[Craftylady51]

My dog has quit eating.. I have tried everything including cooking her rice and boiled chicken.. She takes a few bites then quits eating.. She had diarrhea for over 3 weeks off and on but this has stopped since being on antibiotics.. NO vomitng.. YES, I have taken her to the vet twice (2 different ones). With no success.. It's almost like they have giiven up on her because of her age.. All they keep doing is putting her on antibiotics.She drinks LOTS of water and has to pass her water several times a day but appears to now have trouble walking.. She is a 12 year old lab and up until now has been very healthy... I hate that my poor baby can't tell me what is wrong.

[JudyKayTee]

Two Vets and no answer? Do they have any suggestions at all?

This must be incredibly frustrating.

I know when my dog refused to eat and no one could diagnose (it ended up to be cardiac) and I even saw two specialists with her I found that she would eat fish - and so I broiled fish for her every night, mixed it with rice - and she ate.

[Craftylady51]

Thank you Judy.. Yes, they checked her heart, lungs, blood work etc.. all normal.. I did broil her fish and rice as well as chicken and rice.. She eats a very small portion, maybe 2 TBSP and then doesn't want any more.. Yes, it is very frustrating because I feel like she is starving herself.They say if dog's are not well or it's their time to die they like to be alone but she doesn't do any of that.. In fact there must be someone in the room with her at all times or she panics.. She continues to bark all night.. she will go from one room to the next and bark non stop at each of us for about 20 min. each time.. lay down then start again.I had to practically beg the vet's to even examine her.. They basically kept telling me that labs only live so long (both said around 11 yrs) and that this behavior should be expected but I disagree especially when this happened to her so suddenly..

[JudyKayTee]

Wonder if it's neurological - ? I know what you mean about when it's time for a dog to leave. I've had dogs get very clingy, almost afraid, and I've had dogs that withdraw. And, yes, in my experience that's old for a lab.

A yellow lab owned my heart, gone 10 years now and I miss him a lot. I really can sympathize with you - this thread pains me. I can't imagine what you are going through.

How are his bathroom habits? Urinating could mean kidney. That certainly would change his appetite because his system is "off."

Frustrating indeed.

[Craftylady51]

She drinks an average 7 to 9 times a day.. Her normal drinking habits is usually around 3 times a day plus she is passing her water much more then normal.. The vet tells me she has a fever.

[tickle]

She drinks an average 7 to 9 times a day ..Her normal drinking habits is usually around 3 times a day plus she is passing her water much more then normal..The vet tells me she has a fever.

Did the vet rule out diabetes ?

[tickle]

Did the vet rule out diabetes ?

Second thought enemic, what colour are the gums, pale is not good?

[Craftylady51]

Gums appear normal and I did mention diabetes to the vet and they both basically ignoed me and said the symptons didn't indicate that which I think they are wrong.. That was the first thing I thought about as well since it is common in labs at that age.. In fact I had to request the blood work be done since the vets had no interest in doing any.. It will be another few days before the results are back.

[tickle]

I hope you will consider a second opinion from another vet. We have never had to do that, but my Brook now has ligament problems, both back legs, 3 operations, vet paid for the last one, but I am wondering. We have spent about $3500 now so far.

[nccaitlin91]

Sounds like you may need a new vet. I mean there has to be something else they can do. Maybe try looking up vets in your area online? Try to find out what the problem is with her walking. That may be why she doesn't want to eat- if she's in pain. Just a thought, I'm not an expert. Good luck with her and hope everything gets figured out!

[Alty]

This sounds so familiar I lost my border collie cross a little over a year ago, and he had the same symptoms you're describing, including multiple tests at the vets office, and no findings.

To this day I don't know what was wrong. He was only 10 years old, and until a week before he started getting sick, he was a perfectly healthy dog.

Have they done an ultrasound?

I would definitely get a third opinion, and try to go with a specialist this time. It really doesn't sound like the vets you've seen care enough to find out what's causing this.

I wish we could be of more help.

I wish you and your dog all the best.

[Craftylady51]

Thank you for your input..We just got back from the vets for the third time..Unfortunately we had to put our lab down..My heart is just breaking..Only a fellow pet owner can truly understand the pain that someone feels when loosing a pet..She hadn't eaten in over a week and the diarreah was going into it's 4th week, non stop..The blood work came back today and it showed that both the red and white cells were off the charts as well as her liver enzymes being out of wack..after extensive research with other pet (lab) owners we decided it was best to give her some peace and free from pain..The vet of course wanted to run more extensive testing ($1600 worth).to confirm cancer plus expenses for cancer tretment. etc..$$$$.It was a difficult decsion both financially and emotionally but because of her age we felt this was best..As terrible as this may sound I was closer to my dog then I was with my own children..I miss her so much.Thanks to all her help me through this difficult time.
.

This sounds so familiar I lost my border collie cross a little over a year ago, and he had the exact same symptoms you're describing, including multiple tests at the vets office, and no findings.

To this day I don't know what was wrong. He was only 10 years old, and until a week before he started getting sick, he was a perfectly healthy dog.

Have they done an ultrasound?

I would definitely get a third opinion, and try to go with a specialist this time. It really doesn't sound like the vets you've seen care enough to find out what's causing this.

I wish we could be of more help.

I wish you and your dog all the best.

[JudyKayTee]

I lost my dog on April 6, 2012 - and I miss her every day.

My heart goes out to you. I think the biggest kindness, the most love you can show, is helping her leave this place of pain and go to a place of peace.

I know it's rough, but we are all thinking of you.

(If you are interested, here is Andi's story - https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/blog/a...ee-678813.html)

[Craftylady51]

Thank you Judy..Much appreciated..

~Jill~

I lost my dog on April 6, 2012 - and I miss her every day.

My heart goes out to you. I think the biggest kindness, the most love you can show, is helping her leave this place of pain and go to a place of peace.

I know it's rough, but we are all thinking of you.

(If you are interested, here is Andi's story - https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/blog/a...ee-678813.html)

[Alty]

I'm so sorry for your loss. We've all been there, it's sadly the price of loving a dog. Doesn't make it any easier though.

Know that you did the best for her, and when push came to shove you ended it for her. That takes a lot of courage, and a lot of love.

I truly believe that after we die we're reunited with our loved ones. You will see her again.

Five months before I lost my Jasper (the border collie I told you about in the first post) I lost my lab cross Indy. He was 16. It's never easy, even when they're old and gray.

My heart goes out to you. If you need to talk, we're here to listen. I found that talking about the life I shared with my dogs, posting pictures, remembering the good times, really helped me heal. We're here for you, so share whatever you want to share.

The last battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak,

And pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then will you do what must be done,

For this, the last battle, can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,

But don't let grief then stay your hand,

For on this day, more than the rest,

Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,

You wouldn't want me to suffer so.

When the time comes, please, let me go.

Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,

Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me,

Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree,

It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,

From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don't grieve that it must be you,

Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close,we two, these years,

Don't let your heart hold any tears.


Author Unknown

[Craftylady51]

Oh my goodness Judy..I sat here crying after reading your story that was full of beautiful emotion as well as sadness..It certainly deserves to be printed somewhere..Your writing is done with such a beautful touch!!!..It helped me to get throught this day..Thank you!

Did you ever get another dog?..Just curious..

~Jill~

Thank you Judy..Much appreciated..

~Jill~

[Craftylady51]

Beautiful poem Alty..Thank you!

I'm so sorry for your loss. We've all been there, it's sadly the price of loving a dog. Doesn't make it any easier though.

Know that you did the best for her, and when push came to shove you ended it for her. That takes a lot of courage, and a lot of love.

I truly believe that after we die we're reunited with our loved ones. You will see her again.

Five months before I lost my Jasper (the border collie I told you about in the first post) I lost my lab cross Indy. He was 16. It's never easy, even when they're old and gray.

My heart goes out to you. If you need to talk, we're here to listen. I found that talking about the life I shared with my dogs, posting pictures, remembering the good times, really helped me heal. We're here for you, so share whatever you want to share.

The last battle

If it should be that I grow frail and weak,

And pain should keep me from my sleep,

Then will you do what must be done,

For this, the last battle, can't be won.

You will be sad I understand,

But don't let grief then stay your hand,

For on this day, more than the rest,

Your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,

You wouldn't want me to suffer so.

When the time comes, please, let me go.

Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,

Only, stay with me till the end

And hold me firm and speak to me,

Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree,

It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,

From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Don't grieve that it must be you,

Who has to decide this thing to do;

We've been so close,we two, these years,

Don't let your heart hold any tears.


Author Unknown

[JudyKayTee]

As a matter of fact, yes, I did, a rescue, a barn dog, born February 6th (Andi died April 6th). He is supposed to be German Shepherd (my other dog is a GSD) Rott mix, but as he's grown he's sort of a terrier and sort of a traveling salesman! I did see the dog they said was his mother, and she was an AKC GSD, but no one (including my Vet) believes that was actually his mother.

At any rate, his name is Jack. He's a smart, good dog. My other dog (who was raised with Andi) loves him. How odd it is to see my GSD turn from the puppy to the older dog.

I didn't want another dog, but it's amazing how elastic hearts are - I miss
Andi all the time, but Jack is here to stay!

[Alty]

As a matter of fact, yes, I did, a rescue, a barn dog, born February 6th (Andi died April 6th). He is supposed to be German Shepherd (my other dog is a GSD) Rott mix, but as he's grown he's sort of a terrier and sort of a traveling salesman! I did see the dog they said was his mother, and she was an AKC GSD, but no one (including my Vet) believes that was actually his mother.

At any rate, his name is Jack. He's a smart, good dog. My other dog (who was raised with Andi) loves him. How odd it is to see my GSD turn from the puppy to the older dog.

I didn't want another dog, but it's amazing how elastic hearts are - I miss
Andi all the time, but Jack is here to stay!

Judy, that's the way it is.

I believe it was George Carlin (sp?) that said "Life is a series of dogs".

Reminds me of one of my favorite books. Here's my favorite quote from that book:

"Dogs' lives are short, too short, but you know that going in. You know the pain is coming, you're going to lose a dog, and there's going to be great anguish. So you live fully in the moment with her, never fail to share her joy or delight in her innocence, because you can't support the illusion that a dog can be your lifelong companion. There's such a beauty in the hard honesty of that, in accepting and giving love while always aware it comes with an unbearable price. Maybe loving dogs is a way we do penance for all the other illusions we allow ourselves and for the mistakes we make because of those illusions".

Author Dean Koontz. Title "The Darkest Evening of the Year".

I've had many dogs in my life. I miss every one of them every single day of my life. Every time I lose a dog I think I can't do it again. But how can I not? Having a dog in your life is a blessing. Being without a dog is unthinkable. It would be hell on Earth.