[bestbessie]

I read an old post here about a dog refusing to eat from a member called MClaren, and I was so desperate to find out why and what happened but the post is closed. His dog had exactly the same symptoms as mine. Bessie is a spoodle and is the best dog I have had, totally cherished by the family.

For the last two weeks she has not eaten, refusing all food, no matter how tempting. We have been force-feeding her eggs, small pieces of meat, soft dog food which I know is not recommended but she is skin and bones and has been losing weight rapidly. We've only been managing to get about 50g of food into her even doing this. She is drinking water which is good.

We have been taking her for walks, to try and get her appetite up, she is fine trotting along, not her usual perky self but she's half-starved so I'm not surprised. Of course she is also sleeping a lot. Yes we have taken her to the vet who has done blood tests, checked her body externally, checked her teeth and throat, and the other end! We're about to start barium meal and ultrasound tests. He seems a bit perplexed as to what is happening, and I think she will staying with the vet and be on a drip tonight.

I really don't want to lose my pet and am getting pretty emotional even just thinking about it. Has anyone else ever encountered this?

[joypulv]

What about urinating and moving her bowels?
Did the vet take X-rays?
Could she have swallowed a sharp object that hurts?
How old is she?
Are her gums bright pink or white?

[SweetDee]

Do you have access to an animal hospital? I ask this because they are FULLY EQUIPPED with the right specialist "on tap" 24/7, no matter the issue your dog has they are equipped to identify the problem due to having SPECIALISTS in all matters that affect dogs.

I love my vet, she's my go-to for yearly maintenance to keep my dog healthy, but when my dogs are ill they needa hospital.

When my daughter gets sick I take her to a private doctor so she can get a recommendation to see a SPECIALIST that will deal with the specific issue she's struggling with... how can I expect my G.P. to know asthma like a specialist would who works specifically with the lungs and chest area.

SAME THING goes for dogs... Take your baby to an animal hospital. They house all the right kind of care specifically for the needs of your emergency.

My dogs only see their vet for check ups, heartworm blood tests and the purchasing of REVOLUTION to stave of heartworms, ticks, fleas and the like... Everything else that should happen goes strickly to the animal hospital.

Think of vets as G.P.'s... they have awesome general knowledge. They are not specialists, however.
:) xo Good luck :)

[bestbessie]

Hi, thank you for your answers.

Unfortunately the vet did exploratory surgery and identified a large tumour in her colon. The prognosis wasn't great with expensive chemotherapy over many months, with twice weekly visits to the vet for needles, drugs and blood tests, she only still had a 25% chance of survival. Her response to the tumour was to refuse to eat, and she had been struggling every day trying to 'evacuate' the tumour. We couldn't see any way forward except to spare her the inevitable journey to death, force feeding her every day and we made the extremely sad decision to have her put to sleep.

I'm not sure now that it was the right decision, we did try to weigh in all the factors. Maybe there was a chance she could have had a shot, maybe there wasn't, I won't know now, the uncertainty of it is eating me up. She went peacefully and with us around her. Frankly I'm devastated. The worst is that we have another dog and he's looking for her and waiting for her at the window. She was the best little dog in the world.

[bestbessie]

SweetDee, thanks for this, it all went so fast yesterday and because it's Christmas we were stuck in that few vets other than our local, who were all heading out to holiday today. I REALLY wish we'd had more options.

[Alty]

I'm so sorry for your lost bestbessie. It's never an easy decision to put a loved fur baby down. I know you have doubts, but don't let them enter your mind. We all doubt when we make that hard choice. You did what you thought was best because you love your dog.

You saved her the suffering, the pain, the torment. You spared her from having to go through chemotherapy and numerous procedures that would still only give her a small chance at life. You gave her the gift of letting her go. That's the greatest gift anyone can give.

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

[bestbessie]

Thank you so much, it is comforting to hear your words. I am grieving profoundly for this animal and am consoled only by remembering that she had the happiest life of any dog and a peaceful death with me holding her face in my hands.