12 y/o with Pyo - Page 1

What a week this has been.

My moms Golden Retriever, Jewel, hasn't been totally wanting to eat this past week and a half or so... was panting and whining a lot... and then a few days ago I got a call from my mom who was sobbing and said that her boyfriend had taken her to the vet, and they did x-rays and said that her liver had shrunk and she also had lumps in her mammary glands that were possibly cancerous, on top of two bad teeth and an ear infection (which they knew about and had already been working on). They wanted to at that point do an additional $800 dollars in TESTS that they couldn't afford. That night pretty much, she started leaking poo.

I got a call last night saying "get over here, I don't think she's going to make it through the night". So I raced over crying my eyes out, got her to at least eat some ice cream (that was always a special treat for her), and by the time I had to leave for work she seemed to have perked up a little, though she was SO weak...

Anyway... she made it through the night, so they took her back to the same clinic - different veteranarian - today. This vet was a lot kinder, and was more about JEWEL and HER well-being than $$$.

Unfortunately, however, she discovered that my poor puppygirl has severe pyometra... it was not poo she was leaking. They think they can treat it though and gave her some medication. They took bloodwork to find out more about her liver (that'll be back tomorrow), and are holding off on the lumps until they get rid of the pyo. They sound hopeful that she can fight it off. If she can't however and they have to go through with the emergency spay, they will then look at what quality of life she can lead afterwards.

My question now, is if she does get rid of the infection, do we need to get her spayed anyway? I know there is the possibility that it will come back, but I mean... she's 12 years old with potentially a bunch of other things wrong... is it worth it, and would she make it through the anaesthetic?

Without the surgery she may not make it. I would strongly find a vet that uses human anesthesia which I think is called Iso flurine. You can check with someone else to make sure thats what its called. I had a co worker try and treat her dogs pyo with antibiotics DIDNT WORK. She ended up having emergency surgery and the vet told her had she waited another day, the dog would have died.

How is the dogs quality of life now? If she is doing well and has good quality of life, Id do the spay. I personally do not know of a dog that has successfully been treated with antibiotics for pyo. Maybe others like Hexe will say otherwise.

It doesn't sound like that vet has a lot of experience w/pyo. I would NEVER assume a 12yr old dog could fight off pyo w/antibiotics.  Are they suggesting that because of money? Or because they don't have much experience, as pets are typically spayed and intact issues aren't something they deal with often enough? If she were mine, she'd be in surgery, and you know how I feel about spaying and neutering for no good reason. Jewel has had autoimmune issues for some time; some tumors wouldn't be shocking for a dog her age w/her previous health issues and dogs can often live comfortably for quite a while with tumors, cancerous or not. The teeth are not top priority right now; get that nasty uterus out of her and get it done by someone who knows what they're doing! 

And keep me posted. I feel like I know her. 

Get her spayed asap, she can't fight off that kind of infection on ABT!

The vet  will put her on  ATB first to eliminate some of the infetcion first, then after few days they will perform the surgery. If she is too weak, they first need to stabilize her before they do anything else. This almost seems like open Pyo, which is better then closed one. Hownever, she needs to be fixed one way or another, I only think first they want to get her little better so they reduce risks associated with surgery.

Good luck with your girl.

Bless her the poor little thing.  Yes, get her spayed ASAP.  It is nothing to fool around with.  If she has tumors they will probably take them out at the same time.  I friend of mine just went thru this exact same scenario.  Her older dog is doing just fine.  I can't guarantee the same results but I can guarantee she won't have much time left if surgery isn't done right away.  Good luck!

That is what I was afraid of.

Jewel has been doing fine until this last week or so, Bhaugh. Moms bf went camping and she stopped eating - she'll do that sometimes when one of them leaves, so I don't think they thought much of it. Now she still isn't eating and is so weak as a result.  But last I had seen her before this all happened was Saturday, I think, and she still greeted me the same as she always has - that full-body tail wag, with the prancey front feet, whimpering, the works. But then last night when I was over there, I walked in the door and she had been lying next to my mom... she raised her head and looked at me for a sec, then got up and walked over, wagging her tail slowly and laid her head against me just wanting loves. Y'know, I went over there thinking that that would be it, but by the time I had left she seemed to be in a little bit better spirits. She definitely wasn't herself, but her eyes were still happy and sparkly like always...

 This is all so hard for me... We got her as an 8 week old puppy shortly after I had turned 8, so I mean... she is like a sister to me. I love that  dog so much... she has been my buddy for so long. She was the first dog I ever really got to train, plus she put up with all my childishness (I once dressed her up like a reindeer and stuffed a pillow under my shirt and pretended we were Santa... poor dog)... and raised my cat (who will also be heartbroken if something happens). This picture was taken when Jewel was 4 and Cheyanne was 2-3 mos.

She has that wonderful golden personality - so happy and sweet and just loves life, but she has also protected us in the past. A smaller dog went after my little sister once, and Jewel jumped in the way... had the little rat hanging from her neck fur (came away with a bald patch but that was it). Shes also kept in between us and weirdos she didn't trust - truly a great judge of character. You know if Jewel doesn't like you, something is up!

She is just the best dog, she really is, and it is so hard to see her weak and sick like this. When Dallas died it was sudden... but being so drawn out like this... I don't know what hurts worse, honestly. 12 years of her life full of loyalty and love - and nothing but - and now she is sick and I feel completely helpless having to remind myself that she isn't my dog and I don't have a say in what should or shouldn't be done.

I'm almost afraid even if they did do the spay, she wouldn't be strong enough to make it through... since she is so weak from not eating already. The vet wants $2500 to do it, but honestly thinks she'll be OK on the antibiotics... which is one reason I came on here, 'cause that didn't sound quite right to me regarding pyo. It seems kind of insane that its going to cost so much though. My mom and her bf are people that will believe the vet before anyone else, and I seriously hope I can change their minds... but even then I am not sure they can afford that much for a spay and I dunno... I'm thinking outloud at this point.

"I personally do not know of a dog that has successfully been treated with antibiotics for pyo" I hope we can change this to a YET!

I'll pass on what ya'll have said... I am not ready to give up on my Jewel, and I pray she isn't ready to give up either.

Really really sucks... I can't get her out of my head... and am not sure where my eyes are finding all this water... I feel bad for Chey and Qira too... they've been a little extra snuggly 'cause they know we're all hurting. Even if she doesn't live with us... Jewel is a part of everyones lives - even Gma is sad, and that is saying something. Within the next couple of days I'll be roadtripping to pick up my best friend (shes known Jewel all her life too) from college so she can say her goodbyes too... just in case.

Pack - I hope you are right!! It is open, er, it is draining, anyway.

She also, when I was there last night and we thought that was going to be it, was lying down and we were all petting and talking to her... she was doing this weird thing. She was on her side, and would... how do I describe it... its like she was making the motion to throw up, but there was no noise or anything that followed... just like her stomach/body would constrict and then relax. She would do so about every third or forth breath for about 5 times, and then she'd be OK for awhile. I wonder what that was all about?

She needs to be spayed ASAP. Find a competent vet - easier said than done, depending on where you are from. Isoflo anesthesia would definitely be safer but it is quite expensive. Pyometra is nothing to mess around with and she won't make it otherwise, especially if her body is already dealing with some other issues. She sounds like a lovely girl, I'm sorry she's so ill. Sending healing vibes your way. Please keep us updated.

Vets are so F***ing pathetic. $2500 is OUTRAGEous. Who else can you take her to even if you have to drive a ways. My coworker was taken for a ride too and had to pay 700.00+. Her dog was on some pretty powerful antibiotics but it just didnt work.

I feel for you. I also have a golden that is 7 and has tumors on his face and in his mouth. He is probably my BEST friend and I am trying some new things because I elected to not do the surgery or give him chemo. I dont know what I will do without him when its time to say good-bye.

Your dog is treatable and with some looking around you and your mom can find a vet that is reasonable instead of taking advantage of you in a time like this. In your circumstance I don't think I could give up. Keep trying and dont give up.

Barb