Advice Required Please

[FatherofOzzy]

We have an older dog who is absolutely amazing and who we love completely - he's a Labrador, Collie, Greyhound mix - and he's never given us a minute's bother, but with worsening chronic arthritis, a pronounced limp in two limbs and occasionally losing his footing on tiled/wooden floors, now aged almost fifteen, we do wonder whether the time is getting close for us to consider sending him over the rainbow bridge.

In respect to meds, he's on a monthly Librela injection, Gabapentin and Paracetamol three times daily, (with a double dose of Gabapentin at night) and also Previcox daily, whilst other than a short walk in the morning, he sleeps almost continuously, hasn't wagged his tail in months and has become super-fussy whether to eat, or not. (He's still drinking and in control of toilet functions).

He's now incredibly 'clingy' and accompanies us for any and all reasons, (even just when we go to the washroom), whilst nightimes see him constantly 'circling', getting up, sitting down constantly, in and out of our bedroom and constantly nudging us for attention, so us getting sleep has become challenging. This said, it's him that concerns us, not our lack of sleep, we can deal with that.

Our vet, who we trust completely and has looked after our Ozzy for some time, has advised that she'd fully support our decision; to continue medications, or to put him to sleep. However, we'd appreciate some reassurance as to what's best and whether, if we continue medications, we're doing what's best for him, or us, because our only true concern is him.

We've had people suggest that we should say goodbye before he deteriorates further and while we believe that he still has some quality of life and there's the dimemma, when is the right time!!

I appreciate that there's no clear answer to the question, but any and all advice would be appreciated, even if it just presents us with other factors to consider.

Many thanks in anticipation.

Could the clinginess be doggy dementia? Do you think the pain relief is actually stopping the pain? It may or may not be now. But I would want to do it before he loses all enjoyment in life. It’s so hard isn’t it?

I would have pts several weeks ago. He is taking far more pain relief than I would be happy to give and yet he still isn't pain-free, from his behaviour. I think your vet is being cowardly, not telling you this, tbh. Better a week too soon than a day too late is my motto.

If he’s not in pain, is eating and drinking fine and happy within himself, I’d stick with him a bit longer. It’s a difficult decision, and only you know him and if his quality of life is still good. Hugs to you, I know how hard it is!

I think anyone who hasn't loved and lived with Ozzy can see that it is time to let him go. It's your emotions that are not allowing you to see that @FatherofOzzy
Think about how he was in his younger days and ask yourself would he have wanted to end up like he is now.
And ask yourself would you want to live the life he has now.
As pp said, he's almost certainly go dementia as well as being in pain with arthritis.
I also think the vet is not being fair to either of you either. It seems to me that you just need some support to let him go.
I hope that helps. It is honestly meant to. I know how hard it is.

Thank you both for commenting.

Ozzy was indeed originally diagnosed with CCD and so we tried a 3mth course of Selgian, but didn't see any improvement.

Interestingly, your comments differ; one says it's too soon, while redboxer321 shares my way of thinking. However, during his first few minutes in the park, (for his once-a-day walk), he appears fine, but then the lethargy and pronounced limping kicks-in, so for those who don't know, they comment as to how well he looks.

Last night was typical. Ozzy was up pretty much all night, pacing, circling, thumping down and then getting up again, so my wife and I had barely three hours' sleep and while, as already stated, it's not about us, again, I do question that this can't be good for Ozzy, especially with the constant panting which worries us that his heart will eventually give up the ghost!!

If truth be told, I'd like our vet to be more forthcoming and call the shots, as she's currently sitting on the fence and this isn't helping, especially my wife. We'll both do anything to prolong life, but only if it's the best thing for Oz and we remain so unclear on this!!

Thank you both once again for commenting, if nothing else, it's good to know that we're not alone at this troubling time.

Our comments don't differ though really @FatherofOzzy
@Purplecatshopaholic says:
"If he’s not in pain, is eating and drinking fine and happy within himself, I’d stick with him a bit longer."
But the conditions of the 'if' are not met.
You say:
"he hasn't wagged his tail in months and has become super-fussy whether to eat" and he limps (which is likely a response to pain).

Would seeing another vet help maybe?

It is so difficult with an aged pet @FatherofOzzy you have my sympathy. In my experience with my own pets I feel that modern vets do tend towards not advising PTS. Instead they leave it completely up to the owners to decide. Of course as owners our love for our animals can sometimes cloud our judgement a little. I agree with @redboxer321 you perhaps need support in letting Ozzy go? Best wishes 💐

The being super fussy with eating might be because he's feeling sick all the time with the amount of pain relief he is getting. Gabapentin is bad for this I think.

Sorry but to me, it sounds like he has zero quality of life. You are pumping him full of some pretty major pain meds, I don't mean to sound mean but whose benefit are you doing it for?

For me, he has long since passed the point where you should have taken this decision.

Please stop his suffering and have him pts.

For the record the vet is not allowed to push for it, they have to offer all options. Mine siad it is because of the risk of being sued when I pushed to have my last dog pts after several debilitating seizures. I was pissed as an alternative vet had refused to pts despite the fact my poor girl was dying in front of me

It's so hard. All I can add is that there have been times when I've waited too long to PTS because I've not realised the extent of their illness or the decline in their quality of life because it often happens gradually. It's easier to convince yourself that they're not really too bad. I regret this. I don't mean that I've left my animals suffering or in pain, just that it would have been better for them if I'd let them go a bit sooner. It is the last thing we can do for them.

All comments are correct at least in part, he is on some pretty strong meds.

We know he's in pain, what with the constant panting and pronounced limping, but he still appears happy when on his morning walk and that's the kicker, if he was unable to move, or showed zero desire to socialise with other dogs, it would be easier.

We really don't want to see him deteriorate further and we'd never forgive ourselves if we waited too long and allowed matters to get to a point where we regret it forever, but in the absence of there being a sure-fired way to determine when is right for Ozzy, it remains the hardest decision since he first arrived with us.

Thanks everyone, I guess we'll just have to make a decision as to what's best for our boy, one way, or another.

When our dog deteriorated she became more clingy. She’d always loved her food but when she started refusing to eat, we knew it was time. I think your dog is ready to go @FatherofOzzy . I’m so sorry, it’s dreadfully upsetting but we have to do the right thing for our beloved pets. 🐾💔

You have already said you got no sleep because the dog was up and down pacing all night.

That is not a dog that is coping with his pain.

He is in pain.

The clinging is a sign of this.

He is literally begging you to end his pain.

I'm sorry but you are putting yourself before this animal and it is wrong.

Do the right thing and pts

Yes, I think it's time.

Vets rarely tell you directly to put an animal to sleep but your vet has said they would support that decision. They are telling you tbh.

My girl is on the same path, is now on Librela and paracetamol but we weaned her off the gabapentin once the Librela kicked in and she's OK for now but we have discussed our hard limits and you are well into what we have agreed is the hard limit.

The lack of eating, the pacing, the exhaustion tell me your dog is in a lot of pain and not coping any more.

I know it's really bloody hard, we lost our other girl to liver failure and had to call it when the time came, but it's the right thing to do.

Having reread all your responses @FatherofOzzy, I am inclined to agree with others that it sounds like it’s time to let him go. I agree some vets can be a bit ‘cagey’ when really you just want them to answer the honest question - what would you do if he was yours? I’m so sorry, it’s an awful decision but it’s also a total privilege to be able to make it and do the best for a wonderful family member. Hugs to you all x

he sleeps almost continuously, hasn't wagged his tail in months and has become super-fussy whether to eat, or not
I'm so sorry to say this, but he doesn't have what I would deem as a good quality of life & I would be putting in a plan of when to say goodbye. It's not easy, I know having done this 18 months ago, but I had to put my dog first. She had pancreatitis and was doing the pacing you mentioned as she was in pain.
I hope you and your family enjoy what could be a last weekend with him 💐

Thank you all for your comments, we now have another consultation booked for this Friday and following a further check-up, we'll take advice and make a decision then

Sorry but you are making that poor dog suffer further.

Shame on you