My American Eskimo, Sakura, is 13. She scared me to death today. When I came home she refused to go down the steps to go to the bathroom. She has arthritis but never refuses to go to the bathroom. I picked her up and carried her down the steps. Outside she stood and refused to move. She was walking with her head down and shaking. In the house she was not responsive when I called her. None of those things are normal for her. She had also had loose stool/ diarrhea for a few days. My mom and I took her to the vet as an emergency. In the waiting room her back legs gave out. They began splaying outwards. The vet tech put me in a room because I was crying so hard. I actually came back into the room to find her standing! I was positive we were going to have to put her down. My vet was alot more positive. He is going to check her fecal, and do xrays of her back legs. She is staying overnight and getting medication for her loose bowel and fluids. My vet said her prognosis was good. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
I was positive I was going to lose my dog
- Thread starter ReneeM
- Start date
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Jenn
ZooKeeper
That would be a big scare and I sure hope you get good results back from all of the testing. I sure would like to know what you find out. Stay positive!
Thank you 
My vet is really good. He treats my chins too. He really calmed my fears. I can't imagine losing my dog. I have had her since I was 15. She has been with me almost half my life. I hate leaving her at the vet though, but it's for the best.
My vet is really good. He treats my chins too. He really calmed my fears. I can't imagine losing my dog. I have had her since I was 15. She has been with me almost half my life. I hate leaving her at the vet though, but it's for the best.
I picked her up from the vet today. They said she had been standing and barking all morning! She jumped on me when I picked her up, and walked out to the car. She was diagnosed with giardia. She is on meds for that and for her diarrhea. I think she feels better, but still isn't her normal self. She will be on a diet of chicken and rice. I picked up some doggy diapers as well. In case her legs get worse, or she can't make it outside.
ChinnyMom
slave to Rhino and Guss
good to hear she's back home!
be sure to change clothes and wash well/sanitize in between handling your dog and going near your chins.
be sure to change clothes and wash well/sanitize in between handling your dog and going near your chins.
Riven
Bad Chin
Oh, keep us updated. Did he say what he thought it might be?!
BooBoo*TheKiddo*
Well-known member
Renee, have you looked into care credit.
I feel sick to my stomach. My dog is hardly eating. 4-5 bites every couple of hours. Im currently between jobs, so I can be home with her. We went to the vet last night. They gave her fluids and medication to settle her stomach. She also has a sore in her mouth, but the vet (who I normally don't see) wanted to put her under anesthesia to look in her mouth, because she is nippy, and run a GI panel. Its not what my regular vet suggested. They are both in the same practice, but I do not like the vet who treated my dog tonight. I'm afraid to put my dog under anesthesia being that she is 13 and so sick right now. I declined all treatment that she suggested. Nothing she suggested will change anything. My dog is having an ultrasound on Monday. I'm borrowing money from my parents and brother to get it done. It's $400. She eats sometimes if I feed her by hand, or she will pick at it a little.
I'm not ready to lose her, but right now I dont think things are looking very good
I'm a mess. I can't sleep at night because I keep checking on her, and crying.
She is beginning to refuse to go down the steps to go to the bathroom as well. I always said if my dog got to that point I would have them put down, but I can't do it. Not yet. I'm hoping she pulls through. Im not ready.
I'm not ready to lose her, but right now I dont think things are looking very good
I'm a mess. I can't sleep at night because I keep checking on her, and crying.
She is beginning to refuse to go down the steps to go to the bathroom as well. I always said if my dog got to that point I would have them put down, but I can't do it. Not yet. I'm hoping she pulls through. Im not ready.
perabalaofmystery
Well-known member
im soo sorry for you . i went through something similar years ago with a cat that i had had since i was barely able to walk.
he had horrible joint pain, barely could walk, and had diabetes. The vet bills were adding up and i couldn't bear to see him like that but i couldnt let go of him .
eventualy after caring for his every need for 4 months i finally had him put to sleep. he passed away in my arms. It was the hardest thing i had done at that point in my life. In fact im sitting here typing and holding back tears just remembering it.
these things are always really hard. there is never an easy way to get through it.
as for being ready to put a beloved pet to sleep all i can say is your never ready. youll always want more time. But at some point even if your not really ready to let go. youll be able to do it for your pets sake.
I really hope she pulls through for you. and i hope your friends and family support you/her as well.
im sure the whole fourum is rooting for you two. keep us updated.
best wishes. <3
he had horrible joint pain, barely could walk, and had diabetes. The vet bills were adding up and i couldn't bear to see him like that but i couldnt let go of him .
eventualy after caring for his every need for 4 months i finally had him put to sleep. he passed away in my arms. It was the hardest thing i had done at that point in my life. In fact im sitting here typing and holding back tears just remembering it.
these things are always really hard. there is never an easy way to get through it.
as for being ready to put a beloved pet to sleep all i can say is your never ready. youll always want more time. But at some point even if your not really ready to let go. youll be able to do it for your pets sake.
I really hope she pulls through for you. and i hope your friends and family support you/her as well.
im sure the whole fourum is rooting for you two. keep us updated.
best wishes. <3
She actually got up and went to the bathroom this morning! Then later on she peed on the floor, THEN wanted to go out. I'm hoping this is a good sign. I talked to my parents about putting her down, but they want to wait until she gets the ultrasound.
Raindog
Well-known member
How is Sakura? How was her vet visit?
She isn't doing well. The ultrasound found tumors in her liver and kidneys. I believe it is in her stomach as well. In most of her organs. She is on five different medications right now, to help her feel better. My vet said to see how the meds make her feel. She still seems happy, is a bit more active, and eating a bit more. She greeted me this evening by barking and wagging her tail I know what she has is terminal, and I want to make her as comfortable as possible right now. She has a few weeks at best. If I see any signs of her giving up or telling me she is ready I will put her down.
I had an old co- worker tell me I wasn't doing the dog any favors by not putting her down.
She has not lost any weight, and seems much more responsive than she was before starting medication.
She has little control over her bowels and bladder, but I keep my floor covered. She can't help it. She still goes to the door when I tell her to go potty.
I found her like this last night:
She used her steps to climb onto my bed. She has not felt well enough to do that on weeks
I know what she has is terminal, and I want to make her as comfortable as possible right now. She has a few weeks at best. If I see any signs of her giving up or telling me she is ready I will put her down.I had an old co- worker tell me I wasn't doing the dog any favors by not putting her down.
She has not lost any weight, and seems much more responsive than she was before starting medication.
She has little control over her bowels and bladder, but I keep my floor covered. She can't help it. She still goes to the door when I tell her to go potty.
I found her like this last night:
She used her steps to climb onto my bed. She has not felt well enough to do that on weeks
Raindog
Well-known member
I am so sorry to hear. If she is still getting joy from life that is great. Enjoy the time you have with her now. Every moment with her happy is a blessing no matter what your coworker says. You will know the right time and now does not seem to be it. She looks like such a sweet doggie.
Renee, Don't let your old co-worker get you down. I've been in your spot too many times. Hedgehogs are highly prone to cancers, they are almost always terminal. You love them while they are here, you watch for signs that it is time to go and then you help them peacefully pass.
For me so long as they are not in pain, are not laying in their own waste, and can still do something that makes them happy, then we press on. I have a checklist in my mind. I note the things that make them happy, and once most or all of those items are gone, then its time.
Love her while she is here, and try to not be sad, she loves you and while her time with you may be shortening, you at least have some more time together.
For me so long as they are not in pain, are not laying in their own waste, and can still do something that makes them happy, then we press on. I have a checklist in my mind. I note the things that make them happy, and once most or all of those items are gone, then its time.
Love her while she is here, and try to not be sad, she loves you and while her time with you may be shortening, you at least have some more time together.
