Finding the Strength to Say Goodbye to a Dog With Nasal Cancer

We're so sorry. Making this decision for a dog you love is one of the hardest things there is, and the pain you feel is a measure of how much Oscar means to you. Choosing a peaceful goodbye when his comfort can no longer be kept up is a kind and loving act, not a failure. Oscar's loyalty and spirit are real, but dogs don't need to keep fighting for us. Letting him rest is something you do for him.

Dogs with nasal tumors can look well in their bodies while their face and nose are struggling, and breathing through a blocked nose, which may also bleed, is uncomfortable. A quality-of-life scale, which scores things like pain, appetite, breathing and good days versus bad days, can help you feel more certain. Your vet can talk you through it. Some families find it helps to plan the day: a favorite meal, time together, and asking whether your vet can come to your home. Grief afterwards is normal, and pet-loss support lines and groups can help.

See dog nosebleeds and cancer in dogs.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.