Elderly Labrador

[Tinkerbell36]

Our beautiful old boy is 13.5 yrs old and has really slowed down in recent months and is on painkillers & Yumove for his back legs. This morning his back legs totally gave way and he was really wobbly & his eyes rolled back. We thought we were loosing him. He’s now recovered and is walking OK (back legs are always wobbly). He had a fall at Christmas getting into my car and is now terrified so reluctant to traumatise him more by taking him to the vet. He’s eating and wagging his tail. I think we know his time might be coming but he’s so calm & gentle and uncomplaining & we worry so much that he’s in pain. He had blood tests in Sept which showed problems with his liver - we didn’t pursue after discussion with the vet due to his age. How do you know when the time is right? We love him so much x

[Dreamersandwishers]

@Tinkerbell36 I feel for you. Such a hard time.
Is he eating ok? Drinking, peeing & pooing? Those would be signs he’s ok. If he’s taking himself off to be alone, it may be that he’s close.
If you feel the time is coming maybe have a chat with your vet, to get their thoughts on it.
I have seen people on here quote the saying ‘better a week too soon than a day too late.’ I would say that may apply.
I have not had to go through that with my own dogs yet, but I saw it with a friends dog and it went on too long.
💐 for you & your lovely boy

[FoxRedBitch]

Bless you. It's such a hard decision to make and I agree wholeheartedly about the 'better a week too soon than a day too late'.

My last lab had a brain tumour and the vets kept doing various tests and trying new drugs. I have so many regrets as the last 24 hours was horrific for both her and us. But we were so desperate to try to her her better.

My rule of thumb now is that once they stop being able to do what they enjoy, it's time to say good bye. If he is eating/drinking, toileting and going for walks then give him lots of love for now. If he can't go out and have fun then it may be time.

I have a friend who is keeping her dog alive when it has no quality of life at all (incontinent, can't go for walks, stressed) and I am starting to really resent her for it.

[Crunched]

It’s so hard isn’t it? My 14 yo Springer was pts on December 8th. He still got pleasure from food and cuddles but his back legs were wobbly and when he started losing control when poo-ing we knew it was going to restrict where he go/what he could do, so decided it was time.
It is heartbreaking to consider he could still be here but at what cost to his dignity? And he was such a handsome, strong chap...
I still miss him so much but the pain we feel is worth the love they give us, isn’t it?
My thoughts are with you as you make this tough decision

[Tinkerbell36]

Thank you all so much for coming back to me and sharing your stories. He is happy & wagging his tail and just ate a bowl of food so I think we’ll do as suggested and give him lots of love while keeping a close eye on him. We are so lucky to share our lives with these beautiful, loving and loyal friends x

[Crispaficionado]

I knew it was time when my dog kept collapsing down whilst pooing despite being on trammidol, arthritis medication and yumove. My dog died himself & we were lucky as I'd mentally geared myself up for insisting on PTS. Once they can't go without making a mess of themselves or rarely without making a mess because they're in so much pain that's my line. My poor boy also scraped his feet along as they were too painful to lift properly and that's another point, if you see grazes etc.

[Crispaficionado]

You could call vet and see if there is any upper amount of painkillers they can give but having just lost my lovely boy, I'd say that you should enjoy every moment now and spend some special time with him.