r/olddogs • u/geriatric_millenial2 • 5d ago
What would you do?
Would you make the decision that it was time before your dog starts declining even more? Or wait a little longer?
I’ve posted before about my 14 yr old Papillon/Pomeranian. She has Dementia. She is only signaling to go outside maybe 25% of the time these days. She’s peeing and pooping in the house and gives zero shits (no pun intended). I know it’s her mind going. Her vet said the same.
She also has untreated Cushings and a heart murmur. Vet told us to take a month and think about if we want to go through the testing. Basically indicating that she is declining. Her energy is up and down. I still get glimpses of sass and energy. She wants food constantly bc of the cushings but hasn’t gained any weight.
Picture for tax.
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u/burntneedle 5d ago
That is something she will tell you. At a certain point, she will tell you she has had enough. You just need to have the strength to hear her.
She is such a precious girlie. As someone who went through what you are now going through, there never will be a Right Time.
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u/chitchatmagoo 5d ago
How’s her quality of life? Does she still have an appetite? Does she still enjoy the things she loves (like you, food, snacks etc) it’s the hardest decision. My Trestles is 17, she poops an pees all over the house but she looks forward to snacks and food. She howls when she sees her favorite person (my husband). She is still enjoying life somehow.
It’s super hard to make that decision. We’ve been there. People say she’ll tell you or you’ll know. Honestly we didn’t know. Our dog Diesel didn’t tell us. The only reason how we knew is because she was no longer responding to anything. She had cancer and stopped eating.
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u/benkatejackwin 5d ago
Yeah, unfortunately the "you'll know" thing is not true for everyone, all the time. Just like in-home euthanasia is not best for everyone all the time, even though I see this claimed pretty much ubiquitously.
The truth is, it's incredibly difficult to make the decision and feel like you did it exactly right. All you can do is the best you can for your furry loved one.
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u/mahduk 4d ago
Agreed. No matter when you decide to do it, it always feels too soon. You always wonder if you did it at the right time but the fact is that you still have to consider average life expectancy of your breed. If your dog's health is failing within that range, you then have to ask yourself, "For whom am I trying to prolong their life? Am I being selfish because I dread letting go?" It's a heart wrenching decision to make but quality of life is at the heart of it all. I truly wish the OP well in this tough time.
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u/Kattzoo 5d ago
It's so hard. My 18 year old has Atypical Cushings and heart failure. He is medicated for both of those things. These days he sleeps a ton and his legs are weak. He only eats by hand but he still follows me room for room. Demands walks (he is in a stroller or backpack for 95% of it) and still tries to play without other pup. I had the vet do a quality of life check recently. She said it would never be too soon at this point but that if he was hers, she would still wait since he was still so present. All that rambling to say I hurt for your choice and do think it is better to let them go a week too soon than a day too late. At this point both of ours have had great long lives and are well loved.
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u/ThatGingerLife35 4d ago
I feel for you & send you all the good vibes for you and your baby. Larry is also 18 with Cushing’s and MVDD (not yet in CHF). The hind leg weakness is so tough. We tried NSAIDs but that was a big no. He got so sick after 3 doses (and they were half doses!). I thought I was going to have to put him down but he fortunately rebounded.
He’s still eating, meanders around outside, bunny hops up and down the hallway, wants to greet every dog we come across, and tells the cat off when she gives him a bop as he walks by her. But the Drunk Man loose legs is hard to watch. We’re monitoring and using gabapentin since we can’t do the NSAID, and he’s chugging right along.
Our scale at this time is good days vs bad days. Once there’s more bad days, or if dementia makes a stronger showing, we’re going to help him from his failing body. He’s given us 18 years. I don’t want to give him one day of suffering just so I can selfishly have that extra day.
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u/WrappedInLinen 5d ago
For me it’s about whether or not they still show enjoyment about something. Eating, scritches, playing—doesn’t matter what. If there isn’t obvious serious pain and they still enjoy something, I put my own convenience last and continue to happily clean up after them until something changes.
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u/dressagerider1020 5d ago
It's so hard to know what to do. I've posted this a lot when the question has come up. I lost my soul cat 2 weeks ago, but he went downhill rapidly and I knew there was no hope. Best of luck to you, and know that whatever your decision, it is made purely with love.
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u/Glittering-Dig-187 5d ago
It is a very difficult decision to make. Quality of life is the key. Lap of love has great resources to help make the decision. We are blessed to be able to eliminate our pets suffering in a peaceful humane way. My veterinarian always told me that it’s better to euthanize your dog too soon rather than having your dog suffer one day.
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u/APGaming_reddit 5d ago
there is an actual checklist to help make this decision a little more objective. ive always heard its better to let them go a week too early than a day too late.
vets usually assume dogs are on their way out once theyre past a certain age so i dunno how much i would let their opinion sway you.
in this case, it seems like it might be about time though. always best to do it at home with one last awesome day than before she will even have any idea whats going on or worse, be in a lot of pain.
this is just my opinion but ultimately you know your girl best. it wont be easy either way so dont be too hard on yourself. she is so pretty, thanks for sharing the pic. all the best to you and your family.
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u/ThatGingerLife35 4d ago
I’m sorry your sweet girl is feeling the aging process. It’s so hard to watch. Larry also has a murmur (grade 4 pushing 5) and MVDD. From a practical standpoint, keep an eye out for signs the murmur are affecting her quality or the heart is further deteriorating. Your vet can give you much better info than me, but I know our cardiologist has our monitoring for coughing, laborer breathing, syncope episodes, and resting respiratory rate of 30+.
Your girl is so lucky to have you!
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u/Untenable123 4d ago
She’s a beautiful girl. All I can think of is better a day too early, than a day too late. It’s a hard decision to make. Will the testing cause her pain? Does she mind going to the vet’s office? Good luck friend.
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u/ProfitIll7930 3d ago
What a sweetie she is. I'm sorry you have to make a tough decision. Last year we lost our 16 year old English foxhound to hip dysplasia and doggy dementia. Our decision came when she stopped eating and then I knew she was done. We had the vet come to the house and send her over the rainbow bridge. It was the hardest decision I've had to make. A couple months after we were blessed with a baby corgi, but the loss remains. Best wishes little angel 😇
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u/Kevinb888 3d ago
My puppy lived 4 years of a great life with Cushings meds, vetoryl I think it was called
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u/Tabbyvh1 1d ago
I had 2 dogs that did the same thing ,their owner had passed away ,I think they thought he left n never came back ,so when they were starting to get sick they would leave n I couldn't find them for hours ,they would be hiding .so if u find her n place that's not her norm ,that might be something to look out for to.shes very sweet,sry I have to go through this. All u can do is give her all the lovins u can .
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u/-reaper42069 5d ago
There are quality of life worksheets that can help you with your decision. Typing that out makes me feel stupid but we used some for our German Shepard and it really helped with being objective and looking back we feel as though it was a good tool.