Oh by the way....to help you a little, and to save Bart the indignities, some 'doggy diapers' will help with the incontinence. Permanent 'panties' or a belly-band for a male dog, can be bought online, with a box of the pad liners.
If he sleeps in the bed with you, lay an impervious incontinence sheet under the top sheet. That will mean you'll only have to put one sheet into the laundry every morning -and that will be easier.
Those simple things can help comfort a lot, and can help ease the last few weeks, so you can share good cuddle-times and even sleep together?
Oh Lisa, I am so sorry about dear Bart, and about what you are going through.
I did have a dog who had prostate cancer. A beloved white Jack Russell. He passed October 1999.
It's the 'Hemangiosarcoma' cancer that causes sudden rupture and internal bleeding. These tumours can be on Spleen, liver, heart, and under the skin. Those are the ones that bleed out.
Unlikely with a prostate tumour.
My boy was doing quite well, even though we got the 'terminal' diagnosis. He had a few more weeks. Though he slowed down and needed to rest a heck of a lot more, and found pooping hard work, he wasn't so bad in many ways and definitely enjoyed his Hospice Care at home for those final weeks. He had a good last day too, and ate his food.
Fibre-rich food with a little olive oil in it will help his poops. Canned Pumpkin (if you can buy it.....I'm sorry I don't know your location. You might find it hard to get that in UK) Apples will help (with skins on) cut into small pieces, to chew. No seeds -they are toxic.
Yes my dog got pain killers on prescription. I thought it was worth it, though I hated the idea of keeping him alive on pain killers. But with them, he got so much more out of his last days/weeks, and seemed to be in no pain. If I didn't give them to him, he would lie on his bed and I would see him tremble, even though he didn't whimper or cry. I knew the trembling is a sign of pain in dogs. So I made sure he got them, and we blocked any pain.
I made sure he got all the foods he loved towards the end, and had the happiest time. Though he needed far more rest and sleep. I let him rest in the day on his bed when he needed to.
I knew we didn't have a lot of time. I knew there was nothing more, medically, that we could do. The vet tried an Oestrogen injection to help shrink the tumour. Then took an X-ray. The tumour had shrunk ever so slightly! I had hope!
However, only 2 days later his urethra became blocked by the tumour. He couldn't pee suddenly. I tried medications (vet in middle of night) but nothing worked. So I called the vet to come out to the house and put him to sleep.
It is so hard to deal with 'the end' on your own and for the first time. That was my first time also. I went with my instincts, and gave him my very best at the end, saving my grieving for after he had passed. So long as he lived, there was still some shred of hope. And all I wanted was for him to have a happy life right up to the last seconds.
As far as I know chemo doesn't work, or radiotherapy. Surgery to remove the tumour doesn't work either as the tumour is caught up with too many other body parts and tubes etc.
I think the best thing you can do is stand by him to the end, giving him all your love and care. And make sure he gets all the painkillers he requires.
My heart goes out to you. For his sake you will have to dig deep and be as brave as you can. Love him.
Bless you,
Ginger.
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How is Bart doing right now? I have been thinking of him.