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  1. #1
    God/dess Jenny's Avatar
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    Default So

    My dog is very old, and over the past couple of days her breathing has gotten very laboured and her appetite has dwindled off. I was informed today that she likely has heart disease. She is being examined x rayed as we speak, but the vet said that if she has heart disease "there is nothing we can do." What does that mean? Like I get the "we can't cure it" part - but do they, like, want to put her to sleep like right then, or do they send her home until she just dies? I know I should have asked the vet, but I really didn't want to get all hysterical in the vet's office.

    Please no commiseration yet - I'm not ready.
    I have taught that the sky in all its zones is mortal and its substance was formed by a process of birth

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    God/dess MrChristopher's Avatar
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    Default Re: So

    No commiseration, ma'am. If the "Nothing we can do" part does come up, in my experience any decision regarding the pet's future would be left up to you. You'll most likely be given options to consider. Pain management, quality of life, etc.
    waffles are just pancakes with little squares on them.

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    God/dess xdamage's Avatar
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    Default Re: So

    In the USA (and I'd guess Canada) they typically leave the decision up to the pet owner. As Mr Chris said, you'll have to weigh pain, quality of life, etc.

    I've had a pet that became increasingly ill due to age, but it was many months before she had reached a point where it was clear she was in constant pain and putting her to sleep was the merciful thing to do. Heart disease just depends on what is wrong, and how far it has progressed. Obviously many people live with heart disease of various sorts (some types of arrhythmias, various degrees and locations of heart artery blockages, and even post MI damage) for a long time so it's a matter of degree and if the dog can slow down enough to compensate.

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    God/dess sxybrat07's Avatar
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    Default Re: So

    It depends on how sick she is. They will typically leave the choice up to you, but they may suggest putting her down immediately to avoid future suffering.
    I believe you Dottie and you have my support

  5. #5
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: So

    Can I PM you about this? No commiseration I promise, just perspective...

  6. #6
    God/dess Jenny's Avatar
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    Default Re: So

    So as of this afternoon she has a severely enlarged heart (apparently rare for a chihuahua) that is pressing against her windpipe. We have meds to deal with the symptoms for now, but the vet was kind of clear that she wasn't going to live too long. As bad as that news is, it is much better than the forecast I got this morning, which was "dead dog walking". So thank you all.
    I have taught that the sky in all its zones is mortal and its substance was formed by a process of birth

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    God/dess whirlerz's Avatar
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    Default Re: So

    I really wish you all the best. It's a very tough thing to suffer through, believe me I just went through this about 2 mo. about w/my rabbit.


    MANY MEN WANTED TO LAY ME DOWN, BUT FEW WANTED TO LIFT ME UP

    -Eartha Kitt

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    God/dess jaizaine's Avatar
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    Default Re: So

    Jenny is it dilated cardiomyopathy?
    Your vet is right that is extremely rare in small breeds.

    It is what Zaine passed away from. My great dane. Very common in large breeds like great danes.

    The breathing becomes laboured because the enlarged heart is not working well at all and also because the lungs fill with fluid.

    If you have caught it relatively early they have very good medications that will do the job that the heart cannot do on it's own anymore.
    Unfortunately one of the side effects of the medications is to make the dog extremely dehydrated and need to constantly drink water, this eventually kills the kidneys. But the dog will also become incontinent.

    Im sorry this has happened to u. Im still not over what happened, Zaine passed away in December 2006 and it was very traumatic and hard to deal with.

    I hope your dog can live out the rest of it's llife with a good quality of life so that you both can enjoy the time u have together.

    Quote Originally Posted by Corgan View Post
    when regulars turn cheap, it's time to kill em off.
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    God/dess Jenny's Avatar
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    Default Re: So

    ^^^
    Heh. Yeah, the diuretic is definitely working - but her continence wasn't that great to begin with, so we are already well fortified against that particular problem.

    It is dilated cardiomyopathy; we did not catch it early and she really doesn't have very long; the vet showed me her x ray - you can SEE her heart pressing up and down; it's huge. Her breathing is still laboured this morning but not nearly as bad as yesterday, but after I forcefed a little last night (I know, I know - I didn't want to, but some of her medication is powder and it was the only way to dose her) she seemed to remember the whole "food" thing, and ate about half what she normally would, and this morning she ate with only a little encouragement.
    I have taught that the sky in all its zones is mortal and its substance was formed by a process of birth

  10. #10
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: So


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    Default Re: So

    I'm so sorry. Keeping her comfortable is what matters I think. Sometimes miracles happen...truly, they do hold on a lot longer than doctors expect, once in a while. That's why I kind of believe in natural death, unless there is greivous suffering.

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    Default Re: So

    She seems to not be suffering too badly and the outcome of her symptoms conclude a quick death.

    Treasure the time you have left with a natural death.

  13. #13
    God/dess jaizaine's Avatar
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    Default Re: So

    Im so sorry DCM is such a dreadful disease. In humans they can do heart transplants but unfortunately that option is not yet available for our canine friends.

    Zaine did not feel at all like eating. I could hear his tummy grumbling and the only thing I could tempt him with was cat food! I think coz it smells so strong. So I had to hand feed him the cat food.

    I also just had him lying down inside - as it was summer here at the time and the hot weather just worsens the laboured breathing. I had a bucket of water right next to him and I just put down a thick sheet for him to urinate on - I know it's a bit gross but he didnt have the strength to go outside to the toilet.

    Anyway I couldn't watch him suffer any longer and on what was one of the worst days of my life I took him to the vets and had him euthanised.

    I hope your dog can live out the rest of her days enjoying your company and not too uncomfortably.
    I am thinking of you both Jenny
    Quote Originally Posted by Corgan View Post
    when regulars turn cheap, it's time to kill em off.
    Quote Originally Posted by Lysondra View Post
    You're still a vagina.
    There are many stereotypes about the industry that I work in. Sometimes they can be true but human beings are very diverse creatures and cannot be pigeon-holed into one category.

    Some of the most effortlessly beautiful, kind, intelligent, successful, motivated, driven and ridiculously hilarious women that I have ever met have been dancers. I've met the best friends that I've ever had in this industry.

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