Any advice appreciated

R

Rescue Noel

Forums Novice
I rescued a 8 1/2 year old Sheltie almost 5 years ago. Noticed that her bark was weird, sometimes she sounded horse. So I called the rescue, and they said she had been de-barked. Not having any experience with a dog that has been de-barked (who would do that to a dog???), I assumed the weird barking was normal. I had a vet do a complete physical when I got Noel, no problems found except for the hypothryoid which she gets meds for.
Then, last year her hindquarters started shaking badly with any pressure from standing, or squatting. Vet did complete "senior blood work", as well as a physical exam, no idea what was causing this. Very recently she developed, a hacking cough/gagging noise. Took her to the vet, and yep, same result as my recent internet research......laryngeal paralysis.
Now I'm faced with a expensive surgery that I can't afford as the only real fix for a 13 year old.
So far she doesn't have too many hacking/gagging episodes. And, if I'm near her when she has one, I massage her neck which calms her, and she's fine. I try to limit her barking (she loves to bark when happy & excited), and also limit exercise. What else can I do? I feel very low that I can't consider the surgery as an option due my my finances. :(
 
Don't get us started on debarking, many of us do it, and there are many threads on it.

I don't think it's unrealistic to not do surgery on a very senior dog. I'm not sure I would do it, especially if it's expensive.
 
So sorry to hear about your baby's issues. I don't know enough about the condition to comment, but with that said performing surgery on a 13-year old Sheltie is risky. I'd ask the vet what the success rate is for this surgery. Is it 50%, 80%? And is your Sheltie healthy enough otherwise to handle the surgery and recovery.

The average lifespan of a Sheltie is 12-14 years so really if you can't afford the surgery I would do everything I could to make her comfortable for her remaining time with you.

Hubby and I lost three Shelties one year apart and none of them passed on their own. Very difficult time for him and I, but it's something that we sign up for when we get a dog. Go with your heart on this one.
 
I am sorry to hear of your baby's laryngeal paralysis, also wondering if she still has the problem with her back legs shaking? Anyway, if you can't afford surgery, don't beat yourself up. You did rescue her and have given her a good life with you. I think I would be hesitant about surgery for a 13-year-old too.

I would also like to say, I know what the average lifespan is for Shelties, but I have been blessed to have two of my rescues live longer: My Bethany lived to be 16 years, 1+ month, and my latest little Sheltie angel, precious Angie Love lived to be 16 years, six months and sixteen days. It turned out they both had the same grandfather. So your baby may live longer than average. Just give her all the love and help you can and a kiss from me. :hugs And I'm with you; I don't like to see them debarked either! God bless you both.

Maida, owned by sweet Christopher, sweet Ritchie and my eight wonderful sweet precious Sheltie angels
 
Thanks for the kind words everyone! And I'm sorry if I offended anyone with the de-barking comment. I'm starting to believe that Noel was never de-barked, but that the reason her bark would become horse, or werid sounding at times, is from the disease. I'm guessing she probably had it when I adopted her. And, the vets probably never caught it sooner because it's usually a disease that affects large breed dogs like Labs.
Yes, her back legs still shake like crazy when she is eliminating, or standing to eat. From the research I've done it seems that LP also causes loss of muscle mass & hind end weakness. For the last couple months she has been falling on the stairs, her legs just give out. So now I have to carry her up and down the stairs.
Like any surgery with an older dog, there are risks with this one. The biggest risk from this surgery is a 30% chance of developing aspiration pneumonia. She's also been losing weight, and vet can't figure out why. When I first got her, she was a chunky monkey, weighing in at 40 lbs. The vet told me she was healthy, but there was too much of her! So with new food and smaller portions, I got her weight down to 30 lbs. In the last year she has dropped to 23 lbs., even with increased food portions. She eats like a hoover vaccum, loves her food......any food! It's so frustrating to spend money on tests to be told, we're not sure what's causing this. And, the poor baby is scared to death of going to the vet -shakes like a leaf non stop.....major stress. Thanks for listening to my frustration!
 
This is the decision that many of have faced time and time again as our pups have gotten older.

I'm going to question the vets diagnosis and ask whether or not they considered a chest tumour? I'm sorry for being so blunt with this, but cancer is not uncommon in Shelties.

My own forever pup, Timber, died at age 12. He was healthy except for a persistent cough. One day it got really bad and I took him to the vet...he was x-rayed and diagnosed with a lung tumour. He died only hours later. He drowned in his own fluids before the meds could work.

That being said, I knew that I'd already made my decision that I was not going to pursue aggressive surgery,x-rays and other such treatment for my 12 year old dog. Cancer is cancer. If Timber had not died the same day, I would have started working with the vet ....not for tests and surgeries, etc.....but for ways to make his last days more comfortable.

Its so hard to let them ago. In some ways, I was blessed that he passed on his own before I even had a chance to make those hard decisions.

My heart goes out to you. You have some tough calls to make, but if it were me.....I would let him go.....I would have done that with Timber if he had made it further that day.....
 
I'm sorry that Noel's surgery is beyond your budget. Has your vet given some other treatment options ? You gave Noel the gift of a new home and loving family and that is a wonderful thing. Praying that you will have peace with your decisions and that Noel will be free of "episodes".
 
Barb - I wonder the same thing, and wouldn't be surprised if she had cancer. She has had so many issues the last couple of years, and after blood work, exams, ect., the vet can't find anything. I've tried a different vet too. And I know what you mean, if I found out she had cancer, I wouldn't try to treat it or "save her". Been there, done that with my last Shelite. I spent a couple thousand dollars on heart meds, ultrasounds, x-rays, special foods, only to give him 6 more months when he was in congestive heart failure at 12 years old. I know the decision I'm going to have to face sometime soon, and my heart is breaking. At least it's not today, and hopefully not tomorrow. She still has a healthy appetite, normal bowels, no vomiting. Just labored breathing, and the hacking/gasping for air a few times a day. It's going to be a wait and see situation. I knew adopting a senior dog was a risk, but it broke my heart that anyone could give this sweet creature away after 8 1/2 years. She's perfect, loving, so intelligent, well behaved, not one bad habit.
 
Rescue Noel said:
Barb - I wonder the same thing, and wouldn't be surprised if she had cancer. She has had so many issues the last couple of years, and after blood work, exams, ect., the vet can't find anything. I've tried a different vet too. And I know what you mean, if I found out she had cancer, I wouldn't try to treat it or "save her". Been there, done that with my last Shelite. I spent a couple thousand dollars on heart meds, ultrasounds, x-rays, special foods, only to give him 6 more months when he was in congestive heart failure at 12 years old. I know the decision I'm going to have to face sometime soon, and my heart is breaking. At least it's not today, and hopefully not tomorrow. She still has a healthy appetite, normal bowels, no vomiting. Just labored breathing, and the hacking/gasping for air a few times a day. It's going to be a wait and see situation. I knew adopting a senior dog was a risk, but it broke my heart that anyone could give this sweet creature away after 8 1/2 years. She's perfect, loving, so intelligent, well behaved, not one bad habit.
Click to expand...

Sounds to me that Noel is in very capable hands. Adopting a rescue you just never know what happened and what kind of a start these babies got in life.

Your love shows,
Take some of ours too and shower Noel with it,

Hugs,
Kate, Harper Lee and Bridey
 
famous seamus said:
Sounds to me that Noel is in very capable hands. Adopting a rescue you just never know what happened and what kind of a start these babies got in life.

Your love shows,
Take some of ours too and shower Noel with it,

Hugs,
Kate, Harper Lee and Bridey
Click to expand...

Awwww.....thank you so much!! I wonder if Noel came from a puppy mill, she has a number tattoo on her belly. She is scared to death of small children, but will let them pet her, she's very submissive. She's also scared to death of a camera, which is so weird since my last Sheltie was a photo *****......he loved posing! She loves sleeping in the bathroom, that's her safe place. She's really nervous on my bed, jumps off after a couple minutes. I've gotten used to her quirks, and she has gotten used to mine.
We're a great pair, even though I didn't raise her.
I know in my heart that it's quality of life that matters most. And, in an elderly dog, it's not fair to subject them to stressful tests, surgery, long recovery, just because we can't stand to lose them. Noel is a sweet old girl, that is most likely at the end of her life. I want to bring as much joy as I can, and no stress.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top