We have an older dog, not sure how old as she’s a rescue but probably at least 12, small terrier mix.
despite her age up until a few days very active, still coming on short slow runs with me, walks every day, throws herself with gusto at the postman next doors lawn mower etc and jumps up on furniture, bright and engaging.
a couple of days ago, she just refused to stand up in the morning. Shaking and sad.
trip to the emergency vet, £600 in various tests a couple of possible diagnosis but vet is really unsure. She has stopped eating (second day of no food) and has stopped drinking water today, am trying to keep her hydrated using a syringe. Hasn’t been to the toilet all day.
glassyeyed and mostly sleeping. Not moving very much at all and doesn’t respond at all. It’s pretty heartbreaking.
the vet gave her a huge dose of antibiotics and a an IV and she is on pain meds (although doesn’t appear to be i pain) more antibiotics and anti nausea tablets. It’s been about 30 hours since she started tablets but she is not improving, if anything she is more lethargic and like I said now stopped drinking water.
I think she needs to back to the vet today. However I know this will result in more suggestions of tests and ultimately the tests yesterday showed some concerning kidney and liver issues that the vet said are likely unreversible and may be further impacted by the meds she’s on. I really think it’s time to discuss euthanasia. Sadly we’re just not in a financial position to run a vet bill into the thousands, we’ve recently had some other emergency stuff pop up and our savings are very thin.
however my partner (his dog, he found her in a park, before we met, where she had been beaten and tied to a post and he took her home and they are inseparable since) says she is fine, she is just under the weather and fighting off a minor infection. She will be right as rain in a day or two.
over the years I’ve had many female friends that have struggled with their male partners accepting a dogs time to die and clinging on to sick and unhappy animals. I’ve observed many arguments between couples about when to say good bye to a dog.
I do feel like perhaps it’s a bit early to call as she’s only been like this for three days but also I can’t bear that she might be suffering.
at the moment I’m deferring to his judgment because ultimately she’s his dog, but I’m unsure at what point I need to go into bat for her, which I predict will cause a big issue between us.
AIBU - give it a couple of days, dogs can go for a couple of days with no food or drinking by themselves
NBU - you need to say goodbye to the dog
thouhtd on whether it’s a man thing to ignore the glaringly obvious when it comes to dogs health?
AIBU?
When to put an old dog down……
CultOfRamen · 29/03/2024 06:10
Am I being unreasonable?
79 votes. Final results.
POLLBeryls · 29/03/2024 06:20
It does seem strange that she was totally fine 3 days ago, seems like something sudden rather than a slow decline. I'd have another trip to the vets personally, is she not insured? One more trip then reassess I reckon. I say this as someone who seriously considered putting my dog to sleep a few years ago when she was ill, so glad I didn't as she recovered. My dog is also very old.
When my dog was unwell I used a syringe to give her little amounts of water regularly, it really made a difference because dehydration will be making things worse. Could be worth a try?
Purpleraiin · 29/03/2024 10:34
Sorry you are going through this OP, I would recommend sooner rather than later.
My 3.5 year old dog went like this last week. She stopped eating and drinking, barley moved, and when she did she looked like she was struggling to have the strength. Her kidney values were through the roof and She spent almost a week at the animal hospital on an IV for hydration trying to bring the values down. We had to have her put to sleep on Tuesday after they diagnosed advanced kidney disease and said there was no way she would improve or survive without the IV for longer than a couple of days.
Do you know what the blood results were for the kidneys? I loved my dog and miss her but tbh, I wish I had made the decision to have her PTS sooner
noctilucentcloud · 29/03/2024 10:37
I'm sorry for your loss, that must've been an awful shock especially with it being a young dog.
Purpleraiin · 29/03/2024 10:34
Sorry you are going through this OP, I would recommend sooner rather than later.
My 3.5 year old dog went like this last week. She stopped eating and drinking, barley moved, and when she did she looked like she was struggling to have the strength. Her kidney values were through the roof and She spent almost a week at the animal hospital on an IV for hydration trying to bring the values down. We had to have her put to sleep on Tuesday after they diagnosed advanced kidney disease and said there was no way she would improve or survive without the IV for longer than a couple of days.
Do you know what the blood results were for the kidneys? I loved my dog and miss her but tbh, I wish I had made the decision to have her PTS sooner
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
ScroogeMcDuckling · 29/03/2024 10:54
that decision is one only your partner can make, and for you to say your bit once and that’s it. Once.
we have an old dog, who would have been put down at 5 if there was no insurance, and every few years, he’s been back at the vets with a thousand or two. He is now 13 and probably over £10,000 has being paid out by insurance.
a few weeks ago, same as yourself, do we spend the money (no insurance now) or pts.
we spent £1,400 this time.
he is always very happy to see us, tail wagging so hard the other day he took out the teapot and two mugs, the milk jug survived - he’s a lot slower than he was, but he’s old.
with the cat he was about 23, he stopped eating, couldn’t be bothered to move to go to the toilet, and the vet said “it’s time”. We went with the vet’s opinion and the cat didn't fight at all which was, strangely, extremely reassuring.
I hope your dog is just having a good rest and he will be back on normal dog duty very soon.
I’m sorry if this came accross as me, me, me, but deep down your partner will know when it’s time, and if the dog isn’t sleeping in its own “waste” perhaps it’s not quite time yet.
CultOfRamen · 29/03/2024 11:10
I don’t know if I can wait till she’s sleeping in her own waste, I feel like that would be definitely left it too late, I know she’s a dog but I want her to have her dignity she has never once had an accident in the house I feel like she would be so upset if that happened.
she is my partners dog they are so bonded but she’s been with me and my daughter for the last eight years too, particularly my daughter who was four when she joined our family, so I guess it’s the classic case if it’s his decision till I think it’s the wrong decision 🤣
she just looks so unbelievably sad. No tail wag happening at all 😞
ScroogeMcDuckling · 29/03/2024 10:54
that decision is one only your partner can make, and for you to say your bit once and that’s it. Once.
we have an old dog, who would have been put down at 5 if there was no insurance, and every few years, he’s been back at the vets with a thousand or two. He is now 13 and probably over £10,000 has being paid out by insurance.
a few weeks ago, same as yourself, do we spend the money (no insurance now) or pts.
we spent £1,400 this time.
he is always very happy to see us, tail wagging so hard the other day he took out the teapot and two mugs, the milk jug survived - he’s a lot slower than he was, but he’s old.
with the cat he was about 23, he stopped eating, couldn’t be bothered to move to go to the toilet, and the vet said “it’s time”. We went with the vet’s opinion and the cat didn't fight at all which was, strangely, extremely reassuring.
I hope your dog is just having a good rest and he will be back on normal dog duty very soon.
I’m sorry if this came accross as me, me, me, but deep down your partner will know when it’s time, and if the dog isn’t sleeping in its own “waste” perhaps it’s not quite time yet.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.