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Is it time to say goodbye?

18 replies

applesauce1 · 09/09/2018 09:13

My beloved family dog was diagnosed with kidney failure 6 months ago.
We tried to offer her the special kidney food but she refused it and lost a significant amount of weight. We thought she would die any day.
We decided that we'd continue with the various medications that she's prescribed to keep sickness and pain at bay, but to give her the foods she likes best in her last days. Chicken, sausages, burgers, cat foot pouches (she loves these!).
She's since been hanging on for months and months.

She lives with my parents most of the time, but lives with my husband and me alternate weekends and for longer stretches when my parents go away (frequently). She is currently staying with us as my parents are abroad, and events yesterday have caused me to call an emergency vet to come and give her her last sleep today. I'm not 100% sure of my decision. Please help.

Here are her symptoms:
Loss of appetite (she didn't eat yesterday)
Very bad breath
Fatigue and lethargy
Cannot manage more than 20 minute walk- very slow
Does not get up for a wee
Shaking
Lots of drinking
Frequently wetting her bed or the floor
Collapses on longer walks (we limit these now)

This week, she's had 3 bouts of diarrhoea. 1 overnight on Friday and 1 yesterday. Both of these had blood in the stool.

I don't want her to be in pain, so I called the vet. She lay in bed all day and didn't get up.

Then in the evening, she started getting up a bit more and wandering around a little. She seemed more normal again.

My worry is, if this is the end, she will have her last week of being in nappies all day and on her own for most of it (I'll be at work from 8-4.30 but can come home briefly at lunch time).
Is it time to say goodbye or shall I carry on giving medication and hoping that she rallies round?

She goes through stages of looking ok again and it makes me feel like I am ready to put down a dog who isn't ready,

She's 15. I love her so much.

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Ihopeyourcakeisshit · 09/09/2018 09:21

It's absolutely time to say goodbye, sooner rather than later.
Even if she perks up for a few hours, you are only delaying the inevitable. The symptoms you describe are sure signs of a 15 year old dog with kidney failure being ready to go.
Flowers

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Beetle76 · 09/09/2018 09:23

I’m so sorry - they are never with us for long enough. I can’t offer any medical advice but this is always a horrible decision to make. The vet will help you with this decision.

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fivedogstofeed · 09/09/2018 09:24

That's desperately sad, but she does sound ready to go and you were right to make the call.

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applesauce1 · 09/09/2018 10:31

I keep looking into her beautiful eyes and I feel so unbelievably not ready for this.

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ThanksHunkyJesus · 09/09/2018 10:38

It sounds like it's absolutely the right time. If she wasn't your dog what would you think? It's hard to let her go but don't let her continue hanging on in this state because you can't bear to say goodbye. She's never going to be any better than she is right now.

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BiteyShark · 09/09/2018 11:37

However hard it is you need to think about her quality of life. What you have listed sounds like she has very little.

The kindest thing we can do for our animals is to give them a peaceful end. We owe them that much and yes I am sorry but it sounds like now is the right time Flowers

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simplepimple · 09/09/2018 11:50

I don't think anyone is ready for anyone else - a pet or a person - to die. It's hard.

As we reach the end of life sometimes we do pick up a bit and then deteriorate again but your description of her symptoms are not good.

It sounds like it's time to let your beloved girl go now because although it's not what you want it's the right thing for her. Flowers

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Icklepup · 09/09/2018 12:53

It's time, so sorry.

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applesauce1 · 09/09/2018 17:54

She had a lovely last day. We took her on a shortened version of her favourite walk. She ate cheese, cat food and sausages. The last thing she saw was my sister and me cuddling close to her face stroking her and loving her. It was really peaceful.
I miss her already and I'll miss her forever. She was so loyal, smart and loving.
Thank you to everyone who made my decision easier today.

Is it time to say goodbye?
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Prestonsflowers · 09/09/2018 17:58

That was the right decision applesauce1
It was very brave.
Lovely photo
💐💐

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BiteyShark · 09/09/2018 17:58

Flowers you did the right thing by her and so glad you got to spoil her at the end.

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Wolfiefan · 09/09/2018 18:02

You did absolutely and utterly the right thing. She was lucky to have you and I admire you for making the decision to suffer yourself and make her last moments peaceful and full of love.
So sorry for your loss. Flowers

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IlPorcupinoNilSodomyEst · 09/09/2018 18:15

Very sorry for your loss Flowers she looks beautiful, such a gentle expression. You were kind to let her go peacefully with people she loved with her.

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thereallifesaffy · 09/09/2018 18:48

Brave lady. What you did was an act of love. We had to do the same a month ago. Our dog though was only 11.
You'll hurt. You'll cry. But your darling dog is no longer in pain x

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DanielCraigsUnderpants · 09/09/2018 19:07

You absolutely did the right thing. And you gave her a wonderful last day. What a beauty she was as well.

I'm sorry for your loss

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penisbeakers · 09/09/2018 19:14

It's absolutely time to let her go. I'm so sorry.

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Fluffypie1 · 09/09/2018 21:30

Better a week too soon than a day too late.You did the right thing for her.Sorry for your loss.

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bilbodog · 09/09/2018 22:23

What a beautiful dog - you know you did the right thing. It is so very hard. Hugs for you.

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