So my vet had THE discussion with me yesterday. Now what?
I knew this day was coming - but of course - one can never be really prepared to hear the vet say that "we need to start thinking of quality of life and end of life at this point for Moby." He has had a host of health issues since he turned 12 1/2 from a mast cell tumor, spindle cell tumor, a bout of vestibular syndrome, lately mastictory muscle myosis. He is on pain meds for arthritis, and now the spindle cell tumor is so large that it is outgrowing its' blood supply and is constantly weeping onto the floor. Yet he still eats, enjoys going to the dog park, etc. The vet - who I absolutely trust suggested a last ditch effort of shrink the tumor with prednisone - as it did before. But then - there were side effects of heavy panting, etc. He turns 14 in three weeks. So - I am trying this - but also trying to be realistic. The biggest fear is that the tumor will bleed out because there is nothing that really can be done for it at this point and I am going to have to make this decision.
Any experience you would like to share about how you really knew? I had thought that when he stopped eating and enjoying life - it would be the time - but this will most likely not be the case in this situation.
Secondly - my 15 month old puppy has had Moby all of his life (well, since he was 8 weeks old). How best do I handle this with the puppy?
My heart is so broken. My sweet boy.