When to make that final decision?

OnceUponADream

Hi All

Looking for a bit of advice!

Our German Shephard is 11 now and her hips have all but nearly given up - which you probably know is a well know symptom in GS.

I have noticed over the last few days that she is struggling to get up the back step but she still enjoys her gentle walks etc.. She doesn't seem to be in pain though - never yelping etc.

I won't put her through an operation to try and correct her hips - shes had a great life so when should we make that horrible decision to end her life:( - how long do we leave it?

We had two GS but her brother was put down about 6 years ago due to a twisted spleen.

Any advice welcome - thanks

torbrex

For a situation like that you should seek the advice of your vet they are best suited to help with that decision.

You could put a ramp on the step, that is something that I have seen done for older dogs.

Kimberley

I grew up with GSDs. The time has come when the dog can no longer walk or get up from the floor. The time has come when you can see the distress in them. They are very strong animals and you would never know when they are in pain. You will know when the time is right. When our male GSD couldn't get up from the floor anymore it took two lots of injection to put him to sleep and the vet said he was very strong. Healthy in every other way apart from his back legs.

OnceUponADream

Thanks for your reply.

She only struggled today for the first time. I will get my OH to build a ramp for her. We spoke to a vet in June when she was getting her booster and they weren't much help - other than prescribing her painkillers which I don't feel she needs as she doesn't appear to be in pain.

I know her days are numbered but we are trying to hold on to her for as long as we can (selfish on our part I know).

I guess I want somebody to take the decision out of our hands! We don't want to be the ones to do it!

OnceUponADream

Kimberley wrote: »

I grew up with GSDs. The time has come when the dog can no longer walk or get up from the floor. The time has come when you can see the distress in them. They are very strong animals and you would never know when they are in pain. You will know when the time is right. When our male GSD couldn't get up from the floor anymore it took two lots of injection to put him to sleep and the vet said he was very strong. Healthy in every other way apart from his back legs.

We lost our male GS through a twisted spleen and it was awful - he was the biggest most adoreable daft GS you could have ever had. Infact I still have his ashes in the house - waiting to bury both together.

Kimberley

See you can see her slowly getting worse so you can prepare yourself. With our GSD his legs suddenly went. We wish we could have had time to prepare ourselves for his passing.

OnceUponADream

Kimberley wrote: »

See you can see her slowly getting worse so you can prepare yourself. With our GSD his legs suddenly went. We wish we could have had time to prepare ourselves for his passing.

With our other GS it was sudden and it was awful. I find seeing GS getting worse harder though as we have to be the ones to say enough is enough she can't carry on. I don't think asking for advice on this thread was correct just needing reassurance and peoples stories. Thanks xx

mini_huny_money

OnceUponADream wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.

She only struggled today for the first time. I will get my OH to build a ramp for her. We spoke to a vet in June when she was getting her booster and they weren't much help - other than prescribing her painkillers which I don't feel she needs as she doesn't appear to be in pain.

I know her days are numbered but we are trying to hold on to her for as long as we can (selfish on our part I know).

I guess I want somebody to take the decision out of our hands! We don't want to be the ones to do it!

I posted much the same in February,

We were like that too, we didnt want to make that final decision tho we knew when Sasha (16 year old lab collie cross) was ready to go

She went downhill really quickly but it took about 2 weeks for us to finally let her go

Though if she doesnt seem to be in pain and the vet didnt seem too concerned you may have a good bit of time with her.

Hope she's ok and to repeat what kind posters told me.......enjoy the time you have with her

Kimberley

OnceUponADream wrote: »

With our other GS it was sudden and it was awful. I find seeing GS getting worse harder though as we have to be the ones to say enough is enough she can't carry on. I don't think asking for advice on this thread was correct just needing reassurance and peoples stories. Thanks xx

Hearing other peoples stories will help you I hope. Goodluck xx

lowis

i have a friend who has GS and his back legs are weak, but he seems OK in every other sense. he can still walk, he just needs a hand doing certain things, like getting into a car, getting up steps etc. he has been like this for a while, a few months i believe, so my friend is kind of living in the knowledge that it could be anyday now when her boy worsens and just can't function comfortably.

you will know when the time has come, i hope it isn't for some time yet x

Froglet

Our dog collapsed 2 years before we finally had to make that heartbreaking decision.She had arthritis and with pills and regular checks from the vet she did ok until eventually it was obvious that the pills were not enough.She lost weight and life was a struggle.She was part alsation.

I would enquire again as to whether pills could help.She may not appear to be in pain but dogs are very good at hiding it.Surely it must be worth asking the question,and giving them a try?