golden retriever pneumonia

Question
Hello Jana,

Thank you for your time here.  I know you are not a DVM.  Your experience as a Vet Tech and pet lover will suffice for my answer.

I have a 14 year old female golden retriever.  She came into contact with 'kennel cough' rec'd doxycycline antibiotics Oral for about 5 days, but progressed into pneumonia.  She is on intravenous Ab and nasal oxygen.  She seems to have declined.

Currently she is struggling in ICU. 24 hrs of Ab and O2 have done little, actually her ABG arterial blood gases have worsened....

is it time for euthanasia? do I have hope?  Finances are of course a concern.  Tell me she will get better and I will mortgage the house, tell me it is a waste of time....... and I will let her go........

thanks
Sal

Answer
Wow that's a tough call Sal. Historically speaking, 14 yrs old is at the end of the life span for a Golden. You are probably just prolonging the inevitable if she is declining in spite of her therapy.

Has your vet given you the prognosis? It sounds grave. If her blood gases are worsening then she is having issues with getting any O2 into her lung tissues at all.

If it were my dog and she appeared to be suffering at all, I would certainly end her pain. That is what we are for- to make the very hard choice to say goodbye but to also know that we are providing a gift to our beloved pets to end their suffering.

Look into her eyes and that will tell you. You will know the answer.

My prayers are with you both.