Cooper The Dog has been in the kennel just over a week. Today was his medical procedure to remove a cyst on the side of his jaw, as well as a much-overdue teeth cleaning. The vet’s office called when he came out of surgery and told me that the cyst they removed was very suspicious and asked my permission to send it off for cancer screening. I said yes. The tech also warned me that the incision was quite large because they took out some stuff around the cyst in the hopes of catching all the cancer if that is indeed what it is. I presume when I pick him up tomorrow he’ll have the nice Queen’s Cone around his head.
They also said his teeth are in decent shape, but there are two that may need to be removed a few years down the line. But for now they are fine.
Poor thing. I feel bad that on his first day home tomorrow he’ll basically be alone all day. He sounds like he’ll be in need of a LOT of cuddling.
As for the cyst, if it IS cancer, and if they DIDN’T get it all, I’m announcing right now that I will NOT be seeking further treatment such as radiation or surgeries. It’s the last thing we can afford. So, if it’s cancer, and if they don’t catch it all, then my job will be to make his remaining time here on earth as comfortable as possible – which could be a couple more years, mind you – and when he gets to a point where life is more painful than pleasurable, we’ll put him down. I’m sad at the thought, but I know it’s the right decision for our family now and in the future.
I look forward to seeing him tomorrow and giving him a warm welcome home.
I sure hope the Doc is wrong and that it isn’t cancer – I love Coops!
I also hope the doctor is wrong. Poor Cooper. I think you’re right about the further treatment, from a humanitarian standpoint as well as the financial part. I don’t agree with putting animals through chemotherapy or radiation when they can’t understand why they are being tortured.