ChatterBank1 min ago
Liver Failure /ascites
13 Answers
my 9 year old dog was seen by vet on monday and has the above,,,,his tummy is rather large........any dog owners have experience of this...... not sure how long he has left. He is still drinking and eating small amounts of food but getting quite restless
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.The "quite restless" would be enough for me to decide, given the diagnosis that, now is the time to gently let him go.
He is obviously not his normal self and is in pain or discomfort.
Hard though it is, take the loving decision to put him to sleep and keep all the happy memories in your heart.
I know what you're going through. Bless you.
He is obviously not his normal self and is in pain or discomfort.
Hard though it is, take the loving decision to put him to sleep and keep all the happy memories in your heart.
I know what you're going through. Bless you.
The last loving thing you can do for your pet is to put them out of pain and not let them linger until it's unbearable. Hard I know but we've all had to do it.
I know from experience how hard it is to make that decision but honestly, better a month too early than a day too late as animals can deteriorate very rapidly and you don't want to be putting him to sleep when he's in great pain and maybe frightened and confused. Rather do it in a considered and calm way (at home if possible) - my old girl went out in her basket being stroked by me and nibbling on a chunk of cheese. Very peaceful.
I know from experience how hard it is to make that decision but honestly, better a month too early than a day too late as animals can deteriorate very rapidly and you don't want to be putting him to sleep when he's in great pain and maybe frightened and confused. Rather do it in a considered and calm way (at home if possible) - my old girl went out in her basket being stroked by me and nibbling on a chunk of cheese. Very peaceful.
I would speak to the vet again and tell him your concerns - he may be able to adjust the medication and advise you as it could be something simple - then you will know you have done all you can for him. I can't believe he is nine, if this is the one you were talking about getting as a puppy on here.
Just found this, so as mentioned above see if the vet can adjust medication or help with the fluid build up. "Ascites is a condition in which fluid collects in the abdomen. In patients with liver disease, ascites is caused by a combination of high blood pressure in the liver and an imbalance in sodium and water metabolism. The first step in the control of ascites is restriction of sodium in the dog's diet. However, sodium-restricted diets alone are often not sufficient, and diuretics (medications that promote loss of fluid by the kidneys) may also be needed. If ascites interferes with breathing, fluid can be removed from the abdomen using a long needle in a process called abdominocentesis. Periodic abdominocentesis can also be used if ascites does not respond to treatment with medication."
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