Sick 10 year old Maltese dog

[emmak781]

Hello, I have a 10 year old femal maltese dog, called Gypsi. 2 weeks ago, she started having blood discharge from her vulva. I was worried thinking that she is too old to be in heat and because she has not been for the past 4 yaers or so. I found out online that senior dogs do get their periods, so I s relieved. Sinc last week, she started acting strange, seemed weak and winced when i petted her. She was not as playful and active as usual and I noticed her abdomen was enlarged and hard to touch. I took her to a vet the next day. Without really examining her (only looked at her eyes and checked her heartbeat) he gave her an injection and prescribed antbiotics for 10 days. He said she had an infection probably from eatig something bad. He also said I should bring her back if she does not get better in the next 2-3 days. She didnt get better, became very weak, stoppped eating and just lay down all day, seemingly in pain. So I took her to the vet agan yesterday and he gav her 3 inhections this time and said I shoukd continue to give her antibiotics an that it seems she started to have septicemia. She has been bleeding heavily for the past 2 weeks and the blood is a very dark red colour. Today she is still very weak, refuses to eat anything, and is wobbly when she tries to walk. I am very worried about her and I dont know what to do, as it seems the medications are either not working on her. I am giving her liquid food supplement to give her some energy but she is still very weak. Could it be that the blood she lost is making her so weak or th e antibiotics? Is there aything else I can do to help her get better?
Your response would be greatly appreciated!
Thanking you very much in advance!

[emmak781]

Hello Mark, thank you for your support and comfort. I have seen some pictures of Jack and the look in his eyes reminds me so much of Gypsi. I have posted a few photos of her. Gypsi was also the first small house dog I had and she was an incredible girl with so much love and affection that I became really attached to her very quickly. 10 years is a long time, you are right, but I feel like she could have lived a lot longer.. She had so much life in her.. I am trying more and more to think about the good memories, the good times we had together and trying very hard to cope with the fact that she is now gone.. It is very difficult, but talking about it and reading other people's stories and comments really does help a lot.

[marksme]

I'm very sorry for the loss of your little Gypsi. I could tell she was loved very much and to have her for 10 years was a blessing. I know those words may seem pretty empty to you right now, because there really is not anything I can write to you to make you feel any better right now. Maybe you could read my journal about my dog Jack. He lived barely 5 years, but he was most joy I had in a little dog in my life. I always loved outside big dogs before little Jack, but he really stoled my heart. He was always by my side and run to me at night when I walked up to hill after work. I so
miss him to this very day. I find myself tearing up as I type this to you,
because I know your pain and so does Tony and so many on here who loved their dogs and cats, because they are our family. Maybe writing down something about Gypsi would help you too? Anyway, just wanted to let you know we have and still do feel the pain for your loss. It's the price we pay for love.  
Mark

[emmak781]

Thank you for your comforting words. I really do hope that Gypsi has felt a lot of happiness and love during her stay here. I miss her so much. Every morning when I wake up, I hope it was all just  nightmare but then reality strikes and it's very painful. She was like my shadow and always followed me around the house. She was the most wonderful compagnon, the best I could ever wish for. Her memories will live forever and I hope, like you said, that one day I will remember those good times and smile about it. Time heals all.. Hugs to you too, Emma

[tonyb286]

I am so very sorry to read your message about Gypsi. I know you must be feeling dreadfully sad and although I understand your feelings of guilt, it really is not necessary to feel that way. As dog owners, we cannot possibly know all there is to know about illnesses and diseases that dogs can suffer from. We can only do our best to help them when they get ill, and that's exactly what you did. We all go through the 'what if' scenario ... but these are questions that can never be answered, so don't beat yourself up about it. Your Gypsi lived a good life enriched with love and affection. In time, you will remember all those happy times you shared and be able to smile about them. It's hard, I know, but rest assured you did all that you could in the time you had - and Gypsi was one of the lucky ones having you in her life. Big hugs, Tony

[emmak781]

I had no idea about this deadly illness (pyometra) and I have been reading a lot about it since the comment from Tony. If I had caught it a little earlier, it could have saved her life. I can't help blaming myself for not having informed myself about this and not having got her spayed when she was younger. At the time I thought I would save her from going through an unessary surgery and pain, but she went through so much more with this illness. I wouldn't wish anyone's dog to go through what she went through and I will definitely inform any friends who have unspayed dogs about this disease. Thank you so much again for your replies.
Emma

[emmak781]

Thank you all very much for your comments. Unfortunately, Gypsi passed way yesterday during the day. I am still in shock and miss her so much. I took her to another vet on Friday evening but she was very weak by then and he said he could not operate her in this state, it would be too risky. He advised to continue the antibioics and bring her in again Tuesday (tomorrow). It was very unlucky that she got sick over the end-of-year period when vets are not available.. She will be missed so much. I cannot hold my tears everytime I look at the spots where she used to sit, hearing her little footseps around the house..

[Ghilly]

I am completely in agreement with Tony and Ginger that your dog probably has pyometra.  This infection of the uterus is life threatening, the only way to save her at this age is to have her spayed.  Get her to an emergency vet right away.  There is a non-surgical solution for pyometra but it involves breeding the dog so that she has a litter, which is not a possible solution for a 10 year old dog that has not had any previous litters.  Please don't waste time.  Your girl's life depends on it!

Ghilly

[ginger899]

Please, please take your dog to another vet right away! It is my opinion she has Pyometra.If she has -her only good choice is surgery, removal of the womb, and the quicker it is done, the better.
Antibiotics will not really cure this. But she will most likely need IV fluids (to flush the kidneys) and antibiotics IV as well.
But surgery is the answer. Pyometra is serious.
I will post back and talk to you later,  am in a rush now. But I hope your girl is OK.

[tonyb286]

It sounds like your vet has diagnosed accurately from the symptoms you have given. Pyometra (uterine infection) is the most likely cause. Treating it is often tricky, because some antibiotics don't always tackle the problem straight away. I can only suggest you assess her condition each day and if she doesn't seem (even slightly) better within 3 days and then as each day passes, get her back to the vet again. Fluids are important, so try to encourage her to drink water or watered down milk and keep going with the supplements. I hope she soon improves and gets over this infection. Big hugs, Tony