My Poor Australian Cattledog Sydney Has Liver Cancer

My Poor Australian Cattledog Sydney Has Liver Cancer

by Samantha Fulton
(Ft. Myers, Florida)

My Constant Shadow

We all must be here looking for comfort or knowledge. It looks as though our sweet and often intense 13 yo Australian Cattledog, Sydney, has liver cancer.

Looking back over the last month, I realize there were a few hints. She became very obsessed with people food. I thought it was a result of her accidentally getting locked in our pantry one night while we were out. She got into anything she could open on the shelves she could reach. We noticed she wasn't eating her own food and thought she was just holding out for something better! We also thought perhaps her food was stale, so we got a new bag and she began to eat better. Then we realized she had lost weight and she was acting depressed.

I took her to the vets for a work-up. On x-ray her heart and lungs looked great. But we got a call the next day that her liver panel was very high. An ultrasound revealed a mottled liver and some fluid in her abdomen. The vet says the liver looks diseased, not inflammed.

We started her yesterday on Prednisone, Antibiotics and Denamarin (to boost liver functions). Now the problem is she vomits occasionally and her food and pills are undigested. I called the vet and asked if I could start crushing her pills and putting it in the new I/D canned food I just picked up and he said that would be fine. If she can't digest the meds., we won't know if they can help. The vet has said that if we see improvement in blood work in 2 wks, then there may be enough good liver to keep her going a little longer. If not then there isn't much hope.

I guess the hardest thing is she seems better at times and she is now eating very well, but realistically I think we are facing the inevitable and I know it won't be much longer. I'm trying to prepare my 9yo daughter. I don't want to take her in for the big "sleep", but I don't want to see her start to suffer at home.

She's been my shadow for sooo long, always at my feet no matter where I am or what I'm doing. I sure am going to miss that..:(
(written 4/2/10)

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My Poor Australian Cattledog Sydney Has Liver Cancer

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Apr 08, 2010
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Heart Wrenching
by: Tam

My heart breaks for you and your family. I do know what you are feeling and yes, it is a difficult thing and as I am sure you would agree, I wouldn't want to go without the joy of my pups that have been with me throughout my life either. The words that come to me are, It's better to have loved and lost then to never have loved at all. God Bless you and may your sweet Sydney rest in peace.

Tam

Apr 07, 2010
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Update on Sydney
by: Samantha

As I stated above, last Wednesday we started her on Prednisone, antibiotics and a supplement to boost liver functions called Denamarin (Sam-E and milk thistle combined).

Sydney seemed to be doing better. My daughter, husband and I spent quality time with her over the next 4 days. She felt well enough to play a little and explore outside and was eating her meals with vigor! From Wednesday thru the weekend (Easter), we loved on her as much as we could and she was enjoying all the attention.

By Monday she got wise to the pills presence in her food and refused to eat it, but would eat anything else. In my search for a better way to give them, I did some reading on the internet. I found that not only should you NOT BREAK DENAMARIN because it's meant to pass thru the stomach and dissolve in the intestines, but it should also not be given with a meal. I was a little upset the vet didn't know that. I bought some pill pockets to give her pills in and that worked for one dose. She was becoming more jaundice and weaker all of the sudden. We also noticed that her abdomen was swollen from fluid. That evening she couldn't even jump on the couch to lay with me like she always does. She didn't sleep much that night and her breathing got very short and shallow. I thought every breath might be her last, so I made a bed for myself next to hers and lay with her.

Tuesday morning (one week from diagnosis) she didn't want to get up much and wouldn't eat a piece of cheese (her favorite thing in the world!). She was telling us it was time.

We promised ourselves we wouldn't be selfish, and we wouldn't let her suffer. At noon we took her to the vets and made the hardest decision any pet owner can make, and we put her to sleep. We held her head and kissed her telling her what a good dog she was as she quickly drifted into the most peaceful sleep. It was the hardest decision, but I know it was the right one.

We haven't been without a dog in 15 years, my 10yo daughter is on a ski trip with her grandparents and I am alone here in a house without my shadow. The hole in my heart is so deep it will take a long time to heal.

To all of you who lost your babies, I feel your grief. I know that with time the pain will ease, but right now it's so difficult, she was such a huge part of everything we did (especially me). I have to go now, this is making me cry harder.

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