Handhold for dog advice.

[Seeleyboo]

Sorry for using AIBU it's more of a WWYD but theres so much more traffic on here and I could really use your help.

I have a 13 year old Chihuaha. She's never been blessed health wise but she struggles to walk and her knees are displaced as well as her hips on the way out. The vet has said very short walks but preferably don't. She has dementia and her eyesight is going. I think her hearing is on it's way out too. She's overweight and even the vet has said I cant reduced her food intake anymore and she must eat on a carpet or her legs will slide and she will star fish. She's becoming incontinent too with no2s. She has no idea she's pooping. With all that said she's super happy and still very loving. She has her monthly pamper session but sadly still stinks to high heaven. Old age I'm told. I have 2 others too who are 12 and 11 and seem to be aging a little better. WWYD. She doesn't appear to be in pain.

It's such a hard decision to make, but I think you're not wring for weighing up her health issues vs quality of life.

If I'm being honest, I don't think you'd be doing the wrong thing in giving her a gentle passing before her health issues cause her distress and/or more pain. But definitely be advised by the vet.

I am with the others who say the kindest thing is to put her to sleep but I also understand your reluctance since she seems so happy. You are the kind of owner every animal should be lucky enough to have.

Personally, I would give her one last day of loveliness, maybe carry her to the beach, park or forest, wherever was her favourite place, sit on a rug with her, let her do as much or as little exercise as she wants with the other dogs, feed her sausages or whatever her favourite food is and then take her to go to sleep... If you can afford it, maybe ask the vet to come to your home, many vets will do.

Hugs to you...

Honestly, i'd PTS sleep now, while shes happy and not in pain, and has had a long happy life.
She's struggling, even if she's not in pain, and it may take a while to notice once it does start to become painful.

Better a week too soon than a day too late imo. I know that's easier said than done though

This might be helpful:

cinqueportsvets.co.uk/information_sheets/tag/pet-quality-of-life-questionnaire/

Sorry to go against the flow but if she still seems happy I wouldn't have her PTS. One day the day will come and you will know it's time. Speaking from bitter experience I would rather let events or my dog tell me than make the decision solely with my head.

I think it's better to do it a month too soon than a week too late. Personally I would put to sleep now as she cannot control her bowels. Once one bodily function has gone others tend to follow. I'm sorry that you are in the position of having to make this decision.

We had a greyhound go exactly the same way - body/mind giving up but still appearing to enjoy life. Someone (wise) told me I would "know" when the day came..... and a few weeks later he didn't wag his tail when I gave him his denta-stick one morning.... and we just kind-of looked at each other, I knew today was the day. We had him PTS an hour or two later, very peacefully but we knew undoubtedly it was the right thing to do. It still makes me tear up thinking about it, but it a lot of ways it was the perfect way to go.

I feel so much for you. We had our much loved Scottish terrier put to sleep two weeks ago. He had a huge mass on his liver and it was obvious it was time to go. He was incontinent, lost the use of his back legs, didn’t want to walk and his tail didn’t move on the last day. We’re heartbroken and miss him dreadfully but it was the kindest thing we could do for him. 💐

I had to make this decision in April for my 11 yr old gsd, she suddenly started losing control over her back legs and three days later would get up to eat or to go outside, she just went to to loo where she was laying. I made the appointment that morning, took her to the vet and she did get up when I put her lead on her. Vet agreed it was the best time to do it as he didn't want me thinking I had left it too long.

It is hard

@Alsohuman

My dogs tail stopped moving on the last day as well. Vet said she may have had a spinal stroke.
Still miss her now