Ask yourself some hard questions. Is your dog having any good days or are they all bad? Is he able to enjoy life at all? Are you ready to let him go, or is there an option for obtaining a diagnosis and getting treatment? I HATE THIS PART OF HAVING A PET - let me just put that out there now. That your dog is 14 is a testament to your being excellent owners and you need to congratulate yourselves on that. If you chose to put your dog down - Some vets will come to your house so you and your dog are in more comfy surroundings when it is time to let go. My friend has all three of his dogs ashes boxed behind his easy chair, collars slung around the box, he likes them there since that was where they spent most of the time when alive. Another friend planted a dogwood tree in her yard and put the ashes under it, and put the dog tags in the tree. If you chose to pursue treatment I wish you the best of luck, I dont know what can be done if anything, my deepest sympathy to you and yours in having to deal with this.

If you want to do one more 'test', I'd have someone scope his upper GI. Ask one of your vets for a referral to an internest.

I think I have to say I am with Mazer on this one. It makes me cry just to read the posts on this thread. I have a old gal who has managed to make it to almost 12 yrs - just 7 days to go! Long for a labrador.

You must have been doing something right all these years because we are a family of retrievers and I only know of one that made it to 14!

If it helps, I asked our vet to give us some guidelines of when it is time, because he knows I am going to have to be drug kicking and screaming. These are the ones my vet gave me (not saying right for everyone or every situation) - 1. Is your pet happy to see you when you come home - does it wag its tail; 2. Is your pet eating; 3. Is your pet having continuous accidents in the house; and 4. Can your pet get out of its own excriment.

I must confess that old gal has had one of each of the 4 at times in the past month. Just not all 4 at once so, I figure when all 4 happen together, I guess I will have no choice but to do the right thing for her.

That's really what it is about - what is the kindest thing for your pet?

YES THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE HARDEST PART OF BEING A PET OWNER

In case your vets haven't explained this to you, Goldens are congenitally prone to developing cancer. It's quite likely your old boy has fallen victim to it. I'm so sorry.

Without a definitive diagnosis, there really isn't anything you can do but try to make him as comfortable as possible until you're ready to let him go. Even with a diagnosis, there's a high probability you'll be left in the same situation.

I suspect you've already done everything humanely possible to try to address his current illness. I agree with Mazer. A Golden who reaches the age of 14 is a testament to the responsible and diligent care of a loving family.

If you can not allow yourself to let your old boy go without a diagnosis, you may need to take him to your nearest university vet school clinic where you will find veterinary specialists and state of the art diagnostic equipment.

I wish you and your boy the best possible outcome.

Laurie

I agree with the others, but I also understand wanting to have some kind of idea as to what may be going on. My guess would be some kind of PLE disorder of the lymphatic system such as Intestinal lymphangiectasia, or blockage of the lymphatics of the gastrointestinal tract. Unfortunetly there is a whole list of associated problems that can cause this such as cancer, and many of which are invassive procedures to find out which can be pretty hard on a 15 year old dog.
One thing you can try for helping to keep food down and Please discuss this with your vet first, is a restricted fat diet such as Hills r/d along with
adding some MCT oils such as Virgin coconut oil. This type of oil adds healthy calories while helping the food to stay at a restrictive fat level. I have heard of this used in conjunction with prednisone and it has actually helped ( not cured) dogs from throwing up their food. If it's going to work you should see a difference in a few days. Eventually the pred is stopped and the dog continues to eat the restrictive fat diet along with the MCT oil.
I am in no means diagnosisng your dog, this is just a suggestion to discuss with your vet. Best of luck I know how hard these things can be.

I don't have any advice - My heart goes out to you . My Goldie lasted till 14 ,too ... till we discovered cancer in her. As hard as it was - Peace was my final gift to her . Please don't prolong any suffering (if that is the case)

(Reaching through the computer and giving you and your goldie a big hug )My best wishes to you and your friend.

Thoughts and prayers for you and your baby. I had to put my Golden to rest in 2004 at the age of 10 following a year long battle with cancer that just progressively got worse. When she got to the point that she could no longer eat and seemed pained to move we knew it was time to let her go. Good luck and God Bless.

You or your vet has probably already thought of this, but have you checked his teeth? I know tooth problems can cause digestive upsets. Good luck,
Jen

Does your dog have difficulty breathing as well as the vomiting? The reason I ask is because my Golden, ( also 14) was diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis. He had an operation in July and is so much better because of it. He is still elderly, of course, but is still doing the "Fab Four" as I call it. My vet gave me the same indicators as labmomma; greeting me upon arrival, eating, going outside to go to the bathroom, and being able to get up/walk. So far, he is doing all those things but I know the time will come when it will become more difficult for him and I may have to make that decision, but so far so good. Again, I don't know if vomiting is a symptom of LP but I would check it out, it's pretty common with Labs and Goldens in their older years.

With LP the dog would be regurgitating not vomiting.I know it sounds strange but there is actually a big difference between the two. Regurgitation is more a problem with the esophagus, Vomiting is from stomach problems or upper intestinal, or toxicities.
If the dog is having a hard time keeping food down shorty after eating than LP is a likely cause.If it's eating and an hour or two later the dog gets sick your probably looking at intestinal disorders and or disturbances.

Thanks to all of you for your very caring and informative posts. Dutch was diagnosed with advanced liver/pancreatic cancer on Nov. 12, through ultra sound and needle biopsy of the liver. We brought him home and hospiced him with cancer meds to help with his nausea, appetite, pain and depression until he would no longer drink, take any type of foods or urinate. He was still somewhat alert, but it was time. We put him down on Thurs. Nov. 16. He was truly one of the "great ones". I can't even think of getting another dog for awhile, but when I do, it will be through rescue. Thanks again to all of you.
mary

I'm so sorry, Mary. I know you did everything possible to make his last days as comfortable and filled with love as possible. You and Dutch were clearly very fortunate to have found each other.

I wish you a peaceful grief,

Laurie

I'm very sorry you have lost your beloved dog, Dutch. It's terribly hard and sad. Dutch was very lucky to have you...and you were blessed to have had Dutch's loyalty and love.

Hugs to you,

Silly

My heart goes out to you. Losing a pet that has been a part of your life for so long is not easy. I will keep you in my prayers while you recover from your grief. It will be awhile before you can open your heart again but I know from my experience that some day another baby in need will "speak" to you and start a new chapter in your lives.

Mary I just saw this and just wanted to send my condolences. I lost a younger dog to this 9 years ago so I understand exactly what your options were or should I say lack of. I tried everything with my dog and he went down so fast I couldn't believe it. That's such an aggresive cancer that metastisizes rapidly. Anyway Again so sorry ((((hugs))))

Oh, my goodness...tears are streaming down my face right now. I am keeping my granddaughter's Goldie right now until she comes back from Thanksgiving. This dog is such a sweetheart and it is going to be one sad, grieving family if and when the time comes to have to do something for her. She just turned 7.
I am so sorry for your loss. Whether you get another dog or not remains to be seen. I had to have my little poodle put down a few years ago. I cried so hard and told the vet I would never go through that again. That was on a Friday. The next Sunday I was checking the newspaper want ads for a puppy. I couldn't stand the quiet house and nothing was greeting me at the door when I came home. Best of luck and God bless.

I know how empty your home must feel now. We lost our 14 year old Brittany last Feb. DH and I were both inconsolable, we couldn't even be around each other in fear of upsetting one another all the time. We debated about the freedom we would have to travel, the "not having to get home so soon, the house staying clean. Well, enough of that - give me the dirty house, we aren't travelers but homebodies and the love you get from them is so worth it. BUT, you do need time, however much you need to grieve. It took us 7 months but we have dirty floors and time constraints again and well.... you will too, when you are ready.

Mary,
I am sorry for your loss. Boy, we sure do love 'em, don't we......

Sorry to hear about your loss.

I went through the same thing in January.....my Tara was 14, had the same problems.

She cheated death at least 3 times, I thought I would be able to deal with making "the decision" better than I did, but loosing a friend is never easy. I still can't get rid of her medical records or spread her ashes.

For me and my s/o, the void was to much to take, even though we had two other dogs. Everyone was in such a funk, we just had to do something to get our minds distracted........we adopted a 3 month old puppy,,,,,,,,which helped, but I still am crying a couple of times a week,,,,,

SG

Mary,

I'm so sorry. I'm going thru the same emotions since I had to let my 'little girl' (14 yrs.) go on Nov. 20th, due to kidney failure.

Like you, we know we can't get another one right away as we would expect the new one to measure up to her, and it wouldn't be fair. She spoiled us these past 10 years.
In time, I'll start searching thru the shelters................(((hugs)))

I have tears running down my face. I'm sorry for your losses. I have no words, so I think this will be a good place to put the Story of Rainbow Bridge. I'm sure most of you have read it, but it's worth repeating.
............................................................

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

My sincere sympathy. My 9-yr old Golden was just admitted to the hospital with the same symptoms and similar inconclusive test results.(X-rays and ultrasound) I fear there is something more sinister beneath the Colitis she is being treated for. My girl's bloodwork was normal. Did you have similar results? Also, what hospice meds did you find the most useful. I wonder how long to leave her in the cold & lonely environment of the Vet hospital before bringing her home to more comofrtable surroundings. I wish they would let me administer IV fluids at home. Thanks,
Paul