Not Sure What To Do!!!

[ilovemarkb]

I had my 9yr old cavalier king charles at the vet on jan 14th because he.d lost weight....... poor appetite......occasional blood in stools........coat looks unkempt..........smelly eyes. She told me to bathe his eyes with cold tea, she tested his blood sugar which was normal and gave him antibiotics. She said she could do blood tests to find out what was going on but they can be costly and we dont have pet insurance. He still has all symptoms and has lost another 2lbs. His appetite is extremely poor.....turning down stuff that hes eaten for years!! I know its likely that there's something serious going on. I just dont know when the right time is that hes had enough or if hes in pain. I believe in quality rather than quantity. has any pet owners had similar symptoms in their dogs?

[ilovemarkb]

he used to weigh 27lb now weighs 17.2lbs. Before i get a barrage of abuse please know that oscar is like our baby. Weve never put him in the kennels. We only go on dog friendly holidays.

[bednobs]

why would you get a barrage of abuse?
i would say be guided by your vet.

[woofgang]

No abuse from me either.

This might help
"Is the animal:

- free from pain, distress or serious discomfort which cannot be effectively controlled

- able to walk and balance reasonably well

- able to eat and drink enough for normal maintenance and without much difficullty, and without vomiting

- free from tumours which cause pain or serious discomfort and are judged inoperable orotherwise untreatable

- able to breathe without difficulty

- able to urinate and defecate reasonably frequently without serious difficulty or incontinence (I think it should be pointed out that incontinence doesn't necessarily mean the end, it depends on how owner and dog cope, as some dogs are very distressed and others not worried).

And, is the owner:

- able to cope physically and emotionally with any nursing or medication that may be required?


IF the answer to any of these is "No" and treatment is unlikely to help, then euthansia might be the preferred action to take."


Andrew Edney, past president of the BSAVA.

[Sqad]

A tough one.

The question is.....has he got malignant disease or something else that is eminently treatable?

Only further investigations which may be costly will answer that question.

If it is malignant disease, then you will have wasted your money, but if it is something treatable the it will have been well worth it.

Looking again at your description of his symptoms, he isn't likely to live much longer.

I would pamper him for his last few weeks.

[ilovemarkb]

thanks for your honesty guys and gals x Sqad youve crossed over to the animal kingdom !!

[lankeela]

9 is no age for a Cavalier - I know a lot of them have heart problems but that is a different thing and your vet would have picked it up. I would definitely have tests done as it could be something that he can have medication for. You cannot leave him like this and hope it goes away.

[ilovemarkb]

thanks Lankeela do you have any idea what could be wrong that is treatable???

[Prudie]

To be honest the best you can get on here is educated guesses. The only way you will know is for a vet to see him. I really would try to get the money together to get him tested. He may have something completely treatable, wouldn't you rather know if that's an option plus he may be suffering unnecessarily.

[lankeela]

Could be many things, kidney disease, bladder stones, diabetes - all of which can be controlled by medication. If it is something sinister such as a growth then there may be little they can do, but ruling out the more treatable conditions will give them a better idea. Has he been wormed lately (although I would not do it at present as he is not in good health).

[FrogNog]

What general area/county are you in please? We have a chain of affordable vets here and googling has shown some in other areas too.
It might help to lower or spread the cost, or maybe your vet will set up a payment plan for you. Have you discussed it with them?

[Tilly2]

Pay up and find the money somehow.

[FrogNog]

Tilly that sounded harsh.
The OP is clearly trying to do the best by their dog.
You don't know their circumstances or how they arrived by them.
Be gentle.

[jourdain2]

I certainly wouldn't blame you for anything. I wish I could help more than to say that cold tea-bags often ease sore eyes. The other thing I can suggest is to feed him old-fashioned boiled tripe. (30 yrs. ago. that was what vets suggested for delicate systems and it has always worked with my dogs.) I began to hate the smell of boiling tripe - but it worked!

I can assure you that if your dog has had enough he will look at you and you will know. Been there, as have most people on this site.

[Prudie]

I can see Tilly's point though as I expect can many others. No animal should suffer through lack of funds of the owner and somehow through PDSA or charities or friends or whatever I think this little dog should receive further medical help.

[jourdain2]

Prudie: Yes, you have got it. I was trying to think of PDSA . They will surely help.

[FrogNog]

jourdain2 , no they won't, unless you are in receipt of certain benefits.
My animals have stayed with me even though my circumstances have greatly reduced and I would be in the same boat as the OP should the worst happen.
I can assure you that I am not by any means an irresponsible pet owner and I think we should keep our judgement out of the thread, which is in its correct category, that's all.

[ganesh]

Not going to be judgemental but those symptoms (esp the blood and loss of appetite) sound really awful and I know vets are expensive, but blood tests shouldn't cost the earth and will tell you lots of information. I would not hesitate. Your dog is obviously suffering. Find out about the PDSA if you haven't enough money. If antibiotics aren't curing him you must take him back!

[ladybirder]

Any news on your poorly dog yet ilovemarkb?

[bednobs]

in order to get treated by the PDSA you have to not only receive HB and CTB but you also have to live in an area covered by one of their surgeries. They are fairly few and far between

[whirlyhurly]

The PDSA have been a "godsend" to me and my dogs over the years.