my dog might have a brain tumor .... :(

maggie_cork

found out yesterday that my 5 year old Cavailer Kind Charles might have a brain tumor.. I'm so gutted...

she was perfect up until Tuesday when she started to cry, took her straight to vet she was very high temperature, vet said it was a bug/flu type thing and gave her infections and antibiotics.. we were told to keep a very close eye on her and keep vet updated.. we did.. Honey was completely a different dog.. falling all over the place when she stood up etc.. took her straight back to the vet first thing yesterday and he said she has taken a drastic change for the worst and may now have a tumor in her brain.. I'm in shock, i love my dog like she was my child! we wont know for sure if its a tumor until this evening when scans and the specialist sees her...

has anyone ever been in this situation

abouttobebanned

So sorry to hear that :-(

fingers crossed that the scans later will give some hope.

maggie_cork

hopefully.. because it was so so unexpected.. and its my little sisters dog, she knows Honey is sick but doesnt know that its bad, if the news is bad she will be heartbroken..

Whispered

I hope you will get some good news later.

PaulB91

Hi Maggie, really sorry to hear this and my thoughts and prayers are with you, i haven't had any experience myself, but i did a quick search online and found the following which may help give some information http://www.cavalierhealth.org/index.html

from looking further i am wondering if it may be this - obviously await the vets results though (I don't really like posting such negative posts and hope you understand that i post this in order that it may give you further information)

Syringomyelia is widespread; can cause severe pain to CKCSs

Syringomyelia (SM) is reported to be "very widespread" in the Cavalier King Charles spaniel breed. Syringomyelia is a disorder of the brain and spinal cord, which may cause severe head and neck pain and possible paralysis.

http://www.cavalierhealth.org/syringomyelia.htm

crotalus667

PaulB91 wrote: »

from looking further i am wondering if it may be this - obviously await the vets results though (I don't really like posting such negative posts and hope you understand that i post this in order that it may give you further information)
http://www.cavalierhealth.org/syringomyelia.htm

paul akaik that tends to show its self before they reach 6;)



op best ok luck and here is hoping it turns out to be nothing more than a few tabs will fix

PaulB91

crotalus667 wrote: »

paul akaik that tends to show its self before they reach 6;)

the charles is only 5?

Glenalla

I am so sorry to hear about you dog, they really are part of the family. There was a documentary on last year regarding the breeding of King Charles for show purposes and it exposed the problems encountered by many dogs as the intensive breeding has resulted in their brains out growing their skulls and vets having to remove parts of the skull to relieve the pressure build up. The dogs affected were falling around all over the place unable to coordinate themselves properly and obviously in pain. It really is so cruel to intensively breed dogs and introduce defects. I hope your dog recovers soon.

doggiewalker00

:(Hoping you have some good news later
I have a cav myself and they really are like little babies,for 5 years old it is really unique not to have atleast some small problem with them.
hope its not a brain tmour,it could be something like
episodic falling,this breed in paticular are prone to it,they tend to loose thier ballance and fall over.

good luck

steph1

Yes good luck and I hope the news is good poor little thing.

morganafay

So sorry to hear your little dog is sick, and I hope that she will be ok. I love Cavs, they're just the nicest dog there is.

I would mention to the vet that syringiomyelia and episodic falling are common in Cavaliers. They probably already know but if they can rule it out then that would be good anyway.

I would also check out http://www.cavaliertalk.com/forums/forum.php There's a health section and some people might be able to help hopefully.

I hope she's ok

morganafay

doggiewalker00 wrote: »

I have a cav myself and they really are like little babies,for 5 years old it is really unique not to have atleast some small problem with them.


good luck

Really? My three are 6, 8 and 9 and have never been sick a day in their life, and don't have heart murmurs or anything. I hope they'll stay healthy . . .

ghost_ie

Sorry to hear about your little Cav. Hope the news from the scans is good

maggie_cork

still no news
ya shes only 5 and never had any problems.. I have a one of her puppies aswell (well not a puppy anymore as she is almost 2) but the poor thing is in an awful state because her mam isnt here...

Limerickgal82

Sorry to hear about your poor little dog Hope you get some good news .

crotalus667

PaulB91 wrote: »

the charles is only 5?

i ment 5 , it usealy shows iirc during the main growth period

lorebringer

morganafay wrote: »

Really? My three are 6, 8 and 9 and have never been sick a day in their life, and don't have heart murmurs or anything. I hope they'll stay healthy . . .

I'll have to get the name of your breeder

Shazanne

Have just read this thread and am heartbroken for the OP. I lost my beloved 15 years old cat 2 years ago to kidney failure and he was like a child to me - I still miss him every day.
I really, really hope you get good news on Honey - please keep us updated X

morganafay

lorebringer wrote: »

I'll have to get the name of your breeder

Three different breeders! One of them was a "backyard breeder" too! (I didn't know any better at the time, since I was only 13!) I also know a 14 year old Cavalier who is in brilliant health.

They're such lovely dogs, it's so sad that they have so many health problems.

maggie_cork

hey all!!! update for ye. Vet said she had a mini stroke.. and that with a lot of care over the next few weeks that she will make a recovery!! so happy!! he said that her mini stroke led to her current condition and that it has slightly done damage to her knees, but with steriods for a month or two and building back her strenght again and LOADS AND LOADS OF LOVE AND CARE that she will be ok again!

bringing her home tommorow at 4!!!!!!! cant wait!!!!

so so so HAPPY!!!
even her puppy Lady is delighted with the news!!!!

maggie_cork

he also said that the swelling in her head was more than likely due to the fall she had when she had the stroke.. so after a few days the swelling will go.

he said she is eating etc again so is already showing signs of improvement!
bless my vet love him!

tk123

Thats great news OP!!

maggie_cork

thanks!!!!! over the moon!

Shazanne

Fantastic news! That little dog has been on my mind since I read your thread! She's in for a lot of spoiling now I can tell!! Lucky dog - but well worth it! Well done to you - I wish everyone cared so much about their pets.:)

steph1

Ah thats great. Hope now she will make a full recovery.

ghost_ie

That's great news. Hope she makes a full recovery. Now go and spoil her rotten while she recuperates

morganafay

That's great news!

doggiewalker00

GOOD NEWS!:D

maggie_cork

Aw thanks everyone for all yer comments.
Can't wait to have her home.. only 4 hours now!!

I will keep ye posted on her recovery!!

maggie_cork

hey all. update on Honey-
shes home 3 days now. she is delighted to be home! she has a few problems from her stroke.. when she fell after the stroke she banged her head so had a bump.. thats gone know, but she also really hurt her neck when she fell.. she is on pain meds for that, she also really strained her 2 back legs when she fell so her balance is sometimes a bit wobbly, getting better everyday.. she is also on a heart tablet for strengthen her artery walls, she has a heart murmer so vet said a heart meds for while will help.

She has a long recovery ahead of her so helpfully she will make a good recovery. Vet checkup again in 2 weeks, and after 6 weeks we will access her recovery again.

She has a great appetite again which is good and drinking loads of water. She is slightly overweight so we are controlling her food, its too early to walk her yet so monitoring her food will have to do for the moment to try get her weight down until she get back walking again.

lorebringer

So pleased to hear your little one is on the mend! Hope she is back to her usual self in no time

doggiewalker00

if shes anything like mine,shell have no problem spending six weeks sleeping and relaxing,curled up in a ball on your lap:)

Shazanne

doggiewalker00 wrote: »

if shes anything like mine,shell have no problem spending six weeks sleeping and relaxing,curled up in a ball on your lap:)

How true - it's doggy paradise!! She'll probably prolong her recuperation to ensure the pampering continues;)

maggie_cork

hey all..
Honey was great for the last wek, lively and in great form, she had 2 bad days over weekend, but was great again yesterday.. she had a bad night last night so vet called today to see her.. he said she is getting worse not better and that she is never going to recover.. and that the best thing would be to put her to sleep

crotalus667

maggie_cork wrote: »

hey all..
Honey was great for the last wek, lively and in great form, she had 2 bad days over weekend, but was great again yesterday.. she had a bad night last night so vet called today to see her.. he said she is getting worse not better and that she is never going to recover.. and that the best thing would be to put her to sleep

*hugs to make you feel better*

maggie_cork

heartbroken

Alicat

So so sorry to hear that Maggie Just give her all the love you can

star-pants

Maggie that's heartbreaking, if she has to be put to sleep just give her the best love you can in her last days, but obviously ye are trying all avenues first.
My hearts with you and your family

PaulB91

Hey Maggie - i'm sorry to hear that - but remember that as lucky as you are to have her she is as lucky to have you - try to be strong for her and give her a hug from me

Shazanne

O no. I was so upset to read that news and I am gutted for you. I know how you must be feeling right now and how awful that feeling is. But the main thing for her right now is that you are there for her, giving her love and comfort. Get a second opinion if it makes you feel better as well, although, if you fully trust your vet as I did in my case, you'll know what's in Honey's best interest. Think of all the love and fun you've shared with her and all that she has given you - don't let her suffer now. You will be in my thoughts and prayers:(

Blueprint

Sorry to hear your sad news...

steph1

So sorry to hear that news

doggiewalker00

Im so sorry to hear that
I dont want to intrude but what is the reason behind the vet deciding that.Is it cause she has a heart mumour?I know alot of cavs who have lived long time with one.(with careful care and the right miedicine they can live happpy lives).

maggie_cork

her heart murmour caused a stroke.. she was on medication to try to prevent another stroke but vet said there was no guarentee that it wouldnt happen again at some stage in her life.. the awful thing is that she got her 2nd stroke a week after the first, just to look at her you could see the pain she was on (eventhough she was already on very intensive pain meds) she was a frail shaddow of the dog she was.. he said that she was in a lot of pain and that her quality of life to keep her alive would be awful (he didnt say these words but thats what he meant- he never pressured us into putting her to sleep, told us the options..) option was that she would go on more medication to lessen the pain but said she would still be in a degree of pain.. when we made the decision he said it was the best one to make for her (he said he wouldnt make the decision for us so it had to be what we thought was right for honey)

I miss her so so much but i wouldnt allow her to be in that much pain, pain that she could hardly eat anymore.. we hade to hand feed her.. we had to syringe water for her.. everytime she moved awkwardly she cried in pain.. and there was nothing we could do

Carroller16

;-(

maggie_cork

maggie_cork

some pictures of honey xxx RIP

Shazanne

She's a real beauty. I actually feel as though I know her from reading this thread. You are a brave person and a good one and you did the right thing. I have been there and was totally devastated and heartbroken but, like you, there was nothing more I could do to help my precious fur-baby. Cherish her memory and remember the love you gave and received from her. X

maggie_cork

like im sure some people will say ohh well why didnt you give her another 1-2 months life.. but what life would it be if she was in constant pain!!

i have 2 more baby doggies at home which i am gona mind with all my life!!!!!!!! a cavalier and a yorkie.
A nice thing thouugh is I have Honey's puppy which will remind me everyday of Honey!! she isnt really a puppy anymore (she is about 1.5years) but shes a puppy to me!!!

thanks to everyone for your thoughts
x

PaulB91

does bring a tear to my eye - she was well loved and will be keeping an eye on ou making sure your ok i have no doubt

PaulB91

maggie_cork wrote: »

her heart murmour caused a stroke.. she was on medication to try to prevent another stroke but vet said there was no guarentee that it wouldnt happen again at some stage in her life.. the awful thing is that she got her 2nd stroke a week after the first, just to look at her you could see the pain she was on (eventhough she was already on very intensive pain meds) she was a frail shaddow of the dog she was.. he said that she was in a lot of pain and that her quality of life to keep her alive would be awful (he didnt say these words but thats what he meant- he never pressured us into putting her to sleep, told us the options..) option was that she would go on more medication to lessen the pain but said she would still be in a degree of pain.. when we made the decision he said it was the best one to make for her (he said he wouldnt make the decision for us so it had to be what we thought was right for honey)

I miss her so so much but i wouldnt allow her to be in that much pain, pain that she could hardly eat anymore.. we hade to hand feed her.. we had to syringe water for her.. everytime she moved awkwardly she cried in pain.. and there was nothing we could do

i think you made not only the right decision but a brave one, i would tear off an arm to keep my dogs alive, but in this circumstance i think you did the right thing