I posted a few weeks ago about my old girl limping very badly. She is a rescue, so we are not entirely sure how old she is, at least 12, vet says maybe 14, a friends who has had lots of retrievers thinks could be as old as 15. We've had her since 2016 so we never had her as an old dog. She has been on Previcox for a while, which her insurance doesn't cover.
After a couple of consultations over the phone, the vet saw her, she was sedated and x-rayed and basically her hip is failing. She won't get better.
She is currently on painkillers, and she is honestly now not too bad, takes her a while to get up but she takes herself out to the garden for a wee, she is still limping but manages ok on the flat (can't do stairs).
Since we last saw the vet, she has now developed an ear infection. She is prone to these and her earflap fills with fluid. For this to be treated thoroughly she will need to be sedated again for the ear to be drained, and a long course of AntiBs.
She has also developed terribly restless legs and spends a lot of time with one of her back legs going as if she is scratching vigorously. Left leg slightly more than her right but she does it is both legs alternately.
Her skin is not great either, she keeps gnawing at herself and making herself sore. She's up to date with all her flea treatments, so I am confident she doesn't have fleas.
The problem is, I am so worried her quality of life is deteriorating. While she is still eating well, is wagging and enjoying the company of her humans, and is getting out to wee/poo, at what time do you make the call.
She definitely needs another trip to the vet to see if we can improve some of her conditions. She is insured, but the ear infection won't be covered as there is a 1000 pound per condition per year limit on claims, and her infections in Oct and Jan have used that, until the policy renews at the end of July. she ca't wait that long. The previcox she is on is also not covered (Though the painkillers will be).
She is such a good natured and placid dog, even if she is in pain/very uncomfortable, she won't snarl and whimper. My main concern in making her comfortable and giving her the best quality of life. I am not going to put her through anything heroic and/or endless trips to the vet. Spiraling vet costs are a concern as well, even with the insurance covering some of it.
We are not happy leaving her alone either in case she slips and can't get up, while this has been fine while we've been in lockdown, as lockdown is lifting, it is going to be an issue.
Sorry that got really long, if you got to the end, thanks for reading. At what point would you consider PTS? She had a rough start to life, I want to make sure I do right by her at the end.
If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.
The doghouse
Elderly retriever - I think we are close to the end- advice please
BookWitch · 29/06/2020 08:47
It's the hardest part of dog ownership 
I'm in bed with mine next to me - my golden has her head on my lap. Thirty years ago my first dog was a GR and I still remember the day she was pts.
The chewing at skin is frequently a sign of pain, dogs with bad hips do it, as we might rub a sore joint, so bear that in mind, particularly if, as you say, she's quite a stoic dog that doesn't make a fuss. She might be in real discomfort and this is the only sign
I echo what others have said about better too soon than too late, it's the last kind act we can do for them. Concentrate on that, what's the kindest thing for her? Don't give yourself a hard time either!
This was us in April. We (us and the vet) had been so distracted trying to treat a relatively minor ailment that we didn't look at the big picture. When his behaviour slowly changed we put it down to him getting older but with hindsight I think it was discomfort. During a vet visit I asked them to scan him and his kidney and liver measurements were really bad so we made the decision there and then. I still have enormous guilt that he may have been in discomfort for longer than we realised. It's a heartbreaking decision OP but perhaps better now than before she's in any pain. She's a beautiful girl. 
for you.
Thanks everyone, I am now in tears but I know you are all right.
I will speak to the vet today and talk things through.
This was her last summer - she loves a pub lunch 
Sending lots of love to you OP. We've had retrievers in our family my whole life and they are such special dogs and it's so heartbreaking when the time comes. You'll know when the time is right, all you can do is make her as comfortable as possible until you make the decision
If she's comfortable and happy for now then I wouldn't have her pts yet.
Agree, speak to the vet and reassess in a few weeks.
My dog was pts when he couldn't get out to the loo and was so distressed it was really obvious and sudden thankfully.
I could cry now thinking about it and it was over 20 years ago.
I'd make the most of every day at this point.
It's really hard and you have my sympathy. 
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