Elderly dog not well

mosi

Since Tuesday we have been minding a relative's 16 year old Lab. This was kind of sprung on us as her owners had to go away for a week, although my OH know the dog very well.
We were supplied with her normal food and told that she has lately been eating very little amounts. Since she has been here though, it seems that those little amounts are barely anything. She sniffs at her food and eats a bit but then leaves it. We have tried ham, chicken, rice etc mixed in with her food but it doesn't make her any more enthusiastic. She only ate about a mouthful today...she had been a bit better the last couple of days. About half an hour ago she vomited, having been restless for the past hour. She also had a bit of diarrhea earlier. She is now quite subdued. She has been enjoying her walks up to night, albeit at a slow pace as she is arthritic in her front legs (we were supplied with medication and instructions as well when she arrived).
We are worried though that we may have to go up to the vet in the morning if she still isn't eating well. Oddly enough, the relatives said that if she were to become ill, we had their full permission to do whatever is necessary. They even told us where they would like her to be buried.
Anyway, we are both concerned at the possibility of making that judgement. Neither of us have seen the dog in a couple of months so we're not clear on how she has been behaving. We thought she may have been off her food due to being in a strange house, but we do feel that her age is probably a factor as well.
We would love to be able to avoid going to the vet, but if she won't eat, we cannot let her just starve. The vet may offer treatment or may recommend the other option. We will of course be in contact with the relatives tomorrow one way or another, but it doesn't make the situation any easier. All thoughts on how to handle this one much appreciated.

planetX

take her to the vet. It could be the medication that's made her go off food, it could be lots of different things. She may need different food. It might be something simple that hasn't occurred to you or the owners. Don't give up on her without trying this.

Shazanne

Very strange attitude from the owners if you don't mind me saying. Especially if they are only gone away for a week.
Please take this elderly lady to the vet - could prove to be the biggest favour you'll ever do for her.

planetX

I mentioned the arthritis medication because one of my cats was given Metacam and it was really harsh on her stomach and caused her to stop eating completely for a long time. Don't know if the dog medication can do the same, but might be worth asking?

DBB

planetX wrote: »

I mentioned the arthritis medication because one of my cats was given Metacam and it was really harsh on her stomach and caused her to stop eating completely for a long time. Don't know if the dog medication can do the same, but might be worth asking?

It could well be this. It could be sore teeth or gums. It could be a whole lot of things, so a trip to the vet is important, but not necessarily a one way trip... I'm guessing/hoping that the owners weren't as dismissive as it perhaps comes across in writing?!

portgirl123

could it be that the owners knew her time was near and decided that they rather someone else make the decision for them.

grey_so_what

Mosi, take her to her own vet. If you can, you can find out her recent health history - friends of mine took their daughter on holiday when their dog was dying (she was in boarding) so she would not have to watch her die - but the boarding kennels knew how ill she was - In the long run is was a good idea for the daughter but I think it would be a bit heartless to leave you with an ill pet if you had no knowledge of their illness.....sounds like they may have intended you to deal with something they could not?

anyway take the poor thing to her own local vet who will put your mind at ease...best of luck, G

Zapperzy

I'd say bring her to a vet. Are the owners uncontactable? Could you not ring them and discuss this with them, I know if I go on holiday id want someone to ring me if there was any change in my pets.

Could be anything from a loose tooth, tummy bug, the medication or she's eaten something she shouldn't have. Just make sure she's still getting water into her. If she's vomiting, has diarrhoea and not drinking she needs a vet sooner rather than later as she will dehydrate quickly.

anniehoo

Shazanne wrote: »

Very strange attitude from the owners if you don't mind me saying

I actually think this is a fairly reasonable request tbh. Ive been told this a few times over the years from owners with elderly pets. If they get diagnosed with something severe they'd rather have them put out of their misery than suffer until they get back.

Anyway, if the dog is still listless with vomiting and diarrohea tomorrow id bring them to the vet asap. Metacam is generally ok for a good long while with no side effects, something like Rimadyl can cause problems though over time. At 16 it could be a myriad of things you know yourself. Id wait 24hrs though as thats kind of my rule.

mosi

Thanks guys, a you can probably tell, we were up until all hours talking about the situation and monitoring her.
We spoke to the owners (the OH's parents) and took her up to the vet. As her own vet is down the country, we took her to ours and gave them the contact details for her vet so they can get a history. They are keeping her in on a drip overnight and doing some blood tests.
Regarding the owners, they have always cared for her very well. I will admit that both of us are slightly suspicious about the timing of all this...they certainly aren't indifferent. I think that they would find it too hard to deal with all of this, so maybe they did know something. On the other hand, I saw an elderly dog before, with a similar complaint, that bounced back after a stay at the vets so you never know.
Anyway, she's in the best possible hands right now, so all we can do is wait and see what happens.

Zapperzy

Is she neutered actually?

mosi

Zapperzy wrote: »

Is she neutered actually?

Yes she is, why do you ask?
When the vet was examining her today, she was grunting when the vet felt around her belly region. The vet suggested this may be a sign of a liver or kidney issue, but of course the bloods are needed to confirm anything.

Jimbob 83

God if my 13 year old lab was near the end i would take a week off work to be with him, not being there would kill me

Shazanne

I would feel the same - even if being there was breaking my heart. I read a poem one time called "Be With Me On My Last Journey" and I cried for days. But I never forgot it and have been with my precious pets at the end, even though my heart was bursting with pain.
But everyone is different and we must always try to respect others in what they decide to do, even when we can't understand it.
I feel so very sorry for the OP and her OH in this situation:(

Zapperzy

mosi wrote: »

Zapperzy wrote: »

Is she neutered actually?

Yes she is, why do you ask?
When the vet was examining her today, she was grunting when the vet felt around her belly region. The vet suggested this may be a sign of a liver or kidney issue, but of course the bloods are needed to confirm anything.

I was asking as I was hoping it wasn't a pyometra, which is an infection in the womb which would be very serious at any age nevermind 16. She's neutered though so you needn't worry about that.

Did she have the bloods done?

Jimbob 83

Shazanne wrote: »

I would feel the same - even if being there was breaking my heart. I read a poem one time called "Be With Me On My Last Journey" and I cried for days. But I never forgot it and have been with my precious pets at the end, even though my heart was bursting with pain.
But everyone is different and we must always try to respect others in what they decide to do, even when we can't understand it.
I feel so very sorry for the OP and her OH in this situation:(

ShaShaBear

*sob*
*possessive hug for Shadow*

mosi

The bloods came back clear, so the theory that there was a known issue seems to be incorrect now.
It appears to be some sort of gastro bug. Yesterday morning she was quite poorly with diarrhea but had improved considerably by the afternoon. I rang the vet at 9.30 this morning and he was very happy with her progress...no more diarrhea, in bright form, starting to eat etc., and was happy for us to come and collect her. An hour later though, I got a call saying that she had had a bad bout of diarrhea again and that they will keep her in for a further 24 hours. It's hard to know how things will go as it seems that she has had a number of ups and downs over the weekend.
The owners have been in regular contact. Another relative had been due to look after her initially, but they pulled out at the last min. Had we been given sufficient notice, we would have arranged to mind her in her own home. She has been up here before and knows us, but I myself wouldn't leave an elderly dog anywhere. I guess we were suspicious as well, because this dog's mother died last year and they found that very tough to deal with. They took that dog in years ago, as an abused stray that was about to give birth. The other pups were homed and this one kept, and the dogs never wanted for anything, so I wouldn't be quick to judge them. As the diarrhea and vomiting didn't occur until two days after she got here, I don't think this could have been expected. Also, the vets here have the details of her own vet so they would have been told if there was a relevant existing issue.
On a slightly off topic note, this has all been made worse today as I learned that another elderly dog that I know has passed away. Some of you may remember that my parent's old girl died last year, aged 13. Well, her littermate who is owned by a friend, passed on last night just a couple of weeks short of her 14th birthday. Sorry to go OT, but it was the last news I needed to hear today, and has brought back a lot of memories.