You must first be logged in to post a new topic.
If you are not registered, please click "Create Account".
| Posted By |
Message |
| Pages: [1] 2 |
nraboni
Uggh...
Member since 10/09 6905 total posts
Name:
Nicole
|
What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
I honestly don't know what to do and am looking for advice.
Here we go-
My golden is 12 years old. He has a thyroid issue and idiopathic epilepsy. Both have been treated with medication for several years now. Over the past year, his arthritis has gotten worse.
Within the past 3 months, he is also experiencing muscle and nerve loss. He can no longer stand up on his own. I have to pick up his hind legs to get him up. He's wobbly and sometimes falls once he is up. He can only walk/stand for a max of 5 minutes before laying back down. His legs shake most times when he is standing.
I can get him to go outside but I have to help him down the steps, support his hind legs as he is going to the bathroom and lifting up his hind legs to get back up the steps.
He is eating and drinking water. He is alert and perks up when we come home, when we pet him and show him love. He will even wag his tail sometimes. I am not sure if he is in pain but I know he is sad. He sleeps all day because he can't get up and be active at all.
I feel awful.
Message edited 8/28/2017 2:35:56 PM.
|
Posted 8/28/17 2:19 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
CookiePuss
Cake from Outer Space!
Member since 5/05 14021 total posts
Name:
|
Re: What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
One thing I remember the vet saying when we spoke of when to put my dog down was that with dogs, even when they are in terrible pain, they don't seem to complain because it just becomes their new normal. Because of this, owners sometimes let their dogs live while in pain.
It's never an easy decision....
|
| Posted 8/28/17 2:27 PM |
| |
|
JC297
LIF Infant
Member since 7/11 358 total posts
Name:
jac
|
Re: What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
Posted by nraboni
I honestly don't know what to do and am looking for advice.
Here we go-
My golden is 12 years old. He has a thyroid issue and idiopathic epilepsy. Both have been treated with medication for several years now. Over the past year, his arthritis has gotten worse. 3
Within the past 3 months, he is also experiencing muscle and nerve loss. He can no longer stand up on his own. I have to pick up his hind legs to get him. He's wobbly and sometimes falls once he is up. He can only walk/stand for a max of 5 minutes before laying back down. His legs shake most times when he is standing.
I can get him to go outside but I have to help him down the steps, support his hind legs as he is going to the bathroom and lifting up his hind legs to get back up the steps.
He is eating and drinking water. He is alert and perks up when we come home, when we pet him and show him love. He will even wag his tail sometimes. I am not sure if he is in pain but I know he is sad. He sleeps all day because he can't get up and be active at all.
I feel awful.
If I were in your shoes, as hard as it would be I'd put him to sleep. I fully believe in quality of life. I wouldnt want to live that way so I wouldnt want my pet to either.
Putting my cat to sleep was one of the hardest things Ive ever had to do. But I felt that by keeping her alive I was being selffish.
|
| Posted 8/28/17 2:28 PM |
| |
|
NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
|
Re: What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
Posted by CookiePuss
One thing I remember the vet saying when we spoke of when to put my dog down was that with dogs, even when they are in terrible pain, they don't seem to complain because it just becomes their new normal. Because of this, owners sometimes let their dogs live while in pain.
It's never an easy decision....
I heard about this with cats too. That they hide their illness until the very end because in the wild, being sick was a sign of weakness to predators.
I have lost 2 cats and both times they acted pretty normal until the last few days- it happened so quick, but in reality they were probably sick for much longer.
I know it's a heartwrenching decision. I mean how do we make that choice right?
What does your vet say? Have you consulted with them? I'd feel like I'd want to get their opinion as well
Regardless I am sorry you are going through this. It's such a hard thing.
|
| Posted 8/28/17 2:39 PM |
| |
|
SusiBee
. . . . .
Member since 3/09 8268 total posts
Name:
S
|
Re: What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
Only you know what is best.
It's a really hard decision. You have to think about his quality of life. My friends recently put down their 13 year old mix, she had arthritis and a neurological condition that did similar to what you describe with your dog. She was having accidents in the house and wanted to sleep, cried until someone put a blanket over her, including her face.
I'll miss Lola and her always giving me her butt to scratch, but she's not suffering anymore.
At 12, he's probably had a really good life.
|
| Posted 8/28/17 2:41 PM |
| |
|
StaceyWill
It's a girl!!!
Member since 6/10 21539 total posts
Name:
Stacey
|
Re: What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
Oh God! What a hard thing to go through. My mother is sort of here with her 14 year old dog. She's got kidney issues and incontinence. My mom has to put a diaper on her at night. Ugh, it's so heartbreaking.
I think I'd just let him go in peace.
I'm so, so sorry.
|
| Posted 8/28/17 2:45 PM |
| |
|
jamnmore
LIF Adult
Member since 6/16 989 total posts
Name:
|
What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
I am a firm believer in quality of life, for both humans and pets. I would put the dog down. He has lived a good life and now is the time for him to let go so that he can be at peace.
|
| Posted 8/28/17 2:51 PM |
| |
|
nraboni
Uggh...
Member since 10/09 6905 total posts
Name:
Nicole
|
Re: What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
Thank you ladies.
I have spoken to the vet and she said I am doing everything I can for him. I asked when would I know if it was the right time and she said that only I can decide but that she would support my decision completely if I decided to do it.
I think I am going to bring him to them one last time to see if she has any suggestions at all.
I just don't know how to make this decision when mentally he is fine but physically he isn't.
|
| Posted 8/28/17 2:54 PM |
| |
|
MarathonKnitter
HAPPY
Member since 2/07 17374 total posts
Name:
EMBRACING CHANGE
|
Re: What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
i'm crying reading this... it's such a hard decision.
like a pp said, only you know what to do, but i agree with others about quality of life.
poor baby.
|
| Posted 8/28/17 2:54 PM |
| |
|
Momma2015
Mommax2
Member since 12/12 6656 total posts
Name:
|
Re: What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
Sounds a lot like my parents collie. He had problems with his hips and the vet was able to give him a shot and recommended cosequin and that bought him a few months. But it only lasted so long and he started to deteriorate again... he had accidents and his fur was matted and smelly, he had sores on his stomach and the inside of his legs. They tried to keep him clean and dry, but he was over 100 pounds and had long fur and couldn't stand or walk without assistance. It's such a horrible decision to have to make, it's so hard to want to keep them around, to see those glimmers of life in them. But I think it's more for us than them. I think it might be time to let go. I'm so so so sorry, this is such a hard choice to make.
ETA: They did go back to the vet and asked his advice. He said they could try the shot again, but it was really just prolonging the inevitable. It could buy him a couple months, weeks, days, whatever. And it was unfair to him. They let him go. 
Message edited 8/28/2017 3:09:02 PM.
|
| Posted 8/28/17 3:06 PM |
| |
|
M514
Hi
Member since 8/10 6011 total posts
Name:
|
What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
I'm so sorry. We just had to put down our dog one week ago. It was so hard and sad. We are still getting used to her not being around the house.
It was very sudden and our dog was almost 13. She was going to need surgery for a major infection due to an abcess that popped out of nowhere (we had no idea she had an abcess as she showed no signs of discomfort). Due to her age and other medical conditions, the vet said she would either not make it through the surgery, or if she survived the surgery, it would be a quality of life issue because she would need a drain in her leg. We opted to put her down (she couldn't even stand up anymore). We just knew it was time...she lived a long life, but she was in pain and she just looked so tired and defeated.
|
| Posted 8/28/17 3:06 PM |
| |
|
twizzlers
LIF Adolescent
Member since 11/14 874 total posts
Name:
x
|
What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I had to put my dog to sleep two weeks ago. He was 17. It was the hardest thing ever, but like others have said, you will know when it is time. See what the vet says and take it from there. Hugs to you and your family.
|
| Posted 8/28/17 3:45 PM |
| |
|
MrsM84
LIF Adult
Member since 2/13 2352 total posts
Name:
|
What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
You will know when it is time. Many people in my town use a mobile vet (I believe his name is Dr. Isomoto) when it came time to put their dog down. He comes to your home and the dog will pass peacefully in his home environment -- surrounded by loved ones, laying on his favorite carpet, snuggling in his bed, etc. We had to put our chocolate lab down who was 11 due to cancer when I was in high school and I remember the car ride to the vet for his euthanasia appointment. It was the longest 10 minute drive ever and while I choose not to be in the room when it happened, I always thought that his passing on top of the cold metal examining table wasn't the "right" way to go. I'm so sorry and wish you peace and positive thoughts during this difficult time.
|
| Posted 8/28/17 4:09 PM |
| |
|
nraboni
Uggh...
Member since 10/09 6905 total posts
Name:
Nicole
|
Re: What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
Posted by MrsM84
You will know when it is time. Many people in my town use a mobile vet (I believe his name is Dr. Isomoto) when it came time to put their dog down. He comes to your home and the dog will pass peacefully in his home environment -- surrounded by loved ones, laying on his favorite carpet, snuggling in his bed, etc. We had to put our chocolate lab down who was 11 due to cancer when I was in high school and I remember the car ride to the vet for his euthanasia appointment. It was the longest 10 minute drive ever and while I choose not to be in the room when it happened, I always thought that his passing on top of the cold metal examining table wasn't the "right" way to go. I'm so sorry and wish you peace and positive thoughts during this difficult time.
Thank you. I have actually looked into a service called Lap of Love . After his appointment tomorrow with his vet, if she tells me what I think she is going to tell me I am going to reach out to this service.
|
| Posted 8/28/17 4:40 PM |
| |
|
NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
|
Re: What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
I'm so sorry...
I just lost my cat so it's still fresh for me and it's just terrible.
I read something once that said, getting a pet is signing up for a future tragedy.
And it's true.
But in the end the joy they bring outweighs the awful parts at the end. But when you are going through it , it just doesn't seem that way I know
|
| Posted 8/28/17 4:50 PM |
| |
|
jellybelly79
LIF Adult
Member since 5/06 3389 total posts
Name:
|
What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
I have no advice but I am so sad for you
You are doing what you can for your fur baby :(
|
| Posted 8/29/17 7:47 AM |
| |
|
RainyDay
LIF Adult
Member since 6/15 3998 total posts
Name:
|
Re: What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
|
| Posted 8/29/17 9:08 AM |
| |
|
TreAnt427
-
Member since 8/06 8652 total posts
Name:
Tracy
|
Re: What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
Posted by NervousNell
I'm so sorry...
I just lost my cat so it's still fresh for me and it's just terrible.
I read something once that said, getting a pet is signing up for a future tragedy.
And it's true.
But in the end the joy they bring outweighs the awful parts at the end. But when you are going through it , it just doesn't seem that way I know
That is so true. My daughter begged for a dog and we got a puppy last year. I see how much she loves the dog already and I'm dreading the future because I know how hard it is. The dog will be a part of almost her whole childhood. I sometimes feel guilty about it putting her through the inevitable.
To the OP - I'm so sorry for what you are going through. Whatever decision you make, it seems you gave him a very happy life. 
|
| Posted 8/29/17 9:43 AM |
| |
|
Laura1976
Member since 5/05 5754 total posts
Name:
Laura
|
Re: What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
It is such a hard decision but I truly believe you have to consider her quality of life.
My sister had a dog who she refused to put down because she loved him so much. I can cry just thinking of how sick the dog was before she finally agreed to it.
|
| Posted 8/29/17 10:02 AM |
| |
|
StaceyLu
LIF Adolescent
Member since 2/17 572 total posts
Name:
Stacey
|
What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
I am sooooo sorry. We just put down our fur baby last month. It was gut wrenching, but what seemed like a sudden deterioration was revealed to be a massive amount of suffering and advanced illness that he was hiding.
|
| Posted 8/29/17 10:22 AM |
| |
|
SecretlyTTC14
LIF Adult
Member since 12/13 1770 total posts
Name:
B
|
Re: What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
Posted by StaceyLu
I am sooooo sorry. We just put down our fur baby last month. It was gut wrenching, but what seemed like a sudden deterioration was revealed to be a massive amount of suffering and advanced illness that he was hiding.
I agree with this.
I'm so sorry, it's such a difficult thing to be faced with. Long story short, I waited to long. My dog was a lot sicker than the vet thought and it kills me to know how much she suffered. I've always said too early is better than too late and for some reason with my dog, I just couldn't make the decision. I wish I had done it when I first thought "ok it's almost time".
|
| Posted 8/29/17 11:02 AM |
| |
|
M514
Hi
Member since 8/10 6011 total posts
Name:
|
Re: What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
Posted by StaceyLu
I am sooooo sorry. We just put down our fur baby last month. It was gut wrenching, but what seemed like a sudden deterioration was revealed to be a massive amount of suffering and advanced illness that he was hiding.
That is what our vet said too. She said our dog could have had the abcess and infection for awhile and her body was just fighting it without us even knowing, until her body just couldn't fight anymore.
|
| Posted 8/29/17 2:15 PM |
| |
|
NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
|
Re: What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
Posted by M514
Posted by StaceyLu
I am sooooo sorry. We just put down our fur baby last month. It was gut wrenching, but what seemed like a sudden deterioration was revealed to be a massive amount of suffering and advanced illness that he was hiding.
That is what our vet said too. She said our dog could have had the abcess and infection for awhile and her body was just fighting it without us even knowing, until her body just couldn't fight anymore.
I am convinced my cat that just passed last week starved to death.
For about a year he was ravenously hungry but losing weight at a scary pace. We were back and forth to the vet for every test under the sun- thyroid, diabetes, etc.
The only thing that came back off in the tests was high lymphocytes. But the sono and needle biopsy came back inconclusive for lymphoma. So they called it Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
We tried steirods, special food, you name it.
He kept losing weight and he would break into cabinets at night to get food- no matter how much we fed him.
It was awful.
But he didn't act "in pain". But I knew he had to be suffering. By the time we had to make a decision he made it for us- and passed on the way to the vet.
I think back now and say, should we have put him down sooner? He must have been suffering.
I mean, imagine eating all day and never feeling satisfied. Imagine feeling ravenous all the time no matter how much you eat and your body using your muscle and fat for fuel and wasting away;
I feel a lot of guilt, but we aren't God, we just try to do our best in the end.
Message edited 8/29/2017 2:21:46 PM.
|
| Posted 8/29/17 2:20 PM |
| |
|
nraboni
Uggh...
Member since 10/09 6905 total posts
Name:
Nicole
|
Re: What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
Thank you everyone. I am so sorry for all you guys have gone through with your fur babies.
I took him to the vet this morning and she said it was time. She said I could wait a a few days or weeks but he isn't going to get better. She said within 3-4 weeks he will be worse and she is right because he is worse now than he was 3 weeks ago.
We have decided to let him go as peacefully as possible and in his home where he will be comfortable and not afraid.
The service I posted about in an earlier post is coming on Thursday.
|
| Posted 8/29/17 2:57 PM |
| |
|
SusiBee
. . . . .
Member since 3/09 8268 total posts
Name:
S
|
Re: What would you do? **Please don't move to Pets**
Aww, I'm so sorry.
It's hard to let go, but in your heart you know that you are doing the right thing.
I still have a spot in my heart for my cat who I had to put down in 2006. So long ago, but I still miss him. He adopted me back in 1993.
My fur baby now is almost 13 and I dread when that time will come for her.
|
| Posted 8/29/17 3:07 PM |
| |
|
| Pages: [1] 2 |
