I've inherited Elderly mothers dog!

[Catch2222]

My mother has a westie. She's now approx 12 and half. She has skin issues constantly needing 4 weekly injections but which flare up with central heating. She has cuciate ligament issues requiring Baofen twice daily and pin medicine. She has dry eye which my mother didn't notice and she's ended up with an ulcer on each eye requiring 4 different eye drops 10 minutes apart 4 times a day. She's also partly incontinent and pees where she pleases!

I have two dogs of my own. My sibling works full time but I work from home. As my mother is now incapable of doing the care the dog needs she has come to live with me. Initially just until eyes cleared up. Howeve, seems she will need at least two of the eye drops 3 times per day for the rest of her life.

My mother is unable to care for the dog but is accusing me of stealing her!!! The dog isn't insured so all these treatments are being paid for. She has shade two hospital stays this summer already. She's defo a bit healthier since she's been living here since we don't use our heat in the summer. (Mum has heat on all year )

I'm just looking for advice. I don't think I can face this long term! I'm tied to the dogs medications times. The westie is snarly and bosses my dogs around. It's not fair on them. But sibling can't take the dog and mother won't care for it.

I’d give it back to your mum with the instructions , not much else you can do and if you think your mum is being neglectful then tell her so . Are you sure it’s incontinent and not badly house trained , you would be amazed at how many people have badly house trained small dogs .

I'd give it back, it's not your responsibility. How much longer is it expected the dog will live if it's incontinent and has other health issues...

You have a few options here,

• return ddog to your mother altho this is probably the worst option considering she’ll probably end up neglecting it non purposely as you’ve already said she can’t care for it nevermind give multiple medications a day and keep an eye out that they’re helping.
• contact rescues and ask them to help facilitate a home to home adoption, probably the fairest option especially if you find one that are willing to help with ongoing medical costs for new owners as it’ll help her be placed much quicker than if they’re having to pay out for injections ect and many are willing to with long term conditions especially in an elderly animal but you will probably be waiting a good while for her to find a home and she’ll be in your home till then so has its downsides too
• keep her separate from your dogs most of the time with baby gates or a crate it feels is it’s safe place and discuss how long the vet thinks ddog is likely to have a quality of life and make comfortable until it’s time for that decision, which considering small terriers willpower could be awhile or a year or two so also has its downsides! I’m currently in same situation with 16 year old jack russel altho his quality of life hasn’t decreased as much yet, with incontinence beginning and cruciate ligament damage I can’t imagine her fairly lasting more than 2-3 years depending on how fast progression and factoring in skin and eye issues you’ll probably be considering if it fair to keep up with the stress of all the treatment sooner rather than later so I wouldn’t worry you’d be stuck with dog when they’re 18!

The JRT is also now snappy with my own dogs but I strongly suspect this is due to his arthritis as even under control with meds it must be painful when they attempt to play normally with him and he’s as grumpy as an old man now anyway! As much as I love animals I wouldn’t put myself through it if I couldn’t handle it so if you’re struggling I’d be looking at option one but attempting to avoid ddog actually going into kennels

Thanks for the reply's.

I think we are all worried that the reason she has these issues is because mother is unable to look after the dog. She insists on having her heat on. Says she can't see to do the eye drops and forgets to give her pain relief.
Yes she insists she wants the dog back and makes sly digs that I am trying to steal her dog.

I'd contact RSPCA or Dogs Trust for advice.

Have it put down poor thing.

Give the dog back and then report your concerns over the welfare issues to the RSPCA?

You can’t do that to someone else’s dog. ^

The RSPCA will do sweet fanny adams, they have to practically witness a dog being beaten/ it’s already dead then they might do something.

Poor dog, this is why people shouldn’t get one if they aren’t prepared or can’t look after one.

Oh dear.

WFH doesn’t mean you don’t work. 4x40 mins of eye drop treatment is a huge disruption. Plus clearing up incontinent issues.

It’s your Mum’s dog, she thinks you are stealing it… so take it back.

Horrible to contemplate but your Mum might neglect the dogs needs to the extent that it deteriorates and the vet says better to PTS. In truth the dog sounds as if it’s life is uncomfortable, painful and miserable anyway.

I've an appointment with the vet for a review of her eyes. She's been with us 3 weeks now. I've told sibling I'll be explaining situation to vet and see what he says.