our 14 year old dog is dying

[shirleyb45]

He had a stroke yesterday morning. Took him to the vets fully expecting them to put him down as he wasn't able to do much of anything.

The vet said to give it 24 hours and gave him a sedative and sent him home.

This morning he can't get up and isn't interested in drinking etc (or food) and wasn't yesterday. To me this is prolonging the agony for him and us.

I know all dogs are special, but he REALLY is special - like everyone in the village knows him because he's so ridiculously friendly.

I feel irrationally angry at the vet giving us and the kids false hope that he might pull through. I'm up now because he was clambering around, but unable to stand up. I just hope the vet doesn't talk us into having another 24 hours of this misery.

Gutted doesn't really cover it.

Sorry to hear that. The same happened to my dog. I think you need to go to the vets again in the morning and just tell them that it's time. It's what's best for the dog. Sending hugs x

So sorry

I am so sorry - how sad. Can you ask the vet to come and put him down at home as soon as the surgery is open? That way your dog won't have to cope with the stress of being put in the car etc. Can you sit with him and just keep him company until then. He might not be in any pain but it will be distressing for him not to be able to get up. Thinking of you xx

Sometimes old dogs show stroke-like signs that are associated with a condition called idiopathic vestibular syndrome. They can be unsteady, even collapsing, nauseated, with flicking eyes. It often improves enormously within a few days with minimal treatment. It's quite possible that that was what your vet was thinking about. I'd suggest that you set aside your irrational anger and follow up on the 24 hour review advice. Sad for you.

Very sorry to hear this. I know how you feel. I lost my dog a few weeks ago, I'd 13 years with him and he was my world. I miss him every hour of the day and nothing takes the pain away.

Thanks for your messages - And Villainous I think that is exactly what the vet was thinking - I wasn't there to hear what was said as had to go to work. What is the prognosis with that condition?

Watch and wait for up to a couple of days, depending on how the animal is responding. Treat symptomatically: ie anti-nausea medication, fluids, feed dog if necessary. Review constantly and onbviously don't allow misery to continue. It's hard to say... obviously it would be a shame to bring an animal's life to a premature end, and a majority of cases of uncomplicated idiopathic vestibular syndrome make a good recovery, but some do not and a 14yo dog is likely to have some other issues such as arthritis or cognitive changes which would disimprove the overall prognosis for a recovery and comfortable life. Anyway my point is, don't jump the gun, don't be cross. All the best.

Our last dog had vestibular. He had a couple of attacks over the years. He almost entirely recovered from each attack. He was left with a slight head tilt which is quite common but physio for his joints massively improved this. I understand that a classic symptom of vestibular is eyes flicking from side to side immediately after attack - did yours have this?

If he is not in pain I don't think it is unreasonable of vet to temporarily adopt a wait and see approach. If it is stroke rather than vestibular then long term effects may not be immediately obvious in any case.

Our dog is no longer with us now, whilst it was horrible to lose him it made it easier to cope with that the vet came to our house and he was put to sleep whilst comfy on his bed in front of the fire, being cuddled and gently reassured by his family, having been fed little chunks of finest roast beef during the previous hours. It was a calm and gentle way to go and what he deserved.

Wishing you strength.

Thanks for the information. Our dog wasn't doing any eye flicking but I can understand why she thought it might be this problem.

@whatitall can I ask how old your dog was when the attacks of vestibular thingie happened?

The reason I suspect it's a stroke is because the day before it happened - when I took him for his walk, his back legs were more unsteady than his front for no discernible reason - I put it down to being old and tired.

He had some sort of spasm thing when he was about 6 when he went all wobbly, the vet put that down to a trapped nerve but in hind sight I wonder if it was an early mild attack. His first proper attack he was maybe 10, then he had another about 6 months later and then another 18 months after that. He lived for another couple of years after that with no further attacks.

okay - thanks for that

When I was a teenager the family dog had a stroke. She did recover for the most part - she was just slightly wobbly with a head tilt and found stairs more trouble than they were worth (she just yapped until she was carried instead!). She had a perfectly reasonable quality of life for another 6/12 months or so before she had a second larger stroke and had to be put down.

Even if it is a stroke all hope is not lost

My 14.5 year old Lab had a stroke and lasted another 14 months before we had him put down. His head was tilted to one side then he had a second one and his head straightened. I feel for you and your poor dog- it’s a horrible time.

I'm another one suggesting you give it a few days. My lab. cross had what the vet called an idiopathic fit (meaning that tests showed no cause ) She was totally unable to get up or walk for about 3 days and then gradually got better and lived another 4 years.