Hello. I have a 3 1/2 yo Bulmastiff called Athos, he is very ill. He has always had a slim-ish body with a huge head and legs, he never seemed to put on weight, but apart from that he's always been happy(and his stools/wee/appetite were fine, I took him to the vet about it but he reckoned that was the way he was).About 2 weeks ago he suddenly had trouble breathing out walking. I took him to the vet and he had to stay in Hospital for a week, fluid was drained from his chest(800ml) and apparently he has a condition, can't remember name, where fat leaks into his chest instead of being absorbed by the body, that's why he was never a "fat" Bulmmastiff- my female, although shorter is bigger then him. Now the vet says he might need this really dificult operation, that doesn't always work. I am scared. Has anyone ever heard of this condition? According to the vet it's common in Bullmastiffs but I never heard of it. Thanks for any help.
Val

Hi Val, really sorry to hear about your bullmastiff :(. Have never heard of that condition, but i bet Corso Girl has, she will prob read this and give you some info.
Good luck and try to search on the net to inform yourself as much as poss about the condition and operation,
Sam x

Dear Sam, thank you for your reply. I am going to call the vet today and ask what's the condition is called. Athos is now sleeping a lot and is really thin because one of the tablets he takes gets rid of the fat so it won't leak into his chest, if I understood right. I don't want my dog to die, he is wonderful, friendly, great with our kids and other animals, my cats also love him, he is the sweetest Bullmastiff and doesn't deserve this.
Val xxx

Hello again. I just typed "chylous dog"(chylous was written in the vets instructions for Athos) in the msn search and I think there's no hope for my baby. I am still scared.
Val xxx

Hi Val, so sorry you have a sick boy, i had this with one of my girls a few years back she was only 4 years old i was told the same thing about an operation but it's not an easy op. and is not always good so i took a day or two and i decided to have her PTS as she got so ill and was upset that she couldnt breath very well, and i have been told of others with this and they have all had to be PTS so sorry it really is how you feel your dog is that matters you have to do the best for him, talk to your vet and then decide, lots of luck and a big (((( hug to you both)))). Have a look on this web site as it is really a very good one www.vetinfo.com

Dear Corso girl, thank you for your reply. I just cannot understand why, why, why...Athos is such a happy dog. I don't know what to do. The vet talked about this operation but I don't know about it now. Could you tell me a bit about your do, please? Athos seems "ok", he is trying to mount Gia(my girl Bullmastiff), do you think this is a good sign? I just spoke to the vet and she said maybe we shouldn't put him through surgery because it probably won't work and he will be in a lot of pain. She said he might be ok with the fluid drained once a month but I have to consider PTS. What do I do? My husband thinks he will be ok if he has his chest drained, but will he? I think it is congenital, was your dog the same? Can you PTS at home? I don't know what to do, please help.
Val xxx

Hi Val,
Sorry to hear about the problems your poor dog has. It must be terribly distressing. To answer your last query, yes, a good vet will be happy to come to your house to PTS. I always have mine 'done' at home - it is far less distressing for everyone, not least the dog. Hopefully, though, it won't come to that too soon.

Dear Jean, thank you for your reply.
I am so very upset, my dog seems fine, but then he always seemed fine until his lung collapsed. I feel so bad maybe I should have noticed his problem soon. I am scared of PTS but it's so much better it can be done at home. Do you think it's ok for him to have his chest drained once a month? My husband thinks I am a bit too negative, the dog is happy, etc. I don't know if the vet thinks he should be PTS or not, she says it's kinder, but he could live like that, chest drained, for a while? I also feel guilty, maybe I shouldn't have him PTS, give him a chance, but there's very little chance. Do I wait until he gets really ill or not? Do you know what is fair on the dog? I am scared of making the wrong decision. Corsa gilr had her PTS and said everyone she knows also had their dogs PTS. The site I read about his condition says there's little chance of recovery, between 20% and 60% benefit from surgery, but the fluid usually accumulates somewhere else. Still don't know what to do. Any opinions are welcome, thank you.
Val xxx

Val i talked this over with my vet we had to drain my bitch every morning and it can get infected because it is so hard to keep the hole clean and draining is not nice and your dog will be in some pain because they find it hard to breath it is like them drowning, i would just see how he goes but if he fills up in one day or two then he is very ill, the vet is the only one that can talk you through it and then you and your husband need to make up your minds because while you are talking the dog is getting worse regards.

Dear Corsa girl, me and my husband have now started arguing about Athos, as he says I am giving up on him. To be honest, the more I think of it, the more I think maybe he should be PTS. I don't know if I could handle this situation, to have him drained for a few months just to have him put down anyway. But am I being fair on Athos? Everyone now agrees he probably was born with the condition, so my husband thinks he can be drained and live for another 3 1/2 years without problems. But is it likely to happen? I mean, the fluid has been building up slowly, but I don't know if it will happen again(do I make sense?) maybe he will just fill up really quick now his body colapsed. I don't know if I would like to just see what happens. I read your reply to my husband and he said Athos is not as bad as your dog, and I don't think he believes he ever will get worse. The thing is, Athos never complained, he is always wagging his tail so if he wasn't so slim and have this heavy breathing he would seem to be just fine. That's what my husband see. I am also feeling so guilty, as I always mentioned to my husband how narrow his ribs seemed compared to Gia's(although he is still a very big dog with very big legs and huge head), and also his tail is thinner. We actually took him to the vet about it twice months ago but he said his metabolism was probably too fast...I wish I asked for a second opinion.
Val xxx

Dear corsa girl, hello again. We are going to make a decision on monday, when we have to take Athos back to the vet. I think my husband is starting to realise Athos is probably suffering but doesn't show it. So maybe we are going to lose our big baby boy very soon. I would like to know, please, if you, or anyone reading this, have small children, what is the best way to deal with this situation?
Many thanks.
Valxxx

How young are your children? When we had our old girl put to sleep when my son was 10, we simply told him the truth - that she was very ill and in pain, and she wasn't going to get better, ever. He cried - we all cried, if truth be told, but he accepted it.

Hello, jeangenie. My kids are 8 and 7. We had 3 cats that died. The first cat(Interesting) when they were little and we took him to the vet to be PTS, told the kids, they didn't say a lot at the time but they still talk about him today. The second one, Alien was a 5 months old kitten killed by a dog. My son, about 6 at the time, cried and was quite upset, my daughter didn't react. The third one(Josie) was a stray we found and had to be put to sleep the same day we got her. The kids were ok. They have had experience of death of a pet, but they are very close to Athos. They were so happy to have him back from hospital. I just don't know if I tell hem to say goodbye and them have Atho PTS when the kids are in school or let them stay with Athos until the end. I don't even know now if we should have him PTS at home and buried in the garden, or be cremated, I would prefer, the kids could scatter his ashes in the garden. Is it possible?
Val xxx

Hi Val, yes, it's certainly possible. There are pet crematoria, and I have caskets on the shelf above my head with Bella and Polly, because we can't decide where to put them! I think it'll reach the stage where when either husband or I go, we'll have the dogs in our box with us. Your vet surgery should know of your nearest crematorium.

It's such a difficult time, isn't it? The children are going to be upset for sure, but I feel that if you don't try to be too strong, and that you show them you're upset too, they'll be able to handle it. It's when children get the idea that it's wrong to be upset that problems begin. Hope that makes sense.

Jeangenie, many thanks, I think that's what will do. Yes, I agree about showing he kids our feelings, there's nothing wrong with crying, I have done in front of them- when the cats died. I am just worried about having Athos PTS in front of them, I think I'll let them say their goodbye them call the vet schooltime.
Thank you very much.
Val xxx

Yes I'm sure you're right, Val. The act of having their loved pet dying in front of them would be too much. It's hard enough for an adult to bear. Prepare them before school for the possibility that he may not be there when they come home - it depends how ill he is.

I don't envy you the next few days. I'll be thinking of you.

Dear Jeangenie, thank you. I will post again on Monday after visiting the vet. I think we will probably spoil him for a few days, before...
Many thanks to you and everyone else.
Valxxx

I have been in a similar position when my two boys were young. Unfortunately I had to suddenly have one of my dogs pts whilst they were at school and had to face telling them on the way home so they were prepared for him to be missing once they were home. They were both very upset but accepted what I told them but since then have both insisted that if possible I tell them before it happens so that they can say their good-byes so if it were me I would tell them what may happen on Monday so that they can say a special good-bye before going to school.
Sue

Hello, Sue. I think that's what we are going to do, let them say goodbye then call the vet and have him cremated while the kids are in school. Many thanks.
Val xxx

Be brave val, my thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time, i'm sure you will make the right decision for your boy, don't let him suffer, if there's no hope then it would be kinder to let him go. best wishes :)

Val, I have read your posts and feel so sorry for you and your family as you go through all this with your beloved boy. I just want to say, please, please be brave if the worst comes to the worst and you have to have him pts, and tell the children before. When I was 8 I had a beautiful springer who unfortunately had a dreadful skin condition. She was my first dog and I absolutely adored her. After trying everything the vet recommended she be pts, but my parents decided it would be kinder not to tell me and had it done while I was at school. I will never ever forget coming home for lunch and opening the back door and her not running to greet me as usual and then finding out why. I was absolutely devastated and distraught and even now I find the memory upsetting.

It will be terribly hard for you to tell your children, but they will appreciate having the chance to say their last goodbyes and if you let them know that you are grieving too, then they will cope with it much better. My thoughts are with you.

Lesley

((((( here is a big hug to you all, i know it hurts)))))))

Hello, everyone.
Just an update on Athos.
I received an email from this person who know this Americam Belgian Sheepdog breeder, one of his dogs had the condition and was treated successfully and lived for a few years. Although I haven't managed to speak to breeder yet, we decided not to have Athos pts for now. We took him to the vet on monday and she, the vet, said Athos looks very good and is 1kg heavier. She drained a little bit of fluid from his chest and said he looks very happy(he dragged me into the hospital, because everyone make a fuss of him). We had a good talk with the vet and she thinks he can be ok for a while, she assured me he is not in pain- no more painkillers. He takes now antibiotics, multivitamins and a brazilian herb called rutin(I am brazilian and never heard of it). He spends a lot of the time sleeping on the carpet, but then he always did! We know that surgery might not be an option because it doesn't work well in Bullmastiffs, but we are so glad we can have some more time with Athos.
Thank you everyone for your kind words.
Val xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hi Val

I'm really glad you've been able to get things sorted out for now and that Athos is doing ok. It must still be very difficult for you and your family but as you say you now have more time, which you will be able to fill with happiness for Athos and which will give you good memories to cherish for the future.

Take care, and please keep us posted on how he is doing.

Best wishes

Lesley

Dear Leslie, hello!Many thanks for your reply. Yes, it is still very hard, because we know Athos will have to go sooner then later, but It's so good to know we have more time and his life didn't have end to just like that. I was just in shock, suddently I only had a couple of weeks left with my baby, it was the worst thing, I now have panic attacks and my hair is falling out. Now the vet says he is not in pain yet(and hopefully won't be, who knows) I am more relaxed and thankfull he can stay with us, happy, for longer. I will keep you posted.
Val xxxxxxxxxxxxx