Took Gus to the vet this morning(long)

Swampo · #1 11-02-2009, 10:19 AM

Gussy(who will be 12 in January) hasn't been doing well lately. We've noticed a gradual decline in his energy level over the last couple of months, but attributed it to old age. The last two weeks however, he has really gotten worse. All he does is sleep. He doesn't even want to get up to go potty. He will hold it for hours on end so that he doesn't have to get up. He's developed a cough also. When he gets excited, like when he greets you, he starts "hacking". His tummy now seems hard to the touch, almost swollen. It looks like he's lost weight, but when weighed today at the vet, he had actually gained a little. His temp was a little on the low side, but all bloodwork came back fine(although he was a tiny bit anemic). The vet now wants to do a radiograph to see if he can see anything tumor or cancer-like. He didn't feel anything abnormal while examining him. Their machine was down this am, so we will take him back later for that. The vet seems to think that it's probably cancer. He's had seizures, 2 different episodes about 3 months apart, over the last year also. I'm just wondering, with him being the age he is, how much we can really do for him if it is cancer. He's been on arthritis med. for a few yrs now, I'm sure that's been masking some of his pain. He moans himself to sleep at night. The vet said that if it is cancer, depending on what kind it is, we could possibly treat it with steroids or such. Isn't that like a "band-aid" fix though? I mean, wouldn't we just be prolonging the inevitable? I just hate seeing him suffer like this. Is it possible that there really is some kind of treatment out there that could bring him up from where he is now?

sriley · #2 11-02-2009, 11:59 AM

Has your vet ruled out any heart problems? A cough can sometimes be a sign of heart issues. My Buddy had cardiomyopathy and his energy level closely resembled what your describing with Gus. Sending Gus a healthy dose of ((((healing vibes)))).

Swampo · #3 11-02-2009, 12:04 PM

He told us that if the xrays came back clear (as far as tumors and such) that we would start looking at the heart. He mentioned C.M. as a possible diagnosis also.

JWalkBoxers · #4 11-02-2009, 01:59 PM

I am so sorry to hear about Gus! Ripley and I are sending lots of prayers and healing vibes your way. Be sure to give him lots of extra hugs and kisses.

iluvfrankie · #5 11-02-2009, 02:59 PM

Hoping for good news for ur man. Hes in my prayers. x

sriley · #6 11-02-2009, 02:59 PM

I hope the x-rays are free and clear of cancer. I also hope Gus doesn't have any heart issues. Please keep us posted. I'll be thinking about you and Gus

kayboxer · #7 11-02-2009, 03:02 PM

It's so hard watching our companions grow old. It can be so heartbreaking. I hope you get get news, but at 12 old age is probably taking its toll. Please keep us posted on what you find out. We will send boxer healing vibes your way.

laneysmom · #8 11-02-2009, 04:22 PM

I am sorry to hear about Gussy's health problems. 12 yr is old for a boxer. Poor guy is just probably winding down a little. My thoughts & prayers are with you at this time. I hope all goes well for him. Sending Gus some healing (((vibes))) & hugs. God bless...

Boxer Babies · #9 11-03-2009, 03:26 AM

Im sorry to hear of Gussys problems. By what you have said about hacking and coughing when excited may suggest haeart problems and also the seizure episodes.

Our Boy was diagnosed with Aortic Stenosis about 3 years ago and he would have seizures if he got over excited or ran a little too hard. I believe the technical term is Syncope. We have a Cardiology check up every year and he is on human heart medication called Atenelol(aussie name).

As far as the possible cancer.... We just helped our girl to the bridge, she was nearly 13. Our vet suspected she had cancer as she had lost a fair bit of wieght and had tummy upsets, then she started having these turns in the past month or so. She only had a couple, and at first we thought she had a stroke, but the vet thinks she had a tumor of some kind up behind her eye. We had her on Steroids for a few weeks and she was fantastic, truly, like a new dog. But.... we discussed the long term affects these tablets would have on her, and as you said, it simply masks the problems it doesnt fix it.

We opted to stop the meds, and eventually said goodbye to her.

I guess what Im trying to say, but not very well, perhaps think about whether Gussy can endure the treatment available at his age and whether he would be best to just live out his life (as long as hes not in pain).

My thoughts and love are with you and I hope you get some answers. I hope what I said makes sense...

Murp.mm · #10 11-04-2009, 08:16 AM

Hoping Gus gets a clear report on his tummy. Sending lots of healing vibes his way. Hugs.