My poor Labrador

[KinseyWinsey]

He's got bad arthritis. He's 9. Still loved his walks. On carprodyl for the arthritis.

On Tuesday, he refused to eat. Still went for a walk. Drank loads and then vomited it all up again.

Still not eating by Thursday. And drinking loads and vomiting up the water. We took him to the vet.

She says he's got kidney failure. Blood tests show that. He's anaemic too. He's on a drip to keep him hydrated. He's vomiting and got diarrhoea. He's still at the vet's now being monitored.

She thinks it's the end. He's still not eaten. No interest in food at all. He will drink water but throws it up again.

I'm heartbroken. We went to visit him this morning and he is miserable, it's true. But he wagged his tail, got up to greet us and his sister doggy.

He's on an opioid painkiller as he can't take his carprodyl anymore.

Vet wants to give him a few more hours or a day to see if he rallies. She thinks if by tonight he's not shown any improvement then it's his time.

I can't bear it.

Big hugs @KinseyWinsey sending positive vibes to poor Ddog

I’m so sorry. Devastating

Should we give him more time?

He's hydrated from the drip.

Oh bless him. I’d take whatever advice the vet gives

Oh you poor thing, it's heartbreaking. Listen to your vet and just try to remember that a peaceful end is the last great thing we can do for our pets. Sending you much love.

That sounds so hard. I’m so sorry for you and your family and your dog. But why give him more time? It sounds like his road has run out. The kindest thing you can do for him is help him to go in peace and painfree.

Big hugs. We had to let go of our lab last year and it still hurts. Also arthritis. We kept him around too long, trying all the drugs (DH is a vet so lots of advice from specialists) but couldn't get him comfortable without losing bladder control. The end for us was when he flooded his bed but didn't want to get up into the adjacent, clean and dry identical bed we'd put so he didn't have to lie on cold wet bed.

Kidney problems are often the limiting factor keeping dogs comfortable.

Aside from hydrating him what have they done for him . My sister had a dog with what was described as end stage renal failure and anaemia and due to circumstances at the time she would not have him PTS and he survived for 5/6 months having a weekly injection of vitamins and a 3 /4 weekly steroid . He actually perked up quite well and started putting on weight . Obviously not all cases are the same but I just wanted to say that there is a bit of hope . About 2 months in our vet actually said to me that because of how well the dog was doing that he was having to rethink his approach to similar cases as he had recommended euthanasia at the original appointment. Best wishes whatever you decide as you will have his best interests at heart 💐

I just don't know.

They opened him up because they thought they spotted a blockage on a scan. They found nothing. All appeared to be okay.

So they thought it was a form of gastroenteritis as one of our other dogs had that last week but she recovered very quickly after a drip and an overnight stay at the vet.

Dried blood in the water vomit which suggests there could be stomach ulcers. But the blood test results do indicate kidney failure.

He's only 9. And he's a great dog. Loves his walks but he is just miserable. It's all so sudden from Tuesday.

Poor boy, it sounds like he’s been through a lot in the last week. I think it probably is time and would follow your vet’s advice, as painful as it is.

My lab was 9 when we lost him to oral cancer, it was tragic but it’s better a day too early than a day too late.

Get him home and love him for a few days, and if he's still low get the vet to come out. Really feel for you 💚

I’m very sorry to hear this. When we’ve been in this situation we have asked the vet what they would do if this was their dog. You then get the perspective of a loving owner and a professional.

Sending love and hugs to you. It is such a difficult and sad time.

We had a lab euthanised for exactly the same reason, and the same age. It's incredibly difficult, but best not to let them suffer.

Oh I’m so sorry OP.

I’ll be facing this decision myself very soon as my boy has Lymphoma. I’m dreading it but I know I’d rather do it before he’s suffering. In your shoes I’d do him this kindness sooner rather than later. I know that’s a very tough decision to come to though.

Give him more time I think

In my 38 years of owning dogs I found that some vets may suggest PTS
When we didn't dogs still went on to do ok for a few years

Sorry easy for me to say
Anyway sending all of this ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

What a very sad situation. It must be a huge shock having come on so quickly.
I would always tend towards a day too early rather than a day too late. The kindest thing you could do is probably to spare him hurting.

I think that giving them more time is a viable option if your dog isn't in pain, or if the pain can be alleviated. Sadly in your dogs case that isn't the case, Id give him a big hug, tell him how much you love him and let him go.

IME being hydrated will help make it easier when he is PTS in getting a vein etc. I think you'll instinctively know when the right time to let him go. I've never wished I'd made the decision later and given my dogs more time.

So sorry you and your beloved Ddog are having to go through this

He's suffering. He can't even keep water down. His body won't deal with it.

Then, very gently, I think it might be time. He can't stay on a drip indefinitely, and if he's not kept any water down for 5 days... I'm really sorry OP. Sometimes there isn't a reason.

If he's suffering then it's far better sooner than later, I'm sorry op, but I would do it now.