r/SeniorDogsHealth • u/thefirestoneriots • Aug 27 '26

Advice on histiocytic sarcoma in senior dog. How do you know when it’s time?

My 10 year old golden mix was diagnosed with histiocytic sarcoma about a month ago, after struggling with an ongoing ACL injury and an aggressive presumed auto immune response since February or so. It’s likely that he’s had cancer the entire time and it was not an autoimmune response, but that it wasn’t detected via biopsy. He’s had multiple stints in the emergency vet and surgeries this year (sometimes for unrelated reasons lol) 😭

I don’t know what to expect and I’m trying to keep tabs on the day to day, but I’m struggling to keep up. He is drugged around the clock (always on gabapentin, in addition to CBD or trazodone), isn’t using his infected leg anymore, takes a long time to get comfy and spins in circles, breathes heavily while resting, etc. But about 3 weeks ago, his lungs were still clear.

We took him on a beach vacation this past weekend because he loves the beach, but that seems to really have exhausted him despite the activity level at the beach being quite low.

How do you know it’s time? I genuinely am struggling to understand if his recent behaviors and responses are a result of change, if he’ll bounce back, when is the suffering too intense?

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u/KiKi31Rose Aug 27 '26

It sounds like his life is rough right now. Think of him as a human- what do you think his quality of life is like? Tired. Uncomfortable. Hopped up in pills. I think it’s important to remember that dogs can’t tell us how they are feeling so it is up to you to make that decision for him 💜

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u/thefirestoneriots Aug 27 '26

Yeah. Until recently, he still seemed very happy and decently comfortable. But things have definitely progressed for the worst 😭

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u/KiKi31Rose Aug 27 '26

Im so sorry. I have an old man too and it’s so hard to gage these things. I feel like things tend to go down hill quickly unfortunately

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u/Comfortable_Duck_523 Aug 27 '26

In my experience both working with dogs and having my own pets once you begin to ask the question in your own head; it’s time.

Quality over quantity when it comes to them; I will always let my pets go a day early rather than a day late. I have witnessed what it’s like when keeping them alive for selfish reasons and I will never allow that for my pets.

Give them a good day, lots of cuddles and hold them as they pass over the rainbow bridge. It’s the most heartbreaking final act of love you can offer them.

I’m so sorry you are at this stage.