my old dog - please help me work out when enough is enough

[everymummy]

I have an elderly dog. He's nearly 14, weighs about 48 kilos and has terrible arthiritis in his back legs. He's getting weaker and can't manage the stairs so has to stay in the basement, which is our kitchen.

To get outside, he has to climb up the back steps which are steep and uneven. This morning I took him out and he fell up the steps, I picked him up (he wears a harness to help me support him) but he was quite upset and kept trying to get back down. Increasingly he doesn't want to go out because he remembers the steps until he's desperate. He won't wee on the patio.

He's eating and wagging his tail though - a tough old thing (mastiff pitbull staffie cross).

When I got him out this morning he was very slow, lay down on the pavement several times and flopped on his side when I tried to get him up.

Really I think he can't live with so little mobility although his heart is strong and he clearly enjoys lots of part of his life.

He has antiinflammatories, supplements, raw food diet. I don't know what to do

Lots and lots of for everyone in this heartbreaking situation. I said goodbye to my boy last November, but still am plagued by "what ifs" (what if I had given him a few more days to improve etc), even though I know in my heart of hearts it was the right decision. He went downhill very suddenly age 12, lost control of his back legs. He was always a very dignified dog and it was horrendous to see him unable to stand, walk, get outside to toilet without me holding him up with a towel.

I paid extra for the vet to come to our house and pts and I'm so glad I did. The vet was wonderful, and as he gave the injection stroked him and whispered to him saying "you were such a good boy, you were never any trouble, you can go now" in such a calm, gentle and peaceful voice. My old boy went with dignity, in his own bed, surrounded by his loved ones.

Lots of hugs and for everyone here. It's absolutely heart breaking.

Just want to add my own story. This was a few years ago now that we had to put my childhood dog down. We got him when I was 4 and put him down when I was 23. He was 19. And very spritely until the last six months. He had cataracts, was totally deaf, and arthritic. The decision has to be made when he began to get fearful as he couldn't see things until they were right in front of him. A ramp was very good for the last couple of years to get into the car, but he even started to get fearful of that as he couldn't see it.
He started to lose control of his bowels and that was the final decision. We had the vet come to the house so he could lie in his own bed with us round him cuddling him and reassuring him. We didn't know Bout the sedative as that would have been good as he took a while to go. And the vet thought he would need to get a second injection into the heart but luckily not.
It was more expensive but absolutely do it if you can afford to.
He is now buried in our garden.

This whole thread has made me cry. I'm so sorry for everyone who has lost their friend or is contemplating that final goodbye.

My dog is six months, she's my first, and already I'm heartbroken at the thought of saying good bye. I've purposely not looked up their average life span as I know it will make me obsess.

I lost my fabulous cat a few years ago, she was almost nineteen and we left it a day too late. We were told on the Tuesday and she was PTS on Thursday morning, the vets suggestion. Wednesday night she pooed in the downstairs loo. Never went in the house ever. It still upsets me to think that was her saying she'd had enough and she was distressed by her illness. I let her down and I'll never forgive myself.

Our collie cross is going on 14 now and has a heart murmur as well as arthritis in all legs. Our vet plan includes weekly physio and acupuncture which really seems to make a difference. He is much stiffer if we have to miss a week.

Husky it doesn't sound as though your ddog will be able to do any if the things that make her life joyful. Is that a life worth living for her?

As sadly predicted I had to make that call this week. My ddog was only 9 but the life he would have been left with, if he survived, would have not included running after balls, his main love in life. He died with me holding him and it was very peaceful.

@everymummy

How is your old boy doing Every?

My heart goes out to all on this thread. It's such a hard decision to make. My dog is 11 and it breaks my heart to think I'll possibly have to make this same decision at some point. I think it's very brave and selfless to let your dog go when the time is right. I hope when our time comes I can do what's best for my boy.

@murphys thanks so much for thinking of us.

He is doing pretty well thanks! He is eating and is strong and fit in everything but his back legs. His mobility is decreasing to the point where despite him insisting on going out for park walks and being interested in the other dogs and owners, he has to keep lying down. I have found a method of supporting his backend as he goes up and down the steps and he trusts me to do this.

There is nothing for me to say - he's not happy, let's call it a day. I honestly would do because his quality of life is absolutely the most important thing to me. I'm seeing the vet next week and I'm going to ask him to level with me.

Much love to all of you who are facing the beginnings of endings.

Hi Every, please let us know what the vet says when you have seen him.

I used the cut shopping bag to help my boy towards the end, but our vet did suggest that he stop going for walks a little while back. He was just getting too sore after a walk, so although he did like to go and have a nose about, he didn't go out for quite a while towards the end. He really just lay about, did a sort of chase of the postman at the gate if he was in that mood that day.

I didnt see where you said, but I assume he is on medication. I know the products are different here, but we put a powder over his food which really did help the arthritis a lot. It is called Mobiflex, not sure if you get it or something similar there. Definitely saw a difference once we started adding that to his food for the arthritis.

All the best every, thinking of you and your old boy. Enjoy your time with him now, take lots of photos, videos, he is so lucky to have you... he knows he is loved x

I went through this a few days ago. You might see in a thread below. We let her go, it was her time. It was the right thing to do, although I'm still crying about it. The only thing I regret is having her pts in the vets. I wish we had done it at home where she knew where she was x

It's a hard dicision but the fact you're contemplating it rather than just letting him suffer show's your love and respect for your boy and his dignity. X