Have to decide how to handle serious illness!

Hey

I know this is a really difficult time, and I was there two years ago with my Bacca. For the last month or so before his final collapse, he was so-so as well. Had good days and bad days. Was generally eating well, but his brain function was deteriorating and his motor function as well.

I thought he had more time, but when he suddenly went into seizure while I was away on a beach, I had to make the call from the thousands of miles away.

In hindsight, his quality of life was already gone, but I could not let go. In looking back, I think I should have put him to his rest earlier and not wait for him to hit crisis. But he was only 6 years old, and I kept hoping for the best.

At 13, this is a tough call. If, you know in your heart that he is not going to get better, but you love, love, love your pup, and don't want to let him go without a fight. But sometimes, as hard as it is, you just know.....its' time. :cry::cry:
 
It may be his time. I"m not certain that it is, but it may be. I think he needs to have better test results and significant improvement this week for us to keep him going. He's very up and down, Sometimes he seems to have energy and is fairly normal, sometimes he's very listless. I don't think it's his time yet, but it's probably close. I don't like letting him linger in this state, but it's only been a couple days since he seemed severely ill and we just started fluid therapy Friday. Vet is hoping we observe some improvement by tomorrow (a couple days after we started fluids) and we do blood work again Tuesday morning, so he's not proposing anything outlandish. Vet thinks he's more tired & sluggish than in a lot of discomfort, but I'm wondering if he was just trying to make us feel better.

Fasb did seem more alert last night. Actually had a rather good walk at dinner time. He was mostly his normal, excitable self in the morning, but I think that had a lot to do with going to the vet and getting the adrenaline flowing. He's still spending a lot of time around us and generally responds to us well. If we don't offer to help him up the stairs, he frequently tries them himself to be with us.

We'll give it a couple days to see if fluid therapy gets him moving in the right direction, but his kidneys may simply be too far gone. Our kids are a little more optimistic than the wife and I are.

It is very hard to know what to do. I don't want him to linger like this, but I also want to give fluid therapy a chance to work. It seems like a reasonable measure that has a decent chance of restoring his quality of life, for awhile. Though I also think that it may be too late to really get him back, and if we get him through this, we'll be trading a short, sudden illness for a more protracted decline filled with lots of trips to the vet.

I'm very conflicted right now.

Anyway, unless he declines further, we'll give it to until Tuesday. I feel like the fluids will probably make him feel at least a little better till then.
 
I've found that determining when it's time is one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make. We have faced the decision for several of our pups. When I knew it was coming with Ivy who had cancer, and Bandit who had become infirm due to Lyme disease, I remember getting up every day, looking at our beloved dog and wondering if this was The Day. It's horrible.

The best advice I can give you is to trust your instinct. No one knows Fasb like you and your wife do. When your gut tells you his quality of life is gone, you will make the best decision for him.

Sending you good thoughts and hugs.
 
He's doing a little better today. More alert and less lethargic. Mostly paying attention to us as we go through rooms, barking some. Not trying steps or anything, though.

It's encouraging, but it's such a mild improvement that I don't feel any better about his prospects. At least it indicates he'll hopefully feel a little better until his next vet visit .
 
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Fasb's Owner said:
He's doing a little better today. More alert and less lethargic. Mostly paying attention to us as we go through rooms, barking some. Not trying steps or anything, though.

It's encouraging, but it's such a mild improvement that I don't feel any better about his prospects. At least it indicates he'll hopefully feel a little better until his next vet visit .
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Glad to hear that's he's doing better today.

Keeping you, your family and Mr. Fasb in my prayers.

Thanks for the updates.
 
Well, the sub-q fluids have made him more alert, less lethargic. This morning, he seemed reasonably normal - followed us around, wanted attention, barked some. Still unable to climb steps but he did ok otherwise.

On the other hand, he hasn't eaten since yesterday morning and has thrown up a number of times. Think his kidneys are probably just too far gone. I keep running the possible scenarios in my head and come back to the idea that we could maybe get him through this but, really, the only reason to is that we want a little more time with him. I'm thinking he could have some time left but it won't really be good time.

I really wish he wasn't so perky. I kinda assumed that, by the time I had to make this decision, he would appear to be in horrible shape. Worn out, look terrible, see "it" in his eyes. He was like that last night. He had periods where he was "up" yesterday, but, by evening , he just seemed tired and lifeless. He didn't respond to us well last night. I picked him up a few times and he reacted not at all. It was like picking up a limp bag of socks. It was an easier decision last night. Today, he seemed very alert.

We'll see how he does as today goes on. If he hasn't eaten the time we go to the vet tomorrow, that will force my hand.

This is hard. I think we could get him through this, but it's very unclear if that would be best for him in the long run.

We go back to the vet tomorrow morning. I think I've made up my mind unless something happens to change the situation for the better:
 
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Fasb's Owner said:
This is hard. I think we could get him through this, but it's very unclear if that would be best for him in the long run.

We go back to the vet tomorrow morning. I think I've made up my mind unless something happens to change the situation for the better:
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I was in this situation about a year and a half ago. I decided to let my boy go. Though it was a terrible decision to have to make I knew that ultimately I gave him the greatest gift possible.

Whatever you decide, my thoughts will be with you.
 
I think Fasb will definitely go to the bridge this week. Probably tomorrow, unless our veterinarian feels he's well enough to go home for one last night so everyone can say their goodbyes without suffering. He's fading faster now, and we don't want him to suffer any more than necessary. His kidneys are in horrible shape. If we did get him through this, I don't know that he could live long or have quality of life afterwards.

He seemed a little more alert this afternoon, but he barely moved in 4+ hours. When he did get up, he seemed a little unsteady on his feet. He's not responding to us all that well. He often doesn't react when we talk to him or pet him, and he seems to be looking down, instead of up at me.

We're dreading the conversation with the vet. We're afraid he's going to suggest possible approaches and we'll have to say no. I'm not comfortable with that and i don't think Mark is. We'd do about anything to keep this dog healthy, but neither of us wants to prolong his life just so we don't have to say goodbye.

We'll update tomorrow, but it may be a thread in the Sheltie Angels forum.
 
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I'm so sorry to hear this. From the way it sounds, I do not think the vet will suggest waiting.

I'm sure that the dogs who have gone before Fasb are aware of his situation and will meet him at the Bridge. He will not be alone for a moment.

Keeping all of you in my thoughts.
 
My heart goes out to you. This is one of the hardest decisions you have to make for him. He is your baby though and I know you don't want him to suffer. You will do what is best for him in the long run. I know my Shadow and Kody and well as our other dogs will be waiting to play with him over the bridge. This just makes me so sad.
 
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