I need advise - what would you do....
My dog is really suffering and I don't know what to do. He is lethargic, not eating at all, finds it hard to walk, is peeing in the house as he can't let me know when he wants to go out anymore.
He looks so miserable and its breaking my heart. He is only 12 (collie x GSD) and was really active about 3/4 weeks ago, so this came on so suddenly. The vet has done all the tests that he can and still can't seem to find out whats causing this.
He used to be so excited to go for a walk, but I have to physically push him out of his bed. A 10 min walk now takes 30 mins, he is a little wobbly on his legs, has no interest in playing with other dogs, everyone in the park has commented on this (all the dogs know each other).
I hate to see him suffering and even thought that maybe the kindest thing for him would be to put him to sleep although the thought of that puts tears in my eyes. What would you do? Or can anyone on recommend a specialist in the Hertfordshire area that may be able to help...

Your vet will know of any specilists.  Has your vet suggested what it could be? have any tests been done?

I'm sorry if the following come across abit harsh but sometimes we have to think whats best for our dog.  Does he like ebing in this state?  I had a bitch who went down hill in 2 weeks, from being a 7year young (puppy!) to a dog who couldn't even sit up without assistance.  We had to have her PTS for her and the other dogs, who admitidly wern't getting the attention they deserved.

My vet is as confused as me. I have left a message for him to call me back as Barnie seems to have got worse over the weekend. When he is on his feet, he goes in the garden walking round in circles, he is very disorientated, otherwise when he is standing inside the house, he just stares. I have no idea if he knows whats going on, but he jumped back a little when I tried to give him a hug yesterday, it looked as though he thought I was going to hurt him and I would never do that. He does't acknowledge the other dog in the house, maybe he just can't be bothered.
This may sound sad, but I have only recently lost my Mum and can't bear to lose my dog too, he is like a child to me, I have cared for him for 8 years.
A woman in the park this morning said that he may have possibly had a stroke, but no tests have revealed that.

I am sorry to hear about Barnie and dreadfully sorry that you have recently lost your Mum - this is obviously a very difficult time for you.

There is a "new school of thought" held by some vets that dogs CAN'T have strokes.  My elderly bitch had what appeared to be a stroke at the same age as Barnie - my (then) vet assured me it was an inner ear condition, she was disoriented, tilting her head and walking in circles :(  She was medicated with anti anflammatories and antibiotics and her condition improved over a few days - but I don't think necessarily it was the drugs.  Strangely, her "inner ear condition" left her with a heart condition and fluid retention in her chest.  She lived a further 19 months until after her 14th birthday - and genuinely had good quality of life.  One evening she presented the same symptoms - although much more severely as she could not stand at all :( -  on our visit to the vet next morning she confirmed "a further, massive stroke".  We said goodbye to our sweet old girl at that point as she was in too much distress and we knew we had already been blessed with some lengthy borrowed time.

I hope you come to know what's best for your boy, sooner rather than later.  You may have to be very brave.
Sending prayers and hugs, Teri

Its a very difficult decision Sarah which really only you can decide.  I had to make the decision to have my beautiful German Shepherd dog put to sleep last July after he got anal furunclosis which came on suddenly and got very bad rather quickly.  He was miserable and suffering and I couldn't see him like this anymore because there was no cure and at the end he couldn't even have a poo.  We used to see him trying and nothing was coming out because the passage had narrowed so much with scar tissue.  The vet said he could operate to widen it but it would have only lasted a couple of weeks and then would narrow again when it started healing.  It broke my heart to do it because he was only nearly 6 years old and I miss him so much, he has left a void in my life which I don't think will ever be filled.:-(

Has the vet given you any advice what to do?  When ours was put to sleep he said we had made the best decision for the dog.  If he is not eating he must be in some pain.

I do understand what you are going through - if you have been to the vet, and he cannot give you any explanations/medications to help your poor boy, Sarah, then in your heart of hearts, you know what you have to do.

It's not easy - I know.  But how long can you bear to watch him in pain?    Dog owners have a saying "better a day too early than a day too late" - and it really is true.   Sadly, if your vet has said that there is nothing that he can do, then you have to do it.

We went through this last month, with our beloved Purdey - and even when you know its for the best, it does break your heart.   Owning a dog brings love and heartbreak.

Ask if your vet will come to your home and do it - the passing is easier that way.

You can PM me if you want - I'll be there for you.

{{hugs}} Margot

Hi Sarah,

You're in luck - there are three  Homeopathic / Holistic vets at least in your area!

Go to this site http://www.trusthomeopathy.org/trust/tru_over.html  and searh for a practitioner in Hertfordshire - it gives Docs first, then there are three vets starting with Richard Allport.  I tried the direct links but they didn't work.

It does sound as if it's possible he's had a stroke, and if he has, arnica is the Homeopathic Remedy for that.  I'd phone one of those vets and ask their advice.  Richard Allport is one of the top Homeopathic/ Holistic vets in the country.

Sending Reiki and hope you still have some time together.

Hi Muriel,

Don't know if you realise but all three links are the same :P Also don't work - think they may time out or whatever.  Perhaps you could post Sarah the main url and advice on which links to follow from there?

Teri :)

The link does work,
If you do it right.

Yes, now that it's been EDITED :D

Teri

Hi Muriel
I just tried to call him, but he has to be referred by my vet, who I am still waiting for to call me back.
I have to try everything, he means too much to just give up...

Sorry about the links - fortunately I tried them after posting , realised they weren't working and edited :-)

Sarah, did you see the other 2 vets after Richard Allport?  They're on the next page after his listing.  Perhaps one of them would advise over the phone for now until you can see someone.  I do hope your vet gets back to you soon.

I understand that you have to try everything, and wish you luck.

I did not try anymore as my vet has referred him to a specialist and we have managed to get an appointment tomorrow morning. I came home at lunch time to find him having a nose bleed so I rushed him to the vet. Subject to what the vet say's tomorrow I will have to see what to do. At the moment, he is in the garden walking around in circles.

Ask you vet to refer you to Royal Vet Hospital in Potters Bar  they are supposed to be excellent. If you dont have insurance bewarned Richard Allport charges a fortune he wanted to charge me £130 for 1hr Reiki my friend is a Reiki master and she normally charges £30 hr bit of a difference.Good luck hope everything works out for you.
Mary

It was either the Royal Vet Hospital, but apparently Davis White in Bedford is better. The vet said that he is more likely going to get a quicker response from them as the hospital vets change so often, he wouldn't know who would look at him.
I have had to block his nose up tonight as its been bleeding all day.
I would like to thank you all for your concern and as soon as I have answers, I will keep you updated.

Hi Sarah,

Has you vet looked up your dogs nose?  Its just that I was reading on another dog site about a dog that was coughing up blood and then the owner found out that it was the dogs nose that the blood was coming from and they found that the dog had a tumour up its nose, that was a german shepherd too.  I am so sorry for you I know exactly what you are going through, its very hard and upsetting to see your beloved dog like this and I hope you find out what is the matter with him soon. xx

Hi Sarah,

Just wondered how your poor dog is this morning.  Is his nose still bleeding?

The poor dogs nose was bleeding all night, there is blood all over his bed, floor and my car.
I took him to see the specialist this morning who is going to run tests, but high on her suspicous list is Liver Cancer. I should know more this afternoon or tomorrow. The sad thing is that my mum died of this 5 weeks ago and I told the vet that I am not going to let Barnie suffer as she did and if cancer is confirmed, then the best thing is to put him to sleep. I said my good bye this morning just in case, gave him a massive hag and told him I love him.
Its amazing how much they get to you. When my cat was put to sleep a few years ago, I was upset, but its nothing to how I feel today with the thought of losing my precious Barnie.
To top it all, I have scraped the side of my car today as well - this has truthfully been one of the worst days of my life.

Sarah,

I'm thinking of you - I know how bad you're feeling, I lost my mum 3 weeks ago today :(

{huggs} 'n stuff,
Teri

Sorry to hear about you losing your mum as well Teri.  I worry about losing mine, she will be 80 on March 23rd if she makes it.  She has got emphysema (can't spell it) and is on oxygen all the time and if I ring her and she doesn't answer I fear the worst.  My dad died just 3 weeks before his 80th, 4 years ago.

Thanks Anna,

We all need our mum - regardless of what stage in our lives - will say a little prayer for you both.

Luv Teri x

Thanks Teri :-)   :-)

I'm so sorry for you and Barnie,  Sarah.  How awful for you to have to go through this on top of your mum dying 5 weeks ago from this terrible disease.   You have been really brave saying goodbye to him (I didn't even do this for my dog- I couldn't it was too painful and still is nearly 8 months later) and at least you have made the decision now, which is probably for the best if he is so ill. xx

Sarah - thinking of you - life is so tough for you at the moment - wish there was something that I could do or say to make things easier, or that could help you in any way - but I can't.

{{{hugs}}}

Margot

I'm so sorry you are going through this, Sarah, especially so soon after loosing your mother but please be consoled that between your vet and you, you will be able to save Barnie from suffering.

Thanks, my other concern is how will the other dog in the house take it. Everytime we went for a walk, he would always turn around and wait for Barnie to appear before walking on. He dosn't particularly like other dogs much (Staffie) but he does love Barnie, he would head but other dogs in the park that got to aggressive with his friend (it was really sweet). I guess having a 2nd dog may help as if I came home to an empty house, I guess I would find that unbearable.

Thinking of you, Sarah and sending Reiki. 

((((hugs)))))

I'm really sorry to hear of the awful time you're having at the moment, Sarah. Sometimes it feels like everything is against us and it's so hard to know what to do to make things better.
I hope that, whatever the outcome for Barnie, you find a way of coping.  You may not think so at the moment but you have done really well so far.
Thinking of you
xx

Oh Sarah what a dreadful time you are having,thinking of you.sending hugs.
Sheila.x

Just had a call from the vet and the news is not good at all...
He has a tumour in his liver and and his nose and the outlook is very bleak for him. Apparently, everytime they tried to move Barnie, his nose would bleed even more. I asked the vet how he is doing(this was at 6.10pm) and was told that he was comfortable. I asked them to let him have a good night and I will call them in the morning. I know what I have to do, but actually telling the vet to put him to sleep just could not come out of my mouth this evening.
I will have to tell them tommorrow as I WILL NOT let him suffer anymore than he has already.
This is the 2nd hardest thing for me this year after losing my mum and especially of the same thing, its ironic and I don't understand why this is happening to me.
My other dog is looking around for him and looks really lost, I will give him so much attention he won't know whats hit him and he is ultimately happy.
I wanted to keep you all updated as you have been so supportive, and I really appreciate that in this very difficult time.
Thanks
Sarah

So sorry to hear your news.
xxxxxx Cathy.

I'm so very sorry. :( What a terrible thing to happen. He's a lucky dog to have an owner who cares so deeply about him. Have courage. {{{{{hug}}}}}

Be brave Sarah - its the last, most loving thing that you can do for your poor boy.   Those of us who have gone through it know how hard it is for you, and we're here for you.  {{{hugs}}}}

Margot

I'm so very sorry, Sarah.

Sending you all Reiki.

((((((hugs)))))))

So sorry Sarah

Me and my family will be thinking of you tonight!

Hi Sarah,

Just wanted to add my support to you too.  You're being so brave and it must be truly awful for you :(  Barnie is a fortunate dog to have a Mum so willing to put his best interests first, despite her sorrow.

Thinking of you.

Lesley

So sorry Sarah, think of all the great times you have had and what a lovely life you have both shared.

Sandra

Hope your okay sarah, thinking of you, warm regards,susan.

Sarah,
        Have sent you a PM....
Gabrielle x

Oh Sarah I'm so sorry to hear about your Barnie and know you will be absolutely devastated.  Its so hard when we have a relatively healthy dog one minute and then a few weeks later they are very ill.  My dog went down hill very quickly after getting ill and facing the decision to put him to sleep was on my mind most of the time and I didn't know when I would be strong enough to do it.  I did do it and it was extremely painful and still is.  You are very brave and I feel so sorry for you after the terrible few weeks you have had. xx

Sarah,

I'm really upset for you on reading your latest post.  You've been very brave and I'm sure everyone on here applauds you for that.  Barnie is very lucky to have had you in his life.

If you feel like offloading at all, please just pm me.

Teri x

Thanks to everyone that has been so supportive. The vet phone me 30 mins ago to tell be that Barnie had slipped away about an hour ago. I guess that he wanted to spare me the pain of making the hardest decision of my life. He also waited until he was away from the house.
I feel so empty now and can't beleive that I have lost the 2 closest people/animal of the same thing in such a short period of time.
For some reason, I shouted at the sky this morning 'Mum, take of Barnie' so in my heart of hearts, I must have known.
His pain is over, but mine has just begun

:( {{{{hugs}}}} I'm so sorry for you. At least now you know he's not suffering.

I'm sorry Sarah, I know exactly how you feel at this time, its like physical pain in your heart isn't it?  This is how I felt when my partner and brother in law phoned me to say my German Shepherd, Sabre had gone, the vet had just put him to sleep to stop him from suffering anymore but I couldn't be there because it was killing me to see him and he was crying for me and I couldn't bear it anymore.  In a few weeks you will start to feel a little better although the pain still stays there for a long time but just gets a bit more bearable.  You have been very brave. xxx

Hi Sarah,  I am so very sad for you.  I'm sure your Mum will look after Barnie. XXX

Hi Sarah,

I'm so very sorry.  How kind of Barnie to save you that awful decision, though.  I'm sure your mum will look after him and they'll have fun together.  I know that empty feeling all too well, as said, it does ease, but takes time.

Take care, thinking of you and sending Reiki.

{{{HUGS}}}

Margot

I'm so very sorry Sarah that you've had so much sadness to bear.

Try to be strong - in time the intense grief will subside and you'll be better able to recall the good times you had with with your mum and with Barnie. 

I hope that it gives you some comfort to know that you did everything you could.
Take care of yourself
xx

Dear Sarah,

Take some comfort in the fact that Barnie had your Mum to welcome him at the Rainbow Bridge - we never really lose those that we love, we simply have to let them go to a better and happier place than us where they will still be watching over us.

God bless, Teri x