We have an older dog, not sure how old as she’s a rescue but probably at least 12, small terrier mix.
despite her age up until a few days very active, still coming on short slow runs with me, walks every day, throws herself with gusto at the postman next doors lawn mower etc and jumps up on furniture, bright and engaging.
a couple of days ago, she just refused to stand up in the morning. Shaking and sad.
trip to the emergency vet, £600 in various tests a couple of possible diagnosis but vet is really unsure. She has stopped eating (second day of no food) and has stopped drinking water today, am trying to keep her hydrated using a syringe. Hasn’t been to the toilet all day.
glassyeyed and mostly sleeping. Not moving very much at all and doesn’t respond at all. It’s pretty heartbreaking.
the vet gave her a huge dose of antibiotics and a an IV and she is on pain meds (although doesn’t appear to be i pain) more antibiotics and anti nausea tablets. It’s been about 30 hours since she started tablets but she is not improving, if anything she is more lethargic and like I said now stopped drinking water.
I think she needs to back to the vet today. However I know this will result in more suggestions of tests and ultimately the tests yesterday showed some concerning kidney and liver issues that the vet said are likely unreversible and may be further impacted by the meds she’s on. I really think it’s time to discuss euthanasia. Sadly we’re just not in a financial position to run a vet bill into the thousands, we’ve recently had some other emergency stuff pop up and our savings are very thin.
however my partner (his dog, he found her in a park, before we met, where she had been beaten and tied to a post and he took her home and they are inseparable since) says she is fine, she is just under the weather and fighting off a minor infection. She will be right as rain in a day or two.
over the years I’ve had many female friends that have struggled with their male partners accepting a dogs time to die and clinging on to sick and unhappy animals. I’ve observed many arguments between couples about when to say good bye to a dog.
I do feel like perhaps it’s a bit early to call as she’s only been like this for three days but also I can’t bear that she might be suffering.
at the moment I’m deferring to his judgment because ultimately she’s his dog, but I’m unsure at what point I need to go into bat for her, which I predict will cause a big issue between us.
AIBU - give it a couple of days, dogs can go for a couple of days with no food or drinking by themselves
NBU - you need to say goodbye to the dog
thouhtd on whether it’s a man thing to ignore the glaringly obvious when it comes to dogs health?