Ill dog

[Mowbray]

hello guys,

my dad has taken our 14 year old lab' to the vet and she has not been eating for a few days now.  The vet listened to her heart beat and said she has a weak heart beat and she prescribed her some tablets which has not made any improvement.

Today my dad took her to the vet again and the vet took a blood test and said it could be her liver or kidneys.  We will get the results tonight.

just wondered if anyone would know what could be wrong with her.

She is a 14year old lab.  She seems to be drinking plently of water but not eating any thing.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Mowbray]

Hello andy hughes

I am preparing myself for the worst as i know she is old.  I think you are probabley correct in you're answer.

I am sad for my beloved dog and in my heart i believe that she is coming to the end of her life.

i am really concerned for my dad as her is absolutely devoted to Tara.  He loves her just like a daughter.  i am worried for him as my dad is now 62 and he had a heart attack 3 years ago.  I hope this will not effect him too badly.

[FP]

Just to say I am thinking of your family.  I hope she does perk up.  It has been very muggy lately and my dogs have been exceptionally tired.    She is an old girl now though.  I can't give any advice because she is obviously loved and very well cared for.  Your  Dad will need your love and support now, as I am sure you know.

Very best wishes.

[Mowbray]

thank you for you're kind words andy.  I have not said anything to my dad about the possibility of Tara being put to sleep as i could be wrong.  I have already made my mind up about me offering to pay for Tara to be laid to rest in their back garden - perhaps this may ease the families pain knowing that Tara is near the family.

I will keep you informed as to the outcome.

[woofgang]

everyone who has losta beloved pet will understand how you and your Dad are feeling. There isn't anything else that i can say except how sorry I am and hugs to you all

[callisto]

mowbray...... its always hard to accept that a beloved pet cannot stay forever , the next few days will be hard and my love goes out  to you both but fromwhat you say your pet had all the love and care she could wish for for a healthy 14 years . just remember whatever happens you have many friends on answerbank x

[shaneystar]

I know exactly how you feel.If things are really bad this is the kindest thing you can do for her.
Will be thinking of you.

[lindapinda]

My thoughts are with you and your dad Mowbray.

[Peri]

I'll be thinking of you too Mowbray.  I unfortunately went through this with our 17 year old cat last year.  She went blind the about 7/8 months before and began drinking a lot.  They said it was her liver or kidneys and we were given a special diet for her which I mixed with ordinary food.  She lived a good life until March last year when her quality of life stopped so we brought her to the vet.  She lived every bit of her life till then.  You will know when it is time.  I am thinking of you and anyone else in this situation.  A lot of people would not have pets because of your situation but for all the love our pets give us it is worth going through this. 

[callisto]

Mowbray ....i know its hard but can you let us know what the results were of tests just sowe know and can share X

[chrisl25]

I think that Andy, I'm sorry to say may be right.

Our old dog was a black lab, Katy, she was 14, when her body gave up. She was still there mentally but her body wasn't up to it anymore.

The dog we had before her was a golden lab, Max, he was 14 as well.

Its been about 2 or 3 years sice Katy died, but its still heartbreaking.

I hope that you still have time with Tara, make the most of it. I'm sure that everybody who has read your question will be thinking of you and your family.

[Mowbray]

Hello there guys,

i never realised how kind and caring all you ABer's are.

Tara is now at the vet for an x-ray as the results for her blood test were fine.  I saw her yesterday and she was in a bad way. she's lost so much weight and was breathing very heavily.   She had not eaten in 2 weeks but last night she slowly ate some chicken and ham!  i think this could be a good sign, although i am preparing myself for the worst.

The vet said it could be a tumor however, i don't think so.  i wondering whether she has fallen down the stairs and broken a rib which has punchered her lung which is causing her to breath very heavily.

i will be finding out in the next few hours what the results of the x-ray is.  She is still at the vets.

I will let you all know of the outcome

i thank each and every one of you out there who has passed on their kind words and well wishes for Tara.

Bless!

Katherine

[Peri]

Hi Katherine, Hope all goes ok.  Thinking of you, Tara and your dad. 

[shivvy]

I sincerely hope that the vet can figure something out for Tara.  We very nearly lost our lovely girl just last month but she is still with us.  I totally understand what you are going through.  It drove me mad not knowing what was wrong with her and not being able to make her feel better.

I think it was Julian Clary who put 'dogs lifespans' into Room 101 because he thought that dogs living for 15 odd years was just too short and that it is much too painful when they pass away.  I agree with him entirely.

When my last little dog passed away I made a scrapbook/album of all his photos.  I found it really helpful to look at it and it constantly reminded me of all the good times we had had with him (photos of heads stuck down holes, stealing an easter egg, curled up in his favourite chair etc) instead of only thinking about his death.  Maybe if you were able to do this for your Dad it would help him through this sad time.

Let us know how it how it goes - we will be thinking of you.

[Mowbray]

Hello,

Just to let you all know that Tara was put to sleep last Thursday morning - she had a tumor and it was spreading to her lungs.

I am very saddened by her passing, but at the same time I am relieved that she is free from her pain.

Both my parents were there with her when she was put to sleep.  I am happy that they were brave enough to have been there with her until her last breath. 

I am so glad I saw her on Tuesday evening as I told her I loved her so much and she seemed to have been happy at that point - it was as if she knew her end was nearing. I am just not sure whether I could have been as brave as my parents were.

Tara is being cremated and we should have her ashes very soon.

My dad seems to be coping very well, to be honest he was the one who was worried about me as I am devasted.

Thank you all for listening.

[shivvy]

I am so sorry to hear Mowbray.

Tara was lucky to have had such a caring and compassionate family. 

From experience, I know how bad the pain is at the minute, but it does ease and after a while you are left with a lovely feeling of realising how lucky you were to have shared part of your life with such a great dog.

The pain will ease - I promise you.  But take care in the meantime and maybe consider putting together a photo album like I suggested  in an earlier posting.  I know it has helped me get through the heartbreak previously.

Come back anytime you feel like having a chat.

 

Shivvy