Handhold please, is this the end?

[dazedandblue]

I'm really struggling tonight and could just do with a bit of a handhold.

My poor boy has suddenly taken a really unexpected turn for the worse. Quite literally overnight. He had a bit of early onset arthritis, but it was never anything the vet was particularly concerned about or felt was affecting his quality of life. It's almost as though it's progressed a hundredfold in the space of a day.

He can barely use his legs now. He won't even go out into the garden to have a wee or poo (usually had at least 2 walks a day at his elderly leisurely pace) and seems to be trying to hold it in for as long as possible, until he eventually ends up weeing himself. Even on the rare occasions when he manages to get himself up and moving, and we get him outside, he will have a wee but he's clearly in pain.

He needs help with pretty much everything now. He's still eating, although only if we're hand feeding him high value things like mince, but thankfully he's drinking normally.

We've managed to get the earliest available vet appointment for tomorrow morning. I'm hoping with absolutely everything I have that this is something some medication or treatment can help with, but I can't shake the horrible feeling that this might be the beginning of the end, and that I could be about to lose him very suddenly.

He's my best friend. We've been through thick and thin together for 10 years. He's been there during my pregnancy (and the 5am summer pregnancy I can't sleep walks), for every single bedtime story of my son's entire life. He's imprinted himself onto me in a way I can't really explain. He is my shadow, always following me wherever I go, even checking in that I was safe having a bath, and my chief barketing officer, snoozing away beside me while I work, keeping a watchful eye on proceedings. I genuinely don't know what I'll do without him.

I know he's getting older, and I've always known that this day would come eventually. I just wasn't expecting it to happen like this, so suddenly, with seemingly no warning. One minute he's just my dog, doing all the little things he's always done, and the next I'm looking at him wondering if these are the last days we have together.

I'm desperately hoping tomorrow brings some good news, that this is a blip, that there's something simple we can do and he'll get some quality of life back. I know I might be clutching at straws, but I just can't bear the thought of it being anything else.

I'm not really sure there is any advice for this, but just a bit of a handhold from people who've been through this. I feel absolutely heartbroken tonight, and I think I just needed to put it somewhere.

I'm really sorry to read this, I've been there myself. I sat up all night with my 12 year old dog when he suddenly became ill and took him to the vets as soon as they opened but it wasn't good news. Just remember him for the fantastic dog he was going by your post and let him go peacefully. It's better a day too early than a day too late .

Thank you!

He was is the best dog ever. I got him from the Dog's Trust when he was about 1.5 years old, being let down and returned a week later time and time again by various owners until I found him. He came to me so scared and jaded, an unexpected noise like knocking a lampshade would make him jump, a dog walking across the road from him made him so on edge he'd walk into a lamppost.
However, I cannot believe the dog they didn't see and missed out on.
He is the gentlest soul ever, and once he finally built his confidence and trust up, the happiest, silliest, funniest floof - all 30+ kilos of him, who was convicted he was a lap dog. And was never bothered by another dog or noise since.

I know any good news tomorrow seems short of a miracle, so I'm hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst.

convinced, not convicted!

I’m so sorry to hear this, I have been through it a couple of times with cats, and now that our dog is nearly 11 (but still in great health🤞) it’s starting to be at the back of my mind that regardless of her health today, her lifespan doesn’t leave her another 10 years. It’s the saddest thing about having pets isn’t it?

But you never know, maybe yours won’t be tomorrow, or this week, all the same! Maybe the vet will have hopeful news for you. 🤞and 💐

Sorry to hear this, it sounds like the time has come and I know it’s heartbreaking.

I remember taking my girl to the vets in the same situation and the vet said to me “ I can give her some steroids and it will perk her up a bit. But bear in mind that she’s not going to get better, only worse. So you’ll end up back here in a few weeks agonising over the same situation”.

It really is the kindest thing to do for a dog in this situation, however much you want to keep them going. Sorry OP 💐

Thank you so much everyone.
I cannot even fathom a world without him, even if it’s only been 10 years.
All I want is the best for him, the best, painless life, so if the vet says it’s time then it’s time.
I just somehow thought I would have more time you know? Even like a year more.

I slept so badly last night, the vet appointment is now in a few hours.
My old boy seems to be walking a bit better this morning and has managed some stairs by himself and to get on a bed, but his legs are not good.

I feel it is like a small false sense of hope.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, OP.

Fingers crossed for you and doggo. Hope the vet has good news for you today.

It's such a heartbreaking time @dazedandblue . I'm galloping rapidly towards it with DDog1 and it's never any easier 😢

Sending you love and best wishes ❤️

So sorry you are going through this. He sounds like a lovely furry soulmate. Sometimes they rally round and you get more precious time with them. Treat him like you would an elderly person you love. Let him rest when he needs to, soothe him with kind words and thank him for all the lovely times you have enjoyed so far. You will know when his time is coming. Sending love 💐

Thank you so much everyone!

They suspect it is something to do with his back and spine. He's a bit too old for general anaesthetic and an MRI to be able to pinpoint to exactly what. But reflexes he should be having aren't being transmitted as they should.

He has been given some meds for the next 2 weeks which should hopefully help and then we take it from there.

He's currently snoozing away, probably his first rest for a long time that has been pain-free after the last few days.

Keeping my fingers crossed this works and his back/spine injury heals.

That's great that they're able to keep him pain free - that really is the most important thing. I think complex examinations are not great at that age anyway - they're stressful for him and really if it's just to tell us what's wrong, but without being able to improve his quality of life, there's not a lot of point in doing them.

Here's hoping he can rest thanks to the meds, and just potter along for the foreseeable. That's probably the best outcome for now.

Thinking of you all!

Such fantastic news 🤩

I didn't mention it in my earlier post as I'm not sure false hope is helpful in these situations. However DDog1 had a similar incident which was also diagnosed as a spinal issue. 18 months on she's as creaky and bad tempered as ever but seems to have little issue with her back, fingers crossed it's the same for your boy 🤞🏻

I read your initial post and was going to say spinal issue but I see that’s already been diagnosed. How old is he? Is he insured? Would you consider a referral to a specialist to see what they say?

A huge thank you to everyone on this thread for all your words and just listening to me ramble.

he was looking so positive yesterday and now has taken a massive turn this morning.
Im not entirely sure if it’s the medicine making him dopey or the medical issue itself.
We are monitoring him closely and will take him back to the vet if needed.
I’m currently feeling unsure if he’ll make it through this week. 😢

I have everything crossed for you (and him) @dazedandblue

I'm late to this thread but am sending you the tightest of handholds. Your vet might be able to tweak the medication if it's making him dopey - give them a call and see what they think. My old boy once had a very strange reaction to Gabapentin but was much better when they changed him onto something else (I forget what, sorry). Have they done any blood tests? I might be miles off the mark, but my boy had pancreatitis that was initially misdiagnosed as a back problem because of the way he was hunching and reluctant to move. Does he have loose stools at all?

I’m not sure of the last time he’s had a poo in the last 24/48 hours. Will remember to mention that to the vet.

We are back to the vet this evening. Hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.

I hope the vet visit is a positive one. I know this feeling all too well.

I sadly had to say goodbye to my best friend today. It was time, and it let him go with some dignity and lots of hugs, scratches and cuddles. It really was the kindest thing for him.

He progressed for the worse so quickly.

Devastated is an understatement.
I have a dog shaped hole in my heart at the moment, He was the best there ever was and I cannot believe how lucky I was to get the past decade with him. Life will not be the same without having my little shadow always by my side.

Forgive any typos, my vision is a little blurry from the tears that won't stop.

Oh I’m so sorry to hear that OP. He sounded like he had a lovely life with a momma that loved him so much ❤️ x

Oh I’m so sorry to hear that, @dazedandblue.
He obviously had a lovely life with you after his difficult start, and that’s what you need to remember, once the initial pain wears off a little. Think how his life could have been had you not come across him - or not been able to see past his fear and help him become a happy little chap again.

I’m so sorry to read this, I know how hard it is and it’s just the most awful painful thing to go through. They say it’s the process we pay for the joy they give us but that doesn’t make it any easier. You were a wonderful loving guardian and he clearly adored you, sending love.
Also…obviously not now but don’t feel bad about inviting another dog into your life when you are ready. They are never replaced but being able to channel all that love into another soul who needs in will help you, I know it did me.

I am so so sorry for you. It is a terrible grief - my little 10 year old pooch was pts on Friday, and the grief is intense. Be brave, be strong - and cry as much as you need, because it will help a little.

So very sorry for your lose xx