My heart breaks for you. I too lost a guy fairly recently to HSA on the right aorta. He was what I called a better behaved 8 month old. He was actually a very young, funny, happy, mischievous at times 8 y/o. He was diagnosed 2 wks after turning 8.
That dog never had a bad day. He was never sick either. He was so perfect in so many ways.
Luckily I had vets who knew what it was we were dealing with and advised against surgery. It may have bought him more time, but it likely would not have had the quality that managing it gave him.
HSA is an incredibly sneaky disease. 1 of his vets said it’s usually the tumor rupturing and bleeding out that ends their life as opposed to the cancer cells.
Usually by the time really noticeable/worrisome symptoms show the tumor is already at a size where removal is likely too risky.
I hope soon you will be able to enjoy the memories of your time together. That is his gift to you.
Take the lesson you have learned and forgive yourself for being merely human without all the answers. You did exactly what you believed to be in his best interest then made the hardest decision anyone ever has to make. Your actions were selfless and kind. I’m sure he wouldn’t want you beating yourself up. If it happens again you now know the subtle signs of the disease.
Be as kind to yourself as you were to him.
3 weeks, 6 days ago
