Max is in pain, newly diagnosed with diabetes, ataxia and more

[Woofie]

My first reaction if I had a dog not eating and it was eating dry dog food - would be to *instantly* start feeding homecooked chicken/rice with some chicken juice left into the mix and a tad bit of chicken liver for enticement. Get that dog off the dry food, it could be contributing to the overall ill health.

My heart goes out to u, I know exactly what it feels like to have a dog doing fantastic one day, and straight down hill for no obvious reason.

But please DO stop the dry food & feed this boy homecooked chicken with minute made rice (it's precooked and super digestable) throw some liver in there....I would start this asap.

[MaxIsAGoodBoy]

My first reaction if I had a dog not eating and it was eating dry dog food - would be to *instantly* start feeding homecooked chicken/rice with some chicken juice left into the mix and a tad bit of chicken liver for enticement. Get that dog off the dry food, it could be contributing to the overall ill health.

My heart goes out to u, I know exactly what it feels like to have a dog doing fantastic one day, and straight down hill for no obvious reason.

But please DO stop the dry food & feed this boy homecooked chicken with minute made rice (it's precooked and super digestable) throw some liver in there....I would start this asap.

He stopped eating dry food ever since he took this turn for the worst. He was eating chicken and rice at first then he didn't want that. So since then it has been a rotation of ground turkey, sliced turkey, ground beef, alpo with gravy. The vets said give him whatever he wants, but he doesn't want anything. He doesn't even want treats.

[MaxIsAGoodBoy]

I am sick to my stomach as I write this. My wife and I have come to the end of the road. Max's health is declining way too rapidly for us to keep up with tests. Yesterday taking him outside was so difficult. He just laid out after pooping yesterday and my brother and I had such a hard time getting him on his feet. He has a cast on his hind leg, and now his front paw is swollen and bleeding. We don't know how because he's not walking far or anything that would cut his paws so much. People driving by were actually stopping to see what was wrong because of how much of a struggle it was to pick him up. He is dehydrated and not eating. We were able to get him an ultrasound appointment for Friday but we don't think he is going to make it. Plus, even if he did, what if they didn't find anything in his abdomen? We have to move to the brain and heart. If it's that serious, if it is the Big C, we wouldn't put him through chemo so we just rather put him out of his misery sooner rather than later. I know today I won't just lose our fur baby, but a part of my wife as well.

I want to thank everyone for your kind words, advice and prayers. Hopefully I will be back soon with a new puppy. Love you all

[Snowshoe]

We only sedate or anaesthetize dogs for ultrasound because it's hard to get most of them to lie still. However a compliant dog can lie in special cushions on his back for some time, with maybe the odd sneeze or two. Just did an abdominal ultrasound on my boy and he lay there for,as near as I can guess, 45 minutes. I was with him, at his head. You could ask your Vet about that. It will be harder for you to be at Max's head if thoracic ultrasound is needed but ask. More good thoughts.

ETA: You were posting at the same time I was. Thinking of you and Max.

[POPTOP]

So sorry to hear of his rapid decline. My prayers are with you.

[Charlotte K.]

I am so sorry that the vets could not help Max. Take good care of each other; you took good care of Max.

[LucyTudeOn4Feet]

I'm so sorry for your situation. This kind of vet care is so horridly expensive, I know firsthand.
Hug your wife and cry with her, you won't lose part of her if you grieve together.

[Snowco Labradors]

I am so sorry to hear this. Prayers for all your hearts to heal. Hug each other to get thru this sad time in your life.

My all time favorite poem.. It will bring tears but hope it helps your hearts to heal:

A Labrador

I will lend to you for a while,
A Labrador pup, God said,
For you to love him while he lives
And mourn for him when he's dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years,
Or maybe two or three,
But will you, till I call him back,
Take care of him for me.
He'll bring his charms to gladden you
And (should his stay be brief)
You'll always have his memories
As solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return
But there will be lessons taught below
I want this pup to learn.
I've looked the whole world over,
In search of teachers true
And from the folk that crowd life's land,
I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love
Nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come
To take my Labrador back again.
I fancied that I heard them say,
"Dear Lord Thy Will Be Done"
For all the joys this pup will bring,
The risk of grief we’ll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness,
We'll love him while we may
And for the happiness we've known
Forever grateful stay.
But should you come to call him back
Much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes
And try to understand.
If, by our love, we've managed
Your wishes to achieve
In memory of him we loved,
To help us while we grieve.
When our faithful bundle
Departs this world of strife,
We'll have yet another pup
And love him all our life.

Hugs for your tears and loss.

[SunDance]

I'm so sorry.

[lovemylabby]

I am just seeing all of this....and I am so sorry...

If his liver enzymes were elevated...I am surprised your Vet did not treat this. My 13 year old also had elevated liver enzymes, did not want to eat etc. My Vet put him on Denamarin and Ursodiol and he has made such a wonderful comeback and doing great. The liver has the ability to regenerative itself.

I am so sorry to hear that your boy is struggling...I will say a prayer for him.

I hope you come back to the board to update.