Need advice re elderly terrier

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CazD

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My Jack Russell bitch is approx. 12-16 years old (ex rescue so guesswork on the vets part). I've had her 4 years. She's really starting to show her age now, she's completely deaf, poor eyesight, possible dementia and several hard lumps. She was diagnosed with kidney problems 6 months ago and put on a renal diet. I took her to my vet on Tuesday for her annual vaccinations at which time the vet said the lumps (which have come up over the last 6 months or so) are "unusual" She has one large one under her chin and two between her front legs. The vet pushed to take a sample from each lump at a cost of £50 per lump but said she would not suggest putting the dog through an operation because of her age/fragility and I said I wasn't prepared to put her through chemo if they turned out to be cancerous, so refused. I did, however, agree to a blood sample. The result has shown no calcium, so cancer is unlikely, but that the kidney problems have got much worse, to the point the vet said she was surprised the dog was not showing any real problems. She has suggested medication but said that this would have bad side effects on the dog. She wants to go ahead with vaccinations and do a urine test and blood pressure test.
I'm feeling a little bit like they are more in this for their bank balance than the welfare of the dog. I would go to the end of the earth for this dog, but I want what is best for her, not me! What would you do if she was yours?
 
I wouldn't vaccinate an older dog anyway, much as I like and respect my vet, and I hope he is not in it solely to make money.
So no I would do none of those things but the very first day she seemed a bit down or depressed or not her usual self I would PTS.
 
Urine test and blood pressure are both non invasive and give a lot more info re the state of the kidneys and will guide you as to if medications that will help quality of life would help or not. Have a look at the ‘iris’ kidney website and you’ll get more of an idea about what can and can’t be done and what the vets are trying to avoid.
 
Clodagh said:
I wouldn't vaccinate an older dog anyway, much as I like and respect my vet, and I hope he is not in it solely to make money.
So no I would do none of those things but the very first day she seemed a bit down or depressed or not her usual self I would PTS.
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I think this is what is bothering me. I'm feeling a bit like what is the point in finding out anything as there is nothing we can do anyway. She cant be operated on, I'm not prepared to put her through anything like chemo and the medication has side affects. But I don't want to let the dog down if I could have done something.
 
I wouldn't vaccinate at this stage, although I don't routinely vacc older dogs anyway. As you say, it seems that the vet is more interested in the money than the dog. What is the medication and what are the side effects? I have had dogs and cats on meds, many years ago and don't remember side effects. I would have expected meds to improve over the years, rather than have more likelihood of side effects.
 
Could they not have taken a needle biopsy (non invasive) to establish what the lumps were? I would have gone for that option, if cancer was present you cannot tell from blood tests and I would want to make the right choice for my dog in that situation (which in these circumstances would be to PTS).

I totally agree about not having chemo or invasive surgery for a dog that age, but I would want to ensure that the dog was not suffering - they can be stoical little souls, and can be suffering pain and discomfort without necessarily showing massive symptoms. I disagree that the vet is in this for the money - I think they have a concern for the wellbeing of an elderly dog, and they want to ensure that the dog enjoys good quality of life. Believe me, it is unusual that I would say that about a vet :p but I've just gone through it all with Hoover and I know the vet was acting in the best interests of my dog to identify what was wrong and how any problems could be resolved

In terms of side effects, yes there could potentially be some but lets face it at that age the benefits should outweigh the chances of long term side effects?
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I wouldn't vaccinate at this stage, although I don't routinely vacc older dogs anyway. As you say, it seems that the vet is more interested in the money than the dog. What is the medication and what are the side effects? I have had dogs and cats on meds, many years ago and don't remember side effects. I would have expected meds to improve over the years, rather than have more likelihood of side effects.
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She didnt say what the medication was, only that the side affects were likely to affect the dog. It didn't help that I took my other dog at the same time and, after she had vaccinated her, she suggested emptying her anal glands. When I asked if they needed doing, she said "not really, but some people like it to be done".
 
Levrier said:
Could they not have taken a needle biopsy (non invasive) to establish what the lumps were? I would have gone for that option, if cancer was present you cannot tell from blood tests and I would want to make the right choice for my dog in that situation (which in these circumstances would be to PTS).
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This is what she offered, at a cost of £50 per lump, but said that they couldn't operate on the dog if they were benign and I wasn't prepared to do chemo. She did say that she didnt think the dog was ready to be pts just yet.
 
I’d do some research on the name of the drug. You’ve lost some trust in your vet so I’d want to know the info she’s giving you is correct.

I’m pleased I knew what was wrong with my dog. A urine test and blood test was all I had but it did make sure that I knew the signs to look for. It did make the decision easier at the time.
 
I probably would not vaccinate or take samples from the lumps if surgery or chemo were not an option. I guess the only thing would be that with some types of tumour, their size and/or growth can be slowed with use of steroids. The only thing with not vaccinating is she would be more susceptible if hit with something such as parvo.

I would however go for the urine test and blood pressure. Both are cheap and non-invasive and will give you a better idea of her kidney function. Kidney problems can result in dangerously high blood pressure, and high blood pressure can worsen the kidneys amongst other things such as cause neurological issues, internal bleeding, eye problems etc. My cat is in renal failure and is taking medication for his blood pressure, just to ensure he is comfortable for as long as his kidneys will keep working for. The side effects from lots of drugs are rare, but the vet does have to explain them to you.
 
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CazD said:
She didnt say what the medication was, only that the side affects were likely to affect the dog. It didn't help that I took my other dog at the same time and, after she had vaccinated her, she suggested emptying her anal glands. When I asked if they needed doing, she said "not really, but some people like it to be done".
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TBQH I would be looking for a different vet. The vet should have told you what the medication would be, what the side-effects could be and how likely it is that the dog would experience the side effects. The anal glands thing would ave put me off this vet for ever.
 
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