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She's the best dog I've ever had. Seriously, I can't say enough good things about her. She is sick with cancer I think, they can't really figure out what is wrong with her....she won't eat and has wicked diarrhea but for right now the steroids are working miracles. The Vet told me that either it was cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, either way the steroids is the only answer right now. He said that maybe 3 to 4 months the steroids might work but after that it won't work anymore. Then it's let them do surgery for biopsies or put her to sleep, can't afford any more vet bills. This sucks, I ain't having no more dogs. She's 10 years old btw. Anyone else had this problem before?
We've all had this problem...or a similar one before.
We've all had to face our beloved dogs getting older, getting sick, dying or having to be euthanized. It's traumatic and painful and so very sad.
What tests have the vets run? It seems strange that they would only prescribe steroids and say "we're not sure, see you in 3-4 months". I'm not sure I agree with the steroids stopping their effectiveness after 3-4 months either. I know that it can be more detrimental for a dog to be on them a long time. But I'm not a vet. And of course, you could just be summarizing too.
Yes vet care is expensive and some folks get to the point where they can no longer afford expensive treatments. It happens. I would suggest adding some pumpkin (plain canned pumpkin - NOT pumpkin pie filling) to your dogs food, just a tablespoon or so and see if that helps the diarrhea.
Sorry you are going through this. It is heartbreaking to watch a beloved pet decline in health, and be faced with the decision to put them to sleep.
Enjoy what time you have left with her, but keep close attention to her quality of life. As much as you might want to hang on, there comes a time when you have to do the right thing for your animal companion, no matter how painful it may be for you.
I'm sorry you're facing hard decisions right now. It's one we all face sooner or later. Ten years with the best dog you've ever had sounds like you have many wonderful memories to treasure.
Grief if the price we pay for love. I wish you peace during this most difficult time.
And if you're not satisfied with this vets prognosis, you can always get a second opinion.
One of my dogs had cancer tumor removed 2 years ago and recently started loosing weight. I took him to the vet and she did xray and blood work. The Xray showed the cancer is now in the liver. The bloodwork came back showing the cancer is back and he has maybe a few weeks. He is 11 years old. Granted it cost me almost $500.00 for test and meds but at least I know now.
I guess I am wondering why your vet didn't at least do the blood work.
Good luck I pray for you and your dog to have peace during this tough time.
^^^Thanks to you all, I was just summarizing but I have taken her to the regular vet as well as a specialist. She's had two ultrasounds as well as two blood tests, two rounds of antibiotics checked her poop etc. etc. but they haven't showed anything. I was told by both the Vets that doing surgery for biopsies is the only other thing they can do to determine for sure if it's cancer or not. The problem seems to be in her small intestines where they did say her lymph nodes were not normal so that makes me think it's cancer rather than just inflammatory bowel disease. She will not eat at all unless she takes the steroids and it also stopped the bloody diarrhea for now. I am watching her closely for any signs of pain or discomfort and if the steroids get to where they aren't working then I'll have to make a hard decision. But for now she seems pain free and I'm just enjoying her and taking one day at a time.
I think you're doing everything right and making informed decisions for your pup. I call them all pups no matter what the age is. Keeping her comfortable and enjoying each precious day you have with her is what each of us, as pet owners, should aspire to. I know you'll find peace in all the wonderful memory filled years you've had with her.
We've all had this problem...or a similar one before.
We've all had to face our beloved dogs getting older, getting sick, dying or having to be euthanized. It's traumatic and painful and so very sad.
What tests have the vets run? It seems strange that they would only prescribe steroids and say "we're not sure, see you in 3-4 months". I'm not sure I agree with the steroids stopping their effectiveness after 3-4 months either. I know that it can be more detrimental for a dog to be on them a long time. But I'm not a vet. And of course, you could just be summarizing too.
Yes vet care is expensive and some folks get to the point where they can no longer afford expensive treatments. It happens. I would suggest adding some pumpkin (plain canned pumpkin - NOT pumpkin pie filling) to your dogs food, just a tablespoon or so and see if that helps the diarrhea.
I was going to say that it was my understanding that pumpkin was to soften stool, if the dog is constipated. But, knowing this is where I turn for suggestions and advice, I thought I would look it up first, indeed, pumpkin is good for both diarrhea and constipation. Good for the digestive tract in many ways.
Thank you for this intel.
The OP may not be able to afford a bunch of tests that may be required to determine exactly what the problem is.
I am sorry your dog is sick, OP. I have a very old dog myself. I understand about vet bills, as most people who have dogs do.
If you have a social media, and a large friend list, or bunch of family members, maybe you could start a chip in account and ask everybody to donate a little.
We all go through things like this when we have pets. In fact many of us will also go through something .like this with other people that we love. All life eventually ends.
Now the really important thing to consider here is this.
Your dog gave you ten years of joy. How much are you willing to let her suffer for a few more months of what will almost certainly be sadness and pain for both of you? We owe it to our pets to give them a happy life while with us but also to do the right thing by them and help them to leave this world peacefully when the time comes. It isn't about what we want. It is about what is best for them. We owe them that.
Thanks everyone for the kind words and advice, I'm trying everything that I possibly can to keep her going and the steroids are working great right now so I'm happy that she seems to be pain-free for the moment and no symptoms. Everyone around me has been so concerned and supportive and that helps a lot, she is a well loved wonderful dog.
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