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| Faith |
 Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:16 am |
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Joined: 23 Jun 2007
Posts: 1474
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My little dog, a Yorkshire Terrier weighing approx 4lb, is poorly. I took him to the vet at the beginning of the as he couldnt poo and was straining with nothing happening. There was also a lump on his lower back, near his tail.
It turns out that the lump is a hernia and the vet popped it back in and rectally examined Yorkie whereupon he did a poo there and then. The hernia had popped out again by the time we got home and since then I have been putting it back in before he can poo. This is fairly easy, but I don't know how unpleasant for the dog. He doesnt like it particularly but he doesnt squeal.
He also has a partially collapsed trachea which means his breathing his very 'honky' when he walks too much or gets excited or stressed.
He is on steroids for the trachea and lactolose for keep his motions soft.
He always peed in the house if I wasnt keeping an eye on him - now its much worse.
Yorkie was bought for my youngest daughter, Em and she loves him to bits, as of course do I! But I'm wondering how long this situation can carry on and what to do if it worsens. The vet, who I like and trust implicitly, says that the hernia needs repair but he is reluctant to do the op as he doesnt think Yorkie would survive due to his collapsed trachea and the anaesthetic.
Em wants, if it comes to it, for him to have the op to give him at least a chance..... Bill says the same..... I'm not so sure. I don't want him to die on the operating table. What do you think? What would you do if he was your dog? Bear in mind he's not much bigger than a rabbit!
Faith |
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| Toady |
| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 8:37 am |
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Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Posts: 786
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Faith I'm so sorry for you and poor little Yorkie.
All I can say is be guided by the vet. If he is says that the op is too risky then I'm afraid that says it all.
All you can do is to try to make him as comfortable as possible and when that is no longer viable there is only one thing that a responsible owner can do.
When we lost our dear old Bo I know that I would have much preferred that the vet had put him to sleep there and then than send him home to suffer for 24 hours.
Hugs
Toady
XX |
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| Withy Brook |
| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:15 am |
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Moderator
Joined: 10 Jul 2007
Posts: 2247
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I have pm'd you.
I much agree with Toady, though came to a different result. |
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| Westerwitch |
| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:35 am |
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Site Admin
Joined: 15 May 2007
Posts: 5103
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So sorry Faith. I personally think it depends on how much discomfort he is in with the hernia generally and also how much it hurts popping it back each time. If the vet is of the opinion that the hernia needs to be repaired then I would risk the operation, if you don't you may well be faced with letting him go anyway and then you may always wonder what if . . . I would give him that what if chance, but you have to be guided by your own heart and gut feeling for the welfare of Yorkie . . . because that for me would be the most important thing.
Such a difficult time for you Faith - there is no right, or wrong here you and Em love Yorkie very much and I know you will want the best for him and really it doesn't matter what we say, or think . . . thinking of you all whatever you decide to do.
xWWx |
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| Fennie |
| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 10:22 am |
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Joined: 08 Jul 2007
Posts: 359
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Poor Yorkie - and poor you. It's always tragic when an animal is ill. They do become so much a part of our lives. But they don't live for ever (nor do we!).
You haven't said how old Yorkie is, but he sounds as though he is reaching that stage in his existence when a number of things start to go wrong at the same time. Even if you tried the operation, Yorkie might not be able to benefit from the result for very long and the shock might simply trigger something else. I think you have to be guided by the vet who will try to do what is best for the animal and then rely on us for purple vibes whatever the outcome. It is very hard in this situation to make the best decision yourself. |
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| Pipany |
| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:46 am |
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Joined: 10 Jul 2007
Posts: 885
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So sorry to hear this Faith. It is alwyas such a hard decision to make and even more so when your daughter is so desperate for hime to have the op. I have to say I am with Toady on this and really would be guided by the vet. I may be reading it wrongly, but your writing amde me feel that you already have your answer in your heart?
A very hard thing for you Faith.
Much love xx |
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| Zoe |
| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:53 am |
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Joined: 27 Jan 2009
Posts: 706
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Sorry to read this Faith, it is always such a tough decision, and as Toady said, the Vet's reluctance says it all.
I'd say follow your instinct - I am sure you will know when its the right time to let him go.
XX |
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| Lily |
| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:59 am |
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Joined: 07 Oct 2007
Posts: 297
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So sorry that you and your family have this difficult decision to make. I think I would be guided by your vet, maybe ask whether he thinks the operation would almost certainly prove fatal or whether he feels there is a possibility of a safe outcome?
With our own animalswhen we have felt that the quality of life is so poor, we have in conjunction with our vet's advice, had the euthanasia done at home.
Thinking of you.Lily |
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| Faith |
| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:14 pm |
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Joined: 23 Jun 2007
Posts: 1474
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I will read all your answers carefully soon but am off now to my sisters for the night. Taking Yorkie with me. He will be 9 in March - if he makes it - by the way. I'm told 12 is the life expectancy for Yorkies but of course some go on much longer.
Thanks everyone xx |
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| Friko |
| Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 12:23 pm |
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Joined: 08 Jul 2009
Posts: 23
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Oh, how terribly sad.
Get advice from your Vet; vets love animals as much we do and they will always want to spare them suffering. It all depends on Yorkie's quality of life, that's the first consideration. I've tried to keep both a cat and a dog alive beyond the Vet's advice and I had reason to be sorry for my decision. |
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| Puffin |
| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 1:21 am |
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Joined: 15 Jan 2009
Posts: 251
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I know what you are going through-lost my beloved Carne Terrier who was suffering from Cancer--awhile back.
He suddenly stopped eating no matter what I tempted him with.
My vet'who is the kind who puts animals before people' suggested he could keep him alive another 24 hours.I knew in my heart it was for my sake-It was his time.
Quality of life for your Yorkie is what counts.
Ask your vet to be completely honest--It sounds as if the operation is not going to bring his full health back.
I will be thinking of you--so hard on your Daughter-perhaps she should come for the above vet visit.
xx |
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| Camilla |
| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 1:52 am |
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Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Posts: 900
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Dear Faith,
I know how much you love little Yorkie, know you want the very best for him. One of my Yorkie's Bertha who was 10 at the time had cancer on her mammory glands, she had not been spayed when she was youngger(I adopted her when she was 5). I so wished I had given her the chance to have the operation for the tumour to be removed, but the vet did say that because of her age she may not pull through, but then she could. She started to haemmorage very badly so I had to make that awful decision to have her put to sleep, to this day I still wish I had given her an extra fighting chance in life, I cried absolute buckets for months when she went.
Don't take my view on what is the right decision dear Faith, you will know in your heart what is the best thing to do soon, although I do agree with what WW says, perhaps give little Yorkie that chance considering he is so poorly.
Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers Faith, sending you a big hug.
xx |
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| Puffin |
| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 3:06 am |
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Joined: 15 Jan 2009
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Dear Faith,
I didn't mean you shouldn't give him a chance--I had no options and tears still fill my eyes at times like this.
Sending you hugs-It is very hard to know--in Tigger's case he was 15 and it had spread to his liver.
I only meant to say-just don't let him suffer if the vet thinks he is in pain.
I know our Dogs and cats have always been like children to us.
We have a peke who is in her 14th year-still very active-eyesight not quite as good,but she is our only now and the house is too quiet,as she is bossy,but never very playful,but we love her dearly.
Sending more hugs--
xx |
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| Inthemud |
| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 10:28 am |
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Joined: 16 Jul 2007
Posts: 630
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Dear Faith, so sorry to hear about dear little Yorkie, I've met him so know how lovely he is and how much you love him. It's such a difficult decision, but he's not old old yet, so if the vet feels an operation would solve the problem and he'd pull through ok, I'd go for the op.
I guess you must be guided by the vet.
Thinking of you
Much Love
Elaine X |
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| Arosebyanyothername |
| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 10:43 am |
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Joined: 15 Jun 2008
Posts: 817
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| I keep reading these posts but I can't think of what to say to you. You may remember that I lost my beloved Ginger Whippet in February so I know how you feel and how hard it is to know what to do for the best. So I will just say that I am thinking of you and your problem and send a big hug. |
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