My dog is poorly and I’m scared for him. Help

[Saddogmum]

Signs

2 episodes of shaking uncontrollably
head twitches
sometimes lethargic showing little interest
off food and drink
runny eyes
iv not seen any diorhea or bowel movements but plenty of wees
random yelping sounds when he moves

this morning he went floppy so i toon to vets after his second instance of shaking when it wasn’t cold
doctor took tests blood glucose was fine but had low potassium and some other minerals
he said perhaps gastro (even though he def hasn’t had diarrhoea and I don’t think he has been sick nor in front of me anyway)
well he was kept in on iv but wouldn’t eat
his bloods got better so iv brought him home
he’s still a bit twitchy
he’s eaten some chicken with me but his head is twitching a bit and he’s refusing water. He has made a random yelping sound too when moving

the vet is waiting a second opinion on his kidneys but hasn’t offered anyt other diagnosis other than gastro which I don’t believe to be true

any ideas what this could be? I have also realised I’m a month late with his updated vaccinations abs now terrified it’s distemper although it doesn’t match all the symptoms

Thanks iv just joined abs yes the sofa incident made me go straight out and get a pen. With a crate he will
soend his energy trying to get out as he always did and has done so I don’t want him to injure himself doing that with a pen I can just get in with him if he needs

Get used to sitting on the floor with him he shouldn't be somewhere he'll try to jump from. I slept in the sitting room with ours for a few nights. In i

We slept on the floor all night - he keeps trying to get up and then falling. He is panting now despite all the pain killers. It does feel cruel
ill
be going to the vets today
from what I am reading at this level of paralysis (he can’t move his hind legs and perhaps his front left one) even surgery may not help massively
I feel awful because I feel like I’m giving up on him but he’s in so much pain and is getting worse

It does sound like if you cannot afford the surgery that you need to do the kind thing and pts . Would it be possible to get a loan or pay it in instalments . That said I would imagine even after surgery that they need to be on cage rest and if your dog can’t cope with that level of restriction it will be an issue .

Letting him go isn’t giving up on him.

Sadly he went to heaven this morning. He couldn’t move or breathe. He was paralysed in 3 legs
ny heart is breaking and I don’t know how I’m going to get over this

I'm so sorry. It's so painful losing a pet. When mine died I rang the Blue Cross bereavement line and they really helped. Please think that you've done what's best and kindest for him. And he's no longer suffering. X

I am so so sorry for your loss. He will have known how much you loved him and as heartbreaking as it is you did the kindest thing by not letting him suffer. Thinking of you & sending lots of love xx

@Saddogmum I'm so sorry, it's heartbreaking 💔

Its beyond hard for you, but remember he doesn't know anything but drifting off to sleep.

if there is anything after this, I know a lot of people & pets that will love him & look after him ❤️

Be kind to yourself, you've been through a terrible few days xx

I hope he knows I wasn’t giving up on him I just couldn’t leave him in so much pain. He was a shadow of himself. I hope he knows how loved he was x

I keep looking at his things at his pictures at our other dog and I do y know what to do.
i cuddled him so much this morning and hated leaving him there x

I am so, so sorry. This is the last and most loving gift you could give him - you've taken on this pain so that he doesn't have to. There's no pain quite like it, I know, but you've done the right thing.

You were with him all night that helps so much he would have felt comfort.

My mum had this breed one of a litter of eight. Her dog was the only one who survived out of eight. The others all had health issues and died within three years. Her dog lived a few years more. They're such brave little dogs who are fragile physically.

Thank you those words have helped.

I never knew this could happen
I’m terrified my other dog is going to become unwell now

My advice NO jumping on or off the sofa. Everyone sits on the floor to engage with the dog. No throwing balls, toys, for him to chase. My mum lived alone so no distractions from young people wanting to play. Like dachshund breeds their back is out of kilter with their short legs.

Expect remaining dog to feel the loss too

I am always having to balance this immense stress and discomfort my cat has at going to the vet with getting her the treatment she needs.

The vet agrees with this - they've seen her a few times when her symptoms are brought on by the stress of illness, and the best treatment is rest and quiet.

The last test of this was just Tuesday, when she was howling and breathing heavily from nausea after a morning trip and treatment. Another trip to the vet, who confirmed that she was just feeling VERY sorry for herself. Another angsty night because she was so distressed she hadn't peed - but she would only pee once she relaxed.

It's simply not as simple as taking them to the vet every time. Pets have emotional responses as much as humans do.

OP I am so sorry for your loss. Please be kind to yourself. This is not your fault! Surgery may not have helped. It is obvious how much you love each other. He had 3 lovely years with you. Would you consider grief counselling for death of a pet?

You did not give up on him! It was the final act of love. Honestly OP you sound so lovely. He was lucky to have you as his human xxx

Very sorry for your loss. You did the kindest thing by not letting him suffer anymore than he had

He is feeling it he is subdued and quiet which is really out of character I’m booking the week off so I’m with him all the time.

yes I have been thinking back and since a pup he was jumping up at window sills and all sorts I was always trying to stop him, he would fly around furniture and go crazy! I am also thinking that about 6 months ago I did notice his head was lower at times so I got those high feeding things, I consulted the vet and they said he was fine so thought no more. I keep going over and over what I could have done differently

My little one got very distressed being in a crate he always did and would fight his way out. I didn’t take him to the vet that night as he got to sleep and was in my arms where he felt safe. I’m glad I didn’t take him back to that same vet too as they let him down.
I felt awful when I read this comment and still do to be honest because I didn’t just leave him

Sorry for your loss @Saddogmum 💐

I'm so sorry to hear that your pup went over the bridge. It's the final act of love we can do for our pets but it's so hard.
What you said about going over it again and again, and wondering if you could have done anything differently, really resonated. I did that after our old dog had to go last year. It helped going to see the vet with our other dog for a normal check up visit as we were able to ask and they reassured us that we did all we could for our boy. As did you. You did everything you could, seeking vet advice, following it, going back when things didn't improve.

Has botulism been mentioned?