We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

I need a hug

My dog is old (about 14) and I am aware he is getting less and less mobile. For the past fortnight i have had to lift him up steps and walks have been slower and slower.

Yesterday I came down stairs and the dog was lying with legs splayed , I have laminate floors so it can be a bit slippy. I helped him up and he was ok. Once up he can walk if a bit slow. But when I came home from work today he was the same, so I went to the vets.

The vet checked him over and said that the muscle on his back legs has wasted. She has given him Tramadol and the continue the loxicam. She said he needs to go back on Thursday but she is worried that he may never walk properly again and I may have to consider his quality of life.

he still wants to eat and go for a walk and is happy when I get home. I have covered the floor in blankets so if he does get up he is less likely to skid. he is snoozing in his bed at the moment and i think the pain killer has wiped him out.

I can't stop crying. I don't want him to be in pain and mostly he doesn't untill yesterday. WE had a turn like this in November and he recovered quite well. I can't imagine making a decision and going through with it.

I just need a hug!
«134

Comments

  • I'm sorry I can't give you any advice, but sending you a hug x
  • What a shame. :(

    Big hugs from this neck of the woods. Hopefully the tramadol will give him a bit of a boost.

    xxxxx
  • Hug (( )) . Hope the tramadol eases his pain and he feels a bit better . Sending all best wishes xx
  • Katiehound
    Katiehound Posts: 8,131 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Sending you a hug.

    But, sorry to say, it sounds like you are going to have to bite the bullet soon. You have to think of your dog and not yourself. What would be best for dog?

    Yes, been there, bought the tee shirt and been in floods of tears. (almost too many times to remember) If you are a responsible owner, and I'm sure you are, you will let your dog go sooner rather than later..............

    Thinking of you. It's a very hard time
    Being polite and pleasant doesn't cost anything!
    -Stash bust:in 2022:337
    Stash bust :2023. 120duvets, 24bags,43dogcoats, 2scrunchies, 10mitts, 6 bootees, 8spec cases, 2 A6notebooks, 59cards, 6 lav bags,36 angels,9 bones,1 blanket, 1 lined bag,3 owls, 88 pyramids = total 420total spend £5.Total for 'Dogs for Good' £546.82

    2024:Sewn:59Doggy ds,52pyramids,18 bags,6spec cases,6lav.bags.
    Knits:6covers,4hats,10mitts,2 bootees.
    Crotchet:61angels, 229cards=453 £158.55profit!!!
    2025 3dduvets
  • Fosterdog
    Fosterdog Posts: 4,948 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    We are going through the same with my girl, she has CDRM and is slowly losing function of her back legs, on a good day she is just a bit wobbly and is OK on the laminate. On a bad day she can't hold her back end off the ground herself and sticks to the trail of rugs and runners we have down for her.

    She still has more good days than bad but the bad are getting more common and we just know that within months we'll have to make a tough decision. It's so hard when from waist forward she is still her happy and bubbly self without a care in the world, she still loves to play and is eating well and grooming herself.
  • meames_2
    meames_2 Posts: 747 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Fosterdog wrote: »
    We are going through the same with my girl, she has CDRM and is slowly losing function of her back legs, on a good day she is just a bit wobbly and is OK on the laminate. On a bad day she can't hold her back end off the ground herself and sticks to the trail of rugs and runners we have down for her.

    She still has more good days than bad but the bad are getting more common and we just know that within months we'll have to make a tough decision. It's so hard when from waist forward she is still her happy and bubbly self without a care in the world, she still loves to play and is eating well and grooming herself.

    Thinking of you xx
  • ampersand
    ampersand Posts: 9,691 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    This is another hug, meames.

    Everyone has said all the things I'm sure you have said too, to friends and their 4-foot companions who have been where you find yourself now. You feel so helpless. Animals generally put us to shame with their quiet courage, their trust in us, as they approach the time we all, as living creatures, must share.
    The loving and loved life, given and received, remains and you will know - the moment will make itself clear - when that next stage is come.
    Tears flow for all of this. A later something - a garden planting, volunteering, adopting another small life - is part of the cycle you and your fine boy have shared during 14 years now.

    Another hug for you all - and for Thursday.
    ########
    .....and for you, Fosterdog.
    CAP[UK]for FREE EXPERT DEBT &BUDGET HELP:
    01274 760721, freephone0800 328 0006
    'People don't want much. They want: "Someone to love, somewhere to live, somewhere to work and something to hope for."
    Norman Kirk, NZLP- Prime Minister, 1972
    ***JE SUIS CHARLIE***
    'It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere' François-Marie AROUET


  • Froglet
    Froglet Posts: 2,798 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    May I Go?

    May I go now?
    Do you think the time is right?
    May I say goodbye to pain filled days
    and endless lonely nights?

    I've lived my life and done my best,
    an example tried to be.
    So can I take that step beyond
    and set my spirit free?

    I didn't want to go at first,
    I fought with all my might.
    But something seems to draw me now
    to a warm and living light.

    I want to go, I really do.
    It's difficult to stay.
    But I will try as best I can
    to live just one more day.

    To give you time to care for me
    and share your love and fears.
    I know you're sad and afraid,
    because I see your tears.

    I'll not be far, I promise that,
    and hope you'll always know
    that my spirit will be close to you
    wherever you may go.

    Thank you so for loving me.
    You know I love you too,
    that's why it's hard to say goodbye
    and end this life with you.

    So hold me now just one more time
    and let me hear you say,
    because you care so much for me,
    you'll let me go today.
  • meritaten
    meritaten Posts: 24,158 Forumite
    a hug from me too!
    but from personal experience - better a week early than a week late for that 'decision'. when the vet 'tut tuts' when you bring them in, and you realise you have caused suffering, the guilt is hard to live with. even when you had the best of intentions.
    Take the vets advice - in my experience they want the animals to have a good quality of life. when that has gone then its time to think of the kinder option, rather than waiting until they are suffering.
    but its so hard I know - you love them and want them with you. which they will always be, in your heart.
  • joansgirl
    joansgirl Posts: 17,899 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I feel so sorry for you. Nothing more I can say really. You'll know when the time is right.
    floraison.gif
    Some people only exist as examples of what to avoid...
    .
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 600.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.4K Life & Family
  • 258.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.