Elderly dog with health issues - WWYD?

[ilovemydoodledog]

Please help, I am really struggling with this…

My beautiful labradoodle is nearly 15 years old and has, in the last couple of years, developed various health conditions. She’s on meds for arthritis, under active thyroid and dementia.

With the help of the meds, she is usually still pretty good on her walks. Although, on occasion, her back leg gives way.

But, due to the dementia, she is pooing in the house every other day, often daily.

She also has spells of barking at nothing the house, and our (very cantankerous) neighbours have complained several times.

Both the barking and pooing is so stressful.

Financially, her conditions are no longer insured, so she’s costing us a lot of money.

She’s been the best and very much adored family dog over the years, and in many ways, she still seems happy. But then, has definite moments of being very unsettled.

I feel very guilty thinking about it and really don't want to do something for the convenience of OUR lives, but at what point do we really talk about the PTS option?

I am sorry to sound harsh but it sounds like you've left it too later already. You're not the first person to do so and sadly you won't be the last. I am guilty of not acting sooner myself and believe me, when you look back and you realise that you should have acted so much sooner, that guilt is far worse than the immediate guilt you feel for having taken the decision to end their life.

You're not avoiding the decision because letting her go would be convenient to you, you're avoiding the decision because it's such a horrendously hard one to take.

I am not judging you but you will judge yourself in years to come if you're anything like me. I'd spend the day enjoying her company then I'd call the vet first thing tomorrow. It's time to be brave now.
Good luck.

With my old dog it was becoming faecally incontinent that made our decision. She was losing her dignity and that was when we knew it was time. She was 16.
I don't think you've left it too late, you been treating her medical conditions which is more than some people do but now she's deteriorating so it does sound like it might be time.
If you have the service available locally I would opt for home euthanasia, it's so much nicer for you and your pet.

Sorry OP, I was too harsh there. Just the emotions getting stirred up but I shouldn't have posted in haste. Apologies for that.
doubleoseven is right with what they post. I'd also echo the comment about using a home service too. Best wishes to you and your dog whatever you decide.

I think if my dog was barking because they were confused/scared coupled with toileting inside which would be distressing for him then his overall quality of life was poor and I would be doing him no favours for his mental health to prolong his suffering no matter how much he perked up on the odd walk.

It's the one last thing we can do for them to give them a dignified and pain free ending. I only wish we could do that for the humans we love.

for you.

OP there is a recent thread I started about making this horrible decision.. there's some lovely comments that have helped me in the last week

It's title is 'I don't know how I....'. Sorry no idea how to link

It's a horrible time for you all and one we all dread however I do think from all the info given its time to let her go
So cuddle her and spoil her and stay with her at the end
Hugs

It's the worst decision of a dog owners lives but from what you've said and if it were my own dog, I'd let her go peacefully. My vet once said to me that nobody regrets doing it one day too early but many regret leaving it too late. 💐

I'm sorry- it's so hard.
Don't let your much lived dog get to the point where they are obviously suffering.
Dogs can't talk- and they are good at hiding pain.
Speak to your vet/ it sounds like it's time.

Thanks for replying to my post…

With a very heavy heart, I read through the comments yesterday - and your other thread too @morelippy. Also got my husband to read them.

Yesterday, our beautiful girl was really quiet, which was very uncharacteristic.

I’ve called the vets to see if they can do it at home. They can. But I’ll need to discuss it with my husband (who is in a slight state of shock about it all).

I know it's not about me, but I really don't feel ready - this past week, I've seen her wag her tail and pull me towards the pet shop on our walk in the hope of getting some treats...??

Anyway, I appreciate everyone's comments.

@ilovemydoodledog I think you're taking the right steps. You've got some info from the vet, began to discuss with your husband. So you're both acknowledging the time to decide is approaching.

I honestly didn't see how I would make it. I knew I would and I dreaded it but I just couldn't imagine how it would come about.

Well it did, quite clearly become obvious and it was an 'easy' call to make. It was the right thing to do at the right moment.

You'll get there

It's all about quality of life OP if she has a shit life and is in pain all the time then it's time to let your wee doggy go. I was put in a similar position with my last cat, 19, blind and serious arthritis in his hips. He easily could have lived on but it would have been a horrible life for him

@ilovemydoodledog
I'm sorry, it's an absolutely dreadful decision to have to make.

can you take her for a walk to the pet shop and let her 'choose' some treats?

if she seems confused & distressed when barking or distressed at toileting inside then I'd have to put her comfort above my feelings.

Remember, she won't know anything other than having a nice cuddle with you and drifting off to sleep. That's what allowed me to make the decision.

lots of hugs.

I sat in a vets once with my dog and heard the vet say to an old chap2with an equally old lab that it was kinder to do it a week too early than a week too late. As others said, shame we aren’t allowed to make the same compassionate decisions for humans.

We had to make the hard decision to have our dear old 16yo boy PTS last year. As we walked away, I had an unexpected reaction of fury that DHs parents hadn't had such a peaceful and dignified option.

OP

I had my old dog pts 7 years ago she was 16, vets came to my house and I got his ashes back.

Ah OP, my heart goes out to you. It’s agonising because they have good days and bad days, and you can’t ask them. Vets will have you counting the good days, and if pain is properly controlled (there are cocktails of drugs for arthritis, and she’s still going on walks) then there can be many good days. But it’s the unsettled bit of your post which made me think sooner rather than later. Distress is not controllable, and if this is more than the odd occasion I’d be looking to do the kind thing.

for what it’s worth, I managed a euthanasia at home, with the dog eating chicken, and they didn’t know a thing about it. This is 100% a better death, and a better memory for you, than leaving it until they simply cannot continue.

all the best OP. You know your dog, and you’ll know what’s right.