by gagesbarb » Tue Nov 08, 2016 9:17 am
don't know where you live and what is available, but when my vets are not sure what is going on, they refer us to a specialty vet...can be expensive, but I always feel better about making decisions if I know what is going on...my experience with our specialty vets is that they are realistic and although they present the whole range of options, will not push to do a lot that will not really improve quality of life for a significant amount of time...they also start with the minimum number of tests they need to offer an opinion and just have a lot more experience with unusual problems... I have found them to be honest about things...I have also always relied on our vets...we share a point of view--they know we are willing to do a whole lot for our animals, but their quality of life is important...someone on this forum suggested a way of thinking about this--make a list of the 4-5 things your dog enjoys and when he can't participate in most of them, then it may be time...of course, if the situation has a chance to improve, then you motor through...
please keep us informed about how things go...although unfortunately, we don't have a magic wand, we all can empathize with what you are going through and will always be here to listen and "talk..." Obviously, from the length of my posts, I find "talking" about things reassuring...