Plz Help, Sick Yorkie about to be put down

[Mom to Hot Rod]

I am sorry for you having to go thru this. But as Yorkieshadow pointed out, doesn't sound like an organ failure. Can you seek a second opinion from an orthopedic vet?

Not to make your decision harder than it is. Best of luck to you. Hugs.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by Mom to Hot Rod

I am sorry for you having to go thru this. But as Yorkieshadow pointed out, doesn't sound like an organ failure. Can you seek a second opinion from an orthopedic vet?

Not to make your decision harder than it is. Best of luck to you. Hugs.

Kidneys are shrinking...sounds like they are failing to me. I guess everyone has read this differently. Supposedly the lab work is ok, but that makes no sense since he was dehydrated! No vet is going to say a pup is dying in 1 - 2 weeks if there is a question......at least not in my estimation.

It really is unclear about that "bone". But....the basic theme is that this pup is dying....and 11 is not really young as some people keep saying.

[ARCHIE]

Sending prayer's for both of you. Hope your able to get a second opinion.
At least having one will put your mind at ease.


Hugs,

[maryeverett1]

I am truly sorry that you are having to go through this right now. It was a year ago March 23rd I had to make the decision to put my 17 year old cocker spaniel to sleep who I had gotten when she was 7 weeks old. She too represented so much to me! She knew me as an 18 year old college kid, was with me through a wedding, a miscarriage, a husband leaving and divorcing me (and she was what kept me alive during that time!) She was with me as I got back on my feet again, went through graduate school, met the new love of my life, got married, and laid on my tummy when I was pregnant with my girls. She licked baby food off their faces and would come get me when they cried, she slept with me at night and loved to ride in the car! We started noticing her going down hill, sleeping a lot and not being her normal self! Then one night she had a seizure and when I took her to the vet they said that they would continue and eventually she would have one that she wouldn't come out of. I went home and cried myself to sleep knowing that the time was coming to make that very hard decision. I decided to wait (not wanting like you do to put her down if wasn't yet time) and told myself that if she had another seizure I would make the decision for her sake! That seizure happened and what helped me have the courage to go ahead and help her go to heaven was that I didn't want to keep her around suffering for my sake! She had been with me through so much, been my rock and the comfort I needed so many times throughout our life together that I just couldn't be selfish and keep her with me especially if she was in pain and suffering. I also have 2 little girls at home and wanted them to remember her healthy and not dying of a seizure in our home! The week before she went to dog heaven we did the same things you are doing! We had her groomed, we kissed, hugged and held her a million times, got her a new collar and pink shirt and spent as much time with her as we could! The day of the appointment I let her hang her head out the window and feel the wind on her face while she sat on my lap as we drove that final drive in the car (geez, I'm crying as I write.) We went into the vet and I held her and never left her side (like she hadn't ever left my side her entire life) as she went to sleep. The reason I tell you all of this is because sometimes we want to wait until we know for absolute sure that they are too sick to go on when the more loving thing to do is not to wait until it gets to that point! You know in your heart and will know when it's the right time and your precious little friend will help you know! It takes courage to do what's best for them even when it feels like our hearts are being ripped out of our chests because the goodbye is too hard to bear! And its because you love and respect this being who has meant so much to you that you can let go! And in letting go you are showing your utmost thanks! There is a children's book out that we have in memorial to all the dogs in our family that we have lost over the years called "Dog Heaven" by Cynthia Rylant. It was not only comforting to my girls but to my husband and I as well! And anytime I miss my Marley I read that book and imagine where she is, healthy and whole again, and know in my heart that I will see her again someday! We put a picture of each dog inside the front cover of the book and take it out frequently in rembrance of her! You can do and survive this moment because you love and respect this most special friend and we will be here to support you all the way! Know that I am thinking of you and praying for comfort as you head into this time! Much love...Mary

[maryeverett1]

Ps. If God made and loves dogs and knew how much we would love them too don't you think they will be in heaven waiting for us someday when we arrive? Just a thought that has always comforted me!

[megansmomma]

Having to make the decision to let go is never easy but when we are faced with a little one that is in pain sometimes it is the most selfless decision that we could ever make. I recently had to make this decision with one my foster Truman. It all happened very quickly and I knew it was time to say goodbye. Truman had nothing but the very best in his short time with myself and my family and we will be together again some day.

It sounds as thought you have a long standing relationship with your vet and you have been given information to lead to the fact that his kidneys are in end stage failure. If you have entrusted his well being for the past 11 yrs to this vet why would you doubt his diagnosis at this point.

It is not an easy decision to make ever but we will all support you before, now and after. You can count on all of your fellow YT member to be there to support you when that day comes that you need to say make your decision to let go.

[HollyandMommy]

So sorry to hear about your baby. I will keep you in my prayers. Hugs from Holly and Jeanette.

[YorkieShadow]

I cant believe some of you are saying to put this dog down with out a second opinion. no where does she say this dog has renal failure. no test have been run. I can understand if hes dieing and nothing can be done. but none of you are vets and none of you have even seen this dog.
some vets diagnose things wrong and with out test how would he know whats wrong. with the bone showing through his skin some thing there is not right. maybe that's what's causing him so much pain. she doesn't say what the vet said about the bone.
the vet hospital was wrong about my Minnie thinking it was all in her back, a second opinion showed it to be in her head. some vets make mistakes.

She said when they gave him pain meds he was ok again .

[pancakepat]

I vote for second opinion too. asap

[Sparty]

Sparty had an awesome weekend. We took him to all of his favorite spots (and ours too)! He had his picture taken with my girls. He was even given white chocolate (safe for dogs kind) from a Chocolatier.He was weak but he had a really cool looking doggie bag to ride in. On Monday morning, he didn't leave his cage until mid-afternoon. I got face to face with him and he just looked at me with such sad eyes, then he moved his little head to a different position. My husband had seen his state prior to going to work. We decided it was time. I called the vet and made an appt. for Wed. at 5 pm. I told my oldest daughter today and she was very distraught. I told her to take him outside (it was beautiful and the sun was shining) and enjoy her time now. She came back in within 2 minutes because he didn't want to play and kept trying to go up the stairs and into the house. That spoke volumes to her. He loves nothing more then to find the sunshine. He has a knack for finding it streaming thru a window indoors. He never would've turned down a chance to be in it in the past.

With all that said, I have taken both comfort and knowledge from all the information shared with me. I plan to take him for a second opinion prior to 5 pm. The Vet did blood tests on his organs over a month ago. Based on what I have read, I want to know if he is indeed in Renal failure. His symptoms are spot on. I don't mind going to the same vet for the test. I trust him (after all, this is my only dog and he won't make money off of me if he is gone). If it is Renal Failure, I want to know how bad. When I read the article that was linked in a msg above (thanks), it said it can occur thru an infection in the mouth. Ironically, I mentioned to the vet that Sparty was licking his mouth a lot and in an odd manner that showed his side teeth. The vet told me it appeared he may have an infected canine tooth and the infection has gone into the nasal cavity. So, now alarms are going off in my head. If that is what started it....I am devastated. The reason I say that is I made the decision last year to have his infected teeth pulled and get his mouth in order. That was at the end of last summer. I did it then to make sure it did not cost him his life!

So, I think that is what I am going to do. If I am convinced he is for sure dying, I will be strong enough to put him out of his misery. Weird thing is, I believe he knows. He actually went to the door yesterday when my husband came home. My husband had posted on Facebook earlier that day how much he missed that. Sparty had not done it in weeks. And then,after barely moving all day, he did it. He was more active tonight then he has been in weeks. I think he's trying to get his family time. Unfortunately, it makes me wonder even more if putting him down is the right thing. I told my daughters that my Grandmother and their brother would come to guide him to heaven. I believe that in my heart. My grandma loved Sparty so much. She would fuss at me if I fussed at him! She always said "Leave my boy alone". And even though he was young and rambunctious when she would come to visit, he quickly went into old folks mode! She was battling cancer and would sit on the couch for hrs. He would hope right up next to her and my grandfather and just chill out with them. My girls came in from playing outside and they told me Alex was playing with them. That is the name of our son that died before they were born. After swinging, they headed up the steps and turned around only to find the swing had started back up and it just kept going and going. I know it may sound crazy to most people. But believe me, it is not the grief talking. My son has made his presence known before in even more shocking ways! So, if I have to let go of my lil Sparty, I know he is in very good hands. Instead of worrying about what to do with the body after and how much to spend (cremation, burial can be costly), I am going to put that money to good use. Peace of mind! If nothing can be done, he will have a nice burial on my property and be memorialized in so many different ways.

I can't thank you all enough. My biggest regret is that I did not search for this group sooner. I hate that I may only be a one week member :-( All of your kind words have been such a blessing. I always told people at my door whom my dog barked at not to worry, "he's a lover, not a fighter! Worst case is he would lick you to death. I don't know if yorkies make people more loving because they are so loving or loving people are just attracted to loving dogs. All I know is I've never seen so many good hearted people on one web site. Thank you all so much. I promise to update either way.

[ACarLessFamily]

*Huge Hugs*
I have read cases of dogs who seem to rally once you have made the final vets appointment. Some people find it alarming, like they made a mistake, others think its just a sign that their dog understands its coming to an end. You gave him a weekend to remember and he is doing the same to you and your family.
Good luck with the 2nd opinion and understand that many people understand that sometimes the best gift we can give our dogs is an easy passing .

[CarolineH120]

hey i just read your update on sparky. im happy you spend sum good time over the weekend.my story my cassie is long but i looked after her for 3 months i thou she was going to died at xmas so i got a coffin of the internet for a uk shop they makes them. any size colour you name it. my cassie was my world and she always was like a wee princess in pink. that why i got her a pink coffin lined inside with cream linen. cassie didnt die until jan i had to last days with her she was due to get an exlap op done on the second day. i spend 2 days up 24hrs with her. i just couldnt sleep myself. she wasnt in pain. on the second day i feed her until 6am she just looked at me and it was has if she wasnt saying mummy i can go thou that op and im not going to made it.my sister mum and me where at home with her. she was due to get her op at 1pm. funny thing is i believe in angels and i said to the angels if cassie isnt going to live thou the op and die at the vets take her now to a better place. i think in away the angels help her. cassie died at 10.45am in my arms. i give her a hand wash and dry her to make her look pretty has she always was. spray a wee bit of dog lavender spray and placed her in the coffin she looked so peaceful it was like she was sleeping. we put pictures of my mum dad sister cassie sister poppy and me in with her. her favorite blanket that i had from i was a baby. and a few messages in with her. this could help with your daughters to cut pictures out and put them in with sparky. it is very hard to loss a best friend and family member i still think about my cassie everyday. but i know shes in spirit around my house plus she buried in my garden. i just hope you get a second opinion and one thing i now say is never trust your vet trust your gut on what to do. theres good and bad vets so just go with your gut. if hes crying and in alot of pain maybe its time but if hes not them think about it. i would only ever put a dog down if it was in bad pain.
keep us posted.
I just hope and pray for you and your family.
Caz xx

[BonBon]

Sparty has such a wonderful family!! It is such a pleasure to hear how well loved and spoiled your little one is. And I mean spoiled in the best possible way. He's adorable.

I've been thinking about you and Sparty a lot the past few days. I will be praying that today you find the answers and peace you need. Give Sparty some extra lovins from me today, please.

Please come back and let us know what happens today. {hugs}.

[heatherlee143]

I would wait it out... or go to a different vet for another opinion. I would not put my Dog down... I think it may be temporary.

[yorkielover4lif]

this is so sad, I couldn't stop crying!Please get well Sparky