I'm new here and I'm just looking for someone to talk to really. My dog has just been taken into veterinary hospital with a heart problem and kidney failure, but she seems relatively well and I'm very confused.

I'm at home on my own and my boyfriend is away. I never sleep without my dog, haven't for 12 years. I won't even go abroad on holiday because I don't want to leave her behind.

Anyone who has had a border collie will know the advanced level of communication that you share with these dogs and I can't bear to think of her being distressed because she's in a strange place.

I'm terrified she's gone into that hospital today and that she won't come out.

Two different vets have told me two different things and I don't know whether to trust them.

I'm just confused and upset and I don't know where to turn.

Can anyone help me? It seems unlikely, but I don't know what else to do.

Oh hun, i am so sorry to hear about your situation, and i am very much the same, i refuse to go abroad as i don't want to leave my dogs either.

Could you not get a third opinion of a vet that you trust?

Im sure someone will be along in a minute to give you some proper advice.

welcome to the forum... so sorry that your dogs in the vets. Why don't you tell us a little bit about your dog, what breed etc 12 is a good age for so many breeds.

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These are my own personal views and opinions they do not represent the WCGB.

Welcome to the forum, sorry to hear about your dog Try and stay positive as you could be worrying for no need, i'm sure your dog wants to come back to you as much as you want her back so she will fight. Tell us some more about her

Hello, you must be feeling very sad, I'm sorry. You need to speak to one of the vets and ask them to lay it on the line for you. She is your dog and you are paying for the treatment they are providing so you have every right to be told the truth. tell the vet you speak to that you are confused as you have been told 2 different things and you want to be sure you know what's going on. Vets are human too and very often if you speak to them like you would anyone else they will tell it like it is. Very often I think we are a little intimidated by Vets and just accept what they say because they are the experts. I would like to think that if they thought she wouldn't be coming home they would advise you of this so try to think positive for you and for her. I know this is probably not a great help and I would be feeling exactly the same way if it were one of mine but just thought I'd try help a little. Sending lots of positive thoughts for you x x

Oh ime so sorry i remember Monty having to stay in for a while i hated leaving him i was so worried it was his heart and kidneys i know how you feel, just try to think he's better off there being treated, its so hard though

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[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

I'm so sorry to her about your dog, but she is in the best place and will be getting the right treatment, I'm sure she'll be home soon.

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Sorry about any wrong spelling, but I'm feed up of looking things up in the dictionary

I agree. She's in getting the care she needs. It's a really sad sitution to be in and I wish your doggy the best of health. Try and stay positive and try to distract yourself even though it is easier said than done. I know I would be restless if it was one of my babies in the vets. I almost cry when they have jabs!

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***Proud Mummy***

x Georgia (Human child)
x Topcat (TC) and Benny (Lovable Kitties)
x Murphy (St Bernard Puppy)

I love all my babies unconditionally

Thank you for all of your kind replies.

She's a Border collie and her name is Myrtle. She's had a cough for about four years now and whenever I've taken her to the vet about it they've seemed unconcerned. They seemed to think it was something to do with hair in her throat. But it slowly got worse and worse.

Then she collapsed when me and my boyfriend were having a row. She gets distressed when anyone raises their voice and she lost control of her legs and her bladder. I picked her up and I don't think she lost consciousness but if she did it was for a split second.

I took her to the vet and they said that they couldn't tell me what it was. Her heart seemed fine when they listened to it and there was no respiratory problem either.

They said leave her and see if it happens again.

Meanwhile, I know she has heart failure. And I'm left doubting myself thinking well I know she has heart failure, but the vet doesn't. Who is wrong?

The cough was slowly getting worse. She was restless at night and she started drinking loads.

Then on Monday night she collapsed again. A dog came running into the garden barking at her and she was distressed. Her legs went from under her and I picked her up straight away and her tongue went blue.

She was OK again after a few minutes.

I phoned the emergency vet and he said to take her in first thing in the morning. So I did. I asked them to put her on hear meds without any more messing about. They gave her Fortekor 5 and a blood test.

I took her home and for two days she was on this drug and the coughing almost stopped. She was running about like she normally does. Although she was still restless at night and drinking a lot.

Sorry this is so long

then yesterday morning the vet told me the blood results were back and she has kidney failure and she had to go into vet hospital. Her exact words were: "She is in renal failure and she needs urgent treatment." So I took her.

The vet there said she doesn't have kidney failure, she said Myrtle has low levels of something I can't remember in her blood that might indicate kidney failure.

Meanwhile, Myrtle is upset because I'm crying and she's trying to get up to my face to comfort me! Looking deeply into my eyes with that Border collie intelligence and questioning. I can't bear it. We love each other so much.

They've put her on a drip to get fluids in her and then they're doing another blood test tomorrow.

Meanwhile, I know she should have been put on heart meds four years ago.

She is not insured and I'm sure this lack of interest in Myrtle by the vets has something to do with that.

Vets seem so hardened and severe. They all seem the same to me and I don't know whether it's a prejudice of mine but I can't see an animal lover being able to do the job of a vet so I think their motivations must be either cold intellectual curiosity or money.

So I'm scared. I'm scared she's in distress and think I've left her or that she'll come back with parvo or that she will die while she's in there or go down hill and die very soon.

I can't really see the point of anything without her.

I understand you are panicking right now , but a lot of vets realy do love animals and have animals of their own, its just like a doctor realy they cant show emotion or they would not be able to do the job.
she wont get parvo at the vets thats for sure,
My vet is a good one, he does not show emotion, but he takes in strays sorts them out for no money and then finds them a good home.
If and remember i am not a vet, you dog had renal failure i think you would have notices she was very sick. When my Border Collie went into renal failure at 14 she could hardly walk, her breath stunk terrible and she was shivering all the time, so it may just be the start of it and that can be treated
wishing you and your dog all the best