My dog is dying...Update

[Agilitygirl23]

I haven't been on here in years, but our older dog isn't doing well and I thought you guys could help me out.

We have a 12 year old female Golden Retriever, Sally.

She has numerous fatty lumps (supposedly benign) and has just started deteriorating in the last few months. Her liver is shot. And she came up with a fever on Monday, so we took her to the vet. She was on IVs for 24 hours, and her temperature has gone down a bit. She stayed at the vets another day before we took her home this afternoon. She is constantly thirsty, but the vet told us to only let her have a little water at a time. So we have, but she can't keep anything down. Hasn't eaten since about Sunday night, although we've tried.


We know the prognosis isn't good. But the vet is closed, and we're just asking for anything else we can do just to make her comfortable. Should we still allow her to have a little water? I'm just so lost.



I've had this dog since I was 6, and I'm so upset right now.

We're just trying to get her more comfortable, although we're probably going to let her go this weekend when my brother is home if she doesn't get any better.


So please, anything you might know that might help, please let me know.

Any prayers for her comfort and health would be very much appreciated.

Thanks all.

[saluki-sue]

I'm so sorry that your sweet girl isn't doing well. Is there an ER vet near by who could help you? or maybe a collage with a vet program who is open?

If she can't have water, but is still very thursty try freezing water in a dish. Then you can let her lick the ice she will cool get a very tiny bit of liquid, but won't be drinking tons at one time. It will also help cool her off without being to hard on her belly.

Good luck

[Agilitygirl23]

Thank you so much. I just put a bowl with water in the freezer to try it. I think its definitly a better idea than just let her drinking it, as it seems to be hitting her stomach pretty well.

We are probably going to take her back to the vet first thing. We want her home, but right now we just want her to get a little better.


Thanks again.

[Shepherd/Husky]

Oh, poor sweet dog......frozen water is good or ice cubes, just to keep her mouth wet.
I am so sorry and are hoping for a good outcome.

[weezyNollie]

Has there been any diagnostics done? Any specific diagnosis?

If I were you.. I wouldn't settle to euthanasia before an answer. Unless of course you have been working on an answer for some time and the dog is still suffering.

[Agilitygirl23]

The first diagnosis was that her liver and kidneys were in trouble. Then we got an ultrasound, that showed that the liver was enlarged, but they couldn't tell if it was a mass or an inflammation. So they put her on an antiinflamatory, antibiotic, and special liver meds. She was to be on this for 3 weeks, and if it was her liver, she would have reacted to the meds. If nothing happened in 3 weeks, we were to take her to Auburn to get a biopsy.

Thats the issue, is that the biopsy she needs is full open surgery, not just a needle. And we can't put her through that. She wouldn't make it through.

Then we were worried about the meds. They were supposed to be given to her before she ate, and we did that, but then she wouldn't eat.

When she stopped eating and got a fever on Sunday, the vet said that is when everything is starting to shut down, but it shouldn't have happened that soon.

So as for a diagnostic, our vet said he is puzzled because he doesn't know exactly what is going on. Hence, we don't want to put her down unless she is absolutely in too much pain.

[Shepherd/Husky]

Your dog was put on a steroid which causes severe thirst.
A couple of years ago we had an almost 14 year old GSD that was on steroids and he was drinking like a maniac, which of course, caused him to have accidents.I stretched his treatment out as long as I could until one morning he was throwing up all of his non digested food and tons of blood. That day he was put down ( RIP Luke).

I am not trying to scare you, but, please make sure there is a good chance for your dog, I was fooled by my vet by trying to buy him a few extra months....but, at what cost? He suffered, and I will never let that happen again.

[Agilitygirl23]

Originally Posted by Shepherd/Husky

I am not trying to scare you, but, please make sure there is a good chance for your dog, I was fooled by my vet by trying to buy him a few extra months....but, at what cost? He suffered, and I will never let that happen again.

This is our exact concern. The vet wants her back tomorrow for more IVs, but for what? A few more pain-filled days? Sally is so scared of the vet, the thought of her dying there is the worst thing we can imagine. Thats why we brought her home, where at least she can be on her blanket, surrounded by us. Not some strangers in a scary place.

When it does happen, the vet will be coming here, to our house. Where she will be more comfortable.

[Shepherd/Husky]

Originally Posted by Agilitygirl23

This is our exact concern. The vet wants her back tomorrow for more IVs, but for what? A few more pain-filled days? Sally is so scared of the vet, the thought of her dying there is the worst thing we can imagine. Thats why we brought her home, where at least she can be on her blanket, surrounded by us. Not some strangers in a scary place.

When it does happen, the vet will be coming here, to our house. Where she will be more comfortable.

I know how you feel. I wish Luke would have just passed away at home versus being put in our SUV to be brought to a vet for the final deed.

If your vet has no good outcome for this situation other than trying this or that......then you know what needs to happen....(good thoughts for your family and your precious pup).

[jnc_mcguire]

I am so sorry that she has to go thru so much. I just hope that you will find out what is wrong with her soon. I will keep her and you guys in my prayers.