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My dog is dying and I don't know what to do

I inherited my mother's border collie when she passed away.  He is now 20 years old.  For about a month now he has stopped eating and drinking and his urine was extremely dark.  I have called 5 vets and they will not even look at him until I have the money.  He has now gotten worse.  He cannot walk and lays there.  My son has tried to pick him up to help him walk and he just collapses.  He has refused anything to eat or drink for days now.  He has not peed or pooped for days.  He is whining non-stop and very heavy breathing.  My heart is breaking.  I again have called vets to have him put down, including a travelling vet and to no avail.  They want the money up front.  I have three quarters of the money they are asking for and that is not good enough.
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675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
I am sorry for the pain you have gone through, and the pain he went through, but glad in a sad way that he has passed now and is in a far more beautiful place.
He did indeed live a good long life. You had a LOT to do with that.  The care and love he received from you took him far and beyond the age of most dogs, whatever breed. But there does come a time when nothing any more can be done, advanced age takes over, and it is time to leave. I have a feeling it was his time to leave this world. It could have been that if you HAD taken him to the vet's, it may have just prolonged his suffering anyway, and that he was destined to go.

Please don't be upset that you didn't do enough for him at the end, for lack of money. He died in your arms, and most likely slipped into sleep the way he would have preferred to, instead of being dragged round vets offices. His spirit is free now. May he have joy in Heaven.
Blessings.

Helpful - 0
441382 tn?1452810569
PC1107, I am sorry for your loss.  Your dog lived an amazingly long life for any dog, but particularly for a larger breed.  Your mother, and then you, must have provided him with a wonderful life for him to have lived so long.  I am only sorry that the veterinary professionals in your area failed you so miserably and that he had to linger so at the end.  I am sure you have thousands of great memories of him from all those years to hold onto, and as you said, he is now with your mother taking long walks together again.  God Bless you for all you did for him.  

Ghilly
Helpful - 0
436837 tn?1293793226
Call the local shelters, humane society, they might want a small donation but explain your circumstances.We did this with a cat because vets wanted so much up front.In this economy I don't think so.Good luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you everyone!  My dog succumbed to his illness yesterday and is in a better place now.  I appreciate your support.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi my dog had the same symtoms he had a bladder infection and i gave him amoxicillion 800mg from my old prescibtion and he got better in two days in the meantime i force feed him and gave him water even though he didnt want to in times like this treat him like if he was human dont give up till the end god bless
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Avatar universal
Hi - They are looking for $300.  Even the travelling vet was $35 to come to the house, $160 to put him down and the rest to cremate him.  He seems calmer, but I can tell that his kidneys have shut down because everything is backing up through his lungs.  My mother, who left him to me when she passed, went through this as well in her last days.  I just sit with him and pet him to let him know he is not alone.  I thank you all for your support.  You go to a hospital and they don't turn you away.  It is sad that vets think of only money.  I am sure they have gotten burned, but I am true to my word and they would receive the rest of the money as soon as I could get it.  Unfortunately, we had the storm and no power for five days and then my car broke down the day after the storm.  If it weren't for that, he would be in heaven with my mother already and taking long walks.
Helpful - 0
675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi, I sent you a note, have been waiting for an answer...but no answer yet.
I can't see which country you are in, to come up with any good suggestions.
I agree with Ghilly. How much does it damn well cost to put a poor old dog to sleep??? A few measly dollars! And the probable "If everybody did that" excuse does not impress me. Dear Lord!  unfortunately I CAN believe that 5 vets refused to help your dog for a few measly dollars..... but I am very sad indeed about that.

I hope, by now, either your dog is easier, or he has passed away. Whatever, I know you tried for him. And I am very sorry you are having to go through this.
Helpful - 0
675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi, I sent you a note, have been waiting for an answer...but no answer yet.
I can't see which country you are in, to come up with any good suggestions.
I agree with Ghilly. How much does it damn well cost to put a poor old dog to sleep??? A few measly dollars! And the probable "If everybody did that" excuse does not impress me. Dear Lord!  unfortunately I CAN believe that 5 vets refused to help your dog for a few measly dollars..... but I am very sad indeed about that.

I hope, by now, either your dog is easier, or he has passed away. Whatever, I know you tried for him. And I am very sorry you are having to go through this.
Helpful - 0
462827 tn?1333168952
Call your local Humane Society....See if they have a Vet on staff that will help you with your situation....My heart breaks for both of you, too.....Please, let us know what happens......Karla
Helpful - 0
441382 tn?1452810569
Where do you live?  Also, if you don't mind me asking, what are they wanting in terms of money?  It just hardly seems fair for a vet, who has taken an oath to "first, do no harm", to allow this poor dog to languish in obvious pain and discomfort for his last days.  I mean come ON people!  You go to vet school HOPEFULLY because you love animals and want to help them but now your love of the almighty dollar has turned you into something that I hope I never become!  An injection of euthanasia solution doesn't cost more than a few dollars.  Do they really thing that much of themselves that they cannot donate 15 minutes of their time to help this poor old guy?  I am sorry, I know that the last thing the heartbroken owner needs to hear at this time is a rant, but reading this has just made me SO ANGRY!!!  I feel SO badly for you, PC1107!  Even if you gave them the 3/4 of the money and never paid them another dime they would STILL be ahead of the game in terms of payment!  The injustice of this is just mind-boggling!  My heart breaks for you!  :*(

Ghilly
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The poor dog is suffering, please try to sell or pawn something so you can get him some  help, very soon.  Good Luck.
Helpful - 0
675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
...I am sorry, I pressed the wrong button and my answer went through before I had finished.
Is there anyone you can ask to lend you the money you need? This is quite an urgent situation. You could investigate "Care Credit" (if you live in the US?) Or call an animal charity such as the RSPCA if you live in the UK. But I have a sense that by the time anything is arranged, it may be too late.
Do you have any overdraft facility at your bank? Or a credit or debit card? You could use that and pay back later.

Stay with him, comfort him, do what you can to raise the extra money, but it may be that nature will take over now.
Helpful - 0
675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
I am so sorry for the heartbreaking position you are in. Left to nature, he will probably pass away very soon. Especially if he is not drinking any fluids.
I have an instinct that he is not going to pull through this one. Even if you got him veterinary treatment. However, he is suffering at the moment, although it will not be long before he will slip into a coma, and pass away, I feel.
To have him put to sleep quickly would be the best thing. And no-one will accept
Helpful - 0
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