Dog diagnosed with brain tumor, causing small seizures. When is it time?

Question

My 9.5-year-old Corgi, Callie, has been having small seizures over the last 10 days. I though the first one was just me being dramatic, but when the second one happened, we went to the vet. 

During the seizure, her mouth vibrates so hard and fast that I can hear her teeth chattering, and she starts drooling. Apparently these kinds of seizures are common with distemper, which she doesn't have, but they're still seizures.

The vet gave her an x-ray and an ultrasound, which revealed dozens of tiny masses in her neck and nasal cavity. They said that because of their size, number, and proximity to the brain, there was a very good chance that she had one or more in her brain and the pressure was causing the seizures.

Because the tumor is growing in size (or number) constantly, they said medication wouldn't really help, so they encouraged me to put her down because they don't know how much longer she has. They said, "Could be a week, could be a year."

But...that seems so final. The seizures aren't that frequent and she doesn't seem to be sick otherwise. She's had some hearing loss since the start of the seizures, but other than that she's normal. She's still happy and goofy and everything else.

When would you put your dog down, if you were in my shoes?

I amme · Accepted Answer

It's so dang hard to let go.  Prepare yourself and as long as she is happy and not in pain, love her for the amount of time left.  Make sure you take some pictures of her during happy times.  You are her buddy and protector and this is the hardest part of that job. 
I agree with you about putting an animal through surgeries.  My reasoning is, why spend that money on a questionable outcome and put the dog through that. I would rather that money go toward someday rescuing and raising another animal who would otherwise be put down as unwanted. 

Google Rainbow Bridge Poem.  It will make you feel better.  Darn dust gets in my eyes every time I even think of that poem.

Anonymous · Answer

I had to make that same decision about 4 years ago with my 10 1/2 yr old Border Collie girl. Pituitary tumor causing severe Cushings. No chemo or surgery was going to "make her better".  I knew bad seizures would signal that the tumor was growing to where it was putting too much pressure on her brain. I did it when the seizures got bad & frequent. That point came abruptly. One morning she was "a little out of it & confused" when I came home from work. Obviously had had at least one seizure while I wasn't home. Within 3 hours time she had 2 more big grand mal seizures. It was very clear. It was time. I called my Vet & told him "today is the day". I know my timing was right. You will know when the time is right. Trust your instincts. I'm so sorry.

? · Answer

My rule of thumb for then it's time to let a pet go is when the quality of life isn't there anymore. When the animal is suffering. When the bad days outweigh the good. 

If what you've said is accurate, I wouldn't put the dog down yet. Though you will need to prepare yourself for the possibility of her taking a rapid turn for the worse at any time, and you may need to have her put down unexpectedly, or worse yet, you may come home to find her deceased. 

As long as she's still able to do the things she loves, and she isn't suffering, it isn't time yet.

? · Answer

When they stop eating and have a hard time getting up, then it's time.. No I would not put any dog threw Chemotherapy or surgery.   Best to you and remember the good times.

Anonymous · Answer

Why is putting you dog through chemotherapy or brain surgery ridiculous? If you loved him you would do that. And, I'd suggest you put him down, as much as it hurts. Seizure are bad, they can kill. And one of these days, he might pass away. He can get medicine for seizures, but the problem is the tumors.

Dog diagnosed with brain tumor, causing small seizures. When is it time?

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