Is it time to put to sleep?

[DoggyDiana]

Please be kind because I am totally heartbroken.

My dog is 12 years old and vet has diagnosed a slipped disc.

He can still walk but is wobbly and falls if he tries to move too quickly.

He's on pain meds so I don't think he's in too much pain. Vet advised against surgery due to his age, and it's a very low success rate v the trauma of putting the dog under anesthetic. The vet has said his mobility will not get better, he's only going to get worse.

He's still eating fine, still keen to go out for walks, albeit can only stand and sniff about once he gets there.

He's stressed though. You can tell his failing mobility is making him anxious.

Is it time to let him go?

If he’s still eating and enjoying walks I wouldn’t jump to it, but if you can tell he’s upset, then yes.
Remember the saying, better a week too early than a day too late.

In my opinion, absolutely yes. A dog that can’t walk and run and enjoy its life isn’t a dog that’s happy. And you’ve said he’s not happy…I think if you kept him alive it would be for your benefit and not his.

Really sorry.

He's nagging me to go our for a walk but he's not "walking". That's the hardest part for me I think because he used to love walking miles and miles. Now it's a slow wobbly 10 minutes around the grassy area in the park.

I'm really sorry, but yes. Dogs are absolutely brilliant at masking pain. We have had similar scenarios, the nearest one to yours was A12 year old border collie, the loveliest dog we've ever owned. Collapsed on a walk, completely fit and healthy up till then. Scans done, splenic tumour which had ruptured (no symptoms, have met quite a few people this has happened to and horses,) secondaries on the liver, they said it was extremely unlikely she would survive surgery. I couldn't believe it, I went walking with 3 healthy dogs,or so I thought,home with 2. My last boy,a Phalene PTS last January,he was almost 18,no hint of arthritis, hardly ever been to the vet apart from annual jabs. He had cataracts, and had been following other people when of the lead,we thought it was because he couldn't see. He actually had CCD,we think looking back, about 5 years. He was eating, going for long walks (not let off the lead) however,he started crying at night,then barking and howling,staring into space. We took turns at staying up with him, tried a supplement and then meds, unfortunately they didn't work. My vet of 25 plus years, said the eating etc was no indication of a good quality of life.

We sat up with him every night for a year hoping he would improve.

Thank you for your reply. I'm so sorry to hear about your two lovely dogs. It's such a feeling of helplessness, isn't it?

I agree that quality of life is the biggest factor. He's a big dog - 25kg so it's not like I can even carry him about.

I was up most of last night with him. He was crying until 1am, had a sleep for a few hours then woke up at 7am to him crying and soiling himself.

The problem with these slow progressions is in hindsight you can pick when you should have let them go but at the time you're always hoping they might get better or telling yourself they have good days. It sounds like it's not the wrong decision. You could maybe give it till the end of the year. (I say this but I have a 13yo who is early stages of back legs going and some incontinence and I desperately don't want to lose him.)

I'm so sorry you're going through a similar thing. It's heartbreaking.

I had originally planned to give him until the end of the year but it's so hard watching him struggle.

I think if you’re asking the question it’s usually time tbh…

also, I have slipped discs, IMO based off that, it’s very unlikely he’s not in pain

My late father had multiple slipped disks and was in agony, couldn't move..I thought the "week too soon" was actually a myth, but it isn't! During the year with our little Leo we were trying brain supplements and then meds..of course we don't want to let them go, I've had 3 dogs live to almost 18, they were around for ever,all our friends and family knew them. But a dog unable to move, incontinent,we keep people alive like this,we make horrible hard decision because our animals can't.

I know the slipped disc will be causing him pain. He's on 3 different types of vet prescribed pain meds so I'm hoping those are keeping him comfortable. I wish there was more I can do.

Oh I didn’t think you’d left him on nothing or anything thinking he was fine. Obviously you’ve been to the vet and you’re doing everything you can.

Just, even on very strong painkillers I’m not actually comfortable, so I’d guess he’s not either

I can also hobble about for about ten minutes and I’ve made loads of terrible jokes about having me put down 🤣

If he's soiling himself then it's definitely time to say goodbye as for an animal that's a real sign of 'weakness ' from their pack instincts that they will try and hide at all costs.

Sorry you're going through this

So sorry. It is the worst thing. Echoing others who say early rather than late. I want to cling to mine forever, but they deserve not to suffer. Tears writing this. My soul dog is getting old.

The other thing is the weather. It is getting wet and cold and tougher on their aches and pains.