- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: Dog dementia - when to let go
Posted on 7/8/25 at 5:54 pm to TigahXX713
Posted on 7/8/25 at 5:54 pm to TigahXX713
Man I’m sorry…gonna be a bad, bad day at the Metal house when something happens to Buck and/or Bilbo….
0
Posted on 7/8/25 at 6:01 pm to TigahXX713
quote:
So what’s the OT ruling here?
I just went through this and made the decision to put my 15-year-old dog down on Memorial Day weekend. She was hobbling around, couldn't get up the little step to my house, blind, deaf, having accidents all over the house, and would bark at walls in the dark in the middle of the night. She had a healthy appetite which is what gave me pause but that was apparently because of the Cushing's disease which gave her basically an insatiable appetite. We brought her to the vet for a quality-of-life assessment and the vet said it was time. It was difficult but the right decision and I now know it was the right thing to do.
This post was edited on 7/8/25 at 6:03 pm
Posted on 7/8/25 at 6:03 pm to TigahXX713
Posted on 7/8/25 at 6:03 pm to TigahXX713
We went through this a couple years ago with our oldest pup and honestly we selfishly waited to long before we let her go. It’s never easy to let them go but you will know when it’s time, the hard part is actually making the decision to let them go.
Posted on 7/8/25 at 6:06 pm to TigahXX713
It's probably time. For now it's piss and shite, but if he's losing his mind that badly, when does it turn semi violent?
One of the greatest kindnesses my wife's dog did was let us know it was time with absolutely zero room for debate.
One of the greatest kindnesses my wife's dog did was let us know it was time with absolutely zero room for debate.
This post was edited on 7/8/25 at 6:10 pm
Posted on 7/8/25 at 6:31 pm to TigahXX713
I feel for you man I had to have one of our 14 year old mini dachshunds put down a week and a half ago. She went deaf and blind over the last year and she was doing all the same things you mentioned. Run into the wall and just stand there. Then she start throwing up and the vet saw a mass on her liver in an X-ray and wanted us to bring her for an ultrasound. I asked her what good would that do except waste a bunch of money because she is 14. So we took her home and loved on her for a couple of more months till it got worse and then the wife finally said it was time.
Posted on 7/8/25 at 6:38 pm to TigahXX713
Had a dog go out like that. For a long time I was hoping she would die in her sleep.
Then a vet explained to me that for dogs, it’s usually not like that. They don’t live a good life and peacefully die in their sleep, absent a massive stroke or something.
There’s almost always a period, weeks, months, could be years, when they’re going to hold on suffering with all they have, and they need you to make the call.
Then a vet explained to me that for dogs, it’s usually not like that. They don’t live a good life and peacefully die in their sleep, absent a massive stroke or something.
There’s almost always a period, weeks, months, could be years, when they’re going to hold on suffering with all they have, and they need you to make the call.
Posted on 7/8/25 at 6:41 pm to TigahXX713
Just remember it's about the dog, not you.
Posted on 7/8/25 at 6:44 pm to TigahXX713
From looking back at the times ive been through it when I started wondering if it was time, it was time. It sucks but I think its better to be a little early with it than late.
Posted on 7/8/25 at 6:51 pm to TigahXX713
quote:
On the dementia, when coming back from being outside he’ll walk up to a random wall and just stand there face to the wall. Even
My next door neighbor is a vet, between the above and pooping/ peeing inside he said these are bad signs in a older dog.
Said it's up to you to decide....
Best wishes and good luck....
Posted on 7/8/25 at 6:58 pm to TigahXX713
quote:
need to go myself first
quote:
In the 20 seconds I take, I hear a whine and come out to him pissing in the middle of the bedroom
So if you let him out first, then you would've pissed in the middle of the room. Then Rover would be asking us if he should put you down.
This post was edited on 7/8/25 at 6:59 pm
Posted on 7/8/25 at 7:05 pm to dallasga6
Appreciate all the feedback, reading through every post. Still hoping for some big epiphany inducing moment and holding on until then.
Posted on 7/8/25 at 7:27 pm to TigahXX713
Tough decision to make - especially if you haven't done it before.
IMO, enjoy the next week or two or three if his condition doesn't deteriorate, but put him down before you move. You want him to still be able to feel comfort at your presence when its time, and one of the worst outcomes for everyone is something like a massive seizure in the middle of the night being a lasting memory.
He will perceive the stress of moving from your family, in addition to losing his familiar surroundings likely making the issues you mentioned worse. Plus you won't have a ton of time to focus on him while this big life change is happening - increasing your stress and making you feel like shite.
15 years is an awesome life, and while you are holding on for him - he is doing the same thing for you and your family.
IMO, enjoy the next week or two or three if his condition doesn't deteriorate, but put him down before you move. You want him to still be able to feel comfort at your presence when its time, and one of the worst outcomes for everyone is something like a massive seizure in the middle of the night being a lasting memory.
He will perceive the stress of moving from your family, in addition to losing his familiar surroundings likely making the issues you mentioned worse. Plus you won't have a ton of time to focus on him while this big life change is happening - increasing your stress and making you feel like shite.
15 years is an awesome life, and while you are holding on for him - he is doing the same thing for you and your family.
Posted on 7/8/25 at 7:33 pm to TigahXX713
quote:
Need the sage advice of the OT - Have a 15 year old dog that seems to have early-mid stage dog dementia. Having trouble figuring out if I’m being selfish in keeping him going or would be selfish in letting him go.
When our Aussie hit 15, we saw very similar things. The vet said her spine had degenerated to the point it was affected her ability to control her bowels. I moved her to the garage, but knew that was no answer. I was just trying to keep her around for when my daughter came home for Christmas so she could say goodbye to her.
I was all set to take her, but then she had a couple of good days and I could not bring myself to do it. Instead, I took her to the woods we used to walk through every morning, and we went for one last walk. I think it made her happy. A few days later, we sent her back to her maker.
I do miss her still.
Posted on 7/8/25 at 7:35 pm to TigahXX713
You will know. The dementia wouldn’t bother me so much. But when pain becomes chronic and significantly interferes with his functioning, it’s time.
Posted on 7/8/25 at 7:44 pm to TigahXX713
Lap of Love (a home pet eu vet org) has a quality of life questionnaire and you can also find one online. I kept my girl going longer than I should have. Until someone told me she looked tired and another told me to not let her go on until she has a crisis and then it’s an emergency non-peaceful ending. I was told it’s better a day early after a great day of an outing and fav foods (if that is an option) than a day late. I’m sorry you are going through this. It sucks.
LINK
LINK
Posted on 7/8/25 at 8:01 pm to Dixie2023
a friend and her beagle moved from a town house to a real house with a fenced in yard. The dog adjusted and knew the yard and mostly remembered how to use the steps up to the deck.
But. (There's always a moment.) One day she came around the house and entered the fenced in area through a seldom used gate. The dog didn't "know" her and came charging at the stranger in her yard. The dog's hearing was also going and she had to scream to get her beloved long time pet to recognize her.
From that and what I've seen with some other pets, they are masters at adapting to loss of what we think of as critical senses.
But. (There's always a moment.) One day she came around the house and entered the fenced in area through a seldom used gate. The dog didn't "know" her and came charging at the stranger in her yard. The dog's hearing was also going and she had to scream to get her beloved long time pet to recognize her.
From that and what I've seen with some other pets, they are masters at adapting to loss of what we think of as critical senses.
Posted on 7/8/25 at 8:19 pm to real turf fan
Definitely. I just wanted to share the questionnaire because so many struggle with wondering when it’s time. His dog may do ok for a while. With mine, she was no longer mobile and fighting me when I needed to lift her up for some exercise or potty. That was no way for a mighty shepherd to live. And her appetite was decreasing. She had been telling me “no more,” but I wasn’t listening bf she seemed “content” enough just being with me. But she was telling me “no.”
Posted on 7/8/25 at 8:20 pm to TigahXX713
IMO, if he seems happy, eats, and uses the bathroom regularly, and still loves you guys, then there is nothing to discuss. Take advice from vet, too. Sorry to hear, buddy
Posted on 7/8/25 at 8:35 pm to TigahXX713
Prayers for you, your family and your pup. When the time comes you will know it. You may want to consider being there if you or a family member can bear it. It really helps with the anxiety as they pass. Also ask about a sedative before the euthanasia.
Page 2 of 3
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News