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Original poster

I think my dog is dying ..wish I knew how long this could go on for.

60 replies

brimfull · 14/02/2009 15:57

She's old and has liver disease ,vets and I have decided not to treat her.
Don't think she is in pain.
She is having real trouble getting up after her very long sleeps..looks lopsided as if she may have had a stroke.
I really don't know whether to take her to the vets as there is nothing they can really do except put her down.She hates going..gets really distressed.I just want her to die peacefully at home .

OP posts:
ilovemydogandMrObama · 14/02/2009 16:01

One of mine had liver cancer. Still managed to eat his 'last' meal with gusto....

Never will forget his last look at me right before the vet took him...

Take lots of photos...

CarGirl · 14/02/2009 16:03

could you get the vet to come and visit at home to do the deed so she's saved the distress?

Original poster
brimfull · 14/02/2009 16:05

I'm not sure it's time yet.
How do you tell?
She seems content to sleep atm,it's only when she gets up.

OP posts:
fishie · 14/02/2009 16:06

sorry to hear this ggirl. yes we got the vet to visit, it was all very low key and not at all upsetting for poor dog.

fishie · 14/02/2009 16:07

xpost - with us it was very gradual deterioration due to heart failure. a point came where i could tell we were keeping the dog going for ourselves and he wasn't enjoying any aspect of life at all - not even sniffing air if door open.

CarGirl · 14/02/2009 16:09

if she seems to be "happy" once awake and up and eating perhaps not time yet.

Such a hard one

Original poster
brimfull · 14/02/2009 16:10

so difficult

her name is happy

OP posts:
newpup · 14/02/2009 16:35

So sorry ggirl. My parents had their lovely old boy put to sleep last week. He had was old and one morning could not get out of his basket and stand up. Had been slow, doddery and deaf for a long time but he seemed not to want to bother anymore, decided it was time.

Your vet will definately come to you, my parent's dog hated going to the vet, so he came to the house and the old boy went peacefully in his own basket.

I think you definately know when it is time. The last kind thing you do for your pet, is by far the hardest.

ABetaDad · 14/02/2009 16:44

Have her put down if she is not walking, eating, urinating, defacating or getting out of her basket.

Dogs are good at hiding pain.

Original poster
brimfull · 14/02/2009 16:59

abetadad-do you mean if she's not doing any of those things or all of those things?
She's incontinent ,has been for ages.She is still drinking and ate her dinner last night.

OP posts:
CarGirl · 14/02/2009 17:26

ggirl

I would think if she is not doing one of those things.

although she's incontinent she is still urinating & defacting so that's okay.

ABetaDad · 14/02/2009 17:36

If she is not doing any one of these things she is very ill.

Sounds like she is drinking, eating, urinating and defacating if she is incontinent.

If she will not come out of her basket to you she is likely to be very ill already.

All, I am saying is that if she has gone off her legs then its really the end.

Original poster
brimfull · 14/02/2009 19:19

I have just hand fed her her food,she ate about 1/3 of what she normally would eat.
She has walked a bit today but is wobbly.
If she's the same tomorrow i'll have to phone the vet I think.

OP posts:
legoprincess · 14/02/2009 19:32

My advice to people is to consider whether their dog has an acceptable quality of life. I suggest they ask themselves whether they or the dog are benefitting from carrying on and mention that the dog does not appreciate a few extra days. It is important not to think you left it too long when you look back - it makes it much easier to come to terms with the decision. Ultimately, only you can decide but, from what you have written, I don't think you should leave it much longer.

Original poster
brimfull · 14/02/2009 19:38

lego-thanks ,are you a vet?

OP posts:
ABetaDad · 14/02/2009 19:50

Legoprincess - I agree.

ggirl - my Mum probably said goodbye to over a hundred dogs in her life and I know she cried over every one. It is never easy.

CarGirl · 14/02/2009 19:56

My MIL has been the same with her many cats, she would just like one to die peacefully in their sleep I'm afraid it's never happened.

It does sound like it's time to let her go.

I still cry now when I think about my cat that I had put down 2.5 years ago on a Sunday morning. He'd gone missing for 24 hours (he was old and a tumour in his tummy for the last year) - I was astonished when he came back but he wouldn't eat, we had 3 young children so we couldn't even give him a couple of hours of time to spend cuddled up with us in peace. I'm just glad I got to say goodbye and didn't have to go to all be neighbours to check their gardens for our deceased cat.

Big hugs, it's a huge a loss x

othersideofthefence · 14/02/2009 20:49

When I had to have my beloved dog pts last year the vet said that in an ideal world our pets would die in their sleep, but sadly it hardly every happens, or when it does it is sometimes because the owner has chosen to let the animal go on for too long.

It's the most horrible decision to have to make. My boy was semi continent for the last period of his life, but until the final day he still got out of his bed when I entered the room and wagged his tail.

I miss him dreadfully, but I think the 16 years of love and devotion he gave was worth the heartbreak.

And although it is heartbreaking and I said 'never again. 2 weeks later we got a rescue dog so I guess I havent learnt!

I'm so sorry you have to make this dreadful decision, but I'm sure your dog has had a fantastic life with you.

Original poster
brimfull · 14/02/2009 21:02

She has moved and is now lying in front of the log fire.Thanks for all your kind words..you've helped me to decide what is best for her.

OP posts:
legoprincess · 15/02/2009 14:50

Sorry I didn't reply again last night. Yes, I am a vet. I really agree with what othersideofthefence's vet told her too. What have you decided to do?

SlartyBartFast · 15/02/2009 14:53

my dog is nearly 16,
it is hard.
i am sure you will know when the time is right.

Original poster
brimfull · 15/02/2009 17:23

Hi well as she wasn't good this am I phoned the surgery and booked an appt for tomorrow ,last appt of the day.
Then my very good friend who Happy adores came round to say goodbye and she has perked up somewhat.I don't know what to do now.She is walking around occassionally,albeit slightly wobbly.

OP posts:
fishie · 15/02/2009 17:30

ggirl have you asked them about home visit? it really didn't cost much extra and made the whole event very peaceful.

Original poster
brimfull · 15/02/2009 19:15

fishie-no haven't asked will do tomorow,have also thought of the possibility of a sedative before the visit.
Tbh she seems very calm atm.
In the last 20 minutes she has collapsed spread eagle on the floor and eaten all of her dinner,I am in a real quandry as to what to do.

OP posts:
Madmentalbint · 15/02/2009 19:23

I totally understand how you're feeling and you'll probably wonder if you're doing the right thing right up until the end - I know I did.

Somebody told me "Better a week too early, than a day too late" and I really believe that is true. After my cat died I felt guilty for taking him too soon but deep down I know that with every day that passed he would have deteriorated further and been in more pain and distress.

It's hard to say goodbye but it really is the last act of kindness that you can do for your beloved dog.

Take care xx