Devastated: golden retriever pup has a year to live at most

[NicInBetween]

Some will have seen some of the history of this - my 17 wk old golden pup has been fighting for her life since last Tuesday. She is now in a specialist veterinary clinic and they have at last found the cause of the problems: portosystemic shunt in the liver. Following further tests the problem is so widespread in the liver it's inoperable; and medication and special diet is the only way forward. If she responds to treatment today and tomorrow, AND she starts to eat food by herself and keeps food down AND is well enough to be able to do normal doggy things, she should be able to come home. IF that is the case, her life expectancy is a year at most, and she could have peritonitis again.

She's currently on a feeding tube and has not eaten of her own volition since monday a week ago (11 days). I think that by the end of tomorrow we'll have to make the horrible decision to end it for her. Even if she was well enough to come home, her quality of life may not be great. I'm finding it hard to deal with - it's been a devastating few days. Any advice comfort, insights will be so welcome. Thank you :(

No insights but can offer a virtual hug and handhold.

I think the fairest thing would be to let her go.

I'm so sorry, and having a cry for you.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

I have no advice, just sympathy and love for your poor puppy.

Oh I'm so sorry to hear that - poor little woofer x

I wouldn't make any decisions just yet. Puppies can be a lot like children and perk up really quickly. If she was to do that I'd bring her home, spoil her rotten but promise both her & myself that the next time she gets very ill that I'd have her PTS. I wouldn't want to, I'd want to nurse her through every time, but I don't think it would be the kindest thing to do knowing there's no hope for a full recovery.

I'm so, so sorry
Xx

Have you told the breeder, what have they said?

I know this an American site but it talks about surgery with a 95% survival rate and also managing the condition with diet and meds. If you have insurance it may be worth pushing for a referral?

www.vet.utk.edu/clinical/sacs/shunt/faq.php

Noel Fitzpatrick does it

www.fitzpatrickreferrals.co.uk/ct-portosystemic-shunt/

I'm so very sorry

I agree with Exit that the kindest thing you can do is to let her go.

I understand how hard it is to make that decision, but I couldn't put a dog through so much treatment especially if the quality of life won't be great and the long term outcome is not going to be good.

Sorry to hear this news .

So sorry to hear this OP. She's so young and if treatment is not going to give her a decent quality of life I'd be inclined to let her go too.

Oh Nic I'm so sorry. I've been following your other thread hoping for good news. I don't know what to suggest really other than to go with what you think best that you know you can cope with.

Poor pup.

Poor puppy, poor you.

Oh goodness, that's just devastating. Your poor little puppy, poor you.

I'm sorry to hear about your pup. Pikachu there are successful surgeries for single shunts, however, the OP has stated that this is a multiple shunt so not suitable for surgery. She is already at a specialist referral centre who will be experienced in these surgeries.
Your pup has been through an enormous amount and you give tried very hard to get her the very best treatment. My thoughts are with you.

Sorry. I hadn't realised the difference. It's really sad.

I'm heartbroken. Cassie is to be put to sleep anytime now. Although medication was starting to show improvements, the vet phoned this morning to say she was showing behaviourable / neurological problems overnight, including some aggression this morning. It means the toxins have continued to build and are affecting her brain/nervous system and there's nothing more that can be done for her. Just devastated. My DH has gone over to see her, but I just want to remember her as she was when she was admitted to the specialists: bright and happy, although very tired. And loving the attention. I just cannot believe I will never see her again. She's just 4 months old.

This Cassie just before she fell ill.

I'm heartbroken. Cassie is to be put to sleep anytime now. Although medication was starting to show improvements, the vet phoned this morning to say she was showing behaviourable / neurological problems overnight, including some aggression this morning. It means the toxins have continued to build and are affecting her brain/nervous system and there's nothing more that can be done for her. Just devastated. My DH has gone over to see her, but I just want to remember her as she was when she was admitted to the specialists: bright and happy, although very tired. And loving the attention. I just cannot believe I will never see her again. She's just 4 months old.

This Cassie just before she fell ill.

don't know why that posted twice!

I'm so sorry that she hasn't responded well to the treatment. What a difficult day for you. Thinking of you this afternoon. 💐

I'm so sorry.

Poor you and poor pooch.

I'm so sorry. She looks like a gorgeous wee thing in your photo.

Losing a pet any time is tough but with one so young with all her life ahead of you it's especially heartbreaking.

If it helps, I think you've made the right decision.

So sorry to hear the treatment didn't work out for your little pup.

Take care.

Oh Nic. I'm so sorry. I wish I could say something useful but there's isn't anything really is there? At least you know she won't suffer anymore.