Cassy and herTumor
by Darren Knowles
(County Durham UK)
Cassy a Beloved Companion
I think I am trying to find solace in the fact that my dog had a large tumor that was attached near the windpipe and I feel I could have done more. But from reading some reports here, the type that it was seemed to be the type that would have only given her an extra few months.
She was a border collie crossbreed. I felt the tumour about three weeks ago, it eventually progressed and she could hardly swallow, had trouble breathing unless she was lying down, but even then her breathing seemed more rapid. She was drooling a lot, very ropey and clingy saliva.
I did always think that tumours did not hurt, but after reading articles here and a few other places, it can hurt, due to the growth and pressure on sensitive areas.
I keep blaming myself thinking I could have done more, but by reading articles here and elsewhere it doesn't look like I could have done anything apart from the extra love and care I gave her before she was let go. I suppose feeling guilty is part and parcel of losing a much loved companion that was as healthy as a mule and suddenly an aggresive tumour took hold.
She would still try to play, but kept getting breathless. I thought she just could not go on the way she was, as this tumour was fixed and large and too close to the windpipe and thoat - surgery was out of the question, chemo unfortunatly was too expensive and from reading some of the articles it may have only gave her a few extra months, but she may still have been suffering.
I think dogs just want to go on and on, blissfully unaware of the illness. She lay down most of the time, something she never really did - she was always very active. Strangely she still looked forward to going out, but found it hard to catch her ball as opening her mouth must have been painfull for her.
R.I.P Cassy 1998 29th December 2009
| 
