Scott Seymore with Brittney. Photo: Rob Kurtycz, Grand Rapids Press / AP
On May 7, Seymore, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, received news that every pet owner fears, and never hopes to hear. Ever. His dog had cancer; Brittney's tummy was filled with tumors. The veterinarian didn't think Brittney would survive surgery and Seymore thought chemotherapy would devastate his normally active dog. Not wanting to euthanize her then, he put Brittney on a course of steroids, hoping to make most of the time he had with her and to make her remaining days as pain-free as possible.
Just weeks later on May 23, Seymore awoke at 5:45 on a Saturday morning to the sound of Brittney --- who was, by then, easily fatigued --- barking furiously. Something was wrong. "Brittney might whine a little when she has to go out, but she never, ever barks when I'm sleeping," Seymore, 39, told the Grand Rapids News. "She was demanding that I get up."
And with good reason: the house was on fire. Flames were already shooting towards the roof, yet the smoke detector hadn't sounded an alarm. Instead, it was Brittney, who Seymore has had since she was six weeks old, who saved his life.
Sadly, on the Monday after the fire, Brittney's condition worsened; she stopped eating, her stomach was distended and she had trouble breathing. The cancer had spread to Brittney's lymph nodes, liver and spleen, and a cancerous mass in her spleen was bleeding, causing much pain.
Unable to watch her suffer any longer, Seymore decided to put Brittney to sleep on Tuesday, May 26. "A dog loves you unconditionally and totally, which makes this really hard," Seymore said. "To have to do it days after she saved my life is really depressing. I know that it's the right thing, but it feels like the worst thing."
Seymore was at Brittney's side when she was euthanized at the Animal Hospital of Kentwood. "She hung on for a little extra time," said Seymore. "Like she was looking out for me."
What are potential warning signs of cancer in dogs and cats?
It's tragic that cancer in pets is increasing. According to the Pet Cancer Foundation, 60% of dogs over age six will be diagnosed with some form of cancer, and almost half the deaths of pets older than 10 years can be attributed to cancer.
What are the warning signs? The Veterinary Cancer Group, a cutting-edge veterinary oncology practice in Southern California, provides a list of potential signs of cancer --- which is not meant to give you a panic attack, but prompt you to make an appointment with your veterinarian if you notice any of these symptoms in your dog or cat. Provided verbatim from their website, the symptoms are as follows:
Swollen lymph nodes: These "glands" are located all throughout the body but are most easily detected behind the jaw or behind the knee. When these lymph nodes are enlarged they can suggest a common form of cancer called lymphoma. A biopsy or cytology of these enlarged lymph nodes can aid in the diagnosis.
An enlarging or changing lump: Any lump on a pet that is rapidly growing or changing in texture or shape should have a biopsy-the removal of a small piece of tissue for microscopic examination. Lumps belong in biopsy jars, not on pets.
Abdominal distension: When the "stomach" or belly becomes rapidly enlarged, this may suggest a mass or tumor in the abdomen or it may indicate some bleeding that is occurring in this area. A radiograph (X-ray) or an ultrasound of the abdomen can be very useful.
Chronic weight loss: When a pet is losing weight and you have not put your pet on a diet, you should have your pet checked. This sign is not diagnostic for cancer, but can indicate that something is wrong. Many cancer patients have weight loss.
Chronic vomiting or diarrhea: Unexplained vomiting or diarrhea should prompt further investigation. Often tumors of the gastrointestinal tract can cause chronic vomiting and/or diarrhea. Radiographs, ultrasound examinations and endoscopy are useful diagnostic tools when this occurs.
Unexplained bleeding: Bleeding from the mouth, nose, penis, vagina or gums that is not due to trauma should be examined. Although bleeding disorders do occur in pets, they usually are discovered while pets are young. If unexplained bleeding starts when a pet is old, a thorough search should be undertaken.
Cough: A dry, non-productive cough in an older pet should prompt chest radiographs to be taken. This type of cough is the most common sign of lung cancer. Please remember there are many causes of cough in dogs and cats.
Lameness: Unexplained difficulty walking-or the favoring of one limb over another-especially in large or giant breed dogs is a very common sign of bone cancer. Radiographs of the affected area are useful for detecting cancer of the bone.
Straining to urinate: Straining to urinate and blood in the urine usually indicate a common urinary tract infection; if the straining and bleeding are not rapidly controlled with antibiotics or are recurrent, cancer of the bladder may be the underlying cause. Cystoscopy or other techniques that allow a veterinarian to take a biopsy of the bladder are useful and sometimes necessary to establish a definitive diagnosis in these cases.
Oral odor: Oral tumors do occur in pets and can cause a pet to change its food preference (i.e. from hard to soft foods) or cause a pet to change the manner in which it chews its food. Many times a foul odor can be detected in pets with oral tumors. A thorough oral examination with radiographs or CT scan, necessitating anesthesia, is often necessary to determine the cause of the problem.
In the unfortunate event your pet is diagnosed with cancer, take heart. There are several treatment options that should be discussed with your veterinarian. For Betsy Rosenfeld, palliative radiation was the best course for her dog Bella, who was diagnosed with bone cancer and passed away in March 2009.
"I chose palliative radiation so that Bella and I could enjoy as many fun days as possible," explains Rosenfeld, who worked with Dr. Jerrod Lyons at Veterinary Cancer Group. "The other vets all wanted to try aggressive and expensive treatments which included amputating her front leg, but the cancer had already spread throughout her body by the time she was diagnosed. Even if we had done all of those treatments, I still would have had to put her down when I did, but instead of taking car rides and eating chicken McNuggets we would have been living at the vet hospital."
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This is such a sad commentary......I lost my 13 yr old Giant Schnauzer on St. Patricks Day. I had her put to sleep 12 days after she was diagnosed with cancer in both lungs. She showed absolutely no signs of a problem till 2 days before I took her to our vet. Til then, she still acted like a 2 yr old pup. The vet put her on pain meds and steroids, and said she only had days to live. When the time came, I used a vet in our area, whose practice is helping the pet die at home in comfortable surroundings. She helped my Sarah leave this world with all the dignity she deserved. I grieve terribly and daily.
She stuck around long enough to save his life. Bless her heart I hope she is in a better place. She deserves it and the owner did the most loving and caring thing to do. He gave her peace.
This is a wonderful article. I was sobbing reading about the beautiful relationship between Britney and Scott. I relate. Thank you for including me and Bella and our experience in this very informative article.
good..
I totally understand how Scott feels. I had to put my 16 year old American Stafford Shire Terrior to sleep as well. When she was 15 they said she had a brain tumor. She also had a hard time getting around. But, every morning when it was time to go to work at my shop she would get up and go with me. For the last ten years of her life she was with me 24/7. She took steroids as well and pain medication. On May 16th this year I new it was time so I called a vet that came to my house and had her put to sleep. She must have known because she went outside and laid down
on my porch in the sun and waited for the vet. I held her head in my lap and rubbed her cheek while my ex wife rubbed her ear. Then she was gone.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have a shit-zu and a Rottweiler and I love them to death. I can't imagine my life without them. My family says that I spoil them too much and treat them like little kids. I figure they give me so much happiness they deserve it. Your bulldog, Brittney was a hero and I'm sure she's still watching over you. I believe in dog heaven why not:)
I'm sure she was able to leave in peace knowing her owner, the person she loved the most was safe. Dogs are the best!!! The connection they build with their owners is amazing. God bless all of them.
What a beautiful relationship. I too went through this just last week. Our loving Beagle, Remington, gave us 13 years of love and friendship. He too was diagnosed with cancer and within days he was unable to eat, starving himself while our other 2 dogs watched and began acting very strange. We knew it was time, he was in a lot of pain. He got enough energy for me to take him out for his last walk with his 2 companions and me. When we returned it took all his energy to make that trek. It was time to give him peace. At the vet I held Remingtons head he knew I was hurting and sad, he was always there when I was sad. I held him and put my nose to his until he took his last breath. I could almost see the angels take him off to the meadows. I believe animals are very keen to us, especially if they are connected with the owners and part of the family. God Bless all pets, they bring so much joy and happiness.
My Rambo, a 13 year old ShiTszu, was my friend, not just my pet. He told me one evening it was time he go on due to his problems - he sat in front of me with a sad look and I knew. He suffered from granmaul seizures, hip displasia, very low immune system to start with.
No, until you have to let a friend go, you cannot imagine the hurt and completely helpless feeling that goes with it. That was 9 years ago and I still think about him and miss him terrible - even tho we know have 3 "throw aways".
My heart goes out to you. I,m sorry for your loss. My Rottie, whose name was Lucy also died from cancer several years ago. I never exspected it, or neither did the vet. I fineally took her to a surgen to see why she would still be bleeding even though she was spayed , and when he opened her up, he called and said she was full of tumor,s. I said , " Just let her sleep "I will never forget the wounderfull and touching card his staff had sent me. That was not her regular vet, and to not know her personally, made me feel special on a day that I needed to feel something other then what I was feeling. Now I own a American Bulldog. His name is Oscar, and he is 6 months old, and I have to say, I am so blessed to have him at a time in my life when the past 5yrs of my life as been nothing but losses. He is a tinndle color, with to black circles around his eye,s. He loves to prance when I take him for his walks. He has been a Godsend. My husband passed away almot 5yrs ago, after being married since I was 16. After Lucy died, I got another Rottie named Louis. Louis died about 4 months now, and I said no more. I felt everything in my life I love has left me. I know this is the way life is but mabey I would do a little better if thses thunds were a little spaced out, but that is not my call. I guess what I,m waking up for the first time fineally seeing there is no one but God that has my back. , and Oscar too. Just remeber when one door closes it is up to you to open the next door. And whatever is behind there is there for a reason. But do bot let whatever it is lock you out of it. Nothing ventured nothing gained. Lisa
I just lost my little dog Phoenix who I have had since birth. H was 17 on May 17th. He was a perky little Laso and filled with love and was always there when I needed a friend. He traveled all over the country with me. I miss him so much and always will. Dogs bring so much joy to those who are in need and always know when we need cheering up. I have alot of property and he is now buried where I can see him every morning ,his stone marker states he was a true and loyal friend.He went to sleep on May25,2009 and that ia a day I shall alwys remember. I still have two little dogs, Molly and Precious who mean the world to me and the love they give me caan never be replaced God Bless all who care for Dogs.
The feelings of the dog and human is very effective in some cases, when it death he will be very sad
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I am sorry for your loss, I cant imagine how painful it was. My 8 year old Shih tzu Otto was diagnosed with lymphoma about 6 weeks ago. We are devastated. He is the sweetest little guy and everybody loves him. He is on prednisone and we are waiting on some special dog food the vet is ordering. He says he has had good results with this before.
bless you so sorry for your pain but you gave her peace. some hold on too long and fear their pain. think of the pain they endure she thanks you for giving her peace. her love has not left you and she will lead you to your next love. i know it happens to me. may you receive this gift soon. remember you will never lose her love. hold and remember she extended your life
My condolences to you all who have lost a loving pet. I, too had to put my best guy, Jay Jay to sleep at 17. He also was put to sleep at home in my arms. A poem named, "the Rainbow Bridge" is so peaceful and hopeful that I recommend to all of us who grieve for our best friends.
What a wonderful story about the love between a dog and her owner. It's heartwarming to hear of the owner's concern for Brittney's health and comfort, and lovely to hear of her dedication to protecting Scott. I lost my eight year old Great Pyrenees, Oliver, this past Thanksgiving to bone cancer. When I informed my breeder of his illness, she told me that his handsome littermate, Max, was being returned to her because the owners had a situation which forced them to give him up. Ollie's death, which was heartbreaking for me, paved the way for me to adopt and learn to love his sibling. I consider the joy he has brought to my life to be Ollie's final gift to me and a wonderful life lesson. Scott, I'm sorry for your loss and hope your next companion is able to add joy to your life. Thank for taking such good care of her in her time of need.