Brandy's Mom
Forums Enthusiast
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you. I do not have any experience with this. 
Just a health query
- Thread starter emmadactryl
- Start date
emmadactryl
Forums Regular
Seems like everything I've come across just strengthens what I've thought all along: this was just a weird, unfortunate, heartbreaking conclusion that no one could have really prevented or predicted.
He had microphthalmos in his right eye from birth, and was blind it in because of optic nerve issues and the eye not being wired correctly to his brain and left eye. It makes me wonder if he was even born with the tumour and that was why he had problems with that eye, because the tumour mucked up the development even before his birth.
Thank you all for the condolences. It wasn't something I was expecting and I really only had a week to get used- or as used to as you can in that situation- to the fact that he was going to have to go so young, and I think the fact that he was dying because of something so… weird and unpredictable made it that much harder because I got a bit, irrationally, angry about such a beautiful, amazing little dog not even getting to see his first birthday. But in the same breath it makes it slightly easier, knowing this isn't an oversight that someone could have prevented from happening in the first place.
My vet showed me inside his mouth after he was gone; I didn't want to at first, but I'm so glad I did because it made me know I'd made the right decision at the right time. Even in just the week, the tumour had grown so much it was pretty much visible, pressing right down on the soft palate. The poor little baby must have been in so much pain, but right up until the morning before he went he was so full of life. He was totally blind, in pain, deteriorating before everyone's eyes, so tired, but he still wanted to play and chase the hose and do some tricks.
I feel so lucky to have got to spend five months with Fletch. He was just so special, and he made me fall even more in love with shelties, and I'll hopefully be bringing home another little fluff bum later this year if the litter I've got a tentative reservation on eventuates.
I made a little tribute video for him, and thought I'd share it here. You can't beat a sheltie: they've just got so much love, and so much life, and they're just gorgeous little dogs. I think Fletcher shows every single amazing characteristic of this beautiful breed, along with his own special flair that he brought to everyting he did. He was a really wonderful puppy, and I'm never going to forget him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z89Yywkmheo
He had microphthalmos in his right eye from birth, and was blind it in because of optic nerve issues and the eye not being wired correctly to his brain and left eye. It makes me wonder if he was even born with the tumour and that was why he had problems with that eye, because the tumour mucked up the development even before his birth.
Thank you all for the condolences. It wasn't something I was expecting and I really only had a week to get used- or as used to as you can in that situation- to the fact that he was going to have to go so young, and I think the fact that he was dying because of something so… weird and unpredictable made it that much harder because I got a bit, irrationally, angry about such a beautiful, amazing little dog not even getting to see his first birthday. But in the same breath it makes it slightly easier, knowing this isn't an oversight that someone could have prevented from happening in the first place.
My vet showed me inside his mouth after he was gone; I didn't want to at first, but I'm so glad I did because it made me know I'd made the right decision at the right time. Even in just the week, the tumour had grown so much it was pretty much visible, pressing right down on the soft palate. The poor little baby must have been in so much pain, but right up until the morning before he went he was so full of life. He was totally blind, in pain, deteriorating before everyone's eyes, so tired, but he still wanted to play and chase the hose and do some tricks.
I feel so lucky to have got to spend five months with Fletch. He was just so special, and he made me fall even more in love with shelties, and I'll hopefully be bringing home another little fluff bum later this year if the litter I've got a tentative reservation on eventuates.
I made a little tribute video for him, and thought I'd share it here. You can't beat a sheltie: they've just got so much love, and so much life, and they're just gorgeous little dogs. I think Fletcher shows every single amazing characteristic of this beautiful breed, along with his own special flair that he brought to everyting he did. He was a really wonderful puppy, and I'm never going to forget him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z89Yywkmheo
tentcamp
Forums Enthusiast
What a beautiful video for a beautiful boy, you were blessed to have him....
That is a beautiful tribute. Fletcher was a very handsome boy.
In the case of my mom's dog, we had 5 months with him from diagnosis (scope and biopsy confirmed it) until we had to let him go. He had been suffering from nose bleeds that were increasing in frequency starting about 4 months before that; that was what had prompted us to investigate further. So, in total, he had had the tumour for at least 9 months. It is not improbable that Fletcher had the cancer from very early on.
In the case of my mom's dog, we had 5 months with him from diagnosis (scope and biopsy confirmed it) until we had to let him go. He had been suffering from nose bleeds that were increasing in frequency starting about 4 months before that; that was what had prompted us to investigate further. So, in total, he had had the tumour for at least 9 months. It is not improbable that Fletcher had the cancer from very early on.
corbinam
Moderator
Thanks for sharing his tribute...I could barely watch the whole thing. :sadsmile: He was a beautiful boy.
Toffee's Mom
Forums Sage
well that did me in. 
So glad you got to have him and that he was yours for as long as he was given in this world.
Shelties are really special and I thank him that he made you fall in love with them.
Rest in peace, little pirate pup
So glad you got to have him and that he was yours for as long as he was given in this world.
Shelties are really special and I thank him that he made you fall in love with them.
Rest in peace, little pirate pup
OntarioSheltie
Forums Celebrity
I'm so sorry for your loss. What a devastating way to lose your pet, let alone at such a young age.
I've never heard of such a young dog getting nasal cancer, it seems to me like an extremely rare thing to happen.
I brought up the issue of smoking and nasal cancer about 6 months ago when we adopted our rescue. I highly doubt it applies to your situation since your pup was so young but its an interesting read. Here is the thread. Be sure to check out the web site links.
http://www.sheltieforums.com/showthread.php?t=7751&highlight=Smoking
I've never heard of such a young dog getting nasal cancer, it seems to me like an extremely rare thing to happen.
I brought up the issue of smoking and nasal cancer about 6 months ago when we adopted our rescue. I highly doubt it applies to your situation since your pup was so young but its an interesting read. Here is the thread. Be sure to check out the web site links.
http://www.sheltieforums.com/showthread.php?t=7751&highlight=Smoking
marymrumfelt
Forums Enthusiast
What a wonderful tribute. It brought tears to my eyes! He was such an adorable boy and I'm so sorry for your loss.