My little dog Carrie (who is 10 1/2) has been having some issues lately, she has been leaking some poo and become quite lethargic and won't jump on out settee / beds no more. Also she appears to have a raised spine, and her belly is quite firm.

We took her to the vets shortly after New Year and he said it was probably Gastroenteritis and gave her some medication and a bland diet, however, once the antibiotics run put, the problem returned.

Today we took her to the vets again, and he said because of her age his concerned that it is a stomach or bowel tumour or liver failure, or something equally as "nasty" so he took blood tests and we have to take her back on Thursday for XRays.

He said because she responded to medication it may just be a nasty infection, but he will only know when the blood tests come back.

So obviously we are quite worried, and waiting ominously for Thursday.

Just wanted to share.

oh no, i hope its good news, fingers crossed

Awwww poor thing. hope the results are good and it isn't as bad as it seems.

Tests can be to rule things out, as well as for positive diagnosis, hope that's the case for you and it's nothing too serious

Just a little update, the blood test results came back and my dog has Chronic Liver Disease leading to Liver Failure, she is currently in Animal Hospital for an Ultrasound and to be put on medication.

She is very very poorly and the Vet told us that even if the medication works, the prognosis is bleak in that the Liver Disease will eventually kill her.

so sorry to hear i too am having to make decisions about our older dog, shes about the same age as yours

Just heard from the vets, she has cancer in her liver and spleen and she has around 2 weeks of "good quality life left".

When she deteriorates she should be put to sleep as she will be in pain.

Worst nightmares

double post

Well I can see this thread is overrun by people offering good wishes / caring advice .

You have my best wishes in this troubling time.

Aww I'm so sorry, this is the worst part of owning a pet

But at least she will be spared lots of pain and suffering in her final days

I am sure you will be giving her lots of fuss and love

My thoughts are with you xx

My thoughts are with you. I realy do do how you feel. We lost our cat to liver failure in july 09. We had to have him pts as he was suffering and i couldnt put him though anymore. Even now i wonder if i kept him alive just one more day would he have got better. I know it was in his best interest for us too let him go.

aww, your poor dog
i have a dog and would be devastated if that happened

I'm so so sorry about your dog.
I've been wondering how it went and just now seen your post of yesterday. You must be devastated.
There's nothing I can say but please know I'm thinking of you both.

So sorry to hear your news. I was hoping the tests would show it was nothing to worry about

I'm so sorry, I know exactly how you feel having lost our Border Collie, Meg, to a bladder tumour three years ago. We nursed her for two months before we had to have her put to sleep, it's a horrible experience and hurts like hell. However time does heal and you'll remember the good times you had together.

She's obviously loved very much, and you can console yourself with the fact you've given her a good life. My thoughts are with you at this sad time.

I am so so sorry to hear that news....

there are no words that anyone can say that will make the next few weeks any kinder to you ... it's such a tough and awful thing to do... I hope you can be with her at the time, and she will have had, I'm sure, a happy life with you loving her.

thinking of you
xx

Adam,

I'm really sorry mate. I had a feeling that it wasn't going to be good from my own personal experiences with pets but didn't want to say anything to stop you having hope.

The best advice advice I can give you is if you are the one that takes her to the vet for the last time stay with her to the end and don't be afraid to cry. If you do take her and walk away because you can't face it you'll probably end up beating yourself up over it.

I've had to do it a few times and it's horrible. If she is calm and it's possible take her collar off her and out it in your pocket. It's better to do that beforehand than afterwars If you can hold her she is given the injection. I made a point of putting my face on theirs so I couldn't see what was hapening and neither could they. Just leave it there and wait. It doesn't take long mabe a minute at the most. She'll just shut her eyes go to sleep and that is it. It's actually harder for you. Normally the vet will walk away and give you a minute. When he or she comes back just give her a kiss and walk out the room leaving her on the table. It's easier than watching her being taken away.

Cheers all for the advise.

She's all home and on 5 different lots of medication.

The vet said he only thinks its cancer he can't be sure, but we're preparing for the worse.

It's so odd that she still is the old Carrie, if I put my shoes on she goes bananas waiting by the door and jumping at her lead, or if we're eating she sits there waiting for leftovers.

The vet said his never seen a dog as ill as she is be so strong and tough, its heart-warming.

We know that while she is being her old-self her quality of life is good, but when she deteriorates it's time for her to be put to sleep.

It's odd at first we felt terrible, in denials etc, but now we realised that although it is very sad, she had a fantastic life for 10 years, and if we really love her we have to end her suffering, so we are loving her right till the end. In a way you feel good knowing that.

We asked the vet if we missed anything, if its our fault for not noticing, he said "Listen, you would not know, she only showed symptoms in her belly ballooning and loosing weight in the past week, if she was my dog I wouldn't have worried before now because she's so bright, plus even if we caught it early she would still be in this situation", so at least we know we wasn't neglectful or have let her down.

We've also decided that when the time comes to put her to sleep, were going to request the Vet do it at home. Carrie really hates the Vets', and we don't want her last minutes to be in fear, or us remembering her cowering on a cold Vets table. Some things are just more important than money.

Were just enjoying the time we have left with her.

Today, Carrie was put to sleep at 2:15PM.

RIP.

So sorry to hear this, but as you said she was loved right to the end, and it is the final kindness you can do for her. RIP Carrie.

^^Ditto,

So sorry for your lost Adam, she clearly had a wonderful 10 1/2 years as a much loved and cared for dog.

Aww, I have just seen this thread and I am so, so sorry for your loss. You must be devastated and my thoughts and hugs are with you.

RIP Cassie.

My heart goes out to you just after christmas my 14 year old alsation casper was found to have a tumour in his chest and collapsed the dog saw me through my divorce, and we shared many happy times together,at his age we did not want to put him through major surgery he was also put to sleep,so i know how you must be feeling.

I'm so sorry to hear that Adam. Just try and remember all the good times you had together and take comfort in them.