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Original poster

Poorly dog

61 replies

Mollylegs · 09/05/2023 11:50

Hi I was just looking for some advice, if possible please don't be too unkind. I have a 13 year old bitch, whom I adore. I noticed just over a week ago a couple of blood spots on my sofa, I only noticed as my sofa is light. I presumed she had just had a nasty poo and didn't think anything else of it till I noticed again on Friday the same thing. So I gave her a wipe and had a bit of fresh blood, tehn Saturday I saw it again and tried to wipe it but it didn't go away. My husband left me about 7 months ago and I'm now on benefits so I rang the PDSA and they said it's not life or death so we won't see her. So I rang our usual vet who was out of hours. So an expensive bill and some pain relief and diagnosis of a prolapse. Due to her age they said they would need to take bloods if she was going to be on medication for any length of time. That alone is £230. They would normally stitch it back in which obvs means surgery which I'm not sure when she's 13 years old. After a really, really awful 7 months or so in which my husband decided the grass was greener I'm left with very little money, I payed a lot out on Saturday and I have to take her back today in an hour and I've only enough for the consultation fee. My son and myself have had a really crap time, I'm not sure how much more I can take. Does anyone know if this prolapse is something I can handle at home or am I hoping for too much. Please be kind, already in floods of tears and I'm not at the vets yet. My appointment is 12.30, I guess I'm just hoping for a little miracle xx

OP posts:
cheekyffer · 10/05/2023 16:26

Best wishes. I love my dog, but would not put her through major cancer treatment at 13. If the PDSA has said they can do it and it is straightforward without the need for major follow-up, I would. If you still have doubts, can you ask how major the surgery is and what the recovery is likely to be?

Original poster
Mollylegs · 10/05/2023 18:03

@Wotrewelookinat oh my goodness, thank you so, so much for your advice. I honestly don't have a clue about what was going to be best to do for Molly, I would never ever let her suffer but I'm so scared about making the wrong choice. Right now she's rolling around on the cats bed and playing with the cat. A few people are saying it wouldn't be fair to put her through invasive surgery, but if the vet said today she can come in, in the next two weeks it's worth a try. Sorry if i'm not making much sense, thank you so much xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Mollylegs · 10/05/2023 18:25

@halfsiesonapotnoodle I'm so sorry for offending you. The website I was looking at was for the emergency vet that I'd had to ring, it wasn't my usual vet. On the website quite a few people had commented saying they thought it was all about the money. I don't think that about my vet that I normally use. I was in a panic and trying to find a vet next to my home. I was just unsure after reading those comments. After my hubby left I am entitled to use the PDSA. I didn't use them as I needed a vet close to me as I don't drive. So I payed quite happily for the out of hours service at the vet that was open. I will now struggle for a couple of weeks but my Molly is the most important thing. The three vets I have seen over the last few days have been brilliant with her, I just didn't know what to do for the best really. Sorry to have offended you, that isn't my way of thinking, just some of what I'd read when trying to decide whats best to do. Thank you for your good wishes.

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Original poster
Mollylegs · 10/05/2023 18:32

@cheekyffer Thanks for your comment, most of the comments are saying I shouldn't do it. Is she too old really but two of the vets I've seen out of three have said to go ahead with the op. The vet that we saw today is going to ring me on Tuesday for a chat and to see what decision I have made. thanks

OP posts:
L1ttledrummergirl · 10/05/2023 19:45

It's worth considering that vets will always start with gold standard care. This is the best that they can offer for your pet. Depending on your budget, they can make changes by adapting or changing treatment options, this means that your pet may not get some of the things the vet would like to offer, which may affect recovery. The pdsa will be operating on a budget, but if they are able to treat your pet then they know what they are doing, and will give the best care they can.

L1ttledrummergirl · 10/05/2023 19:48

In my experience of working in a vet practice (not a vet), and having a dc studying vetmed, they will tell you if they don't think you should go ahead. The pets welfare is paramount.

Floralnomad · 10/05/2023 19:51

What sort of dog is she as 13 isn’t really really old if she is a relatively healthy small dog . If the vet thinks she’s fit enough for the surgery I’d go ahead .

Original poster
Mollylegs · 10/05/2023 20:05

Hi @L1ttledrummergirl thank you for your input, the PDSA were great today when I saw them, as was the emergency vet I saw at the weekend. It's so hard when alot of people think it's the wrong thing to put her through at her age but someone else has said they wouldn't do it if they thought it would cause harm. I'm jut going to have to put my trust on them. Thanks.

OP posts:
Original poster
Mollylegs · 10/05/2023 20:09

Hello @Floralnomad my girl is a patterdale terrier crossed with something but i'm not sure what. She's a bit overweight but not by loads, the vet weighed her today and she said that was ok. To be honest I have no idea what she should weigh so I'm going to have a look online. Thanks for your message.

OP posts:
buzzwizz619 · 10/05/2023 20:55

If you look at the comments most People are saying they wouldn't put there pet through invasive treatment... And many are referring to cancer.... From what I can tell from your post it's been identified as prolapse/cyst/polyp I can't see any mention of tumour.

The kind of op you are describing isn't an invasive op, it's a butt hole not major abdominal surgery. It's having a sore bum for a few days... Honestly a dental is more invasive and painful!

Elderly dog with a Pyometra/broken leg/spinal surgery/splenic mass removal/invasive biopsys that's when it's time to question if its fair to put a elderly dog through surgery. Removing a weird lump from a butt hole is fairly minor in the garden scheme of things.

And I say this as a nurse who watched her mums 14 year old dog have 4 teeth out a week ago... I cried the entire time, she's back to her normal self and totally fine :)

Plus if its already bleeding what's the alternative? Wait a few weeks/months until its bigger/more sore/until she can't poop because it's causing an obstruction/until its bothing her that much that she keeps nibbling at it and making it worse... And then needs to be put to sleep? Or have the surgery and possibly giver her anither 2+years of life

L1ttledrummergirl · 10/05/2023 22:13

I have a Patterdale, they are amazing and from an emotional point of view, she would have the operation.

Original poster
Mollylegs · 10/05/2023 23:03

@buzzwizz619 Hi, thanks for your comments, they have made me feel better. It does seem awful to put her through it if the outcome is not good but I just feel like I want her to at least have a chance thank you

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Original poster
Mollylegs · 10/05/2023 23:06

@L1ttledrummergirl she is the most amazing dog. She loves everybody and is always happy when my son has his mates round and they're all in a pile on the floor in the living room, she has to be in the middle getting attention from everyone. I've never had a dog before and she's given me so much happiness x

OP posts:
SarahSmith2023 · 10/05/2023 23:27

@Mollylegs your ex husband is a twat! It's obviously shaken you really badly and you've had a terrible knock to your confidence. His green grass will become less green, tough! Don't take him back!!

Your girl - the PDSA wouldn't offer to do the surgery if they didn't think she'd pull through ok or it wouldn't benefit from
it. It's not major surgery.

Randoms posting don't know your dog, haven't seen your dog. Age alone isn't a reason for not operating.

id certainly take my lead from the ODSA.

best wishes for her.

& for you, you're not going to believe this right now, but one day you'll think back & smile. ExH has done you a favour, make the most of this opportunity to reevaluate what you want your life to look like and build it xx

L1ttledrummergirl · 10/05/2023 23:28

@Mollylegs listen to your vet. Honestly, all the vets and nearly vets that I know are there because they love animals and they will do their best. The worst thing for a vet is when they know that there is treatment available, but that the animal can't receive it. I have never known any of them to carry out an unnecessary procedure.
You have a very lucky companion. Flowers

Original poster
Mollylegs · 11/05/2023 11:15

Hi @L1ttledrummergirl I have decided that I will go ahead with surgery, I have to give her a chance. She is the most amazing dog who has kept me going through the shit show the last 7 months xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Mollylegs · 11/05/2023 11:18

Hi @SarahSmith2023 thanks for your message, the last 7 months have been bloody awful and my dog has been my little bestie. I don't think it helps that I can see my inlaws house from my house and I don't have any friends here really. So my girl has been keeping me going xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Mollylegs · 11/05/2023 11:27

@Wotrewelookinat Hi I'm so sorry to bother you, would you know if this surgery is very invasive? So many people are saying to let her go but she's still so full of life, she's outside now playing with the cat in the garden. I suppose what I mean is she doesn't seem to be old. The PDSA have said that they would do it in the the next few weeks so it doesn't seem urgent. There are so many comments saying don't do it, I obviously can't just leave it because of where it is, if I had brought her in to yourself do you think you would say to go ahead with surgery. I hope you get this message as I'm not any good with technology, thanks in advance xx

OP posts:
cheekyffer · 11/05/2023 11:54

Often the dog will let you know - if she is still active and the PDSA say she has a good chance it seems worth it and if it was my dog I would try. If she is outside playing that is a great sign she still has life in her. You are also going into summer, so she should pick up and enjoy the garden. Best of luck!

Original poster
Mollylegs · 11/05/2023 14:32

Hi @cheekyffer My heart is telling me to let her have the surgery as it may be better to do it now. Thanks x

OP posts:
Wotrewelookinat · 11/05/2023 16:01

@Mollylegs can you explain where the lump is that needs to be removed? Not having seen her I can’t give a lot of advice, and you’re better to get advice from the PDSA vet, but I’ll try to help.

FurAndFeathers · 11/05/2023 16:29

cheekyffer · 10/05/2023 16:26

Best wishes. I love my dog, but would not put her through major cancer treatment at 13. If the PDSA has said they can do it and it is straightforward without the need for major follow-up, I would. If you still have doubts, can you ask how major the surgery is and what the recovery is likely to be?

Who says the dog has cancer? Confused

she’s been examined by two veterinary professionals. Both have recommended surgery.

I suspect the first discussed PTS knowing the OP’s limited financial situation in an effort to ease any guilt she might feel about not being able to afford surgery.

but if the PDSA are happy to do surgery for the polyp removal then go for it. 13 isn’t that old for a patterdale

FurAndFeathers · 11/05/2023 16:30

Mollylegs · 11/05/2023 11:27

@Wotrewelookinat Hi I'm so sorry to bother you, would you know if this surgery is very invasive? So many people are saying to let her go but she's still so full of life, she's outside now playing with the cat in the garden. I suppose what I mean is she doesn't seem to be old. The PDSA have said that they would do it in the the next few weeks so it doesn't seem urgent. There are so many comments saying don't do it, I obviously can't just leave it because of where it is, if I had brought her in to yourself do you think you would say to go ahead with surgery. I hope you get this message as I'm not any good with technology, thanks in advance xx

@Mollylegs Please please take advice from the veterinary professional who has examined your dog.

Not strangers on the internet who have zero veterinary knowledge and zero understanding of the risks and benefits of the procedure.

Original poster
Mollylegs · 11/05/2023 18:19

Hi @Wotrewelookinat I will try to explain. At first it just looks like there's a little bubble of red blood so I assumed she had struggled a bit too much when going to the loo. I went to wipe it off before she climbed onto the sofa and realised it's something sticking out. So it's just a blob kind of thing, size wise it's small. It's coming from her bottom. I have so many people saying I should let go for the dogs sake but 2 out of the 3 vets said they would operate. Do you know if it's a massive procedure or not? Thanks for your help x

OP posts:
Wotrewelookinat · 11/05/2023 18:23

@Mollylegs the only ones who can actually tell you what the procedure involves are the vets who have examined your dog. No one else can I’m afraid. I don’t know what the attachment of the lump is like and please don’t be swayed by people you don’t know on the internet who haven’t seen your dog and have no veterinary knowledge. Please talk through the decision with your PDSA vet.