When we will down if we have to put our dog down?

[Poochielee]

Our Shihtsu is 14 plus in age. The vet told us her liver was failing last year. presently her belly is bloated with water, she is not eating or drinking much, does not take her pills, throws up bile and has diaherra. Two weeks ago we had her belly tapped.
We are faceed with what many dog owners face, we love our dog dearly. Our questions ares hould we put her down?
How long can she last without proper food and water?
She does not appear to be in pain or sufering, how long will this last.

[Red931]

It seems that Ghilly and myself are always on the same page. After reading your post I already knew what I wanted to say to you but Ghilly had already done so.

It is so hard. I have been there more than once myself. You want to find a way to make them well and are willing to do anything. When my dog Jade's liver was failing I asked the Vet if I could get her a transplant. He said they don't do that for dogs (at least not at that time they didn't) and if they did the costs would be outragous. Of course I said I didn't care and I would find the money somehow if they did. They now do liver allugrafts on dogs but it is very risky and most still die from other complications. In Japan they have been successful with the use of Stem Cells.

Jade was 13 when she died. I kept her home for about six months and then her liver had swelled to three times the normal size and she was in so much pain.

She looked at me and told me she couldn't do it anymore not only with her eyes but with a whimper and a goodbye smooch. I took her to the emergency hospital that night and she was still alive lying on the table but in sooo much pain. I couldn't let that go on anymore. She gave me one more smooch and peacefully went to sleep.

It is one of the hardest decisions you ever have to make in your life. People that don't have pets don't understand. (That is people that have pets and treat them the properly.) They are a part of your family,

I wish the best to you and your faithful companion. Just remember that she will never be gone from your heart.

[ginger899]

Tell you what, if you feel she still has the will to live, why not take her back to the vet for a shot to relieve her of this nausea and vomiting, then start giving her fluids, and see how it goes.Also ask advice about what foods to introduce her to. I am sure the vet can tell you what diet to try, for liver failure.
And there may be other people who post here who have had this exact same thing happen with their dog, and know exactly which foods are ok in this situation, and which are not.
Good luck, and prayers for your little girl. Ginger

[arachnaphob]

I'm sorry that your companion is sick.

I have had occasion to euthanise 2 dogs and a cat over the years.  If you have a bond with your little friend, you will be able to see in their eyes when they lose interest in living.

All my girls got a vacant, disinterested, tired look in their eyes and that's when I knew it was time to act. It hurts and your heart aches but after a while you will know that you did the right thing.  

Best of all, you will know that you did the best thing for your friend. I always think that there is nothing that says you love them more than doing the best thing for them even if it hurts you.

I hope that the time to consider euthanasia is a long long way off.

Best of luck.

Arach

[Ghilly]

You have had her for fourteen years.  Obviously you know your little girl very well.  You will know when the time comes, and so will she, and she will let you know.  You will see the look in her eye change from her normal look to one that says "I've had enough.  I can't do this any more."  

How is her color?  With liver failure comes ictarus (jaundice).  Is she yellow around her eyes?  Toward the end, the ictarus will be readily visible inside her ears, on the insnides of her legs and on her belly.  You said that she is not eating much, but when she is ready, she will not eat at all.  She won't be able to hold anything down.

There are people who would say that you should do it now, because that way she will not suffer at all, but in my personal experience and under the advice of my own vet, where there is life there is hope, and as long as she is not in pain and still seems to be holding her own, I would let her just keep going until things progress.  It's very easy for me to sit here and tell you what I think you should do, while you are sitting there going through your own private h*ll over this.  Please understand that I do know what you are going through over this, and that you will be in my thoughts and prayers.  

Please keep us posted.  Feel free to PM if you need to talk or vent.

Ghilly

[ginger899]

I am so sorry you are going through this. Liver failure is a very nasty thing to happen. The abdominal fluid (ascites) can be drained and give her some slight relief, but of course cannot solve the problem.

There are drugs that will help her nausea and vomiting and could stimulate her appetite. You must try to get some fluids down her. I have heard that Pedialyte will help if a dog refuses food and is weak. Anti-nausea drugs could be administered by injection, at least at first, to give her a head-start.     But unfortunately, I do not know enough about liver failure, so I advise posting your question on "Ask a Vet" (If you scroll down this page, on the right lower down you'll see a link through to the expert forum)

However you will have to gauge how much of her life she is still able to enjoy. The guideline really to whether a dog has had enough or not, is can they still enjoy many of the things they always have done? If after trying all of the treatments- (and there still may be many things you can do to help her feel better)-she does not improve, only worsens, and life holds no enjoyment for her, and only pain, then it would be time to have her put to sleep.