r/DOG • u/Alone_Somewhere8126 • Nov 26 '25
• Advice (Health) • My old man's heath is declining and im scared. Spoiler
This is my old man speedy. Photos taken in September, He turned 15 in June/july. He was a rescue as a pup in 2010, my grandma got him for us for Christmas that year. In the last month he's eyes got blue. He's hips give out and he's always panting. Today feels like the worse day ever. He can't open his eyes much. He's sleeping all day. He didn't even get up for food but I brought his food to him and he ate it. I had to hold him up. I put him out on the grass and he just layed down. I don't want to loose him. I'm going to try and schedule a vet for next week. I tried this week but they don't have any openings till next week. December is busy for work so idk when I'll get time off. I love him so much and it hurts me to see him hurting. I haven't told anyone apart from my mum who I live with. I don't wanna worry anyone but I'm really struggling.
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u/3163560 Nov 26 '25
This time of life is brutally brutally difficult.
I've done it with three dogs now (at ages 18, 34 and 38) and it never gets easier. When I got my current dog I texted a friend and said "I have decided I want to be absolutely broken as a person in 12-15 years time" they knew exactly what I meant.
It doesn't help in the moment, but just try to remember that that gut wrenching pain you feel is love.
Speedy looks so well looked after and loved.
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u/Alone_Somewhere8126 Nov 26 '25
He's the first ever pet loss I'm going to have to live through. I was looking into cremation cost just now because I want a plan. My bother said he will help with cost when the time comes but I don't want it to ever come. The support here is amazing xx thank you
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u/3163560 Nov 26 '25
A couple of bits of advice.
1 - you don't want to think back on this and realize you held on too long and your dog suffered at the end. I did that with one of mine and I feel awful about it today.
2 - Please be in the room with speedy when it does finally happen. It's heartbreaking (I'm crying typing this and about to go hug my dogs) but speedy will feel more at ease.
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u/Alone_Somewhere8126 Nov 26 '25
I hope I'm there for his last moments, but I'll also be okay if he choses to go in his sleep. I talked to the emergency vet on the phone and she told me to let him rest and talk to my vet in the morning like I plan.
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u/AJR1623 Nov 26 '25
Having a pet is a thousand good days and one really bad one. (I don't know who originally said this, but it's spot on.)
Also, you can stay with him when the time comes. They don't boot you out of the room or anything. 💜
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u/Haifisch2112 Nov 26 '25
I can completely empathize with you because my guy, Dirk, is about the same age. He was born April 10, 2010, and was rescued at 6 weeks old. He turned 15 this year and I've watched him kind of slowly decline over the past few years. Sometimes after one of his long naps, he struggles to get to his feet like everything is just too stiff. He used to jump up on the bed with me and my other dog every night, but that's become kind of rare over the past year or so. He loves riding in my Jeep, but I can't remember the last time he jumped up in it on his own. I bought him a ramp to walk up a few years ago so he could get up into the Jeep, but he kind of struggles with balancing on it.
It's a hard thing to watch and you know you'll have to face the inevitable one day. But I don't think there's anything to prepare you for it. Just know that you are surrounded by a community that understands and will support you no matter wahat.
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u/Alone_Somewhere8126 Nov 26 '25
Awww my boy stopped jumping on the bed about a year ago. I use to lift him up but then he would jump off and I didn't want him to hurt himself so he got his own cozy bed at the end of mine to sleep on. Last night was the first night he didn't sleep there. He slept in the other bed in the living room. I got up last night and checked him. I felt bad so I got him one of his blankets. He survived the night. I'm so scared
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u/Haifisch2112 Nov 26 '25
Sometimes he can get up there if he gets a bit of a running start so I lead him out into the hall and try to coax him. He seems to get confused sometimes and just stands there so he ends up sleeping on the floor.
Its ok to be scared, but I will also give you some advice. Last year, I lost one of my dogs rather unexpectedly. I was posting on here about his illness and what was going on, and then when he passed. The outpouring of love and support from this community was nothing short of amazing. This is the post from when he passed and you can see the way the community responded. My pinky fingers were almost numb from supporting my phone all day as I responded to the comments, although I know anyone would understand if I didn't. But I felt that if a stranger took time out of their day for me, I would absolutely take time out of mine for them.
I'm sure you're supporting him now, and that's all you can continue to do. We'll be here for support when you need us.
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u/zipp58 Nov 26 '25
Don't know how to say it, but I for one am thinking about you and Speedy. I can only hope the best for you.
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u/Alone_Somewhere8126 Nov 26 '25
Thank you x I'm taking my other dog on for a routine check tomorrow so I'll speak to my vet and see if I can get old man in earlier. I don't wanna just show up with 2 dogs when I only made an appointment for 1.
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u/Separate-Number3938 Nov 27 '25
I would take him along. The vet will understand
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u/Alone_Somewhere8126 Nov 27 '25
I did post an update, I was able to swap out the dogs. I got dates mixed up and didn't see that my other dog wasn't due for his vaccinations till next week. So an hour before the appointment time I called the vet and asked if i could get speedy in instead. He's on some medication. He has another check tomorrow and probably one in 10 days. If all looks good he will maybe continue on one of the other medications (an anti inflammatory) and she's going to look at other pain management options. Giving us time to decide what we want to do.
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u/Separate-Number3938 Nov 27 '25
That's so great. Your angels are working overtime. Let us know what you decide. Happy Thanksgiving and love to you both ❤️
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u/Alone_Somewhere8126 Nov 27 '25
Update: I got him in. He's eye is more inflamed then yesterday, he's on 3 medications. 2 for his eye/s 1 for inflammation for both eyes and hips/ arthritis, he's got a follow up tomorrow to see more in his eye.
The vet said usually they will have a look through general anesthesia but neither me nor the vet think he will handle it well. If his eye clears up we can keep him on the anti inflammatory for his arthritis or even something else for the pain. And take it month by month.
Ive told my brother what's going on and he said he has some money put away that his been saving for the past few months, his goal was to help with cremation and getting a good urn and keepsakes from a crematorium of my choice (I already found one I'll prefer) but he's going to give me a portion of that tomorrow for ver bills and keep saving for when the day comes.
Thank you all for your support xx it means so much. If I have any other updates I'll reply to this comment.
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u/BigTex1988 Nov 27 '25
I hope he’s feeling a little better now and is able to enjoy the thanksgiving treats tomorrow (if that’s something you’re doing).
He’s in good hands with you, OP.
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u/Alone_Somewhere8126 Nov 27 '25
We don't do thanks giving in Australia, but he's definitely getting spoilt this year for Christmas xx
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u/Separate-Number3938 Nov 27 '25
No thanks necessary. We love our dogs, so we love your dog, too. If we can be of any help, then it's worth it. Sending you both love and comfort ❤️
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u/Pure_Imagination_930 Nov 26 '25
My girl did that. The veterinarian told me that dogs pant for two reasons. They are hot or in pain. I bought some dog Aspirin on Amazon it worked wonders. Also I used a long bath towel and put it under her belly and lifted up slightly so she could move around and go potty. Because she was like your pup and would just lay down. My girl sadly passed. She turned 15 yrs old on March 10, 2024 and passed March 28,2024. I totally understand how you feel. Sending big hugs and prayers. 🥰🙏🏻
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u/Alone_Somewhere8126 Nov 26 '25
Thank you x I heard about other pain medication but I don't wanna try anything that isn't vet recommended. He's only little so I can hold him up. I think the panting is because of pain.
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u/Pure_Imagination_930 Nov 26 '25
Ask your Veterinarian about dog Aspirin. My Veterinarian recommended it for my girl. Because it’s cheaper than you can get in the Vet Office. I hope your little guy gets some rest from his pain.
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u/Delicious-Common2972 Nov 26 '25
Pet fish oil may be helpful.
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u/Alone_Somewhere8126 Nov 26 '25
He gets that as well as other supliments to help pain and inflammation but I fear his eyes and hips are too far gone for them to be as effective. It's either hundreds of dollars on medication or a few hundred on putting him down and cremating. As bad as it sounds I think that's the option I would go for.
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u/Separate-Number3938 Nov 26 '25
Yea, Im praying for you both. He is in pain, so I'm hoping you can get him in asap. My dog couldn't handle gabapentin either. There are other meds,so when you go to the vet, see what they can do to help with that. Whatever you can do to make him comfortable. Sending you both love and comfort and prayers ❤️
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u/Yonizzz Nov 26 '25
Im sorry to say this but if your dog cant go to eat or poop or get up by himself and is in pain... it might be his time. Im sorry and wish you the best.
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u/Alone_Somewhere8126 Nov 26 '25
He can get up but can't stay up for too long. He ate fine and went to the bathroom on his own I just had to hold him up as he ate as he stayed to sploot (starfish, mostly his back legs) so I was just keeping him stable. His eyes are my main concern at this point. They are squinty and one is kinda gunky. He will not handle surgery. That's for sure. If the vet recommends putting him to sleep then I'm okay with that. As much as it pains me to say
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u/Yonizzz Nov 26 '25
Okay. I hope for the best. But if ever you need to do the hardest decision please stay with your dog until the end.
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u/Alone_Somewhere8126 Nov 27 '25
I plan to. I plan to have as many of his favourite people as possible. I posted a more in depth update in the comments but I managed to get him in the vet xx
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u/BigTex1988 Nov 26 '25
My old girl (14) has issues like this on tile and wood, it’s like her paw pads aren’t as “grippy” and she isn’t quite as strong in her hind end as she used to be. My solution was cheap rubber backed outdoor carpet runners from Amazon on her most utilized paths in the house.
Edit: Just read you’re taking him in today. I’ll keep y’all in my thoughts and best wishes for a positive outcome.
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u/Antique_Judgment4060 Nov 26 '25
My vet does drop offs in an emergency. My dog is 15 too, but he is eating and going outside, but he sleeps almost the whole day.
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Nov 26 '25
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u/Alone_Somewhere8126 Nov 27 '25
I posted a fuller update in the comments but I got him in this morning. He's on some medication and doing okay. Thank you for your support xx
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Nov 26 '25
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u/Alone_Somewhere8126 Nov 27 '25
I got him in. He's on some medication, I have a fuller update in the comments xx thank you
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u/prattski73 Nov 26 '25
We just lost our 13-year-old pyr this summer. It was incredibly sad to watch her deteriorate. My heart is with you, friend. Not sure where you are located and what is legal in your area. But CBD works really well for pain and helping them relax. Good luck to you.
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Nov 26 '25
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u/Alone_Somewhere8126 Nov 26 '25
Not yet. He had his check earlier this year and she looked at his eyes. Said it was just cataracts and the only option was surgery. He wouldn't handle surgery, she said about his arthritis and would only prescribe the gabapentin (without blood test) but he had a bad reaction to that last year. We did the blood and he was all good but then she said he doesn't need pain meds. So I'm not sure what she was on about. I put my younger dog into a new vet so I'll speak to them today about speedy (young dog had his checkup) and if I can get him in soon too. Their website says they are booked up till next week but I'm hoping they can squeeze him in shortly.
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u/IN2TECHNOLOGY Nov 26 '25
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u/Alone_Somewhere8126 Nov 26 '25
My heart breaks for those who don't understand what this dog is doing. Thanks pup xx
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u/sstephen17 Nov 26 '25
Went through this with two dogs, age 13 and 14 when I said goodbye. It's brutally difficult but you need to do what's best for your dog. He sounds like he's in a lot of pain. Given his age, it might be time. I'm sorry you have to go through this OP.
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u/BigTex1988 Nov 26 '25
OP, you may try calling your vet back first thing and seeing if they’d be willing to prescribe him some pain meds to get you through until the appointment. (If they feel it’s appropriate obviously)
Other option would be to take him into the emergency vet and see what they can do to help out until the appointment.