My girl is sick and I feel helpless, I'm trying.

We went to an emergency clinic early Saturday morning after a bout of vomiting culminating at midnight. So off to the west we go, 35 miles. On the strength of an x-ray we were told by the intern Vet (teaching facility) that she most likely has Cancer, she needs more tests, then radiation, chemo, maybe surgery or the "other" treatment, you know what I mean.

Neither my wife or I felt comfortable with her diagnosis, I questioned it and was told that while there was a very small chance she did not have it, she felt that our dog did. So we left saying we were going to see our own Vet in the morning. This was now 3:30 AM, a lousy way to start a day.

So home we went, at 9 AM I was on the stoop of the Vet's office, they took us right in. They finally got the x-rays in an email, the Vet did see something but was hesitant to call it as the earlier Vet did and suggested we go to a different emergency clinic, this time 32 miles to the east for an ultrasound. This Vet felt she had Pancreatitis or a possible abscess. So off we go at 2 in the afternoon this time. Facility got us right in. By about 4:30 they said they felt that she had Pancreatitis and enlarged lymph nodes, probably secondary to the Pancreatitis. they said that while we could do further tests they felt pretty good with the diagnosis.

Sunday she felt a little better. Monday morning about 5 we were on the way again, diarrhea. So meds and continue the bland diet.

Called the Vet today, filling her in on where we were at on our end. Just after hanging up the phone, took "my girl" outside, she urinated passing blood, back on the phone. So they got us in, this time (our Vet today was working at a different clinic, same owner twenty miles away). So antibiotics prescribed,IV as she was a bit dehydrated (been real hot here since Sunday) diagnosis secondary bladder infection. Despite the new problem, she feels that Lola looks better than she did Saturday when she first saw her. I hope she is right......

Not hungry, will drink water freely. So I will call the Vet at 9 AM to advise her of how the night went.

Friends, keep Lola in your thoughts. I'm tearing while writing this. I lost my Staffie, Scarlett, a bit over two years ago, still not over that. I still miss her.

You don't need to post to this, just think of her, OK?

shovelhead, I completely understand how you're feeling right now having experienced a somewhat similar situation last month.

All the best to your family and Lola.

My prayers and best wishes to Lola. Hang in there and keep the positive thoughts flowing.

God bless. Lost my girl in February. Here’s hoping yours doesn’t go that way.

You and yours will be in our thoughts and prayers.

I wish Lola the best.
We have had many dogs and after all the dogs have come to a conclusion, Most Vets are poor substitutes for Doctors.I NEVER take there advice without question.
The newer Vets we have encountered diagnosis Cancer without being able to back up the claim.They love to throw that out as a catch all or because they don't really know. Nothing better than a old time Vet that has been there seen that.
New Vets like to run endless tests because they don't know how to diagnosis a problem or throw out the cancer diagnosis as a catch all because they can't figure out the problem and it makes them look like they know whats going on.

Prayers for Lola from here, Shovelhead.

Just fyi, our youngest Beagle (about 6 years old) was recently diagnosed with cancer; Multiple Myeloma. We took her to a second vet who specialized in cancer and through blood test and X-rays they confirmed it.

We learned that dogs tolerate chemo far better than humans. She has been on chemo (and prednisone) for about one week and actually seems to feel much better. She has a stronger appetite (she quit eating completely - that's why we took her to the vet.)

She's back to several of her common traits like barking at other dogs and trying to chase squirrels.

So, if they prescribe chemo - don't be immediately put off by the idea. We give it to her in a pill form once daily. My first reaction was that I would rather put her down than have her in constant pain. After reading up on the subject I found that dogs tolerate it very well and many, like mine seem to have no side effects. We do, however, give her 1/2 a pain pill daily just in case she may have any discomfort at all.

It's expensive, but we hope it gives her another year or so of time with us.

Hope Lola gets well! Hang in there.

Thoughts and prayers for Lola and for you.

Hang in there Lola. Thoughts and prayers for the shovelhead family.

I am sad for you and your puppy and my heart goes out to you. It is clear to me you love her beyond words. Please be attuned to when she asks you for the help that you so desperately wish to avoid - that final greatest act of love you can show her - that gift of helping her across to ease her discomfort and pain. It wan't easy for me when it was my girl's time, but I loved (still love) her too much to let her be in pain, and when she told me she was ready, I let her go. She is still my screen saver on my computer and my phone, and I miss her every day.She is still in my heart. But that's my story and my thought to you. I hope Lola heals, and I wish for you and her, peace.

Prayer sent.

Prayers sent for Lola and everyone who loves her.

Prayers sent for your good girl.

Thoughts and Prayers for you and Lola.

Prayers upp for Lola and you. Many hugs too.

Prayers for Lola. May she be with you for many years to come.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Unfortunately I think the time is soon. I'm just miserable,sick,hurt, don't know what else to do. She is getting worse since last night.

I feel so helpless.......

Prayers for Lola.....I hope they can determine what is wrong and fix the issue. I know how awful it is to see your beloved pet suffer and not know how to help.
We’ve all dealt with that kind of pain, and feel for you at this point. May Lola recover and b with you for more happy years.

This hits home as we lost the best dog I ever had a week ago Friday. It's the tough part of living with you pets.
We were lucky that she was 17 and had a very healthy life otherwise. Just old age finally got her so it wasn't a surprise and less of a decision.
The age of our dog and general health has usually helped us make decisions as to how much to put them and ourselves through.
Good luck and you have my sympathy dealing with this. I know it's not easy.

Sending positive thoughts your way, sir. I’ve been in your shoes before and “helpless” is a very accurate description of how I felt.