I adopted my purebred beagle in 2020, not sure her age but she was just Dx’d with cancer of the spleen
It’s not official, we didn’t do a biopsy or even a chest X-ray, but ultrasound showed a 2cm mass in her spleen. On paper, she is 12, but I suspect maybe older. She’s a rescue. Perfect tri color coat, white feet and white tail tip. Perfect breeders dog. Had a litter just prior to adoption. Very well trained.
She developed sundowners about 4 years ago and we’ve kept it at bay with senilife which she responds to very well. A few months ago, she started having shaky limbs and when our regular visit came around I mentioned it. She showed signs of tenderness in her back so we thought that was it. She maybe threw her back out doing to zoomies. We also did blood work. Prescribed some joint supplements and gabapentin, sent home. We were traveling for the 4th and sent her to a home sitter. In the meantime, we get the blood and urine back. High triglycerides, high protein in her urine and some chrystals. Also, she has lost about 5 pounds, while looking like she gained 5 pounds, no change in diet or exercise. About a week after getting back, she starts coughing so I decide to return for the follow up and suspecting kennel cough, but the vet spends about 2 hours examining her and offers an abdominal ultrasound, no cost. So sure, why not? Well, she finds a 2cm mass in her spleen. This coincides with her back pain, and now I’m suspicious that the cough is from the mass spreading to her lungs. The shaky limbs aren’t getting better, and (my opinion only) I suspect it’s because the mass may have spread to her spine. I understand this could be a very aggressive form of cancer with rapid decline and potential very dramatic end, which I’d like to avoid. I just don’t know how long to expect. We arent going to treat, she’s an old dog hanging on a thread. Chemo isn’t going to be handled well. I had a white shepherd who was diagnosed at 9 with lymphoma. We were told 2 months and in less than 2 weeks I was lucky to carry her out of my house to the vet for euthanasia with some assistance from her and my sister. If she had died at home I don’t know how I would have gotten her out. She is still comfortable, but my husband will be traveling for a week soon and I guess I worry she will go downhill fast and I will have to deal with it on my own. Any idea how long we have? I think the shaky limbs started about 3 months ago, I thought it was old age.
Edit to add, she started leaking urine about a year ago. Just a a couple drips when she was on her way to potty sometimes. Now sometimes it’s a full small,puddle. She had no idea it’s happening. I previously thought it was the old age/ dementia, but the vet questioned it extensively. My last dog was also a beagle, and he started doing this a couple years before we put him down at 20, turns out he had undiagnosed bladder cancer.
EIDT #2: I think she had a seizure one day since coming home, I caught it out of the corner of my eye and then it was over. Also, she had always had major a reverse sneezing problem that was solved with the removal of most of her teeth. Her gums are pink now, but she is having crazy reverse sneezing a lot again.
This was very hard to read. I got my dog, Sugar, in 2020, and had to say goodbye to her in March, 2025. In some ways, it was harder than losing my parents, who were amazing, wonderful parents. When it comes to caring for your pup, follow your heart. You’ll know when it’s time.
I hold on too long and have regret later after remembering how badly deteriorated they were.
I always vow to do be more prompt but it is so hard to say good bye.
very sad, love beagles
redlight therapy is a little expensive, not healing for cancer, but comforting for animals, I use this one myself https://equinelighttherapy.com
Leanne Venier also has a redlight therapy / near inrared light Redjuvenator 3, more expensive, but I got one and joined her group https://catalyticcolor.com/leanne-venier-free-healing-color-screensavers/leanne-veniers-redjuvenator-3/
might be late for treatment, but maybe if there’s a holistic vet, you could ask would PEMF help? magnetic pulser by Bob Beck (an inventor who passed some time ago, SOTA provides authorized devices). bobbeck.com
https://youtu.be/kZ-iDbgCupU?t=2223
Some areas have in home euthanasia, when you feel the time is right. That way they are in familiar surroundings and less stress for all. The one who performs the euthanasia will take the body for cremation, burial (if there is a pet cemetery), or disposal. I am sorry that your “baby” and you are going through this. Having lost my 14 yo cocker in February this year, I know how difficult it is. But I was happy she was able to die at home and coincidentally, in the same spot my husband died at almost 1 year before. She was closest to him because she was treated like his baby. She was the best dog, easy going personality.
The PEMF idea is worth following up on. There are now many devices besides the Beck devices, designed specifically for animals. I know someone who saved her dog that way and then used her device to do a side business to help other dogs and horses.
I will tell you what I learned from similar situations. You need an xray not just an ultrasound for spleen things and for the lungs. Very important. You need to know if your lil' one has lung cancer or is her heart causing the fluid build up. .And where exactly that problem is, with the spleen, is it ON the spleen, or actually inside. If on it, it may be a hematoma, (like a blood blister) not a tumor. So, two examples: My Dixie showed no signs of a problem except she started holding her head up higher, this because, apparently, the feeling of fluid from her lungs. This all evolved in a few days. She went from doing that to being xrayed and showing her lungs full of cancer. I did not try to hang on, or treat it, it was too late, and all that mattered was that she not suffer. Another, my Johnny. Weakness, falling. xray. Hematoma on his spleen. If it were to burst, he would die immediately. I opted for complete spleen removal. He healed so fast! At age 15! And the weakness and falling, ended. I was able to have him for 2 more great years. My points are, that your dog, may have cancer in two locations, and dragging this out for her is not for her benefit. Tests, treatments, all just torture. But if her lungs do not show cancer,or heart failure, and her spleen thing is not a tumor inside, she could have the spleen removed. But as a bystander and not the decision maker, it sounds to me as if she is terminal, because of the shaking etc. And the snorking, sounds like fluid in her breathing. Her organs are not doing well. maybe get the xrays. For your own info and peace of mind about your decision. The seizure is organ failure and toxicity, most likely. Since that was a new thing. Bless her heart. Yours too. It is all so hard, and sad to have to decide. Pray about it. If you are supposed to let her go now, I think you will feel peace about that decision. By the way, you can have a vet come to your house, as I have, several times now. Seek that. No reason to add to the misery with a trip to the vet.