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Post by gryroagain on Mar 8, 2018 15:13:45 GMT
My Lab has dementia, same symptoms- lost in the house, accidents, etc. the vet put her on a ,education but was not hopeful it would help as it did not for most of her patients. It did help Cleo though! She had terrible arthritis, was on a boatload of Tramadol for it, not eating really, would fall down while walking...finally she had seizures one morning and we made the call.
Second dog was harder, he had a prostrate tumor and terrible arthritis, and severe behavior changes (biting people!). He was not a healthy dog, but not clearly going like Cleo...but we made the decision a week out and had a great week with him and let him go.
Of the two dogs...we did it right with Olaf. Cleo we just kept her hanging on too long. We couldn’t let go. She suffered those last months and we let her because we did not want to see it. Not until she seized 3 times in an hour did I make the tough call, but it should have been earlier.
I don’t know what is right for you, I’m just trying to be helpful by telling you my experience. My old cat is almost 20 and I worry so we will do it wrong...it is very hard.
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Post by Susie_Homemaker on Mar 8, 2018 16:20:59 GMT
He sleeps all day and starts wandering around the house at about 7:30 p.m. Constant movement with no sense of purpose. This my almost 15yo (on March 18) terrier. She walks non-stop and is now walking into walls, furniture, etc. She can't hear much and I assume now can't see much either. She has kidney disease and has been in diapers for several years so nothing new there. I recently changed her from her food that was easy on her kidneys to some regular dog food that I thought she'd enjoy more. She used to live to eat- anything and everything. Now, not so much. She's lost so much weight she looks like a furry skeleton. My family thinks it's time but I don't feel that yet. I don't think I"m hanging on to her because honestly I'm ready to not have the responsibilities that come with her care. I know the time is soon. I've been waiting on something but I'm not sure what. She's not in pain... I just don't know when. I pray that she passes and I don't have to make the decision.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jul 1, 2024 3:41:32 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2018 19:02:46 GMT
I say, if she's relatively calm now, and isn't in pain, still easy to manage, keep hugging her as long as possible, but when she develops anything requiring intervention, let her go then. I say exactly this. We have a 17 and 1/2 year old cockerspaniel. Just like humans she has good days and bad days. She does have dementia, doesn't see well and hearing isn't what it used to be. She does sleep a lot. But she is always happy to see us. follows us around, loves when I boil eggs (her favorite). There are some days she is very confused and others when she is running and jumping like a puppy. I did talk to our vet several months ago, and she is in relatively good health and he saw no reason to consider putting her down. If she gets ill, or starts being in pain, we will make the decision to do what is best for her. Sorry you are in a position to have to make this decision...it is heartbreaking and they truly are family members!
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Post by Jen in NCal on Mar 8, 2018 19:25:06 GMT
I am so sorry you are going through this. My suggestion won't be popular. I would definitely check with the vet and see if there is something that can be done. Other than that, I have found that if you are at the point when you are asking the question, that usually means it is time.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jul 1, 2024 3:41:32 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2018 19:40:43 GMT
I’m so sorry. My dog died 12-31 and she was exhibiting similar signs for several weeks. I knew something was wrong but my husband was in denial so it made her passing harder for him. Hugs.
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julieb
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,845
Jul 3, 2014 16:02:54 GMT
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Post by julieb on Mar 8, 2018 21:18:04 GMT
I'm so sorry. Our shih tzu had just turned 15 and was slowing down 2 months prior when he died in front of me. My dh was on the way home to take us to the vet to have him put to sleep. I wish we had made it to the vet. It would have been so much more peaceful. It was horrible to watch him die while I believe his heart gave out. Don't wait too long.....
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jul 1, 2024 3:41:32 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2018 21:34:10 GMT
One of the hardest decisions ever. I talked to our vet once about this, and he told me "we'd know." and we did. ((HUGS))
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Post by christine58 on Mar 8, 2018 21:35:05 GMT
If my dog would have the symptoms yours has I would absolutely let him go ,you gave him a long and happy life the ultimate gift you can give him is to free him . I agree. hugs to you, OP. I agree also
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Post by papersilly on Mar 8, 2018 22:46:10 GMT
i think you have to ask yourself if you are keeping them around for their sake or for yours?
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Post by gailoh on Mar 8, 2018 23:02:24 GMT
I would think the vet could give him something to help the anxiety a bit...
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Grom Pea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,944
Jun 27, 2014 0:21:07 GMT
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Post by Grom Pea on Mar 8, 2018 23:37:59 GMT
For us it was when she stopped eating. We had agreed with the vet if she didn't eat for a certain amount of time it was the end. Prior to that the pee problems were frustrating but we're fixable with medications and even her arthritis was manageable with medication. The thing that brought her downhill very quickly was something like stomach cancer, she just declined quickly after that and the vet said there was nothing to do but keep her comfortable until she decided not to eat any more. Of course all of this was with taking her to the vet to make all of these decisions, we didn't just let her decline until she stopped eating. I'd say she had bladder issues about a year prior to her death, which went away with needs and arthritis issues about 6 months prior to her death which also were manageable with meds. She was a very happy dog once we got all of those needs dialed in until about the last week.
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Post by fuji on Mar 9, 2018 0:11:02 GMT
Thank you for all your kind words and insight. I'm sorry so many of you have been down the same road. It's so hard.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Mar 9, 2018 2:11:27 GMT
For me, when they lose their quality of life. I don't believe in making a dog stick around longer than he/she should because I feel guilty or I need them to be in my life. I try to honor my dogs the same way I would want to be treated. While I love my dogs just like I love my family, I can't keep them hanging on just for me. I also think there is some relief in letting a sick pet go. It is just really hard taking them to the vet for their last car ride. I put my sheltie down three months ago and just typing this makes me cry, but I know she is not longer suffering. I’m so sorry, it really is hard.
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Post by 950nancy on Mar 9, 2018 2:19:26 GMT
For me, when they lose their quality of life. I don't believe in making a dog stick around longer than he/she should because I feel guilty or I need them to be in my life. I try to honor my dogs the same way I would want to be treated. While I love my dogs just like I love my family, I can't keep them hanging on just for me. I also think there is some relief in letting a sick pet go. It is just really hard taking them to the vet for their last car ride. I put my sheltie down three months ago and just typing this makes me cry, but I know she is not longer suffering. I’m so sorry, it really is hard. Thanks. She was the third one we have had to put down and maybe the easiest in terms of knowing it was time. Perhaps as I age, I can see how it isn't fair to keep a pet around if the pet is struggling.
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Mar 9, 2018 2:32:22 GMT
What an unbearable decision. Our dog passed in her sleep, we knew she was getting close as she was 14 and she had a rough weekend, sleeping more, not eating, throwing up. We were prepared to call the vet and see if we needed to make a decision. she did that for us and passed in her sleep before we were able to call the vet Monday morning. I’m actually glad the decision was made for us.
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Post by workingclassdog on Mar 9, 2018 4:12:36 GMT
Our Shih-Tzu went through some of that, she actually got out of our fence and about a mile from the house once right before we put her down. How she got out is a mystery as she was almost blind. She couldn't even see the door to be let out to go potty. She was about 14 as well. It was a hard decision and I believe it is different for different people. Some can't let their pets go.. understandably and some will do it sooner than later.. I don't think any decision is wrong and no one shouldn't feel bad about it either. I also do believe and I am sure not a popular opinion, money is a factor. I could never spend thousands to keep a dog alive, it's just not in our budget. People will disagree and agree.. I don't judge anyone who will let their pups go because of money as I don't judge someone who will literally go into debt to save a pup.. .. We all love our babies and if we are doing the best we can that is what counts.
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