My ten yr old dog is dying

[RaininginDarling]

I was hoping for some wise words. My ten year old collie cross started to radically slow down and lose weight over the last few months. We're waiting on further sample results but the vet believes she has liver damage, possibly a tumour. She's still eating and occasionally finding enough energy to chase our cat or bark at the postman but she's mostly lying down wherever I happen to be. I'm heartbroken but resolved to be with her to the end. The vet says don't let her linger and the time has come to bring her in when she stops eating. I'm just wondering how others managed going through this. Thanks.

I’ve not gone through this but just wanted to say sorry you are in this situation 💐

It’s one of the hardest things I’ve been through OP. We lost our lovely boy to cancer almost 2 years ago and it’s devastating. I’m very sorry that you are having to face this. 💕

For now, your lovely girl is still eating and it sounds like she’s getting some joy from life.
Give her lovely food and as much attention as she wants. Remember, dogs live in the moment. She won’t be having the thoughts and feelings that I’m sure you are.

Listen to your vet though and be honest with yourself when the time comes, even though it will be incredibly hard. I am sure you love her very much and it will be the last act of love you show her. Our vet was so kind to us but very honest and I will be forever grateful to him for that. Knowing that we didn’t wait too long, even though at the time I just wanted another day, has been very comforting as time has passed.

We look back and know that we did right by our dog. His ashes are in our house, I talk to him still and he’s still very much a part of our family. I’m sure some people think I’m mad, but I don’t care. He made all our lives better, we’ll miss him forever but look back and remember so many happy times. You will too. Take care. ❤️

Thank you both for your kind messages. And sorry for your loss OP. I hear you. I lost my cat in the middle of May 2020 - a sudden seizure - and I wasnt allowed to be with him in the vets when they put him to sleep (because of the pandemic). They bought him out to the car park on a tiny stretcher so I could say goodbye there on the concrete floor. He's under my cheery tree now and I still talk to him - but that goodbye squeezed my heart. He was my other shadow. Yes, I totally agree about not pushing for more time to suit my needs. I won't do that, I love her too much. And thank you for reminding me: she's living in the moment unlike her human! I hadn't imagined we'd be in this odd limbo, taking each day as it comes and wondering when we should act in her best interests. Gah. Shes getting ALL the treats. Thanks again. ❤

It’s such a horrible time. Take comfort in the knowledge that you’re doing a last kindness to your lovely dog by allowing them to die in peace before they get seriously unwell. Dogs can’t think as we do - they have no quality of life when that unwell. And to the dog it’s just another trip to the vet with you. They don’t know anything about it.

Also know this isn’t recommended as it’s not good for them but on our lovely dog’s last day we let her have a cheeseburger and mashed potatoes! I mean I know they’re bad for her but she loved sneaking human food and how bad could it be when she’s that ill? I like to think she thought it was her birthday and only we were sad.

Such good ideas, thanks for sharing and yes, she's getting plenty of human treats. She's just had a salmon filet and spent the next twenty minutes bouncing around the living room with her favourite squeaker. Its endearing and heartbreaking. But ultimately we're just grateful for the years of joy she's brought.

Do you know when you will get the sample results back OP? Glad to hear she’s getting all the treats.

She sounds lovely. ❤️

Take your vets advice, when an older dog is terminally ill, the most loving thing you can do is have him painlessly put to sleep before he suffers more. Don't wait, you'll regret it.

I kept our first dying collie going for two sad weeks after our then vet said "it's time".The beloved poor old dog's quality of life was rubbish in that 2 weeks and I realised later, I'd put my own feelings ahead of his. I've never made that mistake again.

Once you've witnessed euthenasia (so gentle and kind, no distress whatever to the dog as you comfort him to sleep) you'll know its the best thing you can do for a beloved pet at the end of the road.

I found the not knowing the hardest bit. If you’re honest with yourself you’ll see when it’s time, and although it is sad and difficult, I found this bizarre strength that made me put one foot in front of the other and deal with it.

Dogs have no concept of future, she just knows that now she’s being fed delicious food, playing with her toys, and when that stops being enough for her she will drift off peacefully. That’s been my experience three times now (I tend to adopt older dogs so it’s par for the course).

Sending love and pats

Aw I’m sorry to hear that, it’s so so hard when they start to decline, 10 isn’t super old really either. My old retriever passed at 11 felt awful as he was in pain and it was time but it doesn’t make it easier. I’m glad we made the decision when did to say goodbye before things deteriorated further. he’ left a massive hole in our lives that will never be filled just patched over awesome dog.
thinking of you and your precious dog ❤️

Lost two dogs within weeks of each other a couple of months ago. Really really tough. But I do feel strongly I owed them a peaceful and respectful death. I would rather that be a day too early than a day too late. Euthanasia is generally preferable to natural death, which could be stressful and painful. Have you considered asking the vet to come to your house so your dog has familiar surroundings? I was unable to do that for mine, but it is definitely something I'll consider for future pets.

We had our dog pts when he stopped eating his dinner he used to get it the same time as us and it distressed him that he didn't want it we thought it best sooner rather than later. I am sorry you are going through this it is so hard .

I found the responsibility of the decision of when to call the vet so hard. I've always felt like I killed my beloved Labrador. However I still know it was the kindest thing. It is unfortunately part of being a responsible pet owner. She was so loved and she loved us with all of her heart and she had a lovely life and years down the line that is what I remember.

Thanks for all your thoughtful messages and for sharing your own stories of love and loss💐We'll not let her linger because we can't step up. It's true you find strength when you need to. Vet called and said they didn't find anything in her urine. They don't think Lucy is experiencing any pain at this time. but to watch how much she eats - and to compare it to what she was eating when she was well, as opposed to what she ate yesterday as she will decline gradually. We just have to be very honest with ourselves for her sake. I believe we will.

I so understand this and you showed her love right when it counted. I think they know this.

That was meant for @annonymouse - daft app 🙄

I'm so sorry @Arcticlife that must've been so hard! I'm not sure we can have someone come to our house but its worth looking into. Thanks

I'm sorry your dog is unwell and that you're having to go through this.

If it's any consolation at all, when I went through something similar with my cat, the right time became apparent. He went from contented lap cat to somehow restless. We sat together on the stairs and he gave me a look that said "help me" and I knew it was time.

When the time comes, you'll do what's right for the animal and you'll know in your heart that your sadness is the price you pay for doing the hard thing that's right.

I’m so sorry that you’re all going through this. They take a piece of us but are so worth it.
We lost our beloved staffie cross a couple of months ago. She was old but the weight suddenly seemed to melt off her even though she was eating. She slept more and it just seemed that there were less good times for her. I think you can see in their eyes when they have had enough. The vet thought she had a growth on her liver and we called it. She was wagging her tail on the way in but her body had had enough.
It sounds as though your lovely girl still has happy times and more good days than bad. You will know when that changes and the fact you are already thinking about it means you are obviously putting her first. I think this is the hardest thing but the greatest gift we can give, to spare suffering. Nature is pretty brutal and a peaceful death surrounded by love is a blessing.
Sending you all love and strength 💐 She is a lucky girl.

Having had a similar experiences to you, I truly believe that you will just know when the time is right. We know our dogs so well, their every signal, mood and movement that it is almost like a sixth sense. It sounds crazy but both times, the light had gone out in their eyes- sorry if that sounds weird but it is true.
Until that day, enjoy your time together.x

This is my experience too. I remember trying to get my dog (bouncy playful staffy mix) to play with her favourite space hopper and she just sort of got up so slowly and painfully and I thought ‘oh now I know it’s time.’ It’s a horrible decision though. I wish the vet could just tell you when it’s time and you didn’t have to make that decision.

We lost our beloved boy on Sunday in similar circumstances. He had started to get a bit sicky, coughing up yellow bile and just seemed slower than usual and more tired. He had a full blood count and it showed liver failure. Our vet told us what to look for and gave us liver support meds. Our boy never showed signs of pain. Enjoyed his walks right to the end and never went off his food. Last Sunday he vomited his tea and just seemed disoriented. He fetched his favourite toy and lay down and died with us holding his paws and loving him. Some dogs just keep going I think. It’s hard to judge their quality of life because so much of that spends on being with their family. It’s such a hard call to make but on balance, and knowing how much my boy hated the vet we think it was better it happened at home.

I want to say how much I appreciate your responses, thank you, it's been a real comfort.

As others have said, you know when it's time. It became apparent by Monday morning that she'd had enough and so we arranged to have a vet come to our house last night (thank you for that suggestion, it was a really good one). Our darling Lucy had an excellent last 24hrs where she ate everything including six sausages (SIX!) and some hamburger pizza. She even sampled a bit of chocolate (and wondered what the fuss was about). She went to the beach, to the park and right up until the end, she played with her favourite toy - a massive hard plastic mechanical chiming ball that I'd hidden from her two years earlier because she damaged her teeth on it. She was delighted to have it again and, with some effort, insisted on having it on the couch by her side. After she'd been given the relaxant by the vet and was falling asleep with me looking her in the eye and stroking her beautiful face and thanking her for her life spent with us, she found a last burst of energy, grabbed her toy from behind her and then died, in my arms with her toy against her nose. It was the most beautiful and peaceful death you could wish for.

I am absolutely heartsick with loss but, as others have said, that is the price we pay for love. I'm now going to take our other dog for a long walk. (He also got to say goodbye to her). Thank you again for your kindness. And here's to all our beloved pets. 💐

A picture of Lucy attached, on her last day.

I’m so sorry for you and everyone who is missing her but you did her proud and that sounds absolutely perfect. She still looks bright eyed in that picture so you timed it perfectly. Lucy knew she was loved and that is the greatest gift anyone can ask for.
I really admire your bravery in soaking up the last 24 hours and giving her so many treats. It is so hard when you feel so heartbroken. I feel we worry that we are betraying our pets when we have to make such a massive decision, but really we are taking on suffering to spare them.
In time the pain will ease and you will remember beautiful Lucy when she was healthy and strong and made you laugh. She sounds such an amazing character.
When I lost my girl in March, a friend gave me forget me nots in a flower pot engraved with her name and the words ‘the legend who brightened our lives.’ They really do. ❤️💐