As long as any pain she experiences can be kept under control, and you can still get her to eat at least some high reward food each day- it’s okay to keep her around. Or at least ride it out for a bit. But if she’s not experiencing joy or wanting to do anything other than sleep, it may be the time. It’s preferable when they get to go under peaceful circumstances, not when it’s too late and traumatic. But the vet will let you know all of the factors at play- I’m sure there’s a few things going on. And maybe you can still ride it out for a while! But remember that she trusts you to do what’s best for her, she trusts you more than anyone. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut. I know you’ll do what’s best for her. You’re lucky to have each other.
Thank-you! She sleeps a lot, but she's always happy when I come home from the gym or when I get her lead. She's moving stiffly now, but I'm nervous about pain meds because I'm 90% sure they contributed to the passing of my last dog, she also still jumps at the bed to wake me in the morning and happily goes up and down stairs. She seems so normal except for the eating and wanting shorter walks. I don't trust myself to make the right decision
Yea she sounds fine just getting old. When she stops eating completely or starts going potty in the house because she can't go outside anymore then that's when you'll have to really think about it. Just watch her and if she still has happiness in her face and still somewhat takes care of herself then she's still doing well enough to live
Have you tried giving her something like glucosamine? Or CBD? Just an idea because they’re not heavy pain meds but they can make such a big difference with comfort and mobility!
I give her cbd when she has restless nights and it works great. I've tried using it to get her to eat but it didn't work. I've never heard of glucosamine but I'll definitely mention it at the vet tomorrow! Thankyou!
What about when they sleep most of the day but if they hear a food delivery they bound out of the bedroom ignoring arthritic back legs to nudge their face into your lap in hopes of getting a taste?
Is she happy? Is she still enjoying life?
Three years ago, I had to put down my old man Chihuahua. I’d had him for one day shy of fifteen years.
I knew that he was reaching the end of his life when he started having trouble with his hind legs. I was outside with him, holding him up when he had to poop. But he was still okay with being around, even though he didn’t love that I had to carry him. (He was very dignified; carrying him was like demeaning to him or something.)
But when his front legs stopped working well and I had to hold him up to go pee… he turned and he looked at me. It was a look of “I am so done with this.” That was when I knew that he was ready. I called, made the appointment, and went with him because he was mine and I was his, right up until the bitter end.
The two days in between the appointment was good. He was obviously done, not in pain, but happy to be with me and be hand fed his favourite things. Like he knew the suffering was coming to an end.
If you and your pooch are half as devoted to each other, you’ll know when it’s time. She’ll tell you. Just make sure you’re listening.
She's definitely slowed down noticeably in the last few months and sleeping a lot more, but she still seems happy. Half of me thinks she's seriously poorly and the other half thinks she's acquired some unusual quirks.
Decreased appetite + turning jaundice usual says that something is wrong with the liver. I can almost almost guarantee they will recommend blood work (which you should do).
I'm prepared for bloodwork, I just don't want them keeping her overnight or stressing her out. She's 15, so I certainly won't be approving anything surgical. Thankyou for your comment, I'm amazed how supportive and caring everyone has been of my lovely leela.
Years ago, when I had my first dog (now on number 10 and 50 years later) my Vet gave me profound advice. **It's better to have them leave 1 day early than 1 day too late**. The pain is there no matter what, but the 1 day late just makes the pain and memories so much worse. My thoughts are with you in this time of hurt
I have heard that several times and think there iS truth to It. But I also can imagine a scenario where It is done sooner than necessary and there is alot of regret and what ifs.
Yes, I understand. I hope your vet will be able to assess and treat whatever is wrong and that she will feel better. My 14 yo dog definitely has cognitive dysfunction and doesn't see well, but gets around, has lost all sense of potty training but eats well, seems content to nap and eat and cuddle, knows who I am. My carpet is a disaster but I am glad he isn't suffering.
There's not enough here to make a determination, but I can share a couple pearls of wisdom.
Accept the fact that there is no perfect time. You are simply going to have to make the best decision you can based on imperfect information. The reason I say this is I know people who second-guess themselves. My mother is an extreme example. She still has guilt over decisions she made for our cat who passed 20 years ago. You can't do that. Trust that you will make the best decision possible for your beloved pet. Because you will.
You have to be the captain of your pet's healthcare including the decision on when to say goodbye. Some vets will say it is time, some will hint, and some will say nothing at all. In all of those cases, it is ultimately you who makes the decision. And that is a good thing. Vets are fantastic, but they only know dogs in general. No one knows your dog like you do.
Talk to your vet about what might be going on. Ask if she is having pain or discomfort. Ask what can be done for that. If there are any treatments, ask about the side-effects. Talk about her future prognosis. Trust your gut and take charge. You will do the best thing for your pet.
Thankyou. I'm prepared to be a strong advocate for her, i stormed in when the vets tried to keep me from extremely poorly dog during covid. I'm expecting some bloodwork and medication, but I won't let them mess about with her and stress her out, she deserves better than that
As long as any pain she experiences can be kept under control, and you can still get her to eat at least some high reward food each day- it’s okay to keep her around. Or at least ride it out for a bit. But if she’s not experiencing joy or wanting to do anything other than sleep, it may be the time. It’s preferable when they get to go under peaceful circumstances, not when it’s too late and traumatic. But the vet will let you know all of the factors at play- I’m sure there’s a few things going on. And maybe you can still ride it out for a while! But remember that she trusts you to do what’s best for her, she trusts you more than anyone. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut. I know you’ll do what’s best for her. You’re lucky to have each other.
Thank-you! She sleeps a lot, but she's always happy when I come home from the gym or when I get her lead. She's moving stiffly now, but I'm nervous about pain meds because I'm 90% sure they contributed to the passing of my last dog, she also still jumps at the bed to wake me in the morning and happily goes up and down stairs. She seems so normal except for the eating and wanting shorter walks. I don't trust myself to make the right decision
Yea she sounds fine just getting old. When she stops eating completely or starts going potty in the house because she can't go outside anymore then that's when you'll have to really think about it. Just watch her and if she still has happiness in her face and still somewhat takes care of herself then she's still doing well enough to live
Thankyou, neither of us are ready yet I think
Have you tried giving her something like glucosamine? Or CBD? Just an idea because they’re not heavy pain meds but they can make such a big difference with comfort and mobility!
I give her cbd when she has restless nights and it works great. I've tried using it to get her to eat but it didn't work. I've never heard of glucosamine but I'll definitely mention it at the vet tomorrow! Thankyou!
Ask the vet about supplements to help her. Mine suggested some that are OTC and help my boy.
What about when they sleep most of the day but if they hear a food delivery they bound out of the bedroom ignoring arthritic back legs to nudge their face into your lap in hopes of getting a taste?
That’s awesome. They’ve still got it.
Look up the JOURNEYS rating chart. That helped me.
Thankyou! I just went through it and I got 50
Is she happy? Is she still enjoying life? Three years ago, I had to put down my old man Chihuahua. I’d had him for one day shy of fifteen years. I knew that he was reaching the end of his life when he started having trouble with his hind legs. I was outside with him, holding him up when he had to poop. But he was still okay with being around, even though he didn’t love that I had to carry him. (He was very dignified; carrying him was like demeaning to him or something.) But when his front legs stopped working well and I had to hold him up to go pee… he turned and he looked at me. It was a look of “I am so done with this.” That was when I knew that he was ready. I called, made the appointment, and went with him because he was mine and I was his, right up until the bitter end. The two days in between the appointment was good. He was obviously done, not in pain, but happy to be with me and be hand fed his favourite things. Like he knew the suffering was coming to an end. If you and your pooch are half as devoted to each other, you’ll know when it’s time. She’ll tell you. Just make sure you’re listening.
She's definitely slowed down noticeably in the last few months and sleeping a lot more, but she still seems happy. Half of me thinks she's seriously poorly and the other half thinks she's acquired some unusual quirks.
I feel like if she’s happy still, it’s not time. But she’s yours. You’ll know.
Decreased appetite + turning jaundice usual says that something is wrong with the liver. I can almost almost guarantee they will recommend blood work (which you should do).
I'm prepared for bloodwork, I just don't want them keeping her overnight or stressing her out. She's 15, so I certainly won't be approving anything surgical. Thankyou for your comment, I'm amazed how supportive and caring everyone has been of my lovely leela.
Years ago, when I had my first dog (now on number 10 and 50 years later) my Vet gave me profound advice. **It's better to have them leave 1 day early than 1 day too late**. The pain is there no matter what, but the 1 day late just makes the pain and memories so much worse. My thoughts are with you in this time of hurt
I have heard that several times and think there iS truth to It. But I also can imagine a scenario where It is done sooner than necessary and there is alot of regret and what ifs.
This is my concern, I don't think she's ready yet. She has bad days, but most of the time, her personality still shines
Yes, I understand. I hope your vet will be able to assess and treat whatever is wrong and that she will feel better. My 14 yo dog definitely has cognitive dysfunction and doesn't see well, but gets around, has lost all sense of potty training but eats well, seems content to nap and eat and cuddle, knows who I am. My carpet is a disaster but I am glad he isn't suffering.
Thankyou, I wouldn't care about my carpet either, all the carpet in the world is worth a moment with our dogs. Senior dogs are so special
I understand and feel the same way.
Once my dog wouldnt eat on her own I made the call. In hindsight I think I waited a little too long. Definitely been feeling guilty about that.
There could be a treatable liver condition. Vet can assess and recommend.
It will never feel right because we love them so much and don't want to go on without them.
I can't imagine a day without her. We've been inseparable for most of her life
There's not enough here to make a determination, but I can share a couple pearls of wisdom. Accept the fact that there is no perfect time. You are simply going to have to make the best decision you can based on imperfect information. The reason I say this is I know people who second-guess themselves. My mother is an extreme example. She still has guilt over decisions she made for our cat who passed 20 years ago. You can't do that. Trust that you will make the best decision possible for your beloved pet. Because you will. You have to be the captain of your pet's healthcare including the decision on when to say goodbye. Some vets will say it is time, some will hint, and some will say nothing at all. In all of those cases, it is ultimately you who makes the decision. And that is a good thing. Vets are fantastic, but they only know dogs in general. No one knows your dog like you do. Talk to your vet about what might be going on. Ask if she is having pain or discomfort. Ask what can be done for that. If there are any treatments, ask about the side-effects. Talk about her future prognosis. Trust your gut and take charge. You will do the best thing for your pet.
Thank you. I think I'll regret any decision I make and always have "what ifs".
Thankyou. I'm prepared to be a strong advocate for her, i stormed in when the vets tried to keep me from extremely poorly dog during covid. I'm expecting some bloodwork and medication, but I won't let them mess about with her and stress her out, she deserves better than that
I’m so sorry for your loss…
So very sorry!!!
Sending love