Ah don't know what to do/suggest!! LAB issues..

[SpottyTB]

Hi all, well sad to say, i think Henry our lab has hit the end of his life.. he's 14 years old and is gorgeous .. but he has real breathing issue's now..

He's my MIL/FIL's dog really, they've been putting it off taking him to the vets (PTS) but i really think (in my opinion) it's really time now.. sadly.

He's on no bute and devils claw tablets for help with his joint's - if he doesn't have it, he can't usually walk until midday/mid afternoon.. or thought his stability isn't the issue as such - it is still not making him very mobile - he's very wobbly still - bit like a drunk man walking around!

The issue that most concern's me, is his breathing.. he *huff's as we describe it.. it's a real deep gasp for air each time he breathes.. it usually come's on when it's hot, when he think's he's going for a walk (which he never does anymore) or if there's people around. He will stop it if he's told to get on his bed and he's left alone in the room.. His rib cage has definitely got bigger since the breathing issue's have started as well.. he's very strained underneath as well when he *huff's...

Has anyone had this before with there lab's? or any dog?

I know what i'd do, but i can't seem to persuade MIL/FIL to just take him and get a vets opinion on the situation, i think because he's done it so long, they are just used to it..

Or if anyone has any idea what could be going on.. please let me know, then i can report back to MIL/FIL and hopefully they will take him to the vets asap..

 

[3BayGeldings]

Oh dear, that doesn't sound too good. My 15 yr old lab pants a lot more than before, but her breathing isn't as laboured as Henry's sounds, and she sounds more mobile than him. Poor wee chap, sounds like a tough decision may have to be made. xxx

 

[SpottyTB]

Oh dear, that doesn't sound too good. My 15 yr old lab pants a lot more than before, but her breathing isn't as laboured as Henry's sounds, and she sounds more mobile than him. Poor wee chap, sounds like a tough decision may have to be made. xxx

Mmm it's really sad, he's SO lovely and when you see him wag his tail and "try" and play with the puppy.. you think he's happy why should we pts.. but i actually think he's in pain sometimes when he's breathing.. it's like he can't get enough air in.. or like something's blocking it? Also think that all labs will wag there tail at you until the last day.. there just that sort of dog!!

Very difficult, but worse because i know what i'd do.. but i can't help them see it..

 

[3BayGeldings]

Yes, we always used to say that we'll know when Holly is ready to go as she will get depressed/sad/stop being herself etc... BUT I think we're realising that she will always wag her tail, always be happy to see us no matter how ill she gets, and that we might have to look past that one day to think about her quality of life. Ugh, it's horrible when they get older

 

[SpottyTB]

Yes, we always used to say that we'll know when Holly is ready to go as she will get depressed/sad/stop being herself etc... BUT I think we're realising that she will always wag her tail, always be happy to see us no matter how ill she gets, and that we might have to look past that one day to think about her quality of life. Ugh, it's horrible when they get older

Exactly what we've always said about Henry, so difficult and it's just so horrible.. personally, i don't think his quality of life is very good.. he can't go for walk's as the last two times he's got so panty, he's passed out.. or collapsed. He has to had his water like swimming or he through's it up.. he can't play with the other two.. he struggles to get up in the morning.. it's so difficult because he's not miserable.. but he hasn't got a fantastic quality of life.. He's eye sight is pretty good and his hearing is still very "choice hearing" but it's all there

I just don't know how to push them to do it.. even if it's just to take him to the vets to see what they think.. MIL/FIL just worried they will be persuaded into putting him through tests etc he doesn't need - it's not fair to him.

 

[MurphysMinder]

If his breathing is laboured, and his abdomen is distended it could be heart failure, and fluid building up. Have they had him to a vet, it is possible medication could help him, and also he might be better on metacam or similar rather than no bute. Can you persuade them to have a chat with their vet to see if his symptoms are treatable or if it would be kinder to put the old man to sleep.

 

[SpottyTB]

If his breathing is laboured, and his abdomen is distended it could be heart failure, and fluid building up. Have they had him to a vet, it is possible medication could help him, and also he might be better on metacam or similar rather than no bute. Can you persuade them to have a chat with their vet to see if his symptoms are treatable or if it would be kinder to put the old man to sleep.

Hi MM, He was on metacam but it made him extremely depressed, some day's he'd hardly get up, he'd hardly even wag his tail - yes his walking/mobility was better ish (not hugely better) but he wasn't happy in himself! Hmmm, perhaps it is, i wandered if it was like lung issue's though? seeming that it was a breathing problem? No, i'm hoping they might take him tomorrow, i just don't know how to push them to do it! I think it would just be good for them to take him in, say to the vet "cards on the table, he's an old man, he's had a good life.. are we cruel to keep him alive?" They don't want to put him on drugs (that could depress him) but they'd help him if they could!!... will keep trying!

 

[Kellys Heroes]

Doesn't sound brilliant, poor old chap.
Our Goldie is nearly 11 and she pants more than ever but her mobility is still good despite hip dysplasia and she doesn't gasp for air so it sounds as if Henry might have more underlying problems
The vets can suggest other alternatives for his mobility, there's other tablets or steroid injections but IMHO I think from what you've said it sounds like a hard decision might need to be made xx

 

[Dobiegirl]

If I had to guess I would say its his heart, if it was your m-i-l or f-i-l displaying these symptons they would go to the doctors wouldnt they so they should do the same for this old boy. Labs would still wag their tail no matter what its just their nature.

 

[SpottyTB]

Hi all, had a really tough discussion, where i was completely honest with them in what i think.. I've told them i feel they need to go to the vet's with Henry tomorrow and have a discussion about this problem.. but i've also told them to be prepared to make the decision sooner rather than later..

MIL has said if the vet says PTS then she'll bring him home for a bit and then take him next week.. somehow i feel it would be better to just have it done there and then, better for the dog to not have to go twice to the vets - he'll know something's up and actually better for her and the other family members..

 

[Dobiegirl]

I can understand your m-i-ls thinking i would want to do the same and I suspect a lot of people but only if the dog wasnt suffering. I would want to bring him home having made an appointment to pts and spoil him rotten until the day. If your m-I-l can be trusted to do this and not chicken out and the dog not suffering and can be pts at home as it would be less stressful for him. But if you think for one minute she couldnt be trusted to do this than press to have him pts.

 

[Rose Folly]

We had a Labrador who used to pass outas you describe on walks - well, a totter 200 yards down the road to a bridleway he liked. Our then lodger used to watch from her window and if I appeared, waving, she used to come down with our huge wheelbarow and we'd trundle him home.

It's quite a difficult situation for you as he is not your dog. I would hope that your in-laws' vet is being honest and straightforward with them. I have to say that our old fainting boy lived to be nearly 15. The breathing/fainting problems came on after he nearly drwoned at the age of 14. It sounds pretty much the same sort of situation. If he was kept cool (in the lateral sense) and calm, he was fairly OK. Any excitment or a hot room and his breahting went down the swannee.

I do hope that his end is peaceful, however that may come about. Old Labradors are particularly difficult because, as someone has said, they will wag their tails and beam at you even when they are in dire straits. Poor Henry....

 

[Rose Folly]

Sorry, typed that without my glasses on!!!

 

[SpottyTB]

*update

Been to the vet this morning, the poor girl was so un sure of how to put it, then MIL burst into tears, so vet has said to try him on a steroid and something to clear the air way.

Next appointment is on Wednesday and if he's no better they will PTS. Vet suggested an X-ray but I said I believed that would cause a lot of stress that didn't need to be caused. Even if they found something we wouldn't let them opperate.

Will keep you in the loop. X