Amx wrote:9 years is way too young.
RIP

It wouldn't hurt so bad if it were 12 - 14yrs or more, sure, it would still hurt but not as bad as it does.
In late December 2012 she was displaying signs of what I could only describe as though she had a migraine headache.
To keep it short, she was misdiagnosed by my regular vet last year with Masticatory Muscle Myositis. This was confirmed by two separate vets Tuesday and Wednesday this week. I feared there was a tumor and/or cancer a year ago and conveyed my concern to my regular vet. Following his diagnosis, he assured me it was not, it was MMM which presented in a similar manner.
Sadly, I was right all along. The only redeeming factor in all of this is the vet who saw her Monday, and the one she referred me to on an emergency basis Wednesday morning (was the only way I could get Amber in for the CT scan before the 30th), both told me the tumor was there at least a year ago, and even if properly diagnosed, would have been inoperable/untreatable at that time. They also told me the corticosteroid treatment (Prednisone) Amber was prescribed for the myositis was a powerful anti-inflammatory and probably the best thing that could have been done. So, my regular vet missed the tumor, and purely by accident, prescribed a treatment that, unbeknownst to him, helped Amber have a somewhat normal life this past year despite the tumor. By accident, I was spared the heartache until Amber's skull was eaten away so much she could not longer tolerate the pain.
I've learned a lot this week, and when the pain subsides and I get another yellow lab, I will also have a new caring, compassionate vet that will take very good care of her for me.
Thank you for all your kind words and thoughts, the sentiments have helped ease my broken heart.