Old Labrador - at what point do you call time?
Discussion
Our lab is 13 now and has a number of ailments.
Joint / mobility problems mean that he struggles to get around. He can't walk far (maybe a few hundred yards, sometimes less) and needs frequent rests. He can manage to get out of the back door, but can't get back in unless he's helped. He's on Gabapentin and Loxicom, which help.
He struggles to get enough air in. Vet said that his airway is hardening and presumably becoming more constricted. This affects his ability to walk far, especially now it's a bit warmer
He's becoming increasingly incontinent. Luckily we have a stone kitchen floor, so it's not too much of a chore but we're regularly cleaning up s
t in the mornings and sometimes during the day, even when the door is open for him. Think it takes him by surprise and he doesn't have the control to hold it in. Bit leaky too, but mainly on his bed which goes in the washing machine.
Having said all that he's a happy dog, eating well and wants to play and go out for walks - it's just that he really struggles to do so.
Doesn't feel as though his time is up just yet given that he's generally still happy with life, but what would be the trigger point do you think? presumably when he's no longer happy and feeding well?
I obviously want to keep him going, but his world is shrinking by the day. Any advice from anyone who's been through similar?
Joint / mobility problems mean that he struggles to get around. He can't walk far (maybe a few hundred yards, sometimes less) and needs frequent rests. He can manage to get out of the back door, but can't get back in unless he's helped. He's on Gabapentin and Loxicom, which help.
He struggles to get enough air in. Vet said that his airway is hardening and presumably becoming more constricted. This affects his ability to walk far, especially now it's a bit warmer
He's becoming increasingly incontinent. Luckily we have a stone kitchen floor, so it's not too much of a chore but we're regularly cleaning up s
t in the mornings and sometimes during the day, even when the door is open for him. Think it takes him by surprise and he doesn't have the control to hold it in. Bit leaky too, but mainly on his bed which goes in the washing machine.Having said all that he's a happy dog, eating well and wants to play and go out for walks - it's just that he really struggles to do so.
Doesn't feel as though his time is up just yet given that he's generally still happy with life, but what would be the trigger point do you think? presumably when he's no longer happy and feeding well?
I obviously want to keep him going, but his world is shrinking by the day. Any advice from anyone who's been through similar?
Edited by smn159 on Wednesday 21st June 12:37
Edited by smn159 on Wednesday 21st June 12:39
I'm afraid the incontinence is a bit of a flag for me.
We had family dogs that got in their teens and this is was the trigger - it upset them so much as they knew it wasn't what they were supposed to do.
Lack of mobility isn't too much of a factor - they all slow down.
Ultimately it's your choice and it's such a difficult one - only you know your dog.
We had family dogs that got in their teens and this is was the trigger - it upset them so much as they knew it wasn't what they were supposed to do.
Lack of mobility isn't too much of a factor - they all slow down.
Ultimately it's your choice and it's such a difficult one - only you know your dog.
Sadly, I think the fact that you are asking means that you know the answer. My two are 9 and 11 now and I dread the day, having been through it myself several times and also seeing friends do the same.
The old adage "better a week too early than a day too late" is my mantra in this situation, as devastating as it will be.
Sorry
The old adage "better a week too early than a day too late" is my mantra in this situation, as devastating as it will be.
Sorry
As already said its a horrible choice and only you know your dog.
I think the trigger for me is when they are no longer enjoying food,walks or what life has been for them - assuming that he's not in pain or distress which makes the choice more obvious. Its when, for want of a better phrase, they are not the dog you know in some significant and meaningful way.
I faced this a couple of years ago with my best pal of 13 years (i'm filling up now and still do very often) who had series of fits over a couple of days the last of which had clear cognitive effects and left us with no other path to follow in his best interests. Worst and in some ways the best decision I ever made as I know I did what was right for him despite how hard it was, and is , for me. Not a day goes past when I do not think of him and miss him but I wouldn't have been without him for all the money in the world. He'll stay at my side until I die.
Follow your instinct - it'll tell you what is right.
I think the trigger for me is when they are no longer enjoying food,walks or what life has been for them - assuming that he's not in pain or distress which makes the choice more obvious. Its when, for want of a better phrase, they are not the dog you know in some significant and meaningful way.
I faced this a couple of years ago with my best pal of 13 years (i'm filling up now and still do very often) who had series of fits over a couple of days the last of which had clear cognitive effects and left us with no other path to follow in his best interests. Worst and in some ways the best decision I ever made as I know I did what was right for him despite how hard it was, and is , for me. Not a day goes past when I do not think of him and miss him but I wouldn't have been without him for all the money in the world. He'll stay at my side until I die.
Follow your instinct - it'll tell you what is right.
I've got a 2 year old chocolate and dread the day, seen to many go early.
Thankfully yours seems to have had a long and happy life, which I hope is some comfort when the impossible decision is made.
I echo what some of the people above have said, terrible to decide but ultimately you know your dog best. Its awful, and as was also said above, if you're asking unfortunately the answer is probably within sight.
Thankfully yours seems to have had a long and happy life, which I hope is some comfort when the impossible decision is made.
I echo what some of the people above have said, terrible to decide but ultimately you know your dog best. Its awful, and as was also said above, if you're asking unfortunately the answer is probably within sight.
-Cappo- said:
Sadly, I think the fact that you are asking means that you know the answer. My two are 9 and 11 now and I dread the day, having been through it myself several times and also seeing friends do the same.
The old adage "better a week too early than a day too late" is my mantra in this situation, as devastating as it will be.
Sorry
Have to agree with this. We knew it was coming with our lab, he was happy but you could see he was struggling a bit. One evening it was painfully obvious his back legs would no longer do what he wanted them to do. Really tough decision, a big part of us wanted to hold on to him for longer but we have no regrets making the decision when we did. Even 2 years later it still gets a bit dusty in here... The old adage "better a week too early than a day too late" is my mantra in this situation, as devastating as it will be.
Sorry
We adopted Meg the Staffy and Misha the black lab a year ago now. Misha is now 9 and a half, and her muzzle is getting very grey and she struggles to get up quickly but is otherwise fine and loves a good walk. Good to know they can get to 13 though, best wishes from these two. Keep us informed on how your pup is.
I'm in the same boat as you right now OP. My black lab would be 15 in September if he makes it.
Only seems like yesterday that he looked up at me from his litter. We've been through everything together and it's hard but I know the end is coming.
His back legs have started to give him some real stiffness, he has a nasty growth on his eyelid that rubs his eye (but doesn't bother him), and has just become a little incontinent now and again. Now and again I'll find him barking at the wall so I think a little dementia is creeping in. I was brushing him down yesterday and couldn't believe how much muscle he'd lost recently despite eating normally.
That all said, if I went down right now and grabbed his ball he'd run after it until he keeled over, and he still loves a 10 minute walk.
Such a tough decision, but I'm confident I know him well enough to do right by the old fella.
Only seems like yesterday that he looked up at me from his litter. We've been through everything together and it's hard but I know the end is coming.
His back legs have started to give him some real stiffness, he has a nasty growth on his eyelid that rubs his eye (but doesn't bother him), and has just become a little incontinent now and again. Now and again I'll find him barking at the wall so I think a little dementia is creeping in. I was brushing him down yesterday and couldn't believe how much muscle he'd lost recently despite eating normally.
That all said, if I went down right now and grabbed his ball he'd run after it until he keeled over, and he still loves a 10 minute walk.
Such a tough decision, but I'm confident I know him well enough to do right by the old fella.
We finally said goodbye to this fella a year ago this month. Nine months prior to that, his back legs pretty much gave up and we booked him in for his final vet's visit. That morning, we decided it wasn't yet his time, he was still very alert, ate well and enjoyed life. It was hard work, we tried a dog wheel chair but he was having none of that, then we tried this trolley and from the beginning he loved his trips out to the park. We actually wore out two of those trolleys 
. As for knowing when it's time, as others have said; you'll know. We also lost our other dog a few weeks earlier, in his case (cancer) the decision was easier but no less painful on the day. The pain eases with time but the memory of the good times remain.
. As for knowing when it's time, as others have said; you'll know. We also lost our other dog a few weeks earlier, in his case (cancer) the decision was easier but no less painful on the day. The pain eases with time but the memory of the good times remain.Oh really hard decision.
Our eldest black lab developed kidney problems early last year. We put her on medication and her incontinence got worse and she struggled to make it through the night, but we put down puppy training pads and she would use those near her bedding. We felt as long as was was not uncomfortable or in pain, it was fine. She then deteriorated quickly over a few days and struggled to even get out of bed to wee at night, she was stiff moving around and was showing signs of weakness. At that point it just felt "right", after 14 years and a full enjoyable life and it was time to call the vet. She was put to sleep at home in her favourite spot, resting on her favourite toy.
All the best OP.
Our eldest black lab developed kidney problems early last year. We put her on medication and her incontinence got worse and she struggled to make it through the night, but we put down puppy training pads and she would use those near her bedding. We felt as long as was was not uncomfortable or in pain, it was fine. She then deteriorated quickly over a few days and struggled to even get out of bed to wee at night, she was stiff moving around and was showing signs of weakness. At that point it just felt "right", after 14 years and a full enjoyable life and it was time to call the vet. She was put to sleep at home in her favourite spot, resting on her favourite toy.
All the best OP.
Hardest decision you’ll ever make, but you’ll know when it’s the right time. I’ve had a few dogs over the years it doesn’t get easier.
One, Alfie, we had put down at home in summer in the early hours. That night my wife myself and one of our sons were watching TV in the lounge directly below and out from around the fire place (gas fire mind) a glowing ember came out and floated around and then drifted upwards through the ceiling and disappeared through to the spot in the bedroom above.
We all looked at each other and recounted the exact same sight without prompting, spooky. Can’t explain it but believe it was him on his way to the rainbow bridge….
One, Alfie, we had put down at home in summer in the early hours. That night my wife myself and one of our sons were watching TV in the lounge directly below and out from around the fire place (gas fire mind) a glowing ember came out and floated around and then drifted upwards through the ceiling and disappeared through to the spot in the bedroom above.
We all looked at each other and recounted the exact same sight without prompting, spooky. Can’t explain it but believe it was him on his way to the rainbow bridge….
Edited by HarryW on Wednesday 28th June 19:10
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