So I missed my usual end of season Snipe hunting because my Vizsla Dash had developed an occasional Limp during that time and I wanted to give him a chance to heal up. It kept coming back, so the other day he went in for x-rays to see what was going on. Leg or back injury, hip dysplasia, arthritis? Nothing was found there, but while he was under they thought they could feel a mass in his abdomen that they could not feel while he was awake due to him being tense. So they went looking further via x-ray and ultrasound. He has a large mass. Probably his spleen, but they are not sure. They x-rays have been sent to someone more specialized in the field and will possibly send the ultrasound to someone else too. So if it's his spleen and looks like it's not metastasized to his liver, I could consider them doing exploratory surgery and remove his spleen. If it is malignant it really wont buy him much time. If it is benign, he could do ok. 2/3 of the time they are malignant. He has not been sick and no bad things coming from his bloodwork. Pain management has him acting happy and not limping anymore. Often people don't learn their dog has something like this until it ruptures, the dog crashes nd starts to bleed out. So at least we know in advance. Tough decisions ahead.

I guess the poor guy is officially retired. He was so perfect during his final season. I remember thinking how nice it was to have a well trained dog that could do anything I ask of him and how fun it was to get to that point. Even during his first off seasons I kept him super active with both pointer and retriever hunt tests. A hunting dog is like an athlete. It is so hard to retire them from what they were born to do. I am heartbroken.

SHR Vermilion Dash Rip Rock JHA NAVHDA NA Pz I during last September Teal Season

Just lost my Lab to kidney failure. I feel your pain and grief. Prayers sent for good results.

Jerry

Hopefully you will receive good news sniper. I always look forward to your posts with your dogs.

Dang John. Agree with Smokey, hopefully you get good news.

Lost my coon hound to a splenic tumor a few years ago. And my lab before that had it in the lymph nodes ( I discovered the lump when I took her collar off and was giving her a neck massage). Cancer sucks. Especially when it takes out a loyal, intelligent 4 legged companion.

Praying you get a benign result.

Sorry to hear John. Always enjoy you pictures and stories. Prayer for the best.

I am glad you got him on a few good teal hunts. Isn’t he 9 or 10?

Fingers crossed it hasn’t spread to any other organs, and the spleen can be removed.

I was having a conversation with my wife in the living room. Dash was laying on the floor nearby half asleep. I mentioned that I was considering taking Dash to my hunting lease since all I would be doing is fishing, metal detecting, and trapping and could keep him from doing anything athletic. Then I said I might want to find a vet nearby in advance just in case the tumor ruptured and I needed to get him to help quick. Especially if it's really bad and I needed help with Euthanasia. When I said the word "Euthanasia", Dash suddenly raised his head, cocked his head to the side with his ears perked up, and looked directly at me with an intense look. I looked at my wife and asked "Did you just see that?". She said "Yea, that's scary". A coincidence of course, no way he could understand what I said, but freaked me out just the same.

God Bless Dogs

They know more than we give them credit for.

Prayers John. Tough tough deal.

+1

Prayers for you sir. I have been in those shoes, and had to make similar decisions, none of it good.

While I know any thing you do, is going to be a tough decision. If it does rupture, there is a very high chance he will be in excruciating pain. If you can’t get him to the vet within minutes, you might have to euthanize him yourself. I only know this because it happened to my sister’s English setter. She had wanted to wait to let her go. The tumor ruptured on a Saturday night, the dog was wailing in pain, and the er had a two hour wait time when she called.

Thank you. Yes, I am aware and had this conversation with the vet today. I'm lucky we found it now and not in an emergency because of a rupture. He is doing well for now. Playing with toys still, happy all the time, eating well, pointing squirrels in the back yard. Like all Vizslas velcro'd to me during the day and sleeping by my head at night. Going to give him a little more time to be happy and spoiled, but we will have to let him go very soon. He will not be having surgery. With the newest info I got today I am not going to let him suffer through surgery for the short amount of time it could buy him. It is really hard. I'm in hell.
Thanks y'all for those thoughts and prayers. I have been through this several times in my life. This one is just proving to be the hardest of them all. Off all the hunting dogs I have had in my life they all have taken a piece of my heart with them, but none will have taken as much from me as Dash. Though Blaze I am sure will always be my lifetime dog, Dash has been the closest companion dog to me and most affectionate dog I have ever owned.

Man I just saw this post. I'm so sorry to hear the news. Nothing I can say will make your coming decision easier. Keep him happy and comfortable as long as you can. Often, the kindest thing we can do for them is let them go.

Prayers for peace for you and your family.

Sorry to hear this. Just be glad for all the good times and keep taking him with you. It’s worse to leave them at home. If something happens, put him down and be glad he got to go one more time. Find another great litter and hope you pull another awesome pup! Your posts have changed my mind on Vislas. Condolences.

Man, I’m sorry to hear that about Dash Sniper. I hunt versatile dogs and enjoy following along with what you and your vizslas get into. Good luck with your search for a puppy. When fall rolls around if you are without a dog to hunt, you have an invitation to hunt some with my Pudelpointers and me in the interim.

Prayers for you and Dash.

Sorry to hear this, prayers for the both of you. I know we are getting close with Tuit, she's having hip issues and was retired last year. Its never easy

Well shoot. I was hoping for a different report. Sorry Sniper John.

It hurts to read that Dash is so very sick. I was hoping for the best when I started reading this post. But you are doing the right thing by him, even if it is one of the hardest things you have ever done. We have an old Yellow Lab that has arthritis and is on pain meds and anti-inflammatory drugs. As long as she isn't in pain and is enjoying life, we will keep treating her like a queen. We know the day is coming and are dreading it.

Sorry to hear about Dash. I sure wish our little furry friends lived longer. I can't believe my dog Tara is going on 7, seem like just yesterday she was a puppy.

Damn skippy 68!

Prayers for your pup OP.
NOTHING beats a great dog........NOTHING