my dog is in hospital

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bernhund

Original Poster:

3,767 posts

192 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Tuesday, Madge my 11 year old Bully went to bed as normal. Wednesday morning she steps out but doesn't eat (unheard of!), by Wednesday evening she can't get out of bed to go out. She yelped when I try to move her. She's now in hospital, had blood tests and ultra scan. Vets can't find anything but she's now on a drip & antibiotics. There's no improvement, possibly even worse. Costs to the weekend £1200!(got Petplan, but they're bound to wriggle) Vets now talking about sending her to a special place near Potters Bar and/or euthanisation. What do we do? Any suggestions what could be wrong that the vet wouldn't find easily? Bullies are good for 12 years average. Bernard, my other one just missed his 14th though this year.

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Don't think on average life span, it means very little when an illness hits (I learned the hard way when I lost my 9yr old whippet, always thought he'd be around til he was 14!)

If your vets are at a loss and as it has come on quickly and you have pet plan I'd go for referral to at least get an answer. As long as she can cope with that. Sooner the better tbh, esp with Christmas nearing upon us. Is the referral place easy for you to get to?

bernhund

Original Poster:

3,767 posts

192 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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Latest update from the vet today. They've found a tender spot on her neck and think it may be meningitis, but need to carry out more tests. Madge managed a pee today so they've got a sample. We'll see what comes back later.
The specialist isn't so easy for us to get to, but if we have to, then we will.

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
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If they suspect meningitis they may want to do a csf tap which is usually a referral job Jimmy was checked for that, however they may just treat on suspicion which I think is with I/v antibiotics. Metronidazole comes to mind but I may be wrong. It'd it would be good of they do that asap. Oh and steroids prob more important if viral than bacterial.

Really hope they have the answer for her

Edited by bexVN on Saturday 20th December 14:18

bernhund

Original Poster:

3,767 posts

192 months

Saturday 20th December 2014
quotequote all
bexVN said:
If they suspect meningitis they may want to do a csf tap which is usually a referral job Jimmy was checked for that, however they may just treat on suspicion which I think is with I/v antibiotics. Metronidazole comes to mind but I may be wrong. It'd it would be good of they do that asap.

Really hope they have the answer for her
Thank you. She is on iv antibiotics, so they got onto that one quickly. She also has a temperature. It is looking like meningitis, but I think we're going to have to wait to see what comes back from the urine tests I suppose.
i'll post again when we hear next. Cheers.

bernhund

Original Poster:

3,767 posts

192 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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Today is Madge's last. There have been tears here this morning but we've had to make the decision. Vets can't diagnose what's wrong with her, though they've taken x-rays, urine and blood samples. They know Madge is in pain and discomfort even though she's dosed right up. I can't see that sending her to Potters Bar will make any difference, I would expect they might tell us that euthanisation will be best. That just means we've made her even more uncomfortable and stressed for the same end result.
So today I either sit with her while she slips away or I say goodbye while she watches me go. Either way, today is going to be very very bad.

telecat

8,528 posts

240 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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We are talking an English Bulldog here? If so have you put an SOS in at Bulldog rescue on Facebook? They may have somebody whose Bulldog had the same problem.

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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I'm so sorry frown. I assume they tried high dose steroids, the only other thing that may have helped. The referral place may have the option of an MRI that can provide a lot of info but it is so hard when they are so distressed of how much to put them through.

Such an awful decision but being in that much pain is not right either. Take Care.

Edited by bexVN on Sunday 21st December 10:10

AB

16,969 posts

194 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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If it does come down to it, sit with her.

Don't let her watch you walk away. Been there and it still haunts me, even though we didn't know she would pass in the night, in a cage, at the vets.

Really sorry to read this. All the best.

HarryW

15,150 posts

268 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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I feel for you, I had to say good bye to my 12 year old cocker bh on Friday, sounds very similar to what you are going through, broke my heart. God bless Ella.

bernhund

Original Poster:

3,767 posts

192 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
quotequote all
telecat said:
We are talking an English Bulldog here? If so have you put an SOS in at Bulldog rescue on Facebook? They may have somebody whose Bulldog had the same problem.
English Bull Terrier. We contacted the breeder who knows these dogs inside out, but she didn't have any answers either.



Thank you for your support people. I'd better get over to see her now.

bernhund

Original Poster:

3,767 posts

192 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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Gonna be a very strange house this Christmas as we lost our other Bully too (old age) just a couple of months back!

Jasandjules

69,825 posts

228 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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So sorry OP.

Please, do stay with her. I know it is hard, believe me. But your comfort will be what she needs to end her suffering.


HQ2

2,269 posts

136 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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Sorry to hear OP. As others have said, make sure she knows you're with her. Tough on you later, strong for her now.

mrmaggit

10,146 posts

247 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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This is terrible news, but, as others have said, be there for her.

Tango13

8,395 posts

175 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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Really sorry to hear this, words are pretty meaningless at the moment but my thoughts are with you.

Craphouserat

1,494 posts

200 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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Thoughts are with you and your's. Really bad news....just remember you gave your 4 legged friend a great life...and i truely believe tha t we will all meet up with our buddies in another life.

Think of the good times and take care.

pinchmeimdreamin

9,831 posts

217 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-beS1_P0ZlM



cry Just give him a big cuddle and remember the good times.

bernhund

Original Poster:

3,767 posts

192 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
quotequote all
It's done. I waited in a room on my own while they went to get her. Five minutes later I could hear whimpering heading my way & my eyes started to well. They settled her on a towel on the floor & I held her head while the drug was administered. The whimpering got softer & her head heavier. Then that was it..gone.
I hope this keyboard is waterproof ffs!
I'll be facing my teenage daughter in the next 15 minutes & I doubt I'll even get any words out.

Thanks for your kind words people.

bexVN

14,682 posts

210 months

Sunday 21st December 2014
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frown. So so sorry