Off to the vets

[Rowgtfc72]

Have posted before on here about my mad fat old jrt. She's been dropping weight since Christmas,back ends dropped and she has a sore on her nose that won't heal.
Tucked her in the other night and she looked at me and I realised I think we've reached that time. She's four weeks off sixteen.
Off to the vets at half four and hoping it's fixable but am realistic and don't really want anything invasive doing.
Do you ever really know when it's time?

I’m so sorry.

Of course you know, and you’re the best person to make that decision.

Big hugs to you! It is a very emotional time when you have reached the end of the road with a beloved pet. You have loved and cared for her and in return she has done the same.
It is awful to see them in pain or general discomfort.
I hope your vet can guide you in what options are available and what choices you have.

I am so sorry that you are in that position but I am sure you will do the best for her

I think most people know when the time is right and it sounds like you feel your girl has reach that time.

However, knowing you're ready for it is another matter.

So sorry you're having to do this last kindness for your beloved pet.

Took a very bright eyed and bushy tailed elderly jack Russell to the vet and have come home with her
Vet said weightloss is only age related and blood test will only show everything is slowing down due to age. She has anti inflammatories for her sore nose and gums and they will help her back legs. Weight check in four weeks but as it stands she's a healthy if thin very old dog.
She practically ran out of the vets. Bloody dogs!
Thanks for the hand holding. Very much appreciated I can tell you.

Rowgtfc72 - those JRTs are tough little dogs indeed (we have 2).

V pleased to hear she's still got plenty of fight left in her

Aww that's good news and yes I know all about dogs that perk up at the vets seemingly like nothing is wrong

Jack sodding russells

They don't half put us through the mill! So glad she's ok.

Oh that's great. Bloody dogs do seem to delight in scaring the life out of us. So pleased for you, and your mad old jrt.

Glad to hear your dog is ok! Re your question, I think you do know when it's time. I did anyway. My dog was a couple if months of 16. I too femur like she was looking at me like she'd had enough now.

Absolutely heart breaking but glad I did it before she showed any signs of suffering.

Felt like* not femur!

Some days she's like a puppy and others she looks so tired. My other dog was pts at 16 with canine dementia. It was pretty clear cut. This mutt is giving me sleepless nights!

Yes, I remember the one day up one day down scenario with my two cats when they were coming to the end of their lives and I still wonder if either of them could have had a few days longer. Having said that, I didn't want to leave them a day longer than they would feel comfortable with.

My vet agreed with me when I thought the time had come and I trusted my vet to be honest with me. You can only do your best.

I know it's a cliche, but it's true: better a week too early than a day too late.

Having pets is not easy sometimes.

Back at the vets for four week check. She's livelier but 40g lighter. Vet asked to do bloods admitting at 16 anything he found would be serious. Told the vet at 16, having never bothered the vets for anything other that booster jabs, I didn't want long term treatment and he told us to come back in four weeks for another weight check.
He also said we were looking at quality of life not quantity which I why I took her last month.
Realistically I'm looking at the last six weeks with my mad old jack.

It's lovely that your girl got to sweet 16 🎂
Lots of pawsitive positive wishes that her remaining time with you is happy, pain free and full of treats.
Sounds like you and vet will both know when it's time.

Another 4 week check tomorrow. She's had a bath and smells nice but she is just skin and bone. Nothing else on her. She flew out the door to rub herself on the grass as she's not a bath fan. She still runs like a puppy, trots about, eats and plays.

I think decisions will have to be made tomorrow .

I’m so sorry. I lost my fourteen year old terrier two weeks ago today. Hardest day and following time of my life.

Thinking of you tomorrow. Xx

Bought her another three weeks.

Vet rightly said she can't make the decision for us but apart from being so thin she's happy enough. Consistently losing weight though.

Have booked in for end of may unless we have to go back sooner.

Sorry to hear about your terrier Eifla

Ringing the vet tomorrow to change next tues weight check to her final visit.

Sun she looked very,very old. She even let dh pick her up and they have a mutual dislike of each other.
Today she's back to trotting around,scrounging food and the odd small wag. But she's another 100g lighter.

This could go on for months with her getting thinner and thinner but still having good days. I need her to go while she still has a wag. Just wish it wasnt a decision I had to make,she still acts like a puppy. Also next tues is 16 yrs and a day since I brought my seven week old puppy home from the breeder. How's it come to this

Just a thought OP but if she has a liver or kidney or both issue that's causing the weight loss a switch to a prescription diet can really help the weight stabilise. (Buy online it's pretty much the same price as burns or jb).

It kept my 19 yr old cat going another year happily without adding in anything else like meds.

All the best

Weve tried full fat food, high protein puppy food, senior food. She eats loads just doesn't put on weight. Vet reckons diabetes or kidneys.

She's running around like a loon today. You'd think she was a puppy

Protein shakes??
Porridge, full fat milk/baby formula?

Cheese,chicken, porridge dog treat by the bag. Snaffled ham. Two tins of dog food a day. She's eating.
For her not to gain any weight but to lose means I know what's wrong is serious. It's my choice to not treat so I should pull up my big girl pants and sort it.
But then she comes running in with her little elf Ears flapping and I can see her spine and hip bones and ribs. But also her little puppy face.

Thanks for the suggestions though. It's appreciated.

My gorgeous girl is gone. 16 yrs almost to the day that I carried her to the car in my hands she was so small, I find myself carrying her to the car wrapped in her favourite blanket. Sleep tight puppy.