Quality of life?

krlyr

You might not want to wait the 2 weeks or so they state for samples, but Yumove have 30 tablets free (probably a month's worth for a small dog) via this link - http://www.lintbells.com/ysam2

teddysmum

As above, I would recommend trying Yumove.


Over a year ago, Joly, a 12 year-old cavalier , was struggling , especially after lying down for a while, but since starting Yumove, he rarely limps at all, though he can't do stairs.


Many years ago, I had a springer with bad arthritis and Vitapet oil helped her . As had two elderly springers, I used to order gallon cans and if delivery was delayed you could tell the days that she didn't get her oil.


I think looking into the eyes is a good indicator of whether 'it's time'. A waggy tail is not a good indicator as, on tv, I've seen mortally wounded dogs wagging, but bright alert eyes are another thing.

happysaz133

zaksmum wrote: »

I couldn't possibly bury her in the garden. I'd be absolutely haunted by the idea of her down there. It would send me mad!

I've buried all of mine, we don't have a place near who does cremations (its about 120 miles away).

I actually find it quite nice knowing they are nearby, although its hard for the first month when you can still see the disturbed earth. It does get easier. I have 3 dogs and my cat all buried in a corner of the garden, just have to remember where they are for if you sadly have to do the same in the future

On a more positive note - I also recommend Yumove tablets. They gave my last boy a good 4 months extra time, and I personally think it was good for him. Hope you can work something out for your girl

gettingready

happysaz133 wrote: »

I've buried all of mine, we don't have a place near who does cremations (its about 120 miles away).

When I had my cat PTS (at home) vet took him away and I collected his ashes few days later. Some vets arrange that.

xx

sheramber

Although not what you want to do about please do think about what you want to happen when the time comes and discuss it with your vet. Knowing what wil happen at the time will save awkward questions at the time.

There are several options.

PTS at vets/ PTS at home if you vet agrees.

Burial in your garden/ pet burial ground/ cremation with other animals/ individual cremation with getting the ashes back to keep or bury or scatter.

One person I knew buried her pet's ashes in a planter with a shrub planted in it. That way, if she moved she could take it with her.

paddypaws101

I am so glad she has rallied with the Metacam.
I hope you have many happy weeks and months left together but do suggest you take some of this time to plan.
Like others I have gone for vet home visit. In my case I asked the vet to take the body away and store it ( they deep freeze) and I then collected the body myself and took it to local Crem. A few days later I go back to collect the ashes.
I am lucky in that I drive so could do this, and it gave me comfort to provide this last service for my beloved cats.

zaksmum

I should have mentioned that Lucy is already on Yumove and the vet said to keep her on it along with the medication she's on.

Since she has been back on the Metacam she has been doing well. However, yesterday she was limping badly again and seemed depressed.

That lasted till this evening - I have rested her and given her painkillers and tonight she's much better again.

I suppose that will be the pattern of it for a while, till the bad days outweigh the good. Then I'll know what I'll have to do even though it'll totally break my heart, because I love her so much.

zaksmum

Forgot to say, I will get the turmeric paste on Monday and give it a try. Nothing to lose at this stage.

easilyamused

How is Lucy doing lately zaksmum?

I've been going through this with my dog Bailey recently. He's been especially poorly this last week culminating in an overnight stay at the vets and an ultrasound showing worrying dark areas on his spleen. They sent him home on Friday as a follow up scan showed the dark areas had reduced in size a bit (suggesting a bleed rather than a tumour) but he's still nowhere near the dog he was.

I'm trying to see it more that he's undergone a bit of an ordeal and for a 13-14 year old dog it's going to take it out of him, but walking him this morning he was just barely plodding round with his head down and as much as it breaks my heart, I'm starting to question his quality of life.

jrtfan

Zaksmum, what a horrible time you and Lucy are having at the moment and I so feel for you - also for everyone else here who has posted about their dogs being very poorly.

I lost both of my 2 dogs recently in fairly quick succession, both were PTS due to illness. My Greyhound (15 yo) had severe arthritis in his hind quarters and he died 2 weeks before Christmas. Then at the very end of January, my JRT (14 yo) was diagnosed with an aggressive cancerous growth underneath his tongue, at the very back. The Vet estimated he had approximately 2 weeks from the date of diagnosis but we actually won him 9 weeks of fabulous quality life in the end before he reached a turning point and went to sleep on 4 April this year.

The Greyhound's arthritis was in both hips and I think it must have been at the base of his spine, too. Like you, I watched for signs that his quality of life was deteriorating but for a long time, the only thing was that he couldn't really go out with us for longer walks any more (even with the help of a sling to support his rear end, plus Meloxicam, plus Tramadol when needed). Shorter walks were OK for a while, but then he couldn't even manage these. There was absolutely nothing wrong with his appetite though, he was still interested in everything going on around him and he even tried occasionally to spin around and play-bow out in the garden, when I let him out for a tiddle. In the end though, his back legs just lost all their strength so that he couldn't get to his feet unaided and he was collapsing each time he had to do his "business", which really distressed him (he'd always been an immaculately clean dog before in that respect).

Calling time is so very hard. It's the last act of love we can do for our pets, but it hurts so much. I hope that for you and Lucy, that day is still a little way off yet.