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

Thank you both. In addition DDog has lost weight and the vet said he can feel the bones in his spine and his ribs more than he is happy with. In a younger dog he might suggest scans to see if there is another problem , but given his age he said even if there were there is nothing he can realistically do for him.

Thank you @userxx - the vet said he has been called out before for an emergency PTS and he said that is something you do not want to see
@Bordercolliesarebest1 - well that puts things into perspective. I am sorry you had to go through that.

So DS got back late last night and has a full day of work , but back this evening so we are going to talk to him about it then.

Thank you both for your kind words. I know it is us who will suffer rather than D dog but it is right I think to say given your dog cannot speak , it is up to you to do the right thing by them. Vet gave him a good going over but when he put him on the floor he had to lift his back legs up. It's weird because he will run in the park , a bit wobbly so it is easy to kid yourself that your dog is OK. BUT the vet didn't even try to upsell us on scans , extra medication etc he said he thought it was time. So he said book it in at a time you can make and we can do it in the most peaceful and kindest way. We will do that and take along as many treats as we can and he will be getting double treats until then.

Thank you both . It is helpful to hear from people who have been through this.

Ah well.

And to both of you and all others on the thread who have lost their dogs 💐🐾