On January 19th at an exam to remove a dead tooth, our vet discovered that Sampson had a heart murmur and an irregular heartbeat. Subsequent X-rays and Ultrasounds could not determine the cause of the irregular heartbeat, but they did find a nodule/mass on one of his adrenal glands. We were told the nodule/mass could be benign or something sinister. The recommendation was to recheck the adrenal in 1 to 2 months.
To compound the situation, a week later Sampson did a partial tear on his ‘good’ leg. I say, ‘good’ because to me it seemed like he never really walked well after that ACL surgery. In fact, I’m not entirely convinced his poor recovery from surgery didn’t aid in the partial tearing in the other leg, but I’m not a vet. Many, many dogs have ACL tears and surgery for repairs and recover well. Sampson just wasn’t one of them.
We did a lot of soul searching about how we were going to treat Sampson. The two major issues for us were the nodule/mass on the adrenal and the ACL tear.
Of course the heart issues are concerning, but the murmur is faint and the irregularity in the heartbeat is mild, so our focus turned to the other issues.
We decided not to do surgery on the ACL. First, we aren’t even sure they can DO surgery because of the irregular heartbeat and second, based on his experience with the first ACL surgery, well it’s just not something we want to put him through again.
We have a good plan in place to treat it conservatively. Some traditional medications, along with some supplements, acupuncture, short slow walks and physical therapy.
We made our decision based on his age, his previous experience with surgery and we also considered what was going on with that adrenal.
Speaking of the adrenal…
The treatment for a malignant mass on the adrenal is to remove it. From what my vet said, the only way to tell if it is cancerous is to remove it.
Hubby and I decided we didn’t want to put Sampson through abdominal surgery at his age, especially if it wasn’t going to significantly extend his life. Our thought process is, if this is the beginning of the end for Sampson, we don’t want his days to be filled with tests, treatments, missed meals and days away from home. We want his time left with us to be spent keeping his life as normal as possible.
Missed meals and tests? That doesn’t sound appealing to me.
After many, many telephone consultations with the team of veterinarians at our clinic, we rescheduled his ultrasound for yesterday.
I’m going to tell you something here and some of you may laugh, and that’s okay. I’ve said it before, we are all on our own journey and we all have our own beliefs. If you don’t agree with mine, I’m okay with that.
So here it is.
I prayed over Sampson. I placed one hand on his stomach and I had one hand open and raised and I prayed for healing. While I was doing, I heard very clearly in my mind, “The adrenal is healed.” I said thank you and considered it a done deal.
I told the vet techs this story yesterday and told them they were going to be surprised when they saw the results of the ultrasound.
When I spoke to our vet yesterday afternoon she told me the nodule/mass hadn’t changed, and that the ultrasoundographer didn’t find anything alarming on the ultrasound.
I believe I pounded the roof of my car and said, “Yes, yes! I knew it.”
Then she told me, the next thing would be a blood test that could check for cancer. I then told her what Hubby and I had decided and that I didn’t think we’d be doing that test.
Yes, it might be the best $100 we ever spent if it ruled out cancer, but if it didn’t, I know I’d obsess over it and I’d be stressed, which in turn would make Sampson stressed, and that’s not beneficial to anyone, especially if we are not going to treat it anyway. Besides, you know if you dig long and far enough, you’re bound to find something!
I told her if that opinion changed after I talked to the Hubs, I’d let her know.
I talked to Hubby and we are both in agreement. We will not be pursuing the adrenal.
So that’s where we’re at. We will be working on helping Sampson heal his ACL tear conservatively and not be worrying about that adrenal gland.
Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian, the decisions we have made are made after much soul searching, and consultations with our Vet team. If you are facing decisions regarding your pet, you should consult your own Veterinarian.
All that being said, I have stayed at the Holiday Inn a number of times and can highly recommend them.
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<3 Hugs!!!
It sounds like you're making the best decision for Sampson for where he's at right now. Sometimes I think treating things conservatively is better.
I’m with you all the way, Jodi. I fully understand where you are coming from with respect to Sampson’s issues. And while I might not have done the hands-on praying that you did, I do believe that prayers help so I would never laugh at you.
I remember how difficult Sampson’s recovery was after his ACL surgery – both for him and for you – and I agree with your decision to treat this tear conservatively. With Callie, she did so well with the first one, that there was no reason to believe she wouldn’t do well the second time. And, really, considering she was already dealing with some arthritis in the same (hip and) leg, she did great. She got her range of motion back, it was just a slower process the second time. Had she had a poor recovery the first time, I’m not sure what we would have done the 2nd time around. But both our regular vet and the surgeon told us that most dogs do end up tearing the second ACL within 12-18 months of the first one due to the imbalance of the weight distribution during the first recovery.
I like how you think. And I agree with Sampson – tests and missed meals are no way to enjoy life.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
I don’t know exactly how old Sampson is but looking at his page he’s 11 or 12? I think your decision is a good one. The trauma of repeated vet visits isn’t how I would want my dogs to spend their golden years. I hear about dogs that are OK(even happy) at the vets but mine never have been. And surgery and all it’s pain is a very tough choice. Just love Sampson and live in the moment with him. That’s what he’ll be doing right back at you!
Health and senior dogs is a scary thing. Katie has her good days and her bad days. We have our vet check next week. We will be seeing if her heart murmur is the same or has worsened. Right now she is having not so great days again with walking and falling, but every day is a gift and a new day. We treasure each day with her. For an 80 lb dog going on 14, she is doing fantastic. Hopefully Sampson will continue to do well, even if his life is more mellow. He is such a sweet boy and we know he feels your love and concern for him.
Sending hugs and prayers your way hun ☺
We really are a lot alike, aren’t we? I would have made the exact same decisions you have. Of course, I would support you no matter what you decided, but I think you are doing what is best for Sampson. Keep up that praying….it seems to be working! Big hugs to you and Sampson, we’ll be pulling for him! I love his sweet face in that photo.
PS…I’m glad you and your hubs are on the same page as well, that makes things so much easier.
I’m so glad that you are not putting Sampson through anymore tests, surgery etc & letting him have as normal life with you all as is possible. I realize that everyone has to make his or her own decisions regarding their pets health but I have never understood putting a beloved pet through surgery much less chemotherapy or radiation when they are at an advanced age. God bless you all
I think you already know that I totally support your decisions and that I also believe in the power of prayer. I’ve learned that even if there are no indications of any medical conditions, each day is a gift. Sending hugs and more prayers.
Sending massive hugs! It sounds like you have made the best decision for Sampson and for you guys and I know it won’t help but I think you made the right decision.
Here’s hoping he gets a speedy recovery and carries on for a good many years
I love the prayer story. I have done that myself for worrying things with my dogs. Lumps, bumps, hurt toes. Kudos on thinking of Sampson’s quality of life as you decided how to proceed with the ACL and the adrenal. Sending many prayers for y’all, to go along with yours. Thank you for sharing your faith with all of us readers. 🙂
I think you made the right decision, the one I would have made. So many hard decisions when we are dealing with our furry family members. We’re sending hugs and prayer your way.
I believe in the power of prayer and I think it is cool that you did that with Sampson. It is so hard to know what to do because their are so many options but I would not want to put a dog through all those test and stress. Yes to we are all on our own journey and we all make our own decisions based on our lives. I wish more people would remember this!! Sampson is one loved pup!!
I am glad the ultrasound showed no change. I probably would have done the blood test. Even if I wasn’t going to treat, I would want to know. When Storm had a growth removed from her gum we tested, but we had already decided we probably would not treat. When Nestle had what turned out to be a cyst removed, we tested. I understand not wanting to know, but the not knowing would eat me up.
(((hugs!)))))
It sounds like you made the best decision for your situation. That’s all you can ask for!
you and hubby are comfortable with your decision and thats whats important.
your doing what you know is best for Samson. no one knows him as well as you both do, heart, body,and soul. treasure every moment with him breath in his scent remember to laugh and don’t feel guilty when you get grumpy with him. in other words live life. and when your heart is full of whatever you may be feeling write to us.
lily has been with us since she was 8weeks old. she will be 11 in March. not to sound cold but the sharing that goes on here about aging dogs is helpful to me. I’m learning alot about the process.
on a personal note i cried when reading your post sending you all many hugs.
I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you cry, but I’ll tell you, I’ve done my fair share of crying throughout this ordeal. I first saw him when he was three weeks old and he’s been with us since he was 8 weeks. He is my heart dog and we are very bonded, so I totally get how you feel about Lily.
I’m glad you are able to learn with us as we go, we are all here to help each other., I hope you warn’t facing any of these things with Lily.
no need to apologize for my tears. just sharing my feelings.
so far the health problems with lily are an ongoing aleghy condition that is treatable.
plus the vet noticed a slight greying of her eyes, beginning of cataracts and slowing down abit on her walks. otherwise she is still herself.
what was really helpful to learn from you all is that what in a human can progress over several months progress’s in a shorter time in dogs.
keeping yourself sane by crying bitching praying and sharing is as you know all normal.
so apologize for nothing and please stop worrying about offending someone. as evsryone has posted we are here to listen and to cry with you plus keeping you and your hubby in our thoughts prayers and sending many hugs.
please go give your furbabys a big smooch from me.
p.s. lily still cracks us up with antics. like walking backwards down the hallway instead of turning around. i kid you not. plenty of room to turn but no thanks. walking backwards is quicker. lol with you
Good luck with everything. I hope your healing hands did the trick.
So glad the adrenal problem subsided and now you have one less thing to worry about. Hugs
Prayer is a powerful weapon in the arsenal of healing. Keeping my fingers crossed for sweet Sampson. I think you and your hubs made a wise decision on his long term care. Positive pup healing thoughts your way. ღ
I applaud you for your decision regarding the adrenal. Like you said if we look long enough and hard enough we are bound to find something. To me there is a big difference between health decisions made for our senior dogs versus when they were young. What I might have done for them when they were younger regarding testing and tx I might not necessarily do now that they are seniors. It is not because I love them any less it is because I love them enough to just make their senior years the best they can be!
About that ACL have you looked at braces? Maybe he doesn’t need something like that right now just thought I would throw it out there http://fidoseofreality.com/a-non-surgical-approach-to-my-dogs-acl-tear-brace-time/