Canine Cognitive Dysfunction - when to let go?

[stormsurfer]

My DDog is 12. She has Canine Cognitive Dysfunction and we've just done the questionnaire again and she is now in the severe category.

I don't know how we decide when to let her go.

She has some good days (well parts of days) but then others she doesn't. She's becoming aggressive, but I don't know how to decide when it's become a real risk to us and the other pets.

I really don't know how to gauge what her quality of life is now and I feel very conflicted because she was such a darling girl and such a big part of the family, but it's like she's "gone" already due to the personality changes.

On balance, is she enjoying her life?

For her to become aggressive, she must be utterly terrified - and this isn't a situation that's going to get better.

I'm a big advocate of 'better a day too early, than a day too late'

Honestly, if you're asking the question, deep down you know the answer. But it's always heartbreaking losing a well loved pet.

Talk it through with your vet,and go from there. And try to be kind to yourself, letting them go is not letting them down.

Thank you for replying. Vet says that it will only get worse, but some meds can make her less distressed. But then I feel that's probably just delaying the inevitable.

I've had to put other pets to sleep, but it's been an obvious decision based on physical health problems and that has made it "easier" to decide that it is the kindest thing to do. This is challenging as it's mental health and I can't tell how she feels and how much of the day she is actually still feeling OK.