Old Labrador back legs

[fragrantphoenixinwaiting]

I’m sitting here in tears with my 13 yr old girl. Her legs haven’t been great for a while but tonight she couldn’t stand. She tried to get up off her bed and yelled then sat back down. It was time for her last wee in the garden so we thought we should help her go out. My husband picked her up (he’s used to doing this as he’s been picking her up for a while to put her in boot of the car). She didn’t wince or yelp so I’m sure he didn’t hurt her. She also didn’t struggle, she never does. It’s as if she knows she can trust him. He put her on the lawn and she tried to squat down but I don’t know if she did anything. She just lay down again. We left her for a few minutes lay down (stayed with her) and then he carried her in and out her on her bed.
I’m dreading that this is the beginning of the end. I know when their back legs go at this age there’s not much can be done. She’s such a good dog and I love her so much. I can’t bear the fact that she is in pain.
I’ll do the right thing if this is it. But it’s going to break my heart. She’s on galliprant and has cartrophen injections for arthritis. I don’t know what else the vet can prescribe. I’m going to ring tomorrow for stronger painkillers. She’s on her bed asleep now so I’m going to stay up a bit longer to make sure she’s settled then try to get some sleep myself.
I just wanted to get it out. It’s my sons birthday today so I’ve tried to keep it together but now I fucking can’t. I won’t do it but it’s so tempting to cut my arm again. To make this awful pain go away. I haven’t done that for years and I’m not going to but I fucking wish I could.
Thanks anybody who’s reading and

[fragrantphoenixinwaiting]

I’ve been expecting this given her age but it’s still taken the wind out of me. I didn’t expect to so soon.

[Nat6999]

My ex husband's Lab had to be put to sleep last week, he had been struggling to walk, had obvious pain that had been diagnosed as arthritis. Last week he got down from a seat he had been laid on & his leg snapped. Ds took him straight to the vets who sedated him to do Xrays, he had bone cancer, so after speaking to ds & ex husband they did the kindest thing & put him to sleep, he was 15, a wonderful dog who ex husband found wandering the streets, after having him scanned & the dog warden checking for a lost dog, nobody was looking for him so ex husband kept him. Ds adored him & they slept together whenever he stayed there, he was heartbroken last week.

[ErrolTheDragon]

I'm so sorry your lovely old girl is having problems. You've made her comfy for tonight, try and get some rest yourself and see what your vet says tomorrow.

[fragrantphoenixinwaiting]

Thanks Erro.
Nat I’m so sorry for you your son and ex

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

I hope you get through to a sympathetic vet today, OP.

[ErrolTheDragon]

How's she doing this morning? And how are you, OP?

Hope you can get through to a bet on a Sunday. Our dogs always seem to have had their various crises at awkward time.

[roking]

How is she this morning OP?

It's somehow worse when it's an animal that's in pain, because they can't tell you how they are feeling

[fragrantphoenixinwaiting]

She seems peaceful at the moment. My husband carried her out into the garden and she managed to have a poo and a wee whilst balancing on her ‘good ‘ leg. No interest in food which is worrying. I stayed up with her during the night and she seemed not too bad.
I’m oK but it never gets any easier does it. I’m not having another dog, I can’t do this again.
Unless she gets worse today I’m going to get her in with my own vet tomorrow. She knows her and Lottie is OK to go there.
I’m ok, everything’s worse in the middle of the night.
Thanks for your replies, it helps that other people understand.
Rocking, it’s also awful for animals because they don’t understand what’s happening and why they are in pain. She’s frightened nasty well as being in pain.

[fragrantphoenixinwaiting]

Thanks Errol

[Kaykay066]

So so sorry to hear this op, we tried yumove with our retriever for a while but the last wee while he got more and more sore couldn’t get up fell etc he was 12 he just looked really sad and I couldn’t bear it. Painkillers made a bit of difference but he also started drinking loads and peeing and vet said he had a tumour she could feel. Have you tried painkillers? Did make him a bit dopey but he was pain free the last few days but clearly it was going enough for him and we spent last week totally devastated once we’d made our decision and my sons sat with him on Friday in the vet practise garden whilst he was sedated then Taken inside for the last bit.

Was horrific and owning a pet is wonderful he was an amazing wonderful dog but it’s heartbreaking when it comes to that and the house feels so empty but you have to do what is best for them and seeing him in pain and no quality of life was unfair and it’s only been a few days we are really missing him but glad he’s pain free and at peace.

So sorry you have to go though this too op, it’s horrible, thinking of you and your dog & family

[fragrantphoenixinwaiting]

Kay I’m so sorry for your pain. It’s absolutely heartbreaking but you know you did the right thing and so will I. I’m seeing the vet tomorrow and will ask about stronger painkillers but will be guided by what she says.
Your sons were so brave to comfort your old boy in his last minutes. He would not have known anything about it. That’s the thing about animals they don’t know they’re going to die so they’re not afraid of it. Please take comfort in that.
I’m hoping it’s not tomorrow and we have more time with her but I will do what is best for her.
Thanks for sharing your experience. It helps to know there are people who understand.xxx

[ErrolTheDragon]

KayKay - I'm so sorry, it's heartbreaking but you gave him a painless end.

Best wishes for tomorrow, OP.

[Kaykay066]

Thank you @fragrantphoenixinwaiting & @ErrolTheDragon it’s been really hard my boys are 15 & 18 and they are amazing I was there but I didn’t want to see him like that.

Fran I will be thinking of you today and hope the vet can suggest something that can help, you just feel so helpless when they can’t get up even to the toilet, my boy would shuffle about the floor to get his water or fuss one of my boys (younger 2 are 8 & 10) they adapt but you don’t want them in pain/suffering.

Thinking of you