My senior dog won't eat. When is it time to consider euthanasia?

Question

My 11 yr old diabetic Maltese has an enlarged heart and severely swollen liver which is all pushing upwards preventing her ability to eat yet I can tell she's hungry. She weighs 8 lbs and her tummy feels full but her spine and ribs feel as though she's starving. I don't want her to suffer yet I don't want to put her down if there's a chance of her having a quality life? Pet's info: Dog | Maltese | Female | spayed | 11 years and 8 months old | 8 lbs

Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA · Accepted Answer

If Bailey has not had a recent exam with a veterinarian, I recommend that be done soon. Both heart disease and liver disease can cause fluid to build up in the abdomen and make pets feel puny and puts pressure on internal organs. Several different diseases can cause enlargement of the liver, including hepatitis, cancer, and Cushing's Disease. Depending on the cause, some of these can be successfully treated. It can be very difficult to decide when it is time for a pet to leave this world. The "right" time will be different and completely OK with each individual pet and family. I recommend that you discuss Bailey's quality of life with your vet. You may also look for a vet that specializes in end-of-life care or pet hospice (sometimes called pawspice). Here is some information on quality of life: https://www.lapoflove.com/Quality-of-Life/Determining-Pet-Quality-of-Life http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A

My senior dog won't eat. When is it time to consider euthanasia?

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