What has just happened to my elderly Labrador

[leekandpotsoup]

He's been suffering from neuropathy for a few years. It's got to the point where we very often have to lift his back end up and get him balanced, as he can't get up himself. He's happy, wags his tail, loves his food, doesn't seem to be in pain or stressed and is sociable and well liked in our area

Tonight he seemed to collapse, then rolled onto his side with his legs sticking up and did a big wee - he's normally a very clean dog. He's fine now - for him, he's lying at my feet and has eaten some dog but scouts

Could he have had a fit ? Poor boy xx

@FossilisedFanny he didn't shake or anything. He just looked a bit bemused.

I forgot to say he's 12 and a half

My mum’s elderly lab cross did this while out for a walk, she collapsed splay legged on the pavement and wet herself. My mum phoned me distraught to come and collect them in the car. As soon as arrived the dog pulled herself up and tottered towards me wagging her tail happily. She lived for several more years, finally put to sleep at 17 as she could no longer urinate. She seemed to have some neurological problem as she lost most of the muscle in her back legs and hips, and from one side of her skull. She was still very happy on the day she died, but she faced a very unpleasant death if left.

Our lab-pointer cross did this when she had progressive anaemia - it meant her brain wasn’t getting enough oxygen, hence the collapse, confusion and incontinence.

In her case, the anaemia was not treatable, but not all anaemia is untreatable.

If you check your dog’s gums, and they look pale, that might indicate anaemia.

Poor pup, it's such a hard time. I know exactly how you will be feeling.

I read a long post on here a few months ago about when the 'right time' is and the words from a vet stuck with me. Just because his tail is still wagging, he's eating etc doesn't mean it's not his time. My old girl wagged and ate until the last minute. Please take this with my best intentions, and I I hope you can have a chat with your vet, if you haven't already.

Thanks everyone @SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius his gums look red/pink

We know we have to make a decision at some point and we keep telling ourselves he's fine for the time being. He's happy at home in his comfort zone.

He's had vacant episodes where he'll just stand around In the garden or on his little walks - he just goes round the block now - he just stands looking around as if he doesn't know what to do.

Red/pink gums doesn’t sound like what we saw in our dog, @leekandpotsoup.

It may be a warning if he’s otherwise ok, but If he needs help standing and becomes increasingly incontinent, I think the time is coming, OP. I say this in the gentlest way possible having lost my lab. Is he doing 3 out of 5 if the things he loved when healthy?

In hindsight I waited 2 days too long in similar circumstances. It’s hard to forgive myself for those 2 days.

I’d be taking vets advice on the best thing for him and chances of deterioration. Wishing you all the strength in the world.

Vacant periods sound a little like epilepsy.

I would consult a vet. And if it were ever to happen again try and film it.

I hope that he is ok and I really do know how hard it is but my old girl wagged her tail and ate even when it turned out she was in enormous pain. Talk to your vet .

Epilepsy doesn't always show itself in fits.

He needs to see a vet - if sounds like an absence seizure to me

Sad to say we’ve lost him this morning. He'd taken a decline and the vet thought he’d got kidney and/ or liver problems as well as the neuropathy. He lost the use of both legs. V sad.

He was such a big character and everyone loved him and he gave so much love.

Aw I’m so sorry,

I'm so sorry, OP.

I’m so sorry OP. Labs are such a wonderful, big presence. Thinking of you

OP, that's so sad. But from the sound of it, he had a lovely life and was loved to bits.

Im so sorry OP, its heartbreaking when they go 💐

Sorry to read this OP but it sounds like he had very little time in any pain or discomfort which is the best we can hope for. Thoughts to you and your family and a big sloppy lab kiss from our Lab boy to you.

Thank you for lovely comments. The house feels empty without him x

Big hugs.
I lost my chocolate lab in august in exactly the same manner - so so sad .
I’m lucky I had 2 other dogs otherwise I don’t think we would have coped very well.
Now I recall the good times with him whereas the first few weeks were the memory of him being pts.
Big big hugs xxx

Oh, what a horrible outcome.

I'm so sorry OP [flower]

So sorry OP.

We have a 15 1/2 year old lab and know we're on borrowed time.

Oh no how awful. We lost our 14.5 chocolate lab this time last year and it is just so heartbreaking. But a year on we still talk about her a lot and although we may end up in tears we also laugh about some of the naughty things she did too! My niece is a very good artist and she painted a drawing of her and it’s in our kitchen so we look at it often and it’s a comfort. I remember getting a photo of our family dog who died when I was about 20 and my mum still has it up now. It’s a nice way to remember them.

I am so sorry to hear this - they wind their paws round your heart, don’t they.