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How do you know when "it's time?" Update page 3
Posted on 7/21/15 at 10:09 am
Posted on 7/21/15 at 10:09 am
Our lab got down last week and couldn't get up. Vet gave put her on anti-inflammatories and now she is walking, albeit slowly and with the occasional stumble. She also has some cognitive issues-pacing the floor, etc. OTOH, she's still very affectionate, still likes to go outside and sniff around, and still eats like a horse. I don't want her to suffer, but I don't want her to go too soon, and I think she is still enjoying some quality of life. The eating, especially is an indicator to me. When a dog is feeling poorly, they usually lose their appetite first, and she eats everything we put in front of her. So, how do you you know?
This post was edited on 9/1/15 at 2:17 pm
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Posted on 7/21/15 at 10:15 am to Jim Rockford
I don't have much advice as our pup died of a heart attack when he was only 6.
Did the vet say she was in pain from arthritis or just weak from age?
Did the vet say she was in pain from arthritis or just weak from age?
Posted on 7/21/15 at 10:17 am to Hu_Flung_Pu
It was definitely arthritis. The meds improved her a lot, but not back to what she once was (not that I expected that.)
Posted on 7/21/15 at 10:18 am to Jim Rockford
When they stop eating and just lay around and you can tell they're miserable it's time. Until that day comes spoil the heck out of her and enjoy your time with her.
Hardest thing I've ever done was put down my best friend a 6 yr old lab who was ate up with cancer.
Hardest thing I've ever done was put down my best friend a 6 yr old lab who was ate up with cancer.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 10:19 am to Jim Rockford
I have a feeling our 11 year old terrier will eventually bite one of us. That will be her time.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 10:19 am to Jim Rockford
quote:
So, how do you you know?
Tough answer, but if she is getting around reasonably and doesn't seem in much pain, and is eating, that seems like positive signs for me.
Our lab finally stopped eating altogether after she got sick, and we put her down the next day. I don't rush to put a dog down, but once you are sure its not improving, then it's time quickly IMO.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 11:06 am to Jim Rockford
I've known a lot of people who have their dogs on arthritis meds for years. Seems like yours is fine when she gets meds.
I think it's just ibuprofen tbh
I think it's just ibuprofen tbh
Posted on 7/21/15 at 11:09 am to Jim Rockford
Enjoy any and all time you have left, spoil her, but not to the point it could hinder a possible recovery with bad foods. Gauge how she is doing from weekend to weekend and if there is improvement, maybe the medication will help.
Our lab had trouble walking to the point where she could no longer support herself when going to the bathroom and didn't want to get up from her bed. We gave her a week on the anti-inflammatory and steroid shots to see if it would improve, but it did not and it was the roughest week of my life spent praying that it would pass. But it did not. She was in so much pain and she let us know that she was ready. It was the hardest day of my life after the hardest week leading up to it. Something I'll never forget is how much she trusted me her entire life and all the way til the end.
Our lab had trouble walking to the point where she could no longer support herself when going to the bathroom and didn't want to get up from her bed. We gave her a week on the anti-inflammatory and steroid shots to see if it would improve, but it did not and it was the roughest week of my life spent praying that it would pass. But it did not. She was in so much pain and she let us know that she was ready. It was the hardest day of my life after the hardest week leading up to it. Something I'll never forget is how much she trusted me her entire life and all the way til the end.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 11:11 am to AlxTgr
quote:
I have a feeling our 11 year old terrier will eventually bite one of us. That will be her time.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 11:19 am to Sgt_Lincoln_Osiris
quote:
Our lab had trouble walking to the point where she could no longer support herself when going to the bathroom and didn't want to get up from her bed. We gave her a week on the anti-inflammatory and steroid shots to see if it would improve, but it did not and it was the roughest week of my life spent praying that it would pass. But it did not. She was in so much pain and she let us know that she was ready. It was the hardest day of my life after the hardest week leading up to it. Something I'll never forget is how much she trusted me her entire life and all the way til the end.
Yep, well said. Dogs are awesome, and so loyal, you have to return the favor.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 11:26 am to Jim Rockford
My 14 year old Shepherd gave me the look and that is when I knew. She still had an appetite but was in so much pain whenever she tried to do anything.
That was 3 years ago and I swear someone is cutting onions while I type this post.
That was 3 years ago and I swear someone is cutting onions while I type this post.
This post was edited on 7/21/15 at 11:32 am
Posted on 7/21/15 at 11:30 am to weagle99
I have one that is now over 15 years old. He still gets around, but stumbles over little things. He is going blind and death. My daughter has him on a bunch of meds that help him a lot. Now, I just feed him soft foods. He was a outside dog till this last winter, now inside. Was never house train, but when he needs to go outside, day or night, he will scratch me on the leg or the back door.
He does have a couple tumors that are getting big, about the size of a golfball. My daughter told me it is best to leave them alone.
Putting down a dog is not easy. Had to have my daughter do one when she had just finish vet school. A lot of times, dogs don't go down easy no matter what the Vet does.
My last one fought it all the way to the end. I wasn't good. 
He does have a couple tumors that are getting big, about the size of a golfball. My daughter told me it is best to leave them alone.
Putting down a dog is not easy. Had to have my daughter do one when she had just finish vet school. A lot of times, dogs don't go down easy no matter what the Vet does.
My last one fought it all the way to the end. I wasn't good. Posted on 7/21/15 at 11:30 am to Jim Rockford
When her tail quits wagging....
Posted on 7/21/15 at 11:44 am to Jim Rockford
Don't know how to explain it but you "just know". just reading your post,sounds like you have some time. Put our 17 yo healer down this year and the night before I did it I did not think she would make it. Told Huntjr (he was 1 when we got her) and he laid down with her most of the night just hanging out and saying his good by. Took her to the vet at lunch and as fate would have it not a soul was in the waiting area so she and I got to just chill while we waited. Picked her up and laid her on the table, vet explained the process and within about 20 seconds she was gone. No fighting or pain which I was grateful for. Definitely hard but seeing them suffer is equally as hard.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 2:00 pm to Hangover Haven
quote:
When her tail quits wagging....
Posted on 7/21/15 at 2:10 pm to Nascar Fan
Unfortunately, she's taken a turn for the worse today. Weaker and more disoriented, so I guess the time is approaching. Really tough. Such a good dog. A good hunter,passed all her retriever trials on her first try. and a sweet, sweet pet. Except for when she was at the trainer, she's never spent a night outdoors. Always a house dog.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 2:16 pm to Jim Rockford
quote:
Unfortunately, she's taken a turn for the worse today. Weaker and more disoriented, so I guess the time is approaching.
Sorry to hear
Posted on 7/21/15 at 3:18 pm to Jim Rockford
take a day off from work and spend the day with her- feed her what she wants and loves, take her where she loves to go- make a time of memories before you say good by
My buddy is aging and I know one day will be our day -
My buddy is aging and I know one day will be our day -
Posted on 7/21/15 at 4:17 pm to 756
Dammit I'm gonna have to log off if this shite keeps up.
Sorry you have to go through it. Very tough.
Sorry you have to go through it. Very tough.
Posted on 7/21/15 at 4:31 pm to Easternrio
quote:
When they stop eating and just lay around and you can tell they're miserable it's time. Until that day comes spoil the heck out of her and enjoy your time with her.
This is good advice. Yeah, the hardest thing I ever did other than overcome the loss of a wife was to put down my 11 year old buddy. The vet and I tried just about everything. One night while the then wife was out with the kids, the dog looked at me as if to say he was ready. I called the vet to meet me at her office, gently loaded him in the truck, gave him a couple of his favorite cookies. That was almost 20 years ago. It still hurts a little to this day, and his picture is in my den.
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