Plz Help, Sick Yorkie about to be put down
 

Hello,

I have a male Yorkie who is almost 11 yrs old. About 5 weeks ago, I noticed he was acting lethargic and losing some weight. He was also vomitting. I thought he may have gotten into something so I gave him a couple of weeks before taking him to the vet. At the Vet, I discovered he had dropped down to 3 1/2 lbs (from 5 1/2). The doctor also had a hard time finding his kidneys because they were so small. He did blood work to tell if my dogs organs were working okay. The blood work came back fine. He said he still felt like there was something very wrong going on.Some diseases, such as cancer, do not show in standard blood work. He gave me muscle relaxers and painkillers for the dog and told me to call if he did not improve. After Sparty (my dog's name) took the meds, he started moving better. He was more interactive with the rest of the family. Once the meds were all gone, he no longer wanted to move much. Some days I had to put his leash on and drag him from his cage (Its his little house w/a cushy bed that he loves) because it would be almost 3 in the afternoon and he hadn't eaten nor gone potty. I gave him a shower and spotty something white on the part of his back close to his tell. I went to remove it only to discover it was his bone showing thru his skin! I was horrified. I made another appointment with the vet. I took him yesterday. The Vet weighed him and we discovered he had lost 5 more ounces. The vet also couldn't find one of his kidneys. I told him Sparty had been drinking a lot more water then normal. Even with this, he was dehydrated. Based on the exam, the Vet felt that Sparty only had 1 to 2 more weeks of life left. He also said those weeks would be very painful for the dog to endure and for us to watch. I had expressed to the Vet, at the first appointment, that I did not want to run a bunch of invasive test and do painful treatments just to give us a few more days or months with Sparty but put him thru a physical hell. With that in mind, the Vet recommended I put him down. He asked if I wanted to do it that day. I told him I wanted to wait until after the weekend. I had my youngest daughter with me but my husband and oldest daughter had not had an opportunity to say goodbye. We have spent this weekend taking Sparty to all of our favorite places. He is getting home cooked meals everyday of all his favorites.It's just so hard. I have had him longer then my kids. Symbolically, he means so much. I got him as a Christmas gift from my husband. I wanted a small dog that I could hold my arms and love. Four months earlier, we had lost our first born child who was a full term still-born. I firmly believe that Sparty is the only reason I was able to relax enough to get pregnant again and have our oldest daughter.I just want to know that I am doing the right thing. I would hate to put him down and it only be a slipped disk or sore back. I told my husband that our dog was dying the very first week he was sick. I had never said that before. I just knew. But, how can I know if I should put him down? I wish he could talk and tell me what hurts and if he is ready to go. Before he got sick, he was super active. It seemed he had not aged at all. People meeting him for the first time would ask how old our "puppy" was. He jumped onto the top of couches without breaking a sweat. I use to joke w/my husband that he would never act like an older dog. One day he would go to do one of his jumps and die mid-air. So many tears have been shed this weekend that I'm surprised there isn't water damage! The thought of losing him is bad enough, but the sight of my 5 and 9 yr old crying is making it unbearable. Currently, we are planning to put him down on Thursday of next week. Any opinions/recommendations you can give me is greatly appreciated.

I am so sorry you are going thru this, I am crying as I read your post. I will be praying for all of you .

I'm so sorry too. If you really think this could be his last week-end, I would try to do some of his favorite things (if he's able) or visit his favorite places . . . favorite foods, whatever special you could do together.

I guess, at this point, you have to either put your full trust in your Vet . . or seek a second opinion if you feel there is a chance.

Losing a friend is so hard . . and especially when the burden of the decison - rests with you. Peace be with you.

I just want to say I am so sorry. I will be praying for all of you.

Wow, I have no advice. It seems like you are making his last days as wonderful as possible. Hugs!!

What part of the country are you in? Please pm me before you make the final decision to let him go. 11 years is young for a yorkie...... he deserves the chance to be all that he can be before you decide it's his time.

I am so sad reading your thread.. so heartbreaking to lose one of our furbutts... and a family member..
My sisters yorkie died at 8 years old.. all of a sudden was sick.. he was taken to the vet and his body was shutting down like he was much older.. the vet kept him comfortable and he was sent home with my sister.. she wanted him at home and he died two days later...
She called me and I went right over.. I walked in and he was so excited to see me he actually died on the spot.. my sister brought him back but in the end she lost him the next day...
I was so shocked he died so young also..when he went from being so healthy to being so bad...
I know in your heart you will know what to do... such hard decisions we some times have to make...
sending hugs..

Awee it sounds like he really is on his final legs and is in a lot of pain. I'm sure it really is the right thing to do and the humane thing too. A second opinion never hurts though. It's so scary when they loose so much weight all of a sudden. I'll be praying for your little one for sure. About 9 years ago the same thing happened to my cat. She was old though (21 years old!) - I'm not kidding! You would NEVER now she was 21 years old. She was a Calico and looked like a big kitten and was the most playful loving thing up until her final days. However, one day she just wasn't herself at all and just had so much trouble walking and was loosing so much weight. It was the strangest thing ever! I noticed that on her back a bit of fur was missing and it looked like a bit of her bone was showing too. She was an indoor/outdoor cat and I swear I think an animal got to her, however the vets said their was nothing they could do and thought it was just her age and her body shutting down so I decided to put her to sleep. It happened so fast too. One day she was running around and the next she could hardly walk! It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do, since she was my first pet and I had her when I was a baby and she would sleep with me every night!

I'll keep your little one in my thoughts. Try to enjoy these last few days as much as you can! Unfortunately I have no good advice either nor can I tell you what's possibly going on with your little one but sometimes your gut and intuition with a pet you've had for so long really is so right!

Just wanted to say I'm so sorry. :( That has got to be the hardest decision to have to make. My prayers are with you and your family. Please give Sparty extra hugs & kisses from my crew. Bless you.

So sorry...
 

My heart aches for you. :( I know how it hurts. Almost two years ago we had to put our first yorkie, "Baby", to sleep when she was 16. It was heart wrenching. She was sleeping most of the time and we could hear her quiet moaning in her sleep and she needed to be at peace. We hold on to her memory and she lives on in our hearts. I'm sure you will always have Sparty in a special place in your hearts ,too. I will pray for Sparty and your family. Bless you.:rose:

So sorry to hear this... but to be sure I would get a second opinion... what could it hurt? At least it would put your mind at ease. Prayers for Sparty and his family... praying for a miracle ... or at least a misdiagnosis by his first vet....

I am sorry you are going through this. I firmly believe when it is time they tell you and you just know. It is never easy. Sending hugs and prayers to you and your family to get through this difficult time ahead.

I'm so sorry to hear about Sparty.

I agree with others who say what can it hurt to get a second opinion at this point. There is nothing to lose.

Obviously something is not right with him, and sometimes just having a diagnosis can give you closure. Even better, sometimes a diagnosis can give you a treatment plan to increase the quality and quantity of his life. I'm really hoping you can find a vet who can figure out what is wrong with little Sparty. Even if they can't, just remember that allowing him to be free from his suffering is the final and kindest gift we can give to our babies, but I don't think it is selfish at all to want to know you tried everything for your boy first.

Sounds like Sparty gave you a new lease on life when you needed it most. If you feel that there may be a chance I would seek a second opinion ASAP. If not enjoy the days you have and cherish his memories. Your story brought tears to my eyes. My heart aches for you and your family. I sure hope Sparty doesn't suffer much more.
Hugs,
Melissa

I'm really sorry about your little guy. We had to put our little girl down (two months short of 12 years old). I agree with your Vet not to do loads of tests. We did and she spent her last 5 days in the hospital with transfusions that didn't help at the cost of $4000+. Wish we had just kept her home and made a date to euthanize her. We miss her so much and I know how terrible you are feeling. Please know you are doing what is best for your little one. My heartfelt prayers are going out to you and your loving little guy.
Cherie

I am so sorry that you and your family are going through this very difficult time. Sounds like you are doing everything you can to make sure his last few days are special. I would get a second opinion just to put your mind at ease...but in the end, it is our responsibilities to do what is right for our beloved pets and sometimes that means putting an end to their suffering...You are all in my prayers :animal-pa

I am so sorry that you are going through this.
Has the vet even given him a diagnosis?
I would want a second opinion before I made the final decision. It just breaks my heart and he seems so young. I will pray that you make the right decision and that you have peace in whatever you decide.

Sounds like your baby has lived a wonderful life with you. I have been where you are and I can tell you that having to make that decision is heart wrenching. I have never set a day....I have let the pup make that decision and I have found that they do. One day you will wake up and something will be different. It is hard to explain. And, at that point, you will be at peace. You should never look back and regret it.

I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. All I can say is enjoy each moment with him. Take pictures! And, get his footprints! Buy some polymer clay and make a heart or something and put his footprints in it. I also always keep a lock of hair. Somehow these things help me after they pass.

I am so sorry......It is for us we cry when they are gone...they go to a place where they are pain free; and I do believe they watch over us and wait for the day that we join them.

Linda, this was beautiful. Perfectly said.

Praying for comfort for Sparty and peace for your family.

May the Lord bless you and keep you during this difficult time. ~Joanne~

hey im so sorry for your wee one. i loss my wee princess in jan and i still cry.i nursed my cassie for three months and i would do it again i loved her so much. is he eating? if hes not try sweet pototoe its good for the stomach with natural goats cheese very a wee bit not to much.My cassie died in my arms at home so i didnt have to get her put down. its very had to made that decision. i would think hard about it or get a second opinion. coz you know your own dog and you would know if hes in pain. i watched this programme before that a girl had a wee old dog that it just couldnt walk using it back legs so she got this guy to design a wheelchair to help it get around and the dog is still living it was just its body not its mind that was not able to use and the wheelchair helped it to get about. so i wouldnt give up hope yet. i always say things happen for a reason in life to make us stronger. GO with your gut feeling.
i hope and pray your wee doggie gets better.
thinking about you and your family.
keep us posted.
Caz xxx

I'm so sorry you and your family are going through this...You are doing what you feel is right, i have to agree with Lady:
I have never set a day....I have let the pup make that decision and I have found that they do. One day you will wake up and something will be different. It is hard to explain. And, at that point, you will be at peace. You should never look back and regret it.
I joined this site when my Yorkie was sick, and i questioned myself "when" is the time, and many have told me this samething....
Something will be different, and that's when you know.
I wish you strength through this difficult time....Hugs to you all

So sorry to hear about your little one... I agree with some of the others. I would get a second opinion. I wish I would of with my first Yorkie. I didnt and I do have regrets. I think you will feel alot better about the decision if you do. then spend those last days with him as you are doing. again I so sorry I know how hard it is. Hugs.

ps did they say why his bone was showing? there must be a reason for that. maybe that's what's hurting him.

Just a little FYI for people who do not understand renal failure. When the kidneys are scarred and shrinking they cannot filter poisons out of the body any more. This is considered end stage .... here is something for people who do not know this to read:

Canine Kidney Disease : Family Pet Veterinary Center

I have been through this with two pups....they both passed away in 2010. One was 12 and the other was 15. They lived for a long time after their initial diagnosis with good vetting and good care; but there came a time when their quality of life was no longer there. Anyone who knows me knows I would take my pups to another planet and sell every single thing I own if I had to, to keep them alive. Renal failure in the end stages makes them very ill and there does come a time that no matter what you do, it will not save them.

wow my heart aches for u.... I don't really know what to say.. I'm sorry....

my golden retriever began renal failure before my father made the decision to put her down. it was the hardest decision we've had to make. it is worse than loosing a person because to me a person's death after a battle with health and finally going to Heaven is a wonderful thing, but having that type of peace with a pet is harder to find. but in the end you must make the decision when you feel the time is right and the pup will be better off sleeping than hurting.

a little advice that helped us out alot that may or may/not work for you. my dad couldn't bear the thought of seeing Ruger breathe her last breath so he had a cousin and close family member take Ruger into the vet for the procedure and after it was done Ruger was wrapped up in my dad's hunting jacket and buried on our ten acres with a carving of her name in a log made by my cousin's husband.

if you feel that you want to be there for the dog, and are strong enough, by all means be there. but if you feel it may be more than you can stand, i know it will be for me someday...then i'd say find someone you trust to take him in.

good luck, this is the one thing about being a vet. tech someday that i'm not looking forward to, it's going to be so hard to be strong for the families when my heart will be breaking for them each time i go through the procedure.

God bless and good luck. i'm praying for your strength and guidance in this hard decision.

He did blood work to tell if my dogs organs were working okay. The blood work came back fine.


She said his organs were working ok, blood work also come back fine. I would get a second opinion. I didnt read it was renal failure, only that his bone was sticking thou its skin.

the poor thing I hope the vet can give him more meds to keep him out of pain until you make a decision. praying for you and him.

Such a hard decision to make, but I hope what ladyjane said is true that the dog will let you know when it is time.

I have a Schnauzer boy going on 15 who is wearing down a lot, but not ill, and I am so hoping that I don't have to make the decision to let him go some day. It is unbearable to think about it.

I am so sorry you are going through this.
It is so hard to see our furbabies sick.
I know the pain you are feeling,
To make that decision, is heart wrenching.
I will keep your little guy, you, and your family in my prayers.