My beautiful 5 year old irish setter has been ill on and off for over a year, with a variety of symptoms which have puzzled the vets. They suspected Lyme's disease, but that has now been ruled out.
I feel let down by the vets as sometimes my concerns about things like random lameness, and her seeming unwell have been dismissed and too many things tried, with no referral on. I feel guilty about this too as I had wanted to ask for a second opinion, but was persuaded out of it, and did trust the vet, who has a good reputation locally. One of the vets in particular has been very concerned about her. She would get better after a course of antibiotics, then worse. Anyway, no point in recriminations now,
Now Ddog is really a lot worse, and losing ability to use back left leg. She hasn't really eaten for about a week unless spoon fed, but really enjoys her food when she gets it.
The vet has now told me that there is nothing more they can do for her. They could refer her for a CT scan at a place a considerable distance away at a total cost of about £2,000 to see if it's an infection or something in a disc in the spine. Other than that they are talking about putting her to sleep ??
Sorry for the rambling, I just don't know what to do. She is quite sentient so it seems just too hard to Pts. But is it cruel to start all these investigations with travelling now when she is so poorly?
We don't have insurance but could scrape up the cash, thanks to my lovely dh: thought he would say it was too expensive, but he is keen to try to save her too. WWYD?
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
Terrible dilemma
SadSetter · 05/11/2014 11:02
Thank you. It's good to hear that, as I am clearly not objective, and love my girl so much, as do the dcs and dh.
I agree they are normally better than gps and kinder
She's had a temperature on and off, anal gland problems.tired, flat, sore; all on and off. She has a degree of hip dysplasia so the lameness was originally put down to that, but it is more like she can't stand on her leg, kind of wags it instead of her tail sometimes 
Her back end is pretty wasted away. But she remains intermittently perky and interested, and seems happy most of the time.
So, we have asked for a referral to the nearest university vet hospital. Supposed to have an appointment tomorrow, though no time yet.
But today Ddog has been v poorly; not really moved off sofa except for a pee, and to try to sneak upstairs to kids' room, but her legs let her down and she slid down the stairs; had to catch her 
Not sure she's even going to make it for the referral. They are talking a consultation tomorrow, with a possible MRI scan at, I think, a future date.
She looks sad now. So am I. This is horrible.
Update, thanks to everyone. After discovering appointment not fixed, went bit crazy and got them to see her today.
They were lovely, and planned an MRI and possible surgery, but I had to leave her as an inpatient, which was horrible. But they think she is in great pain from her back
Anyway, then we got a call when heading home saying that she had become too unwell under the anaesthetic, so they hadn't been able to complete the MRI scan. She is intensive care and Gary are trying to stabilise her overnight.
I feel a bit guilty going on about this, as I know she's "just" a dog, but she's so lovely and trusting, and blimming miles away.
Fingers crossed again
"I feel a bit guilty going on about this, as I know she's "just" a dog"
just? What?...lol
Don't be daft, it's horrible when they're that ill.
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
I know, I say "just", but dogs are far more than that, and she really is the most gentle and lovely dog I've ever met (though I am biased!)
No news just up worrying. Owners not able to stay there, so couldn't go back up,,plus have dcs with horrible colds (which they have kindly given to me) off school and dh has to go,to work early today.
Thanks for all the fingers and paws crossed.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.