. That second day is often a dozy.

[Farmer-Rick]

35. Great to hear

You are a good pet parent.

[sinkingfeeling]

29. Call your vet. There must be a different pain med they can give him.

Last edited Sat Sep 17, 2022, 10:22 AM - Edit history (1)

I had to have my dog's entire front leg amputated because of cancer. He adapted well and lived 5 more years to age 15.

He may not be in pain, but is stressed. You did the right thing. I cried for days after Sugar lost his leg, but he didn't seem to mind .

[StarryNite]

32. Dogs adapt much easier to thing than we do.

He was a beauty!

[ForgedCrank]

34. Dang,

tough spot to be in all around. It's a thing we all dread.
We often string our pets life along for our own comfort, I've seen it too many times. But in this case, I think you probably did the right thing.
It hurts inside when you know they are suffering, but your buddy will heal. Just comfort him as best you can while he recovers, let him know you are still there for him. Try to work with the vet and see if there is anything further they can give him to mitigate the pain short term.
The day will come when he will be smiling at you again. It stinks when they have to go through it, but they are very resilient, and when that day comes, he'll be just as happy to be with you as you are to still have him around. That is when you'll realize you did the right thing for him.
Stay strong.

[XanaDUer2]

36. You did what you thought was best

Consult with the vet. We had to have our Schipperke's leg amputated due to massive benign rumors, so I know how you feel.

Sending light to you all.

[milestogo]

37. When my last dog had knee surgery they applied a fentanyl patch

to reduce the pain. The effectiveness of the patch would wear off after a few days and then it should be removed.

There is no reason your dog should have to endure this pain.

Let your vet know, or if you can't reach them go to an emergency vet. Sounds like poor veterinary care to me.

[MacKasey]

38. Keeping you and your boy in my prayers

Please post updates!

I have this post bookmarked