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  Independent Cuss
Posts: 3978
    
Location: Dearing, GA | I have a wonderful wonderful dog that I got from *Y* back in 2012. He's about 11 or 12 now, and his health has been declining lately. I'm just torn about knowing whether or not its time to make "that" choice to let him go.
He's got a lot of muscle atrophy in one of his back legs, and he's about 90% non-weight bearing on it. He trembles in pain, even though we give him NSAIDS every day. Lately, he's had an odd cognitive change- he slept in the shower one night, and appeared to be very depressed/lethargic around the house. The next day, he seemed normal, though.
The vet said that therapies beyond NSAID treatments aren't necessarily successful, and she actually encouraged me to consider letting him go before his state got any worse. He slides around on the hardwood floors and has a hard time keeping his feet under him, but still wags his tail and tries to chase the kitten.
I just don't know what to do. I've always had a clear signal, like cancer, to let me know when it was time to let go. |
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 Expert
Posts: 1286
Location: Mississippi | I went through this about 2 years ago with my 14 year old lab and it was one of the most difficult things I have had to go through. He was always such a proud dog and when he could barely get around and started soiling himself, I just knew I couldn't let him lose his dignity. I think he let me know about a year before but it took alot longer for me to come to grips. You know in your mind well before your heart accepts it. I am so sorry that you are going through this because I know all too well how heartbreaking it is.   |
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 Expert
Posts: 1304
| First, I'm so sorry you have to make this decision. I know it's tough. I've always thought that when you have to help them use the bathroom, they're not eating, or are in pain it's time to let them go but it seems as though there's a fine line there since he still acts happy at times. Maybe if the bad days outweigh the good, it's time. I'm not much help, prayers for you |
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Independent Cuss
Posts: 3978
Location: Dearing, GA | Thanks. He can still go outside himself- he loves to be outside, but instead of being active he usually ends up laying down on the porch for a while. I don't want him to get to the point where he soils himself, and would like to let him go before he gets to that point, but what if it's too soon? |
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Member
Posts: 35
| I went through this with my golden a few years ago. I'd had her since I was 14 and it was such a hard decision to let her go. When you start to wonder if it's time, it is. I would rather make the decision a little too early than a single day too late. |
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Location: Oklahoma | Our border collie was 14 this year when we had to put her down on leap day. Hard of hearing, starting to loose her vision but still the happiest and most loyal dog there could be. She started to slow down last year and we asked our neighbor vet when we would know. She told us that "Annie" will let you know. Everytime I left the house I said a special goodbye becuase I knew she was getting older.
One morning I was getting ready for work and she hadn't eaten in a few days and was just sleeping a lot more. I went and sat on the floor with her and it literally was like she told me. I was late to work that day and on the verge of tears all day knowing I had to tell my family. She was a surprise from my dad when my brother and I were little. First dog we ever had. That night we all made the decision as a family to put her down.
In the end it was the best experience. I didn't cry much because it felt so right in such a weird way. There was a sense of peace. We brought her home and buried her in her favorite corner of the arena. The next day, my grandpa ended up in the hospital for 6 weeks and now lives with us. I swear she knew we had bigger battles coming and didn't want us to worry about her any longer.
It's never easy but when it is time, you will know! |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Just Let Me Run - 2016-09-12 9:16 AM
Thanks. He can still go outside himself- he loves to be outside, but instead of being active he usually ends up laying down on the porch for a while. I don't want him to get to the point where he soils himself, and would like to let him go before he gets to that point, but what if it's too soon?
I am so sorry you're going thru this. I lost Foxy in Feb; he was 12. I was supposed to pick him up from the vet on a Saturday, but she called me that morning and told me he wasn't doing well. When I got there and looked in his eyes, I knew. . . I just knew. He was tired and he told me that as well as if he had opened his mouth and voiced it. You know your boy, and you'll know when it's that time. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| I am so sorry! Gosh darn it, I wish they could live as long as we do. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | Just Let Me Run - 2016-09-12 8:53 AM I have a wonderful wonderful dog that I got from *Y* back in 2012. He's about 11 or 12 now, and his health has been declining lately. I'm just torn about knowing whether or not its time to make "that" choice to let him go. He's got a lot of muscle atrophy in one of his back legs, and he's about 90% non-weight bearing on it. He trembles in pain, even though we give him NSAIDS every day. Lately, he's had an odd cognitive change- he slept in the shower one night, and appeared to be very depressed/lethargic around the house. The next day, he seemed normal, though. The vet said that therapies beyond NSAID treatments aren't necessarily successful, and she actually encouraged me to consider letting him go before his state got any worse. He slides around on the hardwood floors and has a hard time keeping his feet under him, but still wags his tail and tries to chase the kitten. I just don't know what to do. I've always had a clear signal, like cancer, to let me know when it was time to let go.
I have one just like this, hes a black Lab and almost 17 years old. One of his back legs dont hold up very well and lots of muscle has wasted in his back end, hes the one thats always guled to my side when I'm outside and feeding hes the one that folllows me when on the goft cart or gator but hes slowed down alot and I thought this summer heat would do him in for sure so really been watching over him, all he ate was dry dog food out here with our other farm dogs since I noticed him losing weight I started to feed him a can of moist dog food in the morning and befor we go to bed, made a big difference in him more engery and seems alot happyier, but I know the time is coming for him. He lives outside and stays on the front porch to protect us from all the night spooks , so maybe change up your dogs diet and see if that might help him some. With them ageing they need a diet change. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 670
Location: Running my kids somewhere. | I know how you feel I am going through the same thing right now as well. I am worried everytime I have to leave the house. She is still active but she has had COPD for a while and now she has had times that she can't breathe, goes down and has convulsions. I have given her mouth to mouth quite a few times.
I don't know when to make the call. My others I knew when the time came.
I wish you the best of luck and my prayers when the time does come.
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boon
Posts: 4
Location: Oklahoma | We just had to make a decision like this last Saturday. We chose to let our toy Aussie poppy go. Her health was failing and she was only getting worse It was a devastating decision but we have to put them first. Prayers for you and your dog.
PS just lost my dad less than two months ago so it was even harder to let her go. |
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 Angel in a Sorrel Coat
Posts: 16030
Location: In a happy place | I can't tell you about my experiences with this I am crying too hard. But wanted to let you know you are in my prayers. |
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Independent Cuss
Posts: 3978
Location: Dearing, GA | Thanks for the support, everyone. He's had a few good days in a row this week, and I don't think now is the right time. I appreciate the guidance, and I'm so sorry for the losses y'all have experienced! |
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 Expert
Posts: 1481
Location: TEXAS | I have a 12 yr old border collie that every once in a while doesn't want to eat and moves as if it's his last day then he's absolutely fine like he's 5 again... You'll know in your heart when it's time and I'm sure your dog will help you decide as mine will.. Prayers and ((hugs)) |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Praying for many more good days. . . . |
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 Scorpions R Us
Posts: 9586
Location: So. Cali. | Just my first dog down this year. She was around 14yrs old. If I could've had one dog the rest of my life it would have been her. She too started out by having shakey back legs and loosing some weight, but she still had great days where she ran around the yard barking like a pup again. Unforunately she had a seizure one morning while helping me feed the horses. First one of her life. She got up from it ok, walked a bit shakey as I put her in the house to rest. The days following she had two more and each time appear to come back a little worse. The final day she could hardly stand and couldnt stop panting, still tried to get up and greet me when I got home from work. Miss her terribly. Without a doubt you will know when, if you're questioning it it's too soon. Glad to hear he's been having a few better days. Cherish them. |
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Independent Cuss
Posts: 3978
Location: Dearing, GA | Three*C*Champs - 2016-09-16 5:37 PM
Just my first dog down this year. She was around 14yrs old. If I could've had one dog the rest of my life it would have been her. She too started out by having shakey back legs and loosing some weight, but she still had great days where she ran around the yard barking like a pup again. Unforunately she had a seizure one morning while helping me feed the horses. First one of her life. She got up from it ok, walked a bit shakey as I put her in the house to rest. The days following she had two more and each time appear to come back a little worse. The final day she could hardly stand and couldnt stop panting, still tried to get up and greet me when I got home from work. Miss her terribly. Without a doubt you will know when, if you're questioning it it's too soon. Glad to hear he's been having a few better days. Cherish them.
Thanks for sharing this. I am waiting for that "ah-ha" moment when it hits that its time. After several good days, today he didn't eat breakfast and slept all day, even though the weather was great and I was trying to entice him to play and go outside. He ate dinner, but went right back to sleep. |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Just Let Me Run - 2016-09-16 10:48 PM
Three*C*Champs - 2016-09-16 5:37 PM
Just my first dog down this year. She was around 14yrs old. If I could've had one dog the rest of my life it would have been her. She too started out by having shakey back legs and loosing some weight, but she still had great days where she ran around the yard barking like a pup again. Unforunately she had a seizure one morning while helping me feed the horses. First one of her life. She got up from it ok, walked a bit shakey as I put her in the house to rest. The days following she had two more and each time appear to come back a little worse. The final day she could hardly stand and couldnt stop panting, still tried to get up and greet me when I got home from work. Miss her terribly. Without a doubt you will know when, if you're questioning it it's too soon. Glad to hear he's been having a few better days. Cherish them.
Thanks for sharing this. I am waiting for that "ah-ha" moment when it hits that its time. After several good days, today he didn't eat breakfast and slept all day, even though the weather was great and I was trying to entice him to play and go outside. He ate dinner, but went right back to sleep.
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 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | Im sorry you are going thru this.. its one ofthe hardest things to go thru and making the decision.. it can take months and there will be good days and bad days and days you question youself . many times I thought its time and then the next day it wasnt.. but the bad will start to become more and more.. i went thru with princess many meds and many heartaches and tears.. never knowing the right thing to do.. she hurt , she smiled anyway, she would have days of sleeping all day..and then she stayed in bed most of the time.. my heart hurt so bad.. but one morning she looked at me and didnt want those 3 pain meds and other meds .. so i stopped and the next morning i knew.. I was keeping her here for me.. she was 14 and a rottie .i had her from a pup.. my best friend.. but you will know. it is a process I learned .. it wont happen overnight.. we are here for you.. |
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My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Bibliafarm - 2016-09-18 10:05 PM
Im sorry you are going thru this.. its one ofthe hardest things to go thru and making the decision.. it can take months and there will be good days and bad days and days you question youself . many times I thought its time and then the next day it wasnt.. but the bad will start to become more and more.. i went thru with princess many meds and many heartaches and tears.. never knowing the right thing to do.. she hurt , she smiled anyway, she would have days of sleeping all day..and then she  stayed in bed most of the time.. my heart hurt so bad.. but one morning she looked at me and didnt want those  3 pain meds and other meds .. so i stopped and the next morning i knew.. I was keeping her here for me.. she was 14 and a rottie .i had her from a pup.. my best friend.. but you will know. it is a process I learned .. it wont happen overnight.. we are here for you..Â
That's what I always try to pray, Bib, "please don't let me keep them here just for my selfishness". I feel like I'm gonna have to make some decisions soon on my 37 year old gelding, and I hope God helps me do right by Dan. . . . |
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