Is it obvious when your elderly dog has reached the end of their life?

[fortyfifty]

My lovely dog is 12. She's had decreasing appetite for 6ish weeks and not eaten much at all the past week. She had a day when she drank a lot so we took her to the vet. He did blood tests but count came back OK for health of organs. She had a temperature and elevated white blood count indicating she was fighting an infection so he prescribed antibiotics.

She seemed to perk up, but still decreased appetite and she's now not eating at all, not even when offered chicken.

She's spent most of the day on her bed, occasionally moved to get other bed. She was restless for a bit, just standing in the middle of the room. She is lethargic now but still drinking small amounts each hour. She doesn't appear to be in any pain but how would I know for sure? Do we take her back to the vet for more tests or is this likely her life coming to an end?

She needs to go back to the vets either way really there's clearly something going on.
They can give medication to improve appetite & reduce nausea or reflux as not eating can also make you feel poorly. Being restless, increased panting and licking can be signs of discomfort

No more tests, she's slowly winding down. Hopefully you can get a home visit when you have to say goodbye. My last dog got very thin and one day she licked me, which was very unusual for her, that's when I knew she'd had enough. That was 2015, still miss her.

It can be quite tricky to pinpoint, and it's tempting to keep them going longer than we should.

Our elderly dog just gradually went off her food (she would eat chicken though!), and went off going for walks, and slept loads. She then started to get incontinent which was the main sign really.

Even then I wasn't 100%, because she still loved a ride in the car, and a fuss, and visitors. One evening she went to lie down and toppled over, and struggled to get back up, so I booked her in at the vet next day. It was heartbreaking, and in some ways I felt like I'd kept her going a bit too long.

She's not panting or licking. She's actually very calm and peaceful to look at and even rolled a bit for a tummy rub, which I don't think she'd do of in pain. I don't want to stress her unnecessarily if she's winding down. But I don't want to be cruel and heartless. Im weighing up having the very tell me the inevitable, with moving her unnecessarily. It's so hard.

I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through this. My old girl ( nearly 15) went downhill quickly over the course of a week, she couldn’t stand from sitting or lying. I took her to the vet who felt it was something neurological and we agreed to PTS. It was only last week and while I am heartbroken I know it was the right thing to do for her.
Sending hugs

I think the light goes out of their eyes and they lose any interest in usual pleasures when they're done. Of course illness can look a bit like that too but if they have nothing really identifiably wrong then it's that. So sad, I was grateful with my old boy he was enjoying life right up to his last day then had an acute crisis they're was no coming back from so it was as clear as day. Wishing you all the best in doing the right thing for your pet.

My dog just lived for walks and food. As a lab cross it probably wasn’t in that order! When he wasn’t interested in either then I knew it was time. Incontinence had come a bit before that, but he seemed to still get joy out of food and walks, but when that stopped we took the last stroll to the vets.

Still sad. Previous dogs were the same I think, we pts when the joy went from their lives. I’ve had a few sadly, all older rescue dogs.

They say better a day too soon than a day too late…

If you're asking this question, I think it's time. It's so difficult but as PP said, the light goes out of their eyes and you know.

Sending it's the hardest but kindest decision to make.

We made the decision and she went yesterday. We're all heartbroken without her. I just want her back.

going through this right now - so searching mumsnet for words of wisdom.

Ddog has is 14 and slowing down a lot over last few months , sleeping more, getting wobbly on back legs but was still bouncy - and loved her daily walk , though could only do 10 mins. Today she has lost the bounce and spark, can barely stand and not interested in food or water.

Also going through a similar situation. Previous dogs have all had something happen that marked the end. All lived to a good age too. Current dog is definitely deteriorating. Not incontinent but back legs going. The light has just about gone but she is still enjoying walks (v slowly) and food. Breaks my heart that I think I'll need to take her to be PTS in the next couple of weeks and she'll potentially look like she's more or less okay. On a positive side though I'm hoping we can enjoy a nice last walk, give her something nice to eat and then take her in. Will definitely be better than the previous rushed, tearful journeys to the vet (not that this one won't be tearful).
Sending love to all those in this position. It is hard and I feel so sorry for you OP but it sounds like you made the right decision and you should be happy that you know that your dog had a good and happy life.🌹