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Haredown Whippets, regarding the RSPCA, the contract we signed when adopting Nora stated that they would cover an illness not picked up by the first health exam for two weeks after the adoption. Now we know that the 'stomach aches' that she was diagnosed with within that time frame were most likely related to poor liver function, but the fact that this wasn't officially diagnosed makes it difficult. It also states that only illnesses relating to the puppy's stay at the shelter are covered so we are stuck! It is most certainly poor breeding - we found out the mother of the litter is from people that illegally got her ears clipped and tail docked by some dodgy guy in Melbourne...poor dogs

Hi guys, I have sad news Unfortunately Nora took a turn for the worse last night. She only started on the new diet and medication yesterday, but by the afternoon she started developing neurological symptoms again. After a long chat involving the vet, we thought it would be best for her to put her to sleep to stop the pain she was in apparently it was one of the worst cases a vet had ever seen, she had started developing neurological symptoms at 8 weeks old, poor thing. It's a very sad and quiet house today, but I know we did the right thing and I'm glad she's not in pain anymore. Thank you all for the support!

I personally would take out pet insurance as soon as possible, and I learned this the hard way unfortunately in the 30 day wait period my pup had pretty much everything go wrong, including liver shunt, puppy strangles and heart murmur! Now they count as pre-existing conditions and if any of these problems arise in the future, the insurance won't cover them. Mine is definitely a strange case, but vet bills are so expensive and you never know when something is going to go wrong. Pet insurance helped massively when one of our previous setters had to undergo surgery for a cancer. Definitely worth it!

Jules, so sorry to hear about Renae, that must have been difficult Thank you for your story, it makes it easier knowing that other people have gone through similar things. I love caring for dogs and think I'd be lost without one! Blinkblink, Nora the pup has been put on metronidazole, lactulose and the Hill's l/d diet for liver function. The vet seems to think this will make her feel much better and get her back to acting more like herself quite quickly. It's low protein to ensure her liver isn't put under too much stress! She has another check up in 1-2 weeks to see how she gets on :)

I have an update on my pup - we have spoken to our local vet and although the specialist didn't seem too optimistic, our normal vet seems to think that she could be managed for a number of months on the right diet and medication!! So the appointment for tomorrow is cancelled, and we will see how she goes with new food and meds. Although we don't have our hopes up, we just want to make her comfortable and hopefully live out her days feeling better and able to go for walks and runs with us. Blink blink, thank you for your advice, grooming setters can be hard work and if we are successful in getting one then that would be great! I know I shouldn't care what other people think, but unfortunately since our Gordon Setter passed away from a hemangiosarcoma at only six, we have family members that are disapproving at us owning dogs and always tell us that it isn't worth the heartbreak! But yes, they can deal with it :laugh:

Thank you everyone for your replies! It's especially sad because she has been so ill she hasn't been able to have all her vaccinations and therefore hasn't had the joy of running along the beach or in the woods. We will be doing that with her for sure now, we just want to make her last day special. We have decided that we will put in the application for the breeder to consider and go from there. I am a foster carer for the RSPCA so am used to seeing pups and kittens come and go, but this time it's very different! I know we can give a great home to a new dog, and I need to just stop caring about what others think about it! Thanks :)

We are in a sad situation - after adopting a Doberman pup from the RSPCA a month ago, she began having health issues. These included gastro symptoms, not eating, being diagnosed with the immune disorder 'puppy strangles', having a heart murmur, and finally, the diagnosis of a liver shunt. After seeing a specialist, he didn't feel as though the prognosis and quality of life is good with maintenance of diet and medication, and we just cannot afford the surgery (pet insurance hasn't kicked in!). Unfortunately she is being PTS at our local vet in the morning. She has had such a short and sad life Now we have seen an advertisement for a gorgeous adult Irish Setter from a reputable breeder, and with owning setters in the past we would absolutely love to give one a loving home. I don't feel as though I will be 'replacing' our little Doberman pup at all if we were to adopt a new dog so soon, but I'm worried about what other people would think of us! How long did you wait before getting a another dog?