Advice needed for Lhasa apso

[Littleminx1]

So my Lhasa apso turns 12 this November. I've had him since he was 4 months old. About 2 months ago he started crying and whining for no reason and had a large increase in his appetite. I took him to vets who said he had hip dysphasia in his back legs and arthritis. Since then the crying has gotten worse and the pain relief given didn't appear to make a difference and then 2 weeks ago he seems to be blind. Took him back to vets who diagnosed him with CCD (like doggy dementia) cataracts (although couple weeks before I mentioned his eyes being cloudy but said it was normal as dogs age) but this time put dye in his eyes. Believes he is completely blind in right eye and partial sight in his left eye but has developed an ulcer on the cornea. We are nearly 2 weeks in was back at vets Monday and they have advised to continue with his eye drops but have made some additional drops with his blood plasma in to see if helps (so far no change) advised about concerns for his quality of life as all he currently does is cry sleep eat. Have to carry him outside to go to toilet this week as he is obvs scared now blind but he is doing amazing getting around the house. But she thinks that even if his eye clears up (or it has to be removed) it won't make any difference to his behaviour e.g crying and sleeping and being confused etc. my partner thinks it may be best to let him go to sleep but I can't help but thinking he could make improvements and have some quality of life. I have immense guilt and just don't know what to do for the best. Am I cruel in prolonging things in the hope his eyes gets better and this actually helps his quality of life. Honestly never cried so much in my life. Just love him to bits and want to do what's best for him but also give him the best chance possible. Don't know what I'm asking for but if anyone has experienced anything similar with advice it would be greatly appreciated TIA

I'm so sorry to hear about this, it's so devastating to go through illness of a pet and anyone that gives out about it needs a good head wobble IMO.

Personally with all my animals, dogs, cats, horses, when it comes the end of their lives I go by the maxim 'Better a week too early than a day too late', i.e. I'd much prefer if they go out when reasonably comfortable and happy and therefore lose a little bit of 'good' quality time than wait until they go dramatically downhill and therefore have to go through extra pain and suffering. It's different with humans of course who can make that decision for themselves (although I'd make the same choice for myself personally) and animals can't talk and are often very good at instinctively masking their pain so you can't be sure exactly what's going on and often they are suffering more than they let on. Plus animals don't have the sense of the passage of time like we do so they won't regret lost time or missed opportunities as a human might, they live in the moment and only really know whether or not they are in pain or afraid at that exact time rather than either looking forward happily or anxiously to the future, IYSWIM?

Sadly I'd say your little boy does sound to me like he's in at least some discomfort and approaching the end so difficult as it is I would be talking to the vet about a realistic prognosis and making plans, as the advantage of choosing to do this sooner rather than later is you can plan to make it a really calm and happy experience for them rather than if (god forbid) they can a big deterioration and you have to rush them to the vets as an emergency which is so stressful and horrible for all concerned. My last boy went out peacefully at home in his own bed (vet kindly agreed to come out and do the deed at ours rather than us having to take him in as he so hated the vets surgery), licking his favourite pate treat, with cuddles and strokes from all the family. It couldn't have been nicer if that's not an odd thing to say .

I'm not saying you have to make that choice for him right now this second, give yourself time to prepare and make his last few weeks lovely?

@maxelly thank you so much for your response. I totally agree with what your saying. I just can't stop thinking what if he makes a miraculous recovery which vets say won't happen. I would rather him go peacefully then in more pain and discomfort then he already is. It makes me cry just thinking about thinking about making that decision but ultimately I know that's what would be best. We are back at vets Friday now for a check up as there now closed Monday so will discuss options with them. Don't want to make that decision right now just want to try and make some nice memories with him and give him some nice experiences but then think what it a day or a week longer is detrimental for him. Thanks again for your reply