JRT End of Life?

[TheWorstWeek]

We have an amazing little 15.5 year old JRT who until about a month ago was always in fantastic health but I feel like she's declining quickly now.

A month ago we took her to the vet after she had a bad turn and was leaning to the right/wobbling and falling down. Vet confirmed a mini stroke like we thought it was and also told us about a heart murmur. Because she bounced back quickly he suggested giving her some medication (I can't remember the name) and having another appointment in a month, so this Friday.

At the end of last week I'm pretty sure she had another mini stroke as one morning she was quite wobbly but was back to normal after thirty minutes. In the last 48 hours she's had three seizures, ranging from about 15 seconds to a minute. She's recovered after them within about 20-30 minutes. It's really hard to watch though.

Am I right in saying that this might well be the end? How do you know when is the right time to let them go, for their sake? I don't want her to suffer but I'd love to have more time.

I have just lost my beloved jrt so feel for you. Honestly I think you know it's kinder to say goodbye. Thinking of you x

So sorry you're dealing with this, OP. It's a heartbreaking situation to be in.

I'd definitely speak to a vet asap to get their opinion on the seizures if you haven't already. Unfortunately though I think the fact that you're even asking the question is all the confirmation that you need to know that it's probably time.

I have just lost my beloved jrt also. He declined rapidly also which was utterly heartbreaking.

I truly believe that when it’s time you’ll know, I’ve known with all three of mine. Without being awful, if you haven’t already it might be worth googling signs your dog is dying. My boy was displaying a lot of the signs the night before and he passed the next day with some help after a massive stroke he couldn’t recover from.

Thanks for the replies. I'm so sorry to hear of your losses.

Most of the day she seems her usual self. She's still eating, toileting, moving around normally (except from straight after an episode) and get usual wee affectionate self. That's what makes it so hard. I don't want it to get to the stage where she's actually suffering or in pain, just because I don't want to let her go.

How is she doing OP?

She's actually been okay. We haven't had any more seizures or episodes. I can't tell if I'm just over-analysing everything with her or if she's walking a bit slower/stiffer and is more clingy, but I don't think I would question it if she hadn't had a rough spell earlier in the week.

We've got that vet appointment this afternoon so we can talk through everything then and hopefully know what our next steps are.

That's reassuring, hopefully it was just a blip. Good luck with the vets this afternoon

Really feel for you OP and you're doing the right thing, thinking this through, confronting the difficult question and getting vets advice.

I have an ageing JRT (she's sitting on my legs right now) and the thought of her going makes me and DH both cry. We agree we will put her first and let her go before she's lost her quality of life.

Massive love to you and Ddog xxx

We've made the very difficult decision to PTS. We've got her home for the weekend so that we can all say goodbye to her properly but she's back to the vets on Monday for the final time. Absolutely heartbroken.

Hand hold for you over the weekend. We have also had a discussion with the vet today about putting down our Gsd on Monday.
We found out this cancer had returned 2 weeks ago (on our daughters 18th birthday).
We brought him home with painkillers but its been clear he is now struggling. The really warm weather over the last few days hasn't helped, but he has gone downhill in the last couple of days.
He has his brighter moments so I feel guilty, but we really don't want him to suffer more than he has to. Sending hugs and hope you have some good memories over the weekend.

Thinking of you. We lost our little dog 2 years ago so I know the feeling too well. Cherish the moments this weekend ❤️

Aw gosh, I'm so sorry to hear that. I hope that you have a lovely last few days with your boy.

Right now my sweet girl seems like her normal self so I do feel a bit guilty too but i know (and the vet confirmed) that she's just going to get worse, in a matter of days or weeks, so it really is the kindest thing now. Heartbreaking all the same

She's since had two "episodes" this evening so my guilt has been eased fractionally. I know we are doing the right thing. I just hope that she's okay until Monday.

I think you need to do the right thing now sooner rather than later. You mustn't let her suffer. It's heartbreaking but we have to put them first ❤️

You are most definitely doing the right thing. A final act of love. Shower her with love this weekend and be brave for Monday. ❤️

@TheWorstWeek I'm so sorry. It's an absolutely heartbreaking decision to have to make but you are doing it with her best interests at heart. Many years ago when our lab was poorly, he was 15 and had a very quick deterioration so after agonising conversations with the vet, it was agreed the vet would come to our house and that morning he perked up, wandered round the garden and seemed his usual self, but it was a last burst of energy. The only consolation I've had with pets that have died or been put to sleep is at their time they don't know. All they know is love and that you are with them and we carry the pain afterwards instead. Thinking of you xxxx

Talk to the vet and take his advice. I think that you know when the time is up. Had to do this twice and it's heartbreaking. Good luck.

I am sorry to hear this. She is blessed to have had such caring owners who have put her before themselves. You are doing the right thing. Our little poodle is 15 and has a grade 6 mumor, he is on daily meds. I am dreading when it is his time. Hand hold for Monday

Thinking of you this weekend.
We had to say goodbye to our elderly dog in the last week after much soul searching. He had good days/hours but these were becoming outweighed by bad ones and I could see things were going to get much worse for him so we let him go with the support of our lovely vet. It was so peaceful and I'm sure we did the right thing but we do miss him.

Thank you for all your kind messages.

After a couple of episodes on Friday she was "okay" all weekend. We took her to one of our favourite places on Saturday and showered her with love the whole weekend. She was beautifully bright this morning, even though it was 100% time for her to go. Almost as if she was trying to make it easier for us. It was absolutely the hardest thing I've ever had to do but I'm so glad that I got to be with her in her very last moments.

Sending you lots of love @TheWorstWeek. Heartbreaking but the right thing 💔

Big hug.