When is it time?

[Madwife123]

We have a 13 year old Rottie.

Recently we’ve been debating when it’s time to let him go. He is in good health in that he has no illnesses and his blood work was really quite good last year so it isn’t that he is ill or suffering which would make it easy to decide.

However he now spends almost all day sleeping. He only wakes up to eat and use the toilet. He has no interest in any of the things he used to enjoy. He will no longer go on a walk and lies down to sleep after 2 minutes. He is a little unsteady on his legs now and struggles getting up and down sometimes. He is completely deaf. He just seems to have no quality of life anymore.

How do you know when it’s time to let them go in the absence of illness?

I think you are the best advocate for your dog. If you think they are existing rather than living then I would have a frank discussion with your vet.

I have the same
Dilemma with my 15 year border terrier - such a difficult decision ...

I have no advice other than the fact that you are asking means that you maybe know deep down he isn’t having the life he would want.

My last girl was taken suddenly.

The two girls who came before her were similar to your boy. There was no joy. One was a sudden decline - which made the decision easier. She actually looked like someone had deflated her.

The other was more gradual and there were other issues. The vet agreed to give her the best week we could before coming to see her.

Both were absolutely the right decisions looking back but at the time it was so very hard.

There are no easy answers but hopefully your vet may be able to assist you with your decision.

I’m so sorry though. It is heartbreaking. x

I'd say if they are only sleeping, eating, and toileting, with no enjoyment even of lying in the sun happy to watch you then it is time.
I agree with a pp that when you are asking the question, then you know deep down. And I would rather a week too early than a day too late

@CMOTDibbler

I'd say if they are only sleeping, eating, and toileting, with no enjoyment even of lying in the sun happy to watch you then it is time. I agree with a pp that when you are asking the question, then you know deep down. And I would rather a week too early than a day too late

This, my boy was the same and we debated. About 2 weeks later his back legs went and we could see how confused and upset he was they wouldn't do what he wanted (he had dementia as well) Looking back it really was a week or two too late. He was our first dog and we haven't made that mistake again, the guilt I had thinking how scared and in pain he must of been for those extra couple of weeks is heartbreaking and was way worse than the guilt of having my other dog and cat pats when it was time

@SheldonesqueTheBstard That’s exactly it, deflated. That’s exactly how he seems. I just don’t know if I’m overthinking it as when the vet did his bloods last year he made a comment saying he could have another 2 years in him yet with his levels. And he is healthy he just doesn’t seem to be him anymore.

It is agonising madwife123

I wish I knew how to advise you but the truth is none of us can as we don’t know your boy.

The vet could be right and why wouldn’t you cling to 2 years if you feel you are being robbed of precious time?

But it could be that something has changed since the bloods last year and your boy is just (as my granda used to say) slowly failing. (Which is just getting old). Similarly, it could be something that some meds could fix.

I do hope your vet can advise you.

My heart goes out to you and your boy.

They give you the best of times and the worst of times. They really do. x