Have Dog With Oral Cancer, Bringing In New Dog To Home Help Needed Please~?
ByHi,
I write this in tears. We have a 13 yr old golden/chow female the love of our lives. She has recently been diagnosed with oral cancer only has according to vet 2 mos to live 
She is doing ok does not play etc like she use to no doubt being on meds etc. We have done all we can, she is not in pain and is still our loving dog and we will do the best for her when the time comes. She use to be the pack leader several years ago with our male rott. He has since passed away so she has been the only dog in our home for the past 10 yrs or so.
Our vet suggested we get another dog to help with our heartache etc..and that it may be good for our girl also.
Our dog likes only one dog,,,the little dog next door who is a maltese. When our dog walks at the park she is on a leash and acts aggressive towards other dogs. She has never been in a dog fight.
We recently rescued a few days ago, long story, but anyway an 11 month old golden/boxer female, who is also spayed. She is staying with my uncle at this time has been there for a few days and is very well behaved, the lady that had her before said this dog was very well behaved only got rid of her due to the fact that her husband brought home a 9 mo old jack terrier fixed male that was always attacking this golden/boxer mix female that we now have.
So with my sick dog who will always COME FIRST till her time is up, how would we introduce the two females? The other female 11 month old is very friendly with people, dogs and very submissive “so far” but we know our dog well after 13 yrs.
I don’t want to stress my girl out in her final days,,,and don’t want to destroy the new dogs attitude re: other dogs either.
We have always been the pack leaders in the family and will continue to do so.
When I told my vet what type of dog he said our dog should be fine with the new one as when she is at the vet
Our dog now and the other dog will always be kept apart while sleeping etc,,,as we do not believe in letting them roam when we are not home or asleep.
Any help appreciated, reason I ask is my uncle does not want to keep the dog much longer, and I don’t want to have to take the new one to the pound or to another owner as she is a very well behaved dog.
Help please.
Thank You,
Please pray for my dog and for us, this is very hard to deal with.
Hi so farall great answers. I know I have added more stress to the situation and believe me I am feeling it and so is my dog. We have taken her to an oncologist earlier this year spent over 2400.00 for shots etc,,was told she would have at least 18-24 mos to live. We have spoken to our vet who we have had for 28yrs and he agrees to keep her comfortable being if we did spend the 7000K more, which he tried with his own dog, it gave his dog only illness with treatment and his dog did not live any longer
As for my uncle I fully agree,,I wish he would be willing to keep the dog longer, even tho I know it is not easy for the new rescue dog, to be in pound 2 mos ago dropped off here, and then at my uncles. She seems very docile and loving but I know this a strain on her also. Just very stressed over all of it, which I know is not good for us “humans” nor for the dogs. We were told 10/2/08 that her cancer was gone. Now to hear this is a fast moving one and only so many months left :’(
7 Comments
March 13th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
I hope this helps . I foster miniature pinschers and when i bring a new foster home i leash all dogs be it my own or my own and fosters in the house then i take them into the fenced back yard if no fence that is fine , this will take one person for each dog . and you let them see each other and interact while you are in control with leashes , then once they seem ok I let them loose ( if no fence dont let loose LOL ) or take them all back inside . my dog acts like he will kill the new ones but ten minutes later they are all happily back inside like they were always together .
I will pray for all of you . I know its hard to lose a dog you have had so long . I once lost a 16 yr old chihuahua i had for 15 and half yrs .
good luck .
March 13th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Personally, I wouldn’t have gotten another dog until after your Chow passed. The only thing I can suggest is to make sure the dogs don’t meet head on at first. Make sure they are only able to see each other out of their peripheral vision at first. This was on one of the episodes of Dog Whisperer that I happened to catch. I’m not very experienced with aggressive dogs like chows. You are going to have to be careful with the amount of attention you pay to both of them. You don’t want the new dog getting jealous of the old one and developing behavior problems.
March 13th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Please don’t give up on your dog. Get a referral from your regular vet and take your dog to a canine oncologist.
March 13th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
You know if your old girl only has a few months left just visit the other dog and keep things the same@ home. Then you can slowly build a relationship with the new dog.Keep the old girl stress free and happy !
-L
March 13th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
So sorry for your difficult situation. I have been there, tho our dog was given 6 months.
If possible have your uncle keep the dog; this time is not good to be putting that added stress on your girl. Of course you said you would separate the two when you are not home to supervise. Wise choice. Also make sure to give the two PLENTY of time away from each other. If its between putting the new female away for a little more time and making her wait, vs her going to a shelter, etc. Its worth it. She will have your home to herself in the near future.
As for the initial introduction, always start on neutral territory. When you introduce the dogs, let them say hi, then go for a walk together. That way they are around each other, but not in each others faces. take it slow. Allow your old dog to go into your home, drink, etc. Don’t let the new dog off leash right away. Take it SLOW.
March 13th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
You have made some decisions that you feel were right at the time, but have caused you more to think about than you need right now.
Do not take the Boxer mix to the pound. Tell your uncle your situation, or seek another place for this new dog (puppy) at this time.
Now, enjoy your older dog until her time to leave you has come and then bring the new puppy home.
I am sorry for what you are going through, but I don’t feel your older dog, who has been alone for ten years and is dying, deserves to start on a ‘new pack.’
Sorry, Jim
March 13th, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Hi there,
Firstly I hope that your own dog has a peaceful and pain-free few months. Knowing you are going to lose a much loved pet is never easy to handle as I know from past experience.
I used to foster dogs until a permanent home could be found for them and quite often ending up keeping the older/poorly ones so that they could spend their last few months in a family home as opposed to a lonely kennel.
I found that when introducing new dogs into the household ground rules had to be laid down for all concerned, both the family and the dogs.
The new dog was not to be fussed/cuddled etc for the first few days any more than the resident dog, which is hard I know, especially if it has had a rough time beforehand. Until you are certain that both dogs get on well enough, they must never be left on their own, not even for a moment. I found when first introducing the dogs that placing the new dog in a crate was the best/safest policy, that way the resident dog could sniff/suss out the newcomer but should there be any sign of aggression then both dogs would be safe as they couldn’t get to each other. If there is no hassle between the two then gradually introduce the two in the same room but keep them both on a lead/leash for the first few days. Don’t let the chance of jealousy raise it’s ugly head, if you stroke one dog then stroke the other, treats should be given at the same time, feeding bowls should be at opposite ends of the room for a while and make sure all toys are taken away so that they don’t fight over them – they can be gradually re-introduced at a later stage. Lots of walks together can also help to alleviate any built up tension. Most of all let them know that YOU are the pack leader at all times.
I hope this is of some help to you and yours and I wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas.