what to do ....my dog

[mask-of-sanity]

Originally Posted by feorag

Truthfully, I don't think any of us are ever ready to let our pets go, but I agree with what has been said before, I truly believe that your pet tells you when it's had enough and you will know when the dog himself is ready to go. I'm a firm believer in quality over quantity every time and like Shell, after years of having to do this (in over 40 years of multiple animal keeping, I've only ever had 1 animal die at home) I would rather euthanase a week too soon rather than 1 day too late, because I cannot bear the thought that I've caused that animal who trusted me to suffer pain that I could have prevented.

I too wouldn't put him through the stress of an x-ray at this late stage in his life. I would just treasure him and when he tells you he's had enough, give him a quiet, peaceful, pain free death with you beside him knowing that you loved him. It is, after all, your final gift of love, as difficult as it is!

i also belive in quality of life, i wont let him suffer, i wouldn't be able to watch him try and do things that he just cant do, his brain is young still but his body isnt the same, he relys on me to do whats best for him and i will make that decision when the time comes, just like i did with my 3yr old lab years ago it would be done at home with all of us around him.........he is on metecam up until last night, i am just off to the vets to pick up a different medication so not sure what that is yet .......thankyou for all the support everyone

[feorag]

I know you won't let him suffer - I know from your posts that you aren't that kind of person, but it's a situation I certainly don't envy you for! As I've said I've been there many times and truthfully it never gets easier.

17 years ago my father had a brain haemorrhage and although the hospital told me he was brain dead. his heart just wouldn't stop beating, so we had to sit by his bedside for 5 days waiting for him to die, as his body slowly broke down, which I know he would have hated! That was really the moment when I realised how lucky my pets were that I could prevent that happening to them. As i said to the nurse at the time, I wouldn't do that to one of my pets, leave them lying like that! So sad.

[Bakelin]

It is true that they will let you know, I had my GSD put to sleep last week, hardest thing you can ever do, but even looking at her and cuddling her the day before I knew it was the right thing to do soon. She enjoyed life up until then and she just didnt want to carry on.. My retriever is on metacam and other stuff and so far so good it seems to work, she does struggle to get up occasionally but it seems more stiffness then pain, but I know one day im likely to be in the same position as you with her too.

Trust your own instincts, obv take the vets advice on board, but at the end of the day you know your dog. Good luck with everything, hope it works out ok.

[mask-of-sanity]

the new medication is previcox tablets, i have ten days supply to see how he does on them and then go from there, although the vet will be calling on monday to see if they have helped over the weekend or not ....i have everything crossed right now, i would be happy just to have him for one last xmas,

[Bakelin]

Good luck hope it does the trick

[Shell195]

Im in a similar position to you at the moment. I have a special Handreared Cavalier who is now 13 years old. Hes been diagnosed with a very enlarged heart that is pressing on his windpipe and causes him to cough. He is on 3 different types of medication twice a day but Im not sure how long before his quality of life starts to suffer. He has good days and bad days and once the bad become more frequent than the good I know I will have to make the sad decision to let him go


Good luck with the new tablets

[LisaLQ]

Good luck with the new meds. Blu is on carprofen, glucosamine, cod liver oil and has a magnetic collar. Something's working, as I'm struggling to stop him from playing all the time (he's not allowed to bounce about)

[Shell195]

Have you tried a magnetic collar or bed? I used to have one for my vaccine damaged GSD as he ended up with severe arthritis(aged 8 months) and Im sure it used to help him. We finally laid him to rest at 16 months old due to the amount of uncontrollable ulcers his body was producing

[mask-of-sanity]

Originally Posted by LisaLQ

Good luck with the new meds. Blu is on carprofen, glucosamine, cod liver oil and has a magnetic collar. Something's working, as I'm struggling to stop him from playing all the time (he's not allowed to bounce about)

jazz has cod liver oil and has done for a while, the hard bit is hearing him cry when i take my other 2 for a walk, if someone is with me then he does come also as he is happy to do a tiny walk whilst watching the others run around

Originally Posted by Shell195

Have you tried a magnetic collar or bed? I used to have one for my vaccine damaged GSD as he ended up with severe arthritis(aged 8 months) and Im sure it used to help him. We finally laid him to rest at 16 months old due to the amount of uncontrollable ulcers his body was producing

he doesnt have a magnetic collar ect but will look into that now, i will try anything that helps ...........16 months is an awful age to have to pts its hard at any age as my lab was pts at 3 but one so young as yours was doesnt bare thinking about

[fenwoman]

Originally Posted by mask-of-sanity

ok my retriever is just over 10, he has hip displaysa (sp) which was diagnosed at 2, he also has arthritus in his hips, wrists and ankle joints, he was recently diagnosed with larangyl paralasis(sp) ...he is on medication......the last few months his health has gone down hill.........having spoken to the vet today they think its time to re xray and see the state of his joints meaning having a general ...............do i put him through this, is it best for him ...he is in pain and struggles to get up.......the pulling about for an xray wont help at all,.........any opinions wanted......the vet has said its my choice

Why not put him on painkillers? Rimadyl worked wonders for my old giant schnauzer. Once she was no longer in pain, she was like a young dog again. I suffer badly from arthritis and take opiates. Without them, frankly, I'd top myself as the pain is unbearable. However, with my opiates, I have a near to normal life.I'd be getting the pain under control first, then seeing how he reacts to life when he is not in pain. If life suddenly becomes pleasant again for him, all good.