My 14yo lab mix seems to have forgotten what it means to be housebroken. As a puppy, I had crate-trained her so I bought a crate again. However, this time she consistently poops in the crate. She has trouble going up and down stairs and has fallen down the stairs twice now. She has difficulty holding a crouch to poop. According to the vet, her liver and spleen are enlarged and her liver function tests are abnormal. When the vet put her on prednisone, she was her old self but as soon as it was weaned down she went down hill. Any suggestions?

Forgot to add: She is also losing weight. The vet put her on a special diet for her liver problems.

I am very sorry. This is a hard time for all dog owners. If you have to ask the question, then yes it is time.

 Quote:

I am very sorry. This is a hard time for all dog owners. If you have to ask the question, then yes it is time.

I agree. It is super hard and there is nothing that can prepair you for that day. I have had to put two dogs to sleep in my life, both went way to long and was living in pain, when they should not have been. I think there will to live was only because they wanted to be around me and my family.

There is no easy answer. I hope the best for you and your dog.
David.

This is never an easy question to ask, and you have my sympathy as you tackle a difficult situation.

Cancer is always a concern in an older dog, particularly if the spleen appears enlarged. Has your vet done any bloodwork/xrays to rule out a splenic mass? If your girl was younger I would suggest asking your vet for long-term options but at this stage you have to ask yoursef just what her quality of life would be like if you took any sort of major measures to treat her.

You will get a lot of sympathy and some suggestions here, but ultimately the decision is yours. You know your dog best, right? If you think she would be happy for a while longer, then that's good news. However, if you are asking the question in the first place odds are you have already come to some sort of conclusion. To paraphrase some great words from another board member, we have the wonderful opportunity to give our pets the best life possible for as long as we can. When the time comes for them to leave this world we can then make their passing quiet and peaceful, with dignity and surrounded by loved ones. (I think it was Connie Sutherland who said this, my apologies if I mangled it.)

I hope you can take comfort in a stranger's words but we have all had to make this decision at one point or another. I wish you the best.

And PLEASE ignore the quote below- it's sort of in bad taste given the subject matter but I didn't think to get rid of it before I replied, I'm sorry!

The vet couldn't find anything on xray. Basically, she is just showing her age. Thanks for all the input.

QUOTE: According to the vet, her liver and spleen are enlarged and her liver function tests are abnormal. When the vet put her on prednisone, she was her old self but as soon as it was weaned down she went down hill. END

The dog I lost last year had liver (and other organ) problems, and was also on steroids. I'm sending you a PM.

What kind of x-rays did the Dr take? Did he take a pick of her spine? Its sounds a bit like what my old GSD is going through right now with spodylosis. He Lumbo-sacral joint is fused and this is generally what causes the difficulty rising, difficulty with steps and problems posturing for defectaion. My female is not as bad as your dog seems but does very well on basic NSAIDS.

If it is this issue, then the Pred will help as it is an anti-inflammatory and when your dog comes off it the inflammation comes back. Has she been on any NSAIDS?

if your vet did take the rads of her spine as far back as the lumbo-sacral joint and it showed no degenrtaion or arthritic change then I am wrong

I wish you good luck no matter what the diagnosis. I do knwo there are some homeopathic drugs that help with Liver function so if thats her biggest issue than you can look into those. I dont know the name of it though.

I think you know the answer and it`s never easy.

"And, my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun. Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands."


...Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears,but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you...
I loved you so-`twas Heaven here with you.

Unfortunately, I do. And you are right, it isn't easy.