Incontinence - Putting dog to sleep - is it time or AIBU

[Daffodildainty]

My dear little dog is almost 14 and her quality of life has faded hugely in the last year. She can walk a little but doesn’t go out any more. Seems to be stiffness rather than pain. She doesn’t interact with the family or come into the same room as us anymore. She seems pretty miserable TBH but not suffering She just sits or sleeps in her basket all day. I’m taking her to the vet on Thurs because she’s drinking constantly and weeing huge amounts. She’s also incontinent and I’m constantly weeing on the kitchen floor. Her quality of life seems so poor yet she’s not in pain. I’m taking her to the vets on Thurs about the excessive drinking/urination and I wonder should I be considering having her put to sleep at some point in the near future. It would be heartbreaking obviously but maybe kinder thank letting her deteriorate further.

Oops dog weeing on kitchen floor - I haven’t resorted to that - just yet 😃

I'll be really honest, I would be thinking that if she no longer interacts with the family that that is the most telling thing here and that really she should be pts. we sometimes keep pets alive longer than we should because we dont want to let go. but her quality of life is just not there and it would be the kindest thing to do. our pets rely on us to take the difficult decisions for them. good luck op

She could have diabetes, but I think you can get tablets from the vets for incontinence

I'd be thinking of how much distress any testing could cause when you speak to the vet. The fact ours would have difficulties with another anaesthetic influenced us when we had a last trip to the vet. I preferred a peaceful end with me close by to the distress for everyone if we lost him another way.

Incontinence aside, if my dog stopped showing any interest in life I'd be asking the vet to check them over and would pts if we couldn't improve their quality of life.

I really feel your pain. I've had to have 2 dogs PTS in the last 3 years or so, a 3 year old and a 12 week old. The 3 year old was diagnosed with Cushing's disease and his behaviour got so awful that he was permanently distanced from the family. We had to make the decision to PTS before he deteriorated further. He couldn't have been happy and he was getting worse by the day.
Your dog is 14 years old so has had a long life, I'm sure full of absolute love. If you're aware that she doesn't have the best quality of life now and the excessive drinking and urinating can be a sign of many health issues. I wouldn't say you're being unreasonable with looking to end her life before she deteriorates further. Can you book a date in advance? When we knew our boy was really advancing in his illness, we booked a day for the vet to come to us about 5 weeks in advance. It was horrid knowing it was coming but at the same time, it meant we had that extra time to absolutely pamper him, do all his favourite things, lots of beach walks, muddy wood walks and lots of naughty food. The day before he went, he helped us eat a takeaway and spent some time together all as a family which we hadn't been able to do due to his aggression. He went to sleep in our lounge whilst having cuddles.

Usually incontinence in an elderly dog is one of the signs that it’s “time.” It’s possible that, since you say she’s also drinking a lot, there could be an infection, but since that’s not the only symptom, it seems more likely that she may just be reaching the end of her life, especially if she’s not interacting with the family and not showing any interest in walks and seems to show difficulty moving. I think your vet will completely understand and probably agree with you.

Also, please bear in mind, that what looks like stiffness to you could actually be some or even quite a large amount of pain. Animals, and especially dogs, do not communicate pain the way humans do, especially if it’s from joints or deterioration. If it was a sudden acute injury, yes, they might howl or yip or be vocal or something, and some breeds are more vocal than others. But sometimes, they handle pain the way that you’re describing - stiff movement, not wanting to move (just “sits or sleeps” like you said). So I definitely wouldn’t assume she’s not in pain. This may be another reason that it’s time.

Sounds like she is diabetic. Does she poo in the house too?

Can she see? Most diabetic dogs lose their sight within months of diagnosis.

If you can get on top of the diabetes she may improve her quality of life. It's a big undertaking, I have a blind, diabetic dog. If you can get to a chemist you can get some glucose sticks and dip her wee, it will give you an indication before Thursday and perhaps more time to think about what you want to do.

Better a week too early than a day too late

It's a tough one .My elderly collie became incontinent, could still get about ,although slowly. We took her to the vets who said basically old age was catching up she was 18 yrs old .She kept going another 5mths then one day her legs gave way and we made the heartbreaking decision and it was bloody heartbreaking to have her pts .She went almost instantly she looked at us one last time , feel myself welling up writing this and was gone .Looking back should i have done it sooner but i didn't want to lose her , possibly we should have .You know your dog best , let her guide you and also see what the vet says .

She’s pooing in the house a bit too / not as bad as the pee though ( she’s only little so it’s oddly not such an issue) great suggestion on dipping her urine before going to the vet she’s currently lying in the kitchen facing the wall which she foes a lot.

Meant to add i used nappies when our collie became incontinent. Cut a hole for her tail and made sure she was kept clean and this stopped the wees and poos on the floor .

There are a whole host of very treatable reasons why an older dog would drink more and be incontinent. I would encourage you to see the vet before Thursday it could be as simple as a UTI.

What has the vet said before when you've taken her for her for her vaccs? Have you put her on anything like Yumove* to help with achy joints, I see a big difference in oldies when given relief, either Yumove by itself or Yumove and vet prescribed Metacam. There is also medication for incontinence Propalin (I think) it's called. If you've done everything to help her and there has been no improvement and her quality of life is poor then it's time. Always better a month too soon than a day too late, putting to sleep is the last kindest thing you can ever for an aging ailing dog.

*Yumove is the brand I use, there are other equivalents

Our rough collie growing up lasted until 13. He was incontinent at the end which looking back was probably his kidneys packing up. I recognise what most of the PPS have put here. It's almost time for your girl. Take her to the vets and see what they say.

I found great comfort watching our collie get the injection. He finally looked at peace. Wouldn't have missed that for the world.

I'm going to give my chocolate lab an extra hug tonight.

The fact that she’s no longer interested in interaction with her family is a good sign to me that she’s tired.

She is probably in pain and not feeling at all well, surpised you hadn't taken her to vet sooner. The drinking and incontinence may be a symptom of something serious, old age or something easily treatable. But listen to what the vet tells you, it may be kinder to pts.