Sheltie lifespan

Sheltie soon to be 16

My loving baby girl will be 16 this April. Her gull bladder were ruptured when she was 11; back then the vet told us it was only 50/50 chance she can survive the surgery, we took the gamble and she had the surgery done at a specialist. She undergone a 3 hrs surgery- she's really a miracle dog with amazing optimistic personality. All was fine until last Sept diagnosed with chronic kidney failure, I've been doing subQ fluids for her at home. Because of her kidneys problem she had to stop her arthritis med, so I've been taking her to clinic twice each week to have cold laser therapy which helps a lot, without it she cannot walk. So any owner with a arthritis dog, I highly recommend laser therapy, there's no side effect which is nice. To make things worse, we recently found out her heart is enlarged and we also saw a mass in her bladder, with Shelties being a high risk breed of bladder cancer, vet and pathologist highly suspects she has bladder cancer. For the past week she had no appetite, I've been offering 6-10 different kind of food each day, and she only eats half of her usual amount of food daily. I am very worried, she will be turning 16 in 2 months and I know I can't ask for more but I really don't know how to prepare myself for that day to come. I had her since puppy, she witnessed so many life events of mine, it's heart breaking knowing soon she won't be with me anymore; I'm crying as I'm typing now. I really hope she will have another year
 
manman310 said:
My loving baby girl will be 16 this April. Her gull bladder were ruptured when she was 11; back then the vet told us it was only 50/50 chance she can survive the surgery, we took the gamble and she had the surgery done at a specialist. She undergone a 3 hrs surgery- she's really a miracle dog with amazing optimistic personality. All was fine until last Sept diagnosed with chronic kidney failure, I've been doing subQ fluids for her at home. Because of her kidneys problem she had to stop her arthritis med, so I've been taking her to clinic twice each week to have cold laser therapy which helps a lot, without it she cannot walk. So any owner with a arthritis dog, I highly recommend laser therapy, there's no side effect which is nice. To make things worse, we recently found out her heart is enlarged and we also saw a mass in her bladder, with Shelties being a high risk breed of bladder cancer, vet and pathologist highly suspects she has bladder cancer. For the past week she had no appetite, I've been offering 6-10 different kind of food each day, and she only eats half of her usual amount of food daily. I am very worried, she will be turning 16 in 2 months and I know I can't ask for more but I really don't know how to prepare myself for that day to come. I had her since puppy, she witnessed so many life events of mine, it's heart breaking knowing soon she won't be with me anymore; I'm crying as I'm typing now. I really hope she will have another year
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been there, and it isn't easy, wishing you precious memories until her time comes. My 2nd sheltie was the last thing linking me to my former life, letting her go was closing a chapter, and I know she hung on for my sake. She departed peacefully in my arms 1-29-14. I miss her terribly, the ache doesn't really heal, just dulls a bit. Kaleigh was born 2-14, just had her 1st bday, and though not a replacement, having her has helped tremendously. Blessings on you at this difficult time in your journey!!!!!:hugs
 
manman310 said:
My loving baby girl will be 16 this April. Her gull bladder were ruptured when she was 11; back then the vet told us it was only 50/50 chance she can survive the surgery, we took the gamble and she had the surgery done at a specialist. She undergone a 3 hrs surgery- she's really a miracle dog with amazing optimistic personality. All was fine until last Sept diagnosed with chronic kidney failure, I've been doing subQ fluids for her at home. Because of her kidneys problem she had to stop her arthritis med, so I've been taking her to clinic twice each week to have cold laser therapy which helps a lot, without it she cannot walk. So any owner with a arthritis dog, I highly recommend laser therapy, there's no side effect which is nice. To make things worse, we recently found out her heart is enlarged and we also saw a mass in her bladder, with Shelties being a high risk breed of bladder cancer, vet and pathologist highly suspects she has bladder cancer. For the past week she had no appetite, I've been offering 6-10 different kind of food each day, and she only eats half of her usual amount of food daily. I am very worried, she will be turning 16 in 2 months and I know I can't ask for more but I really don't know how to prepare myself for that day to come. I had her since puppy, she witnessed so many life events of mine, it's heart breaking knowing soon she won't be with me anymore; I'm crying as I'm typing now. I really hope she will have another year
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There is a high-calorie food supplement called Stat that I fed to my old Jake in his last year, his appetite steadily declined after a bout with pancreatitis. I offered him everything under the sun to eat; I made fresh turkey for him for a while, then he lost interest in even that. He was 15 when he passed... I loved that little dog more than life itself...

Bless you for all that you have done, and continue to do for your sweet friend. Know that we all feel your pain -- i doubt anyone has read your post with dry eyes (I certainly didn't.) I don't think there is much that can be done to prepare for that day, but from my experience you know when it comes, and the only thing you can do is what's best for your dog. For me the decision made itself.

It's been said here many times that a Sheltie puppy has the remarkable ability to ease a broken heart. Everybody is different but I certainly found it to be true. I was in a very dark place until I found my current friends.

It's also been said that every day is a gift; words more true I've yet to see written. And lastly, I know it's hard, but don't forget to take care of yourself.
 
OntarioSheltie said:
I'd like to know too.

Interesting thread!

Milo was my family's first sheltie and he is eight and doing very well. Sadie and Ginny are both still young..

I've heard mixed things about shelties, regarding life span.

I've had a number of people tell me that they're very short lived. Just last weekend when we were searching for plants with Sadie and Ginny a couple approached us and told us that their sheltie passed away a year ago of cancer at the age of six (I don't remember what type of cancer). That is not the first time I've heard of shelties dying young.

At the same time, I've had people approach us and comment about how long lived shelties are. I've heard of them living to be 17 before.

So which is it? Long life or short?
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We just lost our sweet sheltie to kidney failure. She was only 8 but hadn't been doing well since January. Long story but I'm just heartbroken. She was the sweetest dog. :(
 
Lori - So sorry to read this - Yes, it's so heartbreaking to lose our beloved pets and they leave a big hole in our hearts of sorrow.

But they will always have a place in our hearts.

What has helped me through my grief is to get a little new fur baby.
 
Lori, my heart goes out to you knowing of the loss of your sweet girl! Only being 8 makes it so much harder!

Virtual hugs and prayers being sent your way! They say time heals all wounds. I am not sure, after losing my beloved Mr Chance last November. My heart still aches!

Please take care of yourself and know we all here at Sheltie Nation understand and feel for you at this difficult time!
 
ghggp said:
Lori, my heart goes out to you knowing of the loss of your sweet girl! Only being 8 makes it so much harder!

Virtual hugs and prayers being sent your way! They say time heals all wounds. I am not sure, after losing my beloved Mr Chance last November. My heart still aches!

Please take care of yourself and know we all here at Sheltie Nation understand and feel for you at this difficult time!
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Thanks for the kind thoughts from everyone. Sadly, one week later we lost our 13 y.o. golden retriever. Our house feels so empty with no dogs in it. :(
 
Oh my God, how heartbreaking to lose them so close together!
I can't imagine the pain you must be in...

Virtual hugs to you...
 
Justicemom said:
A question occured to my mind as I was reading all the birthday posts. What are you experienced Shelties people seeing for lifespans?

Not to be morbid, and generally not a topic I like talking about because our dogs should live forever. But in private practice, Shelties tend to do pretty well compared to similar sized breeds where 12yrs is avg. The shelties I've seen about 14yrs(all types of owners)

I just realized that Justice's mom turns 12yrs in a month and that the entire litter(of 4)is still alive and doing great. His great grandpa(Ember and Diva's great great grandpa) lived to 17.5yrs(passed from heart disease-sudden), his grandma to 16yrs(passed of kidney disease) and his grandpa is still alive at 15yrs doing great but deaf. I hope my dogs do as well.:smile2: J turns 8 next month so I realized he is offically a senior according to all registries for performance events.:(
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My Keno was 1 month from turning18 and my vet said thats the oldest hes ever heard of
 
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