Any advice accepted elderly dog and thinking about PTS ( not today but when )

[BasiliskStare]

Our eldest dog is 15 in 4 weeks time. ( Border Terrier ) . 3 months ago Dh thought he had had a stroke as he was wandering in circles and his head was to one side - took him vet & it wasn't. He had some tablets and got very much better . I don't think it is Cognitive dysfunction but something similar - not a BT thing just and elderly dog thing.

He is not in pain ( except when he his patted round his head and his mouth - his teeth are bad but though he has been before to get them cleaned under GA the vet said he is a bit old to go under a GA now - they would not recommend it - so he gets wet food & eats it )

He will chase a ball in the park

But he has started just stopping where he is and weeing or pooing where he stops ( ie indoors) He has gone deaf I am sure of that. His eyes don't look quite right , a bit filmy . He is getting very grumpy .

My view is until he looks or sounds in pain we keep him going as long as he can & just deal with the rest of it.

Does anyone have any better advice. We will be so sad to lose him but I am of the opinion as long as he is eating and will go for a walk and we know his mouth is sore & he can't hear or see as well and take account of that we will just live with his agedness.

Is there anything else I should out for in an elderly dog & if not upsetting - what made you make the decision.

Be in no doubt I will be taking him to the vet so not going to diagnose him via the internet but just interested if people can say what made you think the end was really nigh rather than the inconveniences of old age. ?

I really do apologise if this upsets anyone - do report it if so & get it taken down

Basilisk

@Rosscameasdoody Thank you so much. We have everything crossed & vet practice has all his records and everything so we will make sure whichever vet looks up everything and checks everything. Thank you for your wishes.

I am not a vet but I trust our practice. I will report back

It is just so helpful to hear other experiences.

When I was much younger ( 40 years ago ) we had a border collie who was PTS - but I was away at university when it happened so I had to trust DM & DF they had done the right thing. This is the first time I may have to make the decision for myself. DH's family have always had dogs so he knows more about these things . Both of us are hoping for the best whilst preparing for the worst. If trusted vet says there is a way Basilisk Dog can go on longer without suffering We will do it - if not then so be it. I will be in there quizzing the vet though ( I am sure he won't appreciate that given - last time I looked down the back of the sofa I do not have a veterinary science degree. :) )

Thank you all for comments & thoughts - I am not sure everyone gets how much a dog becomes part of your family - but obviously so many people here do and I appreciate all the comments & best wishes and prayers.

Update Friday

Thank you all - Basilisk 💐🐾

Good luck @BasiliskStare
just a caveat - the research shows that vets aren’t very good at diagnosing chronic pain in dogs. For example around 60% of referrals to vet behaviour specialists are actually dogs with symptoms of pain that have gone undiagnosed.

Its definitely worth a medication trial

Oh,I SO get it❤️

Any update OP ? Crossing my fingers for better news.

@DotAndCarryOne2 and all others

The update is rather pathetic in that we got into our old rubbish car and it would not start. Phoned vet and the time it would've taken us by other means they said they would not charge for the appointment because we phoned but they did not have another time today by the time we could get him there. They will if we do not turn up for rearranged one which is next Thursday morning. Which I thought was very fair of them.

By observation , Basilisk Dog is happier . No poos in house but he did do a wee this morning. He went for a run this morning instead of vet and has been chasing his new ball . He is eating dried food now. I don't know if I am worrying for nothing but I do want a proper vet's opinion , not just mine

But but we are not ignoring this. So 10.30 next Thursday he is booked back in and if car can't be fixed we have other back up arrangements in place .

Obviously if something happens in the meantime all bets are off and he will be into Vet quicker than Flynn.

Thank you all for sticking with me . Next update Next Thursday afternoon. ( immediate job - getting the sodding car fixed so it will actually move. )

Basilisk x

Can I just add ( because I have read each and every post ) no arching of back. He will be picked up without discomfort . I think he is losing a bit of weight . So he is booked in for next Thursday morning & I have a list of things I want a proper answer to from vet

Glad he seems happier in himself. Will keep fingers crossed for you all and hope the car is a bit more co-operative on Thursday. You’re in our thoughts here in the NW.💐

He sounds like he's doing alright, I don't think you've got anything to worry about at the mo. I've said it before, you know him best.

@userxx & @DotAndCarryOne2

It may very well be I am worrying for nothing . But not prepared to risk it if Basilisk Dog is suffering. I hope he is just old and can go on for a while longer - but my parents ( post having a dog they had put to sleep ) had a cat who was skin and bones & not eating - I think they left that too late - so I would rather check early than late. Oh it's hard because I want him to go on forever 😕

I'd give every single possession I own to have my boy back with me and healthy. Bastard tumour.

Try not to overthink it, enjoy each day, embrace each good day.

@userxx 💐🌹🐾 I do feel for you

How did you get on?

@userxx and @Doidontimmm Thank you for asking.

Here are the highlights

He is old ( we knew that )

His teeth are bad and he doesn't like anyone fussing round his mouth but for the last few weeks he has had a mixture of wet & dry food & the vet said if he is still eating dried food ( albeit mixed in ) that is a good sign . The main point she said was to make sure he was eating properly ( and his is , he finishes all his lunch. ) If he stops eating we have to book him asap.

Related to that he has lost weight ( since last 6 month check ) She wants us to weigh him at home in 4 weeks time and see what ( if any ) the weight loss is & if severe she wants us to book him in.

She has looked ( well stethoscope ) and his heart and lungs are healthy

She gave his tummy and everything a good feeling over and could see nothing of concern

Re his back legs. She manipulated them all ways about - so stretching them , turning them this way and that , bending the knees , nothing caused him discomfort. But she then did another test I have not seen before where she folded his back paws in ( so if you can imagine , she put the top furry bit of his paw on to the table bent backwards ) and he did not immediately put his paw the right way round ( which she said a younger dog would automatically do ) . She does not think he has arthritis. What she said is in older dogs sometimes the nerves going down their spine don't work as well as they should so the nerves connecting his back legs to his brain are worse than in a younger dog & apparently this is not uncommon in an elderly dog ( and he is 15) So his hips seem OK , - she thinks he doesn't trust his back paws as much . He can go up and down stairs ( but slower) He will run on the flat in the park & chase a ball. But he won't jump down from a height or jump up on to the sofa.

So I hope against hope I sent the flare up too early. So in Vet's opinion , he is old , he showing symptoms of an elderly dog. He is due another check up in 6 months , but she wants us to take him back if he stops eating , and even if he doesn't if the weight loss is significant after 4 weeks , or if he stops walking running or won't try the stairs.

Those are very layman's terms . But there is the update.

I do wonder if I worry too much , but when it comes to Basilisk Dog I would rather worry too much than too little.

Thank you all for taking an interest . I must admit I feel somewhat relieved - but she says he needs monitoring and if any of those symptoms get worse - don't wait for the next check up , book him in

Basilisk

Thank you so much for taking the time to update us. Must admit I was thinking of you and Basilisk Dog the last couple of days. The signs of advancing age can be many and varied can’t they ? Glad you have reassurance from the vet and a clearer idea of the red flag symptoms to look out for. I do hope all will be well.xxxx

I’m so sorry you are facing the inevitable.

my beautiful old boy died in November, I rushed him to the vet after he unexpectedly vomited and didn’t ask for his supper, greedy springer spaniel. I was stupid and listened to the vet that they thought they could save him. It was his one and only attack of pancreatitis and he spent 48 miserable hours in their care and died before the decision to euthanise was taken. I had told the vet I would euthanise but wanted their opinion and they said they would give it a few days. I am still devastated he died alone at the vets and had an uncomfortable 48 hours when I should have made the call, it was disrespectful and selfish of me to listen to the vet knowing they are a business, my boy was 14 and I could tell he was very ill.

I know it’s so very hard but having a cuddle and time together, comforting them while the vet sedates and then performs the procedure is so much more dignified for the dog. I bitterly regret my decision to try and prolong his life much more than had I just asked them to euthanise. Please say goodbye to your dog while he knows you are there and whilst vets do their best it’s also worth remembering they run a business.

So sorry, I know how painful this situation is.

@DotAndCarryOne2 Thank you - I must admit I am so much happier she checked him all ways and has given us very clear guidance as to what to look for. At the moment she just thinks "old age " but she has told us very clearly what to look out for. That helps,

@MsRead I am so sorry to hear about your beautiful old boy. I honestly believe my vet that she has said he is showing symptoms of an elderly dog & she has given advice. So we will be monitoring him and as and when I will make sure the vet does not keep him going unnecessarily. I do trust this vets' practice - they have been looking after Dog for almost 15 years - But very sorry to hear about your old boy. It is sad. I will face it when the time come but if he is OK for the time being , then that is better than OK to me . We shall see

That all sounds very reassuring that he is good for now. I have a 12 year old staffy/lab who is my world but like you wouldn’t want her to be in pain. Enjoy lots more cuddles with him :)

@Doidontimmm We surely will. What the vet seemed to say is - here is what to look out for but I hope to see him in 6 months for his next check up - and she said "you're just an old fellah aren't you sweetie " Like you I do not want to see him in pain but apparently terriers have a good life expectancy . So - as long as we look out for him thus far , nothing life threatening , but she has told us what to look out for . I hope your Ddog is happy even if quite elderly. Basilisk x

Thank you. My dog seems happy but does have arthritis so is on lots of pills, she still jumps up on sofa etc and walks so quite happy she isn’t in pain for now.

This is a brilliant update! I'm so pleased you're feeling relieved, i am too! Just keep doing what you're doing, you have nothing to worry about he's just an old chap behaving like an old chap.

I know the test you mean, our old family dog had neurological issues and they did that to her, her foot stayed curled under.

Keep us updated on the little chap.

@userxx I will keep you updated , & I had not known about that paw curling thing - but now she has explained it to me we will look out for it. I think he is just old but she has given us things to look out for and we will be. Unless anything before we will weigh him in 4 weeks time - see how that goes . Otherwise we have the checklist from the vet & will be on the lookout for anything which she has told us to look out for.

I am so happy to hear you update, and more than that, I am so heartened to see the beautiful messages from people who understand just how important animals are to our world and wellbeing.

really wish you all the best in the next stage of the journey. we are blessed to have these glorious creatures share their lives with us.

Dear All , I know this is an old thread but we have been to vet this morning and he said it was DDog's time . He has lost weight and is pretty much incontinent now unless he is picked up to do his business outside. He is 16.

Not an emergency but can book him and be with him. I will speak to our son this evening ( officially it is DS's Dog ) - he doesn't know this yet.

Thank you for all who have posted. He has lasted another 6 months but the vet said there is nothing they can do for him any more and he won't understand why things are happening to him. In the past they have offered scans etc but in this case the vet was clear - his advice was it was his time.

Did someone say - the saying is - better two days early than a day too late. The vet also said what you do not want is an emergency call out for being put to sleep . My ( his ) advice is do it gently and nicely for him but it is my advice

I know this all makes sense but didn't stop me bursting into tears In the vet's surgery. So just came back to update because people were very kind and helpful with their posts.

i remember you. Your vet is spot on, you can choose the right time rather than a traumatic emergency at 4am. It’s so so tough but absolutely the right thing to do, it’s the final act of kindness and love we can give them. Sending positive thoughts to you at this hard time 🌷

I'm so sorry the time has come for your boy. Please believe you are doing the right thing for him. It is almost a year since my boy died. I had to make the decision alone as my husband was also dying in hospital. I was scared but Finn had the most beautiful, calm, loving death.
He died munching away on double chocolate chip cookies and wagging his tail with his head on my lap.
It's nothing for you be afraid of. Your heart break will come afterwards.