Unwell Dog

kylith

Tegan is not well today. When I came home from work she was out of sorts and not walking well. While checking her over I found that her stomach was very bloated.

I took her to the vet who examined her and said that while she's definitely bloated and tender it's not fluid or air in her abdomen. Her colour is good and she doesn't have a temperature. The vet gave her injections of painkillers and something to speed up digestive transit.

We're home now since 6 and she seems to be more mobile, I guess that's the painkillers, and is definitely guarding me; she's following me around and has attacked Rani twice for coming near me.

She still hasn't weed or pooed, not since about 7 this morning and, I'm starting to get concerned. She hasn't drank anything since I've been home, should I put a bit of a beef stock cube in her water to encourage her to drink? Any ideas?

It's very possible that she could have eaten something on the walk yesterday.

aonb

Yikes! poor you - looking and not knowing whats going on is the pits.
My old dog used to get that "bloat" occassionally - very uncomfortable and unsettled - it used to subside fairly quickly - 24 hours
A stock cube would be very salty I think??
Would she crunch an ice cube or two?
Hope shes better in the morning

kylith

aonb wrote: »

Yikes! poor you - looking and not knowing whats going on is the pits.
My old dog used to get that "bloat" occassionally - very uncomfortable and unsettled - it used to subside fairly quickly - 24 hours
A stock cube would be very salty I think??
Would she crunch an ice cube or two?
Hope shes better in the morning

Yeah, it's the worry more than anything. Especially since she's never had anything like this before.

That's what I was thinking about the stock cube. I'm just going out of my mind here. I'm planning to sleep on the sofa to be here if she needs me tonight, but the idea of going to work in the morning and leaving her is killing me. I have arranged for my neighbour to come in several times during the day and if someone could tell me how to get the Skype on my laptop to auto-answer I'd be very grateful. I'm hoping I'll be able to take a half day.

jimf

its awful when our buddies are off form but you have done the right thing in going to the vet my worry would be gastric torsion

but im pretty sure your vet would have ruled this out

hope the morning brings better news

kylith

She's now panting quite a bit and acting like she's trying to get something out of her throat, not retching but chomping if you know what I mean. She's definitely uncomfortable but I don't think she's in pain. She's drank a little bit but still hasn't passed anything.

kylith

jimf wrote: »

its awful when our buddies are off form but you have done the right thing in going to the vet my worry would be gastric torsion

but im pretty sure your vet would have ruled this out

hope the morning brings better news

Torsion was ruled out, thankfully it's not something terriers are very prone to

jimf

thank god for that kylith ive seen it once years ago I think its more the giant breeds are prone

tk123

Do you think she might be trying to bring something up? If so I'd probably try and get her to drink something like you were thinking earlier to see if it'll move things along. We have a problem here with Bailey when he pukes - he'll normally resource guard it and eat it again...then the drama starts all over again watching him etc. I've had to make him sick twice - once was when he'd eaten loads of seaweed and kept bringing it up and eating it again before we could get to it. The smell >_<

kylith

I don't think so, there's no heaving at all, it's more like she's got a hair at the back of her throat: grimacing and tongue flicking but no heaving or retching.

tk123

kylith wrote: »

I don't think so, there's no heaving at all, it's more like she's got a hair at the back of her throat: grimacing and tongue flicking but no heaving or retching.

I'd try some honey then to see if it soothes her throat? We have have a jar of manuka set aside for the dogs lol!

kylith

Unfortunately I don't have any. I'm about to bed down for the night on the sofa. I've never before gone to sleep hoping to be woken by a dog needing the loo!

DBB

My old westie used to get bouts similar to what you describe kylith, and I used to find bringing him for a little walk around the block, letting him set the pace, helped get things moving It was a tip from my vet. My westie was a demon for eating dead things on the beach which always set these bouts off.
I know you have no Manuka honey, but any honey would do. Also, if she'd lick some live yogurt, it'd help sort her guts out too.

kylith

She drank a fair bit at about 4am, so that's something. I tried getting her to walk but we only got as far as next door's gate when she'd had enough. She did have a little wee, which is something. She's still alert and her gums are good and pink.

I've arranged for my neighbour to come in several times today and I have my Skype set up so I can check in too. Hopefully I can get out early and if there's been no poo explosion it's back to the vet.

cocker5

God i hope the poor pet feels better soon XX

Nothing worse as they cant tell you what's wrong!

kylith

I've no honey at all DBB. She's an awful one for picking stuff up on walks and while 'drop it' means she drops it sometimes she'll swallow it before I can get to her.

I can't get my Skype to work with 4g so I'm going out of my head waiting for word from my neighbour.

kylith

Tegan's back in the vet's now for blood tests to check her kidney and liver function and if they don't show anything they'll do x-rays. Hopefully I'll have her back tonight. She's still listless and not really able to walk and has definite stomach pain and is still very bloated.

Poor Rani doesn't know what's going on; she's been walking around the house whining and looking for Tee.

tk123

Ah fingers crossed for her!

kylith

They found a mass in her stomach. A growth possibly on her spleen or her liver. I don't know what to do.

MrWalsh

kylith wrote: »

They found a mass in her stomach. A growth possibly on her spleen or her liver. I don't know what to do.

What is the vet saying are the options?

kylith

1) Do nothing. That's not an option.
2) Exploratory surgery. If it's on her spleen they can remove it, but not if its on her liver. I don't know if I want to put her through a surgery if there's a good chance it'll be pointless. There are also concerns about the anaesthetic because of her age.
3) End it before she's in pain.

MrWalsh

Do the exploratory surgery. If its pointless its pointless, she will be sedated anyway.

Nody

Honestly it's option 2 then; because if option 2 don't work out it morphs into option 3 and since option 1 is not an option there's your answer.

DBB

Oh no
I was a bit concerned that it was something more serious because she continued to be uncomfortable.
I don't know what to say to you about your options... Did they x-ray or scan? If the latter helps tell them where the mass is, it might help you make your choice... I'm taking it that bloods aren't making the answer any clearer, no?
If it were me, I'd be very slow to opt for surgery in an older dog, but it is a really difficult and personal choice.
Will be keeping everything crossed, what a horrible time for you

jimf

this is not the news I was hoping to read this evening

I would be hopeful its nothing sinister as the symptoms came on so fast

fingers crossed for a quick recovery

kylith

The bloods showed that her liver enzymes were very slightly elevated. They both x-rayed and did an ultrasound. They'll talk me through the x-rays when I go to pick her up.

As I said I'm wary of putting her through a surgery if there's only a 50/50 chance of it being any use, I don't want her to go through a surgery and the pain of recovery if she'll wind up being pts afterward anyway, or if she'll die under anaesthetic.

cocker5

god op I was hoping it would be positive news for you and your dog

Are there any further non invasive stuff they can do ?

I have no idea what to say only do what's in ur heart xx that will be the right thing to do.

Thinking of you and your doggie xx

jimf

kylith wrote: »

The bloods showed that her liver enzymes were very slightly elevated. They both x-rayed and did an ultrasound. They'll talk me through the x-rays when I go to pick her up.

As I said I'm wary of putting her through a surgery if there's only a 50/50 chance of it being any use, I don't want her to go through a surgery and the pain of recovery if she'll wind up being pts afterward anyway, or if she'll die under anaesthetic.

any mention of pancreatitis

kylith

The vet says there's a 60% chance it's malignant and a 40% chance she won't make it through surgery. If she makes it through and it's malignant she'd only have months

Frigga_92

Kylith very sorry to read this
What age is Tegan?

jimf

so sorry kylith poor you with such a decision to have to make

DBB

That's so sad Kylith. Can the discomfort be managed?

kylith

Frigga_92 wrote: »

Kylith very sorry to read this
What age is Tegan?

She's at least 10.

DBB wrote: »

That's so sad Kylith. Can the discomfort be managed?

She's doped up to the eyeballs at the moment.

I think the best thing I can do now is to let her go with dignity and without pain. I just don't think that the odds are good enough and if I put her through the surgery it would be for me.

DBB

Was your vet able to give any thoughts on whether it's her liver or spleen?
My old GSD grew a huge mass in her liver, it happened so, so quickly, as liver growths apparently tend to.
It's a terrible shock. Life can be so bloody cruel sometimes

borderlinemeath

I don't know what to say Kylith. I would always think "what if it's not malignant?" but then is it worth putting her through really invasive surgery?

mymo

So sorry kylith, that's awful, poor teegan.
My dogs best friend had similar last year, fine one day, so sick the next. It's an awful descision to have to make, but you know what's right.
Thoughts are with you tonight.xx

kylith

borderlinemeath wrote: »

I don't know what to say Kylith. I would always think "what if it's not malignant?" but then is it worth putting her through really invasive surgery?

That's what I'm thinking, but then, what if it is malignant? They'd put her down on the operating table and I wouldn't be able to be with her. I don't want her stressed in the vets, surrounded by strangers, and to not have me with her.

Frigga_92

It's a tough decision Kylith. I see what you're saying, if you say goodbye now, you get a proper goodbye.
Does the decision have to be made immediately or would dragging it out for a day or two to think about it see her suffering immensely?

muddypaws

I'm so sorry Kylith. My thoughts are with you, the love you have for your dogs always shines through in your posts, whatever you do, the decision will be made with love, and Tegan's best interests. Take care.

VickieVexed

Kylith, I've been following this thread, hoping for good news for you and Tegan. I'm so very sorry you have to make these decisions, a nightmare for any parent of a fur baby.
Everybody here understands what you're going through...that's all I can say. And again, how very sorry I was to read this latest news.
Hugs.

aonb

Horrendous for your Kylith
Poor Tegan
What is the vet recommending?
Is she an 'old' 10 year old?
If you have her PTS, will you feel she should have had the surgery and take her chances, afterwards?
I would hate to be in your shoes having this decision, but all that matters is her pain/comfort and you will make the right decision for her no matter what.
Sending you hugs and animal-lover-sympathies you poor thing xxxxxxx

MrWalsh

Kylith, I feel so sorry for you.

Can I just say that you are really wonderful to be considering that you might only be doing invasive surgeries for you and not her.

So many of us take on the responsibility of a pet but the true responsibility comes when its time to decide to let our friend go with dignity.

Whatever you decide, you will have done your best for her. Maybe sleep on it and see what tomorrow brings.

tk123

Poor Tegan I can't believe it - I really expected a post this morning saying she was fine and had you worrying over nothing! If it was one of mine I'd have to know if it was malignant or not and that I'd given them a chance. Has your vet giving any indication of what they think you should do - mine usually does so makes things easier. Worst case would they let her come home with you so you can say your goodbyes or terrible as it sounds would it be easier to let her go while she was under?

A friend lost a dog to bloat a couple of years ago - he knew what it was and got her to the vet but at that stage they vet said they could operate but there was only a 40% chance of it being successful- he regretted not giving her a chance and was heartbroken over it Another one of their dogs had a huge tumour removed and went with the surgery - they didn't think she'd be coming home and spent the evening with her saying their goodbyes and spoiling, terrified to call the vets and ask about her etc but the operation was a success.

andreac

God such sad news but maybe give her a chance and see how you get on. It's not an easy decision to make.

Hope whatever you decide it won't be too hard on you. Keep strong.

kylith

tk123 wrote: »

Poor Tegan I can't believe it - I really expected a post this morning saying she was fine and had you worrying over nothing!

So did I. For the last 36 hours I expected her to have a massive poo and be grand. When I left her in for tests today I expected a phone call telling me she'd swallowed something.

tk123 wrote: »

If it was one of mine I'd have to know if it was malignant or not and that I'd given them a chance. Has your vet giving any indication of what they think you should do - mine usually does so makes things easier.

I know what you mean and I guess that I'll have to live with wondering if I did the right thing. The vet told me that when he saw me come in with her yesterday he thought I was there to get her euthanised there and then, she looked so bad.

tk123 wrote: »

Worst case would they let her come home with you so you can say your goodbyes or terrible as it sounds would it be easier to let her go while she was under?

She's home with me now to spend one more night on the sofa.

I honestly don't think she's strong enough for surgery; she can barely stand, she can't walk, she hasn't been able to eat since yesterday morning, she's incontinent, she hasn't pooped in days, and her eyes are just so resigned that she doesn't seem there any more.

Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm doing the wrong thing. Maybe she could be ok. But maybe she wouldn't. Maybe I'd put her through a surgery and she'd get an extra few months. Maybe her last hours would be spent in a vet's waiting room stressed and afraid and alone.

Cherry Blossom

Poor Tegan, and poor you OP. Such a tough decision to have to make. My thoughts are with you tonight.

Dubl07

Only you are with her and able to use that second sense some of us are lucky enough to develop as we bond with an animal. I'm so sorry. Thinking of you both.

boomerang

Another person here who's been through it. My heart goes out to you and thinking of you both tonight.

edward2222

kylith wrote: »

She's now panting quite a bit and acting like she's trying to get something out of her throat, not retching but chomping if you know what I mean. She's definitely uncomfortable but I don't think she's in pain. She's drank a little bit but still hasn't passed anything.

My dog also experience this, but we don't know how to help her,
if you see your dog always like that for 3 days, go to vet. immediately.

I didn't go to vet when my dog is in that state. I dont want you to
experience what I experienced.

cocker5

kylith,

Was thinking about you and your dog all night, I hope your both doing ok

I cannot even imagine how you must be feeling right now, but whatever decision you make it will be the right one and the best one for your dog

Be strong.. Take care of yourself

Your dog is very lucky to have such a good and caring owner and I'n sure she's knows that.

Xxx

tk123

Thinking of you this morning kylith. You know her best and know the best decision to make.

sdp

Your in our thoughts, and know that your decision will be the right one,