Very sick dog

[Skytrooper]

My black shepherd KC is very sick. Vomiting for the past week. Been to the vet every other day. At first they thought it was nothing, just do not feed him for 24 hours. Then they thought maybe pancreatitis, only special food (his pancreas looked a bit fuzzy on x ray). By now he isnt eating, no interest infood. We decide to go for an ultrasound, again nothing seems out of the ordinary. The vet who performed the ultrasound says there is something that they cannot identify in his stomach. Now they want to do exploratory surgery. He is 13 years old and has been slowing down. They said that if they open him up and find something terrible, that they will euthanize him on the table.

I am sick with worry . I question whether I am doing the right thing. At his age could he recover ?

[dewolf]

Sorry to hear this Matt. Rather than surgery, can't they do an endoscopy? I would've thought the least invasive the better at the poor old fellas age.

[Baz]

Outside of getting another opinion, it sounds like you have no choice but to go ahead with the exploratory surgery.

The alternative is to wait and see if KC gets better - but if he's not eating (and I assume you've tried chicken and rice - or fish - always a fav.) - I'm not sure it's in his best interest to keep waiting.

This is always a very tough decision but ultimately we have to put the dog's best interest as the priority. 13 years old - pretty good run - if things don't work out medically.'

I'm so sorry you are going through this. Just make sure KC's comfort is given the highest priority.

Sorry I don't mean to preach.

Most of us have gone through this and it's heart breaking. I wish you and KC all the best......

[Skytrooper]

I asked about that but apparently it is too far in for that. About where the stomach meets the upper intestine. I am torn as what to do, he goes in about an hour from now. I mean I am physically ill from the apprehension. I could have him put down, or they might do it on the table, or he recovers from the surgery....

He seems pretty tired and weak.

[oldE]

You are right to worry. However it might not be life ending. It may be a blockage from something he ate. A few years back one of our cats ate some pieces of foam mat. The vet went in expecting a tumor. Extracted the foam bits and the stupid cat lived a couple more years.
Best of luck.

Les

[rfuerst911sc]

I am sorry your dog is sick and hope it works out . At 13 years old that's a long run for a large dog . End of life decisions are hard but need to be made . Is this vet your vet ? So he/she knows your dogs history ? You have to be able to have reliable data from the vet to make an educated decision on a path forward . I wish you the best.

[KFC911]

Oh man .... that is tough to read. I don't know what I would do.... but know this...

You should not question yourself and your decision whatever you decide to do.

Me.... I would have a hard time opting for major surgery on a 13 yr old dog. Sometimes it's time to let them cross over the rainbow bridge.

Trust your gut... despite the gut punch... sometimes life just sucks.

Best to you Skytrooper and to KC....

[ramonesfreak]

Sorry. We lost one of ours to pancreatitis. He got sick on New Year’s Day and died on Memorial Day. Then his sister got lung cancer and died the day after Xmas the following year. I’m still not over it 2 years later.

If they think he would otherwise survive the surgery, I think I would choose to have it even with the worst case scenario you described.

My only regret is that with our dog that had cancer I wish we had a diagnosis earlier and took her to Cornell for treatment. She had a tumor on her skull for a year prior that the vet thought was benign. It was too hard to aspirate and told us to keep an eye on it.

Best wishes to you and your dog. I hope it turns out ok

[ramonesfreak]

I assume you are going to your local vet

If your haven’t been already, I suggest you make an emergency appointment now at the emergency hospital on White Spruce Blvd. they have some advanced diagnostic equipment…..I have gone here for years with several dogs during emergency situations
https://vsesrochester.com/

[Skytrooper]

It is so much harder because he is , without a doubt, the best dog/companion we have ever had

[ramonesfreak]

I understand. I never had kids. My dogs are my kids and are the only family I have known. It’s devastating. I’m tearing up just thinking about this

[Skytrooper]

The ultrasound guy is from there, board certified.

[dewolf]

All the best. It's tough when our animals are sick. It's a a privilege and an honor to have them as part of our families. Please let us know. Again, thoughts from the other side of the planet.

[Sooner or later]

Poor pup. I hope for the best!

[recycled sixtie]

I don't post much but this pulls at my heart strings. Have you considered a second opinion from another vet? As mentioned above large dogs don't have a long life and you are trying to make the correct decision. I have had two large dogs euthanized in my life and I could not be present when it was done. Hoping for a good outcome.
Cheers, Guy.

[crustychief]

Hoping KC sticks around a few more years.

[fanaudical]

[Skytrooper]

We tried to get second opinions, but all the vets here are still recovering from the pandemic. The closest appointment we could make was 18 July. I am pretty sure he would have passed by then without doing something. Talked to the surgeon this morning and he really set us at ease about this procedure. It is very common and has a great survival rate. Of course, nothing is guranteed.
We are hopefully optimistic about his chances. If they can fix him ....that is great ! If not...well sometimes it goes that way, which sucks. If we didn't do anything he would die anyways. He is worth the attempt.

[asphaltgambler]

Been there, you have hope.

[john70t]

I've had to put down a cat at three due to to blocked ureter and failed kidneys per the report. The other one, very next year same time at at xmas, went in for a couple surgeries due to a bite abscess at the jugular and nearly didn't make it. He also survived a stoke or paralysis for a week a few years back. It's heartbreaking.

Mom's lab lasted until 17 but that is rare for larger dogs. At some point you will have to consider overall health and will the few remaining years be good ones for him. It looks like you've made a plan of action and we're all hoping for the best.