14.5 years old and back legs going

[BlastedPimples]

Our rescue dog is 14.5 years old.

He's struggling to stand up as his back legs are so wobbly. He can walk a bit once I prop him up.

He can't squat to do a poop as his legs just give way under him. I have to carry him up and down the 8 stairs into the house. He's quite heavy.

He's eating and drinking fine though. Seems ok in himself.

When is it time? I just don't know. I've never had a dog this old and get to this stage.

Aww bless poor soul. I afraid the time is now, you don't want him to end up distressed and in more pain as invariably will happen. I'm sorry.

Agreed. Better a week too early than a day too late..

I'm so sorry OP but it's time.

Has he seen a vet, is he on any medication?

My 14.5 year old Jack Russel is on loxicom. He started it last cold spell for his arthritis. He had started weeing like a female and when he hurt one of his back legs the other couldn’t take the weight properly.

He’s defo slowed down and I worry about waking him too far but he can now do school run (1.6 miles) and can jump on sofa. And still causes plenty of mischief!!

It's time.

How ridiculous to say it's time without knowing more!the question to ask is has he seen the vet,is he on pain relief,have you tried wheels etc.there are now amazing things the vets can do so be sure try your options,there are alot of them.give him super soft bedding,you can easily buy non slip matts for the floor,there is alot of medical help the vets can prescribe etcetc.

Sound similar to my boy. Happy in himself, eating, liking a walk etc. definitely speak to vet about stuff like rhemacam and gabapentin if you haven't already. They will also properly advise you on if it's time and can show you a quality of life index to consider ❤️

Aw poor boy. It might not be time to let him go, but definitely time for a chat with the vet.

Booties can help if they are slipping on hard floors.

Just because you can do all those things, doesn't mean you should.

you shouldnt give pain relief, soft bedding etc? I really think you should.

I would expect any dog who is as arthritic as OP describes to have most of those things in place as standard.

But actually, I think there comes a point where it's not fair to keep a struggling dog going with huge amounts of human support.

Thats all im checking, that those basic things are in place and theyve seen a vet before getting to this point.

Yeah, that's fair enough.

But I do think if all those things are in place and your dog is now at a point where they fall and can't get up unaided then you really do need to start looking at their quality of life.

14.5 years is an incredible age for most breeds.

This. My 14 year old with vet support and a "carry hammock" for walks lived 2 very happy years more. At 16 he told me it was time...

Get advice

yes my 19 year old was ready, obviously euthanasia is there when its needed, but think we can suggest to OP to see the vet way before thats an option.

I don't think he's arthritic. I think it's old age.

I can't take him on walks as his legs just flop under him. I have to carry him up and down the stairs in and out of the house. His legs won't carry him.

When I saw him fall back into his waste when he was doing a poop, I did think it wasn't dignified for an animal.

Back to the vet on Monday.

Mine reached this stage when he was 16. He'd had surgery for a slipped disc when he was 14.5 from which he'd made quite a good recovery. I think there was then a combination of neurological impairment and then the muscles weaken and so they can then walk less and it's downhill from there.

For a short while after his surgery we had to support his back end - the vets gave us a loop of soft rubber tubing which went round his back legs in a figure of eight - pop that on and he'd be running on his front legs very happily. We used it again near the end, you may want to try to do something like that till your vet visit.

Oh lovely, from your most recent update it does sound like it might be time.

What breed is he OP? Sorry if I missed it. ..

@BlastedPimples Our old chap (16 ) Is losing the use of his back legs . Been to vet and it is not arthritis. Over time the nerve down the spine to back legs ( as explained to me in layman's terms ) degenerates. Our vet said if he can run on the flat then he's probably Ok but the incontinence thing is a different problem. I think ( sadly ) , if he can't get up or walk ,however slowly , he may be coming towards his time. Lying in his "business" I agree he is probably not enjoying. Good luck for your vet visit .

@PastorCarrBonarra not sure what breed. Looks a bit beagle. Only had him two years. He's a rescue from Malta.

Oh, bless him 🥹. Have a word with your vet.

You need to get him
To the vet and have a discussion but it sounds like time. I've learnt better a day too early than a day too late💙

He's gorgeous. It's lovely you've made his senior years happy.