How do you know when it’s time? (Trigger warning)

[Sexykitten2005]

Tough Question and I’m sorry in advance if this upsets anyone but my boy is now 13 and in the Last two weeks he has gone from happy cuddly and enjoying life to a completely withdrawn unhappy in pain pup. He has had various tests at the vet and we’ve tried a few different prescriptions (first they thought gastro, then arthritis now they think possible heart disease or lung fluid build up) we are booked in for a chest scan tomorrow but thanks to COVID I can’t go in with him or even manage a proper chat with the vet it’s all over phone or through car windows. It’s all come on so suddenly and im sat next to him right now as he struggles to breathe. He won’t go for a walk, he hasn’t eaten in four days and I can’t remember the last time he wagged his tail.

I’ve got the scan booked for tomorrow but how do you know when enough is enough? I hate the thought of him being in pain and unable to tell me or me prolonging his pain for selfish reasons. We have insurance so money (apart from copay) isn’t an issue but I don’t want to be that person who makes their pet suffer through selfishness. Any advice please?

Honestly it sounds like it sadly might be time for him OP, as awful as this time is animals tend to tell you when they've had enough.
If he's withdraw, not eating, wanting to walk or seem happy in himself his quality of life might not be good right now.

Hopefully the scan will reveal something that the vet can fix and make him back to his old self. This is the worst part of dog ownership, and it's up to us to make their end of life as comfortable as possible

I'm afraid it does sound like time. I hope the scan shows something that is fixable, its hard to lose our old friends - and It's really tough now, not being able to be with them. If you do decide it's time, is there a way the vet could come out to your car and give the injection then move away so you can be with him?

This is the last kindness we can give them, to help them die without any more suffering.

It is really tough to know for sure. We had to say goodbye to our 16 year old boy last August. Hardest thing I have ever done. I still miss him very much.

In the end we were having to carry him upstairs. His back legs would slip on our floor and his hips would go and he couldn't get up. We would have to lift him up. Twice he slipped while we were out and we found him in distress when we came back. He slept pretty much all the time. Couldn't walk further than the end of our road at a very slow pace. What made the decision in the end was we noticed when his tail wagged rather than when it didn't. That is when we realised he rarely wagged his tail anymore. He was tired and had enough. It was time.

I know your circumstances are very different but it does sound as if he has given up and had enough. Hopefully the scan gives some answers but if not, then it may be his time unfortunately. I know things are different now as we were able to be with our boy until the end (heartbreaking). But at the end of the day, we have to do right by our dogs and not what we want. However difficult that may be.

I am sorry. Good luck.

It is so hard, but if you ask the vet, they won’t say one way or another, but they hint heavily.

I kept my old girl going for at least 2-4 weeks too long. I did it for me because I couldn’t let go, but I look back and realise it was too long.

Since then over the years I have lost three cats, and I listen to my vet.

It sounds like it's time for your boy, sorry. But it also sounds like he's had a happy life with his family, so that's something you can comfort yourself with. How many dogs (and other animals) don't have that. You know if it's the right time to let him go. Paws put together for you.

It was time. Thank you all so much for replying. He passed peacefully Friday morning and I was lucky enough to be able to hold him the car when he went. It’s been a tough few days but thanks to you all I know I did the right thing. I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my question and I’m sorry for anyone having to make this decision at this horrible time