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Last night our oldest dog Odie (the shepard on the far left of the picture), started throwing up, a lot. He was really weak, tired, and could barely hold his head up. So first thing this morning I took him up to the vet. Luckily this morning, he was feeling a little better. But they did some bloodwork and it turns out his platelet level is very low. He thinks the problem is probably Odie's spleen. If it isnt his spleen, it is probably an infection which might be treatable with medication. As I am posting this, they are at the vet doing an ultrasound to see if it is indeed his spleen. If it is, there are only two options. Surgery to remove the spleen and putting him to sleep. I asked the vet to be honest with me and tell me what he recommends as far as major surgery on an 11 year old dog. He gave me a straight up answer, and an answer I pretty much already knew. He said the chances of a dog his age making it through the surgery and making a recovery are slim to none. Even if he didnt die during surgery, which he said was a major possibility, he probably wouldn't live much longer and that would only mean his last days with us would be in pain. The only thing that would really be fair to the dog in this case would be getting him put to sleep. We are waiting for the call now. If we do have to get him put to sleep we are going to ask how much time we can take, since Odie isn't in any pain right now. I know its just a dog but I've had him since I was 10 years old. I've never had a friendship or a relationship that has lasted 11 years, so this is pretty tough for me to take in. I suppose its part of owning a pet but I wish it wasn't.
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Thats tough brother... having as dog that long, who's that old, is pretty much family no matter how you look at it... -
sorry to hear that bro. I know its a hard choice cause I went through that with my 7 year old German Shepard this spring break that passed. She was in very hard pain due to hip displasyia (sp) and couldnt walk anymore. Meds would have helped her out but fix her, so we did the best thing for her and put her to sleep.
Its just hard when you see the dog grow up and the dog see you grow too. Like Yj said, they are like family. Its just hard, brought back memories man...do whats best for your dog.Comment
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Not a fun situation...hopefully it is an infection and you can have several more years with Odie!Comment
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Thanks everyone. Even just writing the original post helped me a little bit and the comments really help a lot. I would always do whatever I could to make sure any of my animals have the longest pain free life possible. I would much rather Odie die while I was right there with him making him feel like everything was ok than have him die while recovering from a painful, dangerous surgery.Comment
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Aww Grinder, I'm so sorry. I know how hard it is to lose a pet. I'm sure you have a lot of wonderful memories in all the years you've had him though.Comment
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i will pray for odie bro.Comment
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Sorry to hear about odie bro, I have lost couple of dogs in the past and I know how you feel hopefully what he has is something treadable with some medication.Comment
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Just had to do the hardest thing I have ever done. The doc called and Odie had a tumor about the size of a golf ball on his spleen. Also he was bleeding internally because of his spleen, although they didn't know how bad. Thats why he was sick last night. If we would have taken a chance and waited longer, he might have died from internal bleeding. the only possible alternative was a surgery, in which he was 50/50 to bleed to death on the table because of his low platelet count. We went ahead and had him put down. I was holding him the whole time and it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I don't know how I had the strength to act like everything was ok while he was awake, but somehow I managed it. The last thing he did was look up at me and lick my face. I broke down the second his eyes closed. I pray that none of you have to go through that, but unfortouately some people will. He was almost 12 years old and he was a happy dog so i hope after today i can feel better because he lived so well. he was a good boy.
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Grinder, very sorry to hear that my friend.
you gave him a great life and he loved ya for it. keep him in your memory and in your heart.
i know it wont make you feel any better but I went through something like this myself. http://www.superiormuscle.com/forums...urs-of-my-life
time will heal the pain bro. dont let it eat at you like i did. i went through a "fuck the world" thing for awhile. my grandpop had died about a year before that my parents had just split up shortly before that. keep your head up and stay strong.Comment
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Sorry to hear the news buddy.Comment
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Thanks fellas. I hadn't read that thread. Made my ass tear up of course. I havent eaten since like noon today, and that was just a can of tuna and about 3 bites of brown rice. I might try to get down a turkey sandwich or something later. cant really see myself getting down chicken, rice, and vegetables tonight. every five seconds i see him laying on the floor again. i didn't let go of him for like 5 minutes after it was over. time will heal like you said though and im so glad that i was there for his last moments. it was nice to be able to say goodbye and i kind of feel like when he licked my face, he was telling me bye too.Comment
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just remember the 3 other pups you have. go play with them, give them a few treats and spoil em for a bit. take your mind off things.Originally posted by The_Grinder View PostComment
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Damn bro that sucks. Do what Bouncer said and go spoil the others for a bit. It'll help.Comment
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I give u my deepest condolences Grinder...I am very sorry to hear that
Just reflect back on the fun times u had wit Odie, i am sure looking at past pics and vids will help put a smile on ur face.Comment
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