My dog is going to die soon

[HarpieDuJour]

My border collie is 15. He has had a good life, but in the last year or so has started to show his age (no actual illness, he has just been slower, although still working in the last few weeks). Then today, he has become unable to stand. He can only eat a very little, and he is obviously not in a good way. Hr doesn't seem to be suffering, just very tired.

Is it better to call the vet in the morning and have him PTS, or is it likely that he will die soon on his own? I know the answer really, but I suppose I'm just hoping that he could die quietly, without me having to be the cause of it.

I wasn't expecting to be hit so hard by this, to be honest. I'm not a sentimental person at all, but I'm in absolute bits. The children know he is on his way out, but I don't think they realise how soon it will be.

From advice I've seen on vet pages, dying naturally (when you can tell they are deteriorating) is an unpleasant way to go.

I would be either phoning my normal vet tomorrow, or if concerned I'd be calling an emergency vet to make my boy comfortable.

It is so so hard, especially as they're such a big part of life, but we have to advocate and make the hard decisions sadly.

Thinking of you 🐾

Early this year l just knew my 16 year old dog was coming to the end.. just like you.
Rang my vets and explained her situation.. not eating ... sleeping all the time.... starting to wee all over... she also had an heart murmur..
Vet advised to be PTS .. cruel to be kind.. she had no life really . She was a family pet.. loved by all.
So she went to doggy heaven in Msrch.

The least we can do is give them the gift of a pain free death. Call the vet 💐 xx

I had mine PTS a few years ago, She died a lovely peaceful death, she didn't suffer and that's the kindest gift you can give to a family member. The vet will do it at home too.

You're not the cause of it, you are giving a dignified, pain free end. Isn't that what we would all choose for ourselves?

Go for the PTS option, don't wait for him to die. That could be painful, drawn out and cruel. PTS is gentle and kind, I had to do it for my girl last spring.

I'm really sorry you're facing this

Please call the vet and get advice. As pp have said you are not the cause of it- old age is. You can secure a gentle pain free death for him by having him pts. If you leave nature to take its course it may not be that way. It’s an incredibly difficult phone call to make but absolutely the right one. Sending hugs as it’s hard but you need to be brave.

My cat died naturally of old age. It was peaceful, she was curled in her basket.

Dogs don't generally die when we are expecting them too. They end up going on and on until you need to make the hard decision unfortunately.

If your dog is 15 and unable to stand then I'm really sorry but it's time to let him go.

It's the final and most kindest thing we can do for our little friends.

It's very sad. Take comfort in the fact that you have given him the best life. Give the vet a call in the morning.

I'm sorry, I forgot to update this thread. He died peacefully about 6 hours after I posted my OP. Not the best day for it, but it was also his birthday, so there is always that to remember as well as his death.

We are grateful that his end was so quick .

So sorry. 😞

Sorry OP 😞🥀 we love them so much.

It sounds like he had a lovely life.

Sorry OP. I am pleased for you that you didn’t have to have him put down. It may be the ultimate kindness, but it’s also bloody awful to witness (and for our first dog, very distressing 🥹).

Our gorgeous old dog had heart failure and died a few weeks ago. He too slipped away at home. He was lying next to me with his head on my lap and I didn’t even realise he’d died, so I know it was very peaceful.