How do we know we’re making the right decision?
How do we know when our decision not to pursue invasive or further treatment for our dogs is right? It’s a topic I’ve wanted to write on for a long while. But it’s not an easy subject and I’ve repeatedly pushed it aside. So when a long term Schnauzerfest supporter recently contacted me I knew the time was right to share my thoughts.
When I took the decision to apply for charity registration for Schnauzerfest, I knew that the work involved would be far different to simply fundraising for others. The Trustees and I would have full responsibility for managing the charity’s funds and activities.
The main work of Schnauzerfest is to pay vet bills for dogs. Therefore I knew I would, and do, see an interesting range of treatment options available for the dogs the charity can support. In the five years since Schnauzerfest gained charity registration, I’ve seen a lot of veterinary invoices, medical records and treatment plans from different practices all around the UK. I’ve also communicated with many dog owners, fosterers, rescuers and adopters and veterinary professionals. Discussing what treatment and care the charity can – or cannot – fund is part of the work. Digging into not only the costs, but also the options available.
Exploring treatment options is something I personally have always been keen to do with my dogs. In the UK our vets knew I would ask plenty of questions. When we moved to France, I continued with this and our vet is more than happy to discuss options. They are in full agreement with us, that if it comes to it, we will take a pragmatic approach to the dogs’ treatment. Michel and I have always felt this is the right thing for our dogs, and our vets, both in the UK and France, have supported this.
When Susie-Belle was diagnosed with the tumour which was to end her life, she was elderly. She was enjoying an everyday happiness she had been deprived of during her puppy farm years. We did not go the route of more investigations to identfy the tumour type, and any complicated treatment options. The advice was that nothing would change the outcome for her. We decided our remaining time together would be managing symptoms for as long as it was possible. We knew this was the most important thing for Susie-Belle when we made the decision. She never took well to being away from us, and even a day’s admission for Xrays greatly distressed her.
Similarly with Twinkle. When her mobility issues became more of a problem, our vet offered that we go to Bordeaux for a specialist scan, but said it probably wouldn’t result in any different treatment from what he was giving. But it would stress and likely confuse Twinkle. We decided against the referral.
I have never regretted any of the decisions Michel and I have made. Even as I have become increasingly aware of the array of ever more complex treatment and diagnostic options, as veterinary medicine advances.
Pixie’s story
Doma adopted Pixie 2 years ago after Pixie left the breeding industry aged around 8-10 years. Pixie spent just a few days in foster care following her spay and dental work, before her adoption. Within 2 weeks, Pixie fell dangerously ill with acute haemorrhagic gastroenteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens. For 6 weeks she was very ill, but during that time she learnt to trust Doma who nursed her at home, as visiting the clinic stressed Pixie too much.
Removal of a mast cell tumour from Pixie’s leg happened earlier this year. She recovered quickly. Then, at the start of October, a new swelling appeared: the tumour was back. This time the surgery was much more extensive.
Doma explained that the options for Pixie are not easy,
“The vet discussed more surgery including leg amputation, chemotherapy or a novel new therapy which might give her extra time. I wish that I could give Pixie many, many years safe and happy with me and her adoptive schnauzer sisters Darwin and Darcie. But I am choosing not to put Pixie through any further treatment. It traumatises her every time we go to the vets. She doesn’t understand why she’s in pain and can’t go for the walks that she loves.
It has not been easy this time for Pixie. Wound healing is a real issue. She’s on 3 different pain medications, antibiotics and antihistamines. If the vet is correct, we may have 6 months together if we do no more treatment. It could be a year if we tried the additional treatments, with no guarantees. But, what we do know is that more treatment would be very traumatic for Pixie.
So, hard as it has been to reach this decision, I am choosing to help her through the extensive recovery she faces from the surgery and then we will live the rest of the best life possible that we can enjoy together.
This decision is for Pixie. It is not easy when there are other possible choices. But, just because we can, does not mean that we should. It is not because I wouldn’t do everything I could to give her the best and longest time with me, I absolutely would. But, I know that for Pixie, her remaining time is best spent enjoying her life at home with us. We will enjoy our walks, safe in her feeling of love and security she has at home.
It breaks my heart and I dread the decisions to come. I am choosing this route through this heartbreaking time, a route where Pixie will enjoy the next few weeks and months. I am choosing for Pixie because she can’t. But, I know that she clearly tells me when she feels safe and when she does not. And I respect this, and her, and this is the choice I make, for my beautiful Pixie.”
Difficult decisions and social media
It can be incredibly difficult to know what decisions to make. Especially in the immediate, sometimes urgent and often highly emotional time of making medical choices. For some, treatments like chemotherapy are positive options, for others they are not. All this becomes harder with the presence of social media in our lives, as it can be easy to feel that perhaps we should take every option offered. And if we don’t, or can’t, somehow we are failing our dogs. Owners deserve empathy and kindness, whatever decisions they make.
Every situation is unique. Each case is different and every dog deserves understanding as an individual. This, I feel is all too easily lost when social media is involved. I’ve spoken with people who have doubted themselves and their decisions, sometimes following casual comments on social media. It can be heartbreaking to wrestle with that doubt. For Doma and Pixie, a decision has been reached which Doma knows is in Pixie’s best interest, putting everything that she understands about her beloved dog into the choices she has to make.
Publicly sharing less about the ins and outs of a dog’s medical situation, can make treatment decisions easier, or at least less complicated and emotionally confusing. Uninvited – or even invited – advice and opinions can sow doubt, confuse, or frankly, be unhelpful. Nobody knows their dog’s medical situation better than an owner and their vet. It is always better in my view to make decisions privately, with guidance from the professionals involved. And, it is always ok to question, respectfully, the professionals, to get to the right decision for our dogs.
