When to put dog to sleep ? Updated.

jayII

Our dog is doing much better now, and with luck will be around for a few more years--taking it week by week.

After trying a few different painkilling drugs and anti-inflamatories, our vet offered steroidal anti-inflammatories, saying they would either work quickly, and keep her pain-free for years, or they wouldn't work at all. They've worked brilliantly, she started the new regime a few days ago, and seems to be pretty much pain free. She's still stiff, and is taking a cocktail of drugs, but she is so happy!

It's like having a new dog, she's like the six year old version of herself--happy, annoying, (she follows me and the kids everywhere, LOL) and great fun to have around. Walks are still limited, but it is wonderful to have a happy dog again.

WeirdoMagnet

Great news - thanks for the update.

Sagz_2

What wonderful news!

Thanks for updating x

elsien

Brilliant - really pleased for you.

meerkat2007

Thanks for the update - it's wonderful news! :T

YorkiePud_3

I read the first page of this thread and my heart sank ... then I read the last page ... oh boy, what brilliant news!!

Some people tend to think that just because their dog can no longer go for walks, that is it, life over, and it is just not right!

Even dogs who have had long daily walks can get used to pottering about round the house and, if they feel ok, into the garden.

If, with the help of a vet, any pain can be controlled and it's just a matter of stiffness (which, gawd knows, many of us have daily, too!!), and if your pet is eating and still enjoying your company and a little play, then I would say cherish these times ... yes, she may be slowing down and needing to take things a bit slower now but she's earned the extra sleeping time, the being picked up to have snuggles on the sofa and the general extra fuss and love!

And you know .. if you know anybody who has one of those memory foam mattress toppers and don't much like them, then cadge it off them ... !! I know a number of little golden oldies who enjoy sleeping on them (you can cut down a duvet cover to slip the topper in) ... it seems to be a bit easier on their joints.

In fact, due to how beneficial I've seen it be for them, I've splurged and bought one for myself ha ha ha!!

Sending all good wishes to you and your little girl!

puppypants

I'm sitting here blubbing all over my keyboard. I had to have my three dogs PTS over a period of two years - Ben, (at least 14 yrs old, a rescue dog) a lab x had a nasal tumour which we had been managing well, the vet said I would know when the time was right. About 3 months on from diagnosis, Ben who slept on the end of my bed, turned round to look at me when he woke up and the tumour had shifted into his eye socket. He was a happy lad and had shown no ill effects or pain, but I knew it had to be that day. Worse thing was, he thought he was going out somewhere nice in the car. He took his driving very seriously all his life, I was only the co-pilot!! The vet gave him a sedative before the lethal injection and I was able to hold him while he went to sleep.



Next was Jeddy also 14 who was a Jack Russell x Lakeland who we had from 6 weeks old. He had gradually gone deaf and blind but was still able to potter around the house and enjoy life within his limits, however, one day his trachea collapsed and he was unable to breathe, so that decision had to be made very quickly and within the hour he was PTS by the vet. Traumatic doesnt really explain that day!

Next was my gorgeous pedigree black lab who I had from the age of 8 weeks. She was 11 and started acting strangely, hiding in the most inaccessible places, I thought she appeared to be i n pain so I took her to the vet. He kept her in overnight and when I picked her up he stated that she was just going senile!! I knew my dog and I knew this was not the case. We battled on for around another 6 months, (she only very intermittently had these funny "Dos"). One morning, she jumped down off my bed when it was time to get up and one of her front legs collapsed under her, it was as though she had no feeling in it and was trying to use it as normal but was stumbling all over the place. When I managed to get her downstairs she collapsed, panting and I noticed that she had a very distended abdomen, as well as a floppy leg. Vet came out and took her in for observation and blood tests. When he got her to the surgery, she had a massive amount of bloody diarrhoea. The tests came back as acute liver failure, from which, due to the severity of the disease and her age, told her how much I loved her and what a special dog she had been, and I stroked her and talked to her whilst the vet did what had to be done.

I have never said never again about having another dog, as although losing those three, within a short space of time and very dramatically, was hard and heartbreaking, my life would be so empty without a furry companion.

I know your pain VSG and Jay and wish you strength when the time comes. You WILL know when it is time.

Sorry for the long post - most unlike me. But a subject which affected me greatly.

Rosie XX
ETA Just read your last posting about your furbaby responding well to new drug regime for her arthritis. Excellent news - wishing you and your family wellX

jayII

Sorry to read about your dogs, puppypants. Thanks for sharing. :A

EmptyPockets

What lovely news to come back to after a few days of not posting/reading... thank you for the update :j