My dog... end of the road approaching
Discussion
I'm not sure why I feel the ned to post about this, but I do.
My dog is about 16 or 17, assuming he was about 4 when I got him from a rescue centre. He's been with me as my kids grew up, through a divorce and depression during which he was often the only reason I got out of bed and got outside, came with me to the US and somehow has always known when I felt ill or sad and would come and lie next to the bed, or sniff and get me to scratch his head.
He could always destroy any squeaky toy in minutes, loved a bone, and bark at a car door closing in the next county.
Sadly his arthritis is getting the better of him. He's on Rimadyl (an anti-inflammatory) and Gabapentin, the thing that really helped was Librella injected monthly. That one really is miraculous in its effects. However, it's only lasting a couple of weeks now, and the vet won't inject at that frequency. She just did one today but says no more so near to each other. So, despite being otherwise healthy, I think it's near the end of the road for him.
I just don't know how to cope. It seems so awful to put a dog down that's healthy otherwise, but he can't really move under his own power without the jab. I can't decide if it's better to do it while he can move and isn't in pain, or wait for the jab to wear off. I could find another vet, or get into hydrotherapy etc., but he's old enough that it's unlikely to do much. And why put him throught it?
I don't want to lose him, but it seems unfair on him to keep him going through selfishly wanting him around.
This bloody hurts.
My dog is about 16 or 17, assuming he was about 4 when I got him from a rescue centre. He's been with me as my kids grew up, through a divorce and depression during which he was often the only reason I got out of bed and got outside, came with me to the US and somehow has always known when I felt ill or sad and would come and lie next to the bed, or sniff and get me to scratch his head.
He could always destroy any squeaky toy in minutes, loved a bone, and bark at a car door closing in the next county.
Sadly his arthritis is getting the better of him. He's on Rimadyl (an anti-inflammatory) and Gabapentin, the thing that really helped was Librella injected monthly. That one really is miraculous in its effects. However, it's only lasting a couple of weeks now, and the vet won't inject at that frequency. She just did one today but says no more so near to each other. So, despite being otherwise healthy, I think it's near the end of the road for him.
I just don't know how to cope. It seems so awful to put a dog down that's healthy otherwise, but he can't really move under his own power without the jab. I can't decide if it's better to do it while he can move and isn't in pain, or wait for the jab to wear off. I could find another vet, or get into hydrotherapy etc., but he's old enough that it's unlikely to do much. And why put him throught it?
I don't want to lose him, but it seems unfair on him to keep him going through selfishly wanting him around.
This bloody hurts.
I feel for you. Its one of the hardest decisions to make. There are no right or wrong answers, as fttm says, you don't want to see him suffer. We did everything for ours. Hydrotherapy, lasers, tablets, but you could tell the effectiveness was wearing off.
You will know when the time is right, and in that moment, hold him tight, cuddle him & make sure you are there with him. Don't be afraid to cry, let out that emotion. Last time I stood in the room & cried like a new born baby (I'm welling up just thinking of it now).
Thoughts with you
You will know when the time is right, and in that moment, hold him tight, cuddle him & make sure you are there with him. Don't be afraid to cry, let out that emotion. Last time I stood in the room & cried like a new born baby (I'm welling up just thinking of it now).
Thoughts with you
Sorry to read this.
I had to make that final journey to the vet with my cat recently, similar age, nowhere near as closely-bonded as any dog and owner I know, and yet it still hit me really hard. I didn't want to take her, but I knew I had to.
The vets handled it very sensitively indeed, booked me in last booking of the day, nobody else around, offered me the room to myself for some time and the option of taking a side exit and paying later.
They say most people leave it until it's too late, so to do it at the right time when quality of life has slipped but they aren't extremely suffering, is the responsible and compassionate thing to do.
I had to make that final journey to the vet with my cat recently, similar age, nowhere near as closely-bonded as any dog and owner I know, and yet it still hit me really hard. I didn't want to take her, but I knew I had to.
The vets handled it very sensitively indeed, booked me in last booking of the day, nobody else around, offered me the room to myself for some time and the option of taking a side exit and paying later.
They say most people leave it until it's too late, so to do it at the right time when quality of life has slipped but they aren't extremely suffering, is the responsible and compassionate thing to do.
Really sorry to hear this man. I've been through this so many times and will go through it many times more. As hard as this is to process, try to look at it as a privilege we are rarely afforded for those we love and take the decision the auld dog can't. Thoughts are with you, you will manage, you will get over it, you are losing the tangible representation of your dog but you will always have your thoughts, feelings and memories. The better, and quicker decision you make now, the better and deeper those memories will be. Peace and love, gbn x
biggbn said:
Really sorry to hear this man. I've been through this so many times and will go through it many times more. As hard as this is to process, try to look at it as a privilege we are rarely afforded for those we love and take the decision the auld dog can't. Thoughts are with you, you will manage, you will get over it, you are losing the tangible representation of your dog but you will always have your thoughts, feelings and memories. The better, and quicker decision you make now, the better and deeper those memories will be. Peace and love, gbn x
As usual, biggbn is 100% right. mr_spock said:
I'm not sure why I feel the ned to post about this, but I do.
My dog is about 16 or 17, assuming he was about 4 when I got him from a rescue centre. He's been with me as my kids grew up, through a divorce and depression during which he was often the only reason I got out of bed and got outside, came with me to the US and somehow has always known when I felt ill or sad and would come and lie next to the bed, or sniff and get me to scratch his head.
He could always destroy any squeaky toy in minutes, loved a bone, and bark at a car door closing in the next county.
Sadly his arthritis is getting the better of him. He's on Rimadyl (an anti-inflammatory) and Gabapentin, the thing that really helped was Librella injected monthly. That one really is miraculous in its effects. However, it's only lasting a couple of weeks now, and the vet won't inject at that frequency. She just did one today but says no more so near to each other. So, despite being otherwise healthy, I think it's near the end of the road for him.
I just don't know how to cope. It seems so awful to put a dog down that's healthy otherwise, but he can't really move under his own power without the jab. I can't decide if it's better to do it while he can move and isn't in pain, or wait for the jab to wear off. I could find another vet, or get into hydrotherapy etc., but he's old enough that it's unlikely to do much. And why put him throught it?
I don't want to lose him, but it seems unfair on him to keep him going through selfishly wanting him around.
This bloody hurts.
Going through this, with a rescue, had since just over a year old, and has come to work with me virtually every day for 12.5 years.My dog is about 16 or 17, assuming he was about 4 when I got him from a rescue centre. He's been with me as my kids grew up, through a divorce and depression during which he was often the only reason I got out of bed and got outside, came with me to the US and somehow has always known when I felt ill or sad and would come and lie next to the bed, or sniff and get me to scratch his head.
He could always destroy any squeaky toy in minutes, loved a bone, and bark at a car door closing in the next county.
Sadly his arthritis is getting the better of him. He's on Rimadyl (an anti-inflammatory) and Gabapentin, the thing that really helped was Librella injected monthly. That one really is miraculous in its effects. However, it's only lasting a couple of weeks now, and the vet won't inject at that frequency. She just did one today but says no more so near to each other. So, despite being otherwise healthy, I think it's near the end of the road for him.
I just don't know how to cope. It seems so awful to put a dog down that's healthy otherwise, but he can't really move under his own power without the jab. I can't decide if it's better to do it while he can move and isn't in pain, or wait for the jab to wear off. I could find another vet, or get into hydrotherapy etc., but he's old enough that it's unlikely to do much. And why put him throught it?
I don't want to lose him, but it seems unfair on him to keep him going through selfishly wanting him around.
This bloody hurts.
Just before Xmas he was crippled, could not walk, obviously in pain, could not toilet himself, and not a hope of the vet doing anything.
He already has a metal joint in a rear leg, after snapping the ligament.
Someone suggested canabis oil, 7 months later, still going, still swimming, still coming to work, the oil really did help.
Now on steroids from the vet too, but it took 5 of those 7 months for me to come to terms with it not being long.
While he is slow, but happy, mobile, not in pain, the steroids will probably do as much damage as good, it has taken all those months to realise I have to try and enjoy the time he has left, and make it as good as it can be for him.
Luckily he swims better than he walks, and that helps with cooling, and walking better, in the Thames most days, so home made hydratherapy.
Try and make the most of the time you have left together, I know how difficult that is to do.
You know, I hadn’t thought about CBD etc! Which is mad, since I use MSM and other supplements for my arthritis and it’s all helped.
So, last roll of the dice, I ordered some CBD oil and chews which have MSM, glucosamine, green lipped mussel and turmeric extract. They recommended the oil with the chews as it’s possible to dose more accurately.
Worth a try at least.
So, last roll of the dice, I ordered some CBD oil and chews which have MSM, glucosamine, green lipped mussel and turmeric extract. They recommended the oil with the chews as it’s possible to dose more accurately.
Worth a try at least.
Interesting idea on the acupuncture. I ordered from https://baileyscbd.com/ (since I'm in the US) and the adviser recommended the Hip & Joint oil and the Hip & Joint chews. The oil works faster, the chews are easier to give apparently.
soad said:
Be good to hear what type of CBD you’ve purchased as percentage does vary. Ours is only little and started struggling with his mobility, so perhaps 2% is all he needs…prices all over the place too?
Around my area, lots of people use it, for pain relief, sleep aid, especially a 74 year old with sleep apnia, could not be arsed to look up spelling lol, The lady who suggested it for the dog, had hers diagnosed with cancer, and the big needle suggested, the dog had a healthy happy life for over 3 years on oil.
Using it for cancer is all over the internet, and had personal experience of it since, it destroyed a tumour in the lung of my first wifes mother.
It is absolutely amazing how many are when you talk to people about it, or search the internet, I did know a lot of this, just did not think of it for the dog until the lady suggested it, it took a crippled dog, I thought was only fit for the needle, to one that walked to the vet when I eventually got a new year appointment.
The legal stuff is useless, it needs to have all the active ingredients, not difficult to find, like any illegal drug lol, though some put a very high premium price on it.
Obviously it does not work for everyone all of the time, but a quick internet search will reveal the benefits many have had, human and animal.
My dog is staying on it, and on this fine evenings is managing gentle 90 minute walks with his mates, after a 20/30 minute swim in the strong currents of the Thames.
I told the vets he was on it, and they recommended he stayed on it, along with the other medication prescribed, make of that what you will.
I should have added, around 3 years ago, the ligament in a rear leg snapped, so he has a metal hingle in that leg, leg issues were expected, and I really wish I had used the oil as a preventitave measure, not a reactive measure, though he was on joint supllements, he lost a lot of muscle mass during the 4 months he was pretty much laid up, which I suspect would have been much quicker with the pain relief of oil, I will never know, just on my mind.
Edited by anyoldcardave on Thursday 1st August 10:23
My wife's oldest Dachsund passed about 18 months ago. He was pretty ill, off his food, not interested in anything towards the end. We were about to book euthenasia and he went of his own accord. He was clearly sick and tired of it all. My dog isn't - he still wants to do stuff, engage with me, eat food and treats, but movement isn't working. The CBD arrives on 8th Aug. I'm hoping without much hope, but there are enough positive stories that it's worth a try.
J4CKO said:
A mate sent me this with a lovely handwritten note when our dog Rambo was PTS,
That has brought tears to my eyes, and so true. I really though Xmas was going to be a very tough one, more than a few tears, if my vet was available it may well have been. He was that bad.
As I am typing this he is begging to go for a walk, too hot, so going to have to wait, but he will be out in the park, and the river, for a couple of hours, How long for it lasts, I have no idea, but I have begun to come to terms with things, he is eating more than ever, thankfully not putting on weight, or losing it either.
The vet was reluctant to give steriods without x- ray and blood tests, I was reluctant to put him through anesthetic, so he gave a steroid injection, which turned him puppy like again for a week or so, I was worried he would do more damage, the low dose pills are helping, along with the oil, he is a happy, pain free dog again, for now, weak and clumsy on his rear legs, but stays on them, and is no longer laying down front end first and easing the back down, he can sit again.
mr_spock said:
My wife's oldest Dachsund passed about 18 months ago. He was pretty ill, off his food, not interested in anything towards the end. We were about to book euthenasia and he went of his own accord. He was clearly sick and tired of it all. My dog isn't - he still wants to do stuff, engage with me, eat food and treats, but movement isn't working. The CBD arrives on 8th Aug. I'm hoping without much hope, but there are enough positive stories that it's worth a try.
I find when they go at their own time, at home, far easier on me. Your dog sounds just like mine, have you tried steroids? Have the vets categorically said it is Arthritis ?
I ask, because mine has not, and something strange has occured since being on them.
For maybe 3 years, after his leg op, his tail has been very swollen at the spine end, no pain, just unsightly and restricted wagging.
The swelling went, overnight, other dog walkers noticed it straight away, as I did, and it wags more often, the vet had suggested it could be a spine problem, not arthritis, but only a scan could tell. The treatment is different.
Like me, you are probably clutching at straws, especially as he eats and engages, and like me wary of putting him through too much, and the vet is playing a guessing game without scans.
Hopefully the decision is taken from our hands, it is so damn hard when an otherwise healthy, alert, engaging and eating dog loses mobility, so much tougher than them going in their sleep
He's a Welsh Sheepdog, kind of like a Collie, they don't really suffer from much except Osteoarthritis. The joint stiffness is obvious. I had the same, mainly in my hands, but CBD gel when I need it, MSM + Glucosamine and Boswellia (like Turmeric) has mostly sorted it. I play a couple of instruments and I'm gigging 2-3 times a week. After 3 gigs, up to 3 hours each, I'm a bit sore but it's manageable. That's why I'm trying it with him. Not that I expect him to play an instrument 
mr_spock said:
He's a Welsh Sheepdog, kind of like a Collie, they don't really suffer from much except Osteoarthritis. The joint stiffness is obvious. I had the same, mainly in my hands, but CBD gel when I need it, MSM + Glucosamine and Boswellia (like Turmeric) has mostly sorted it. I play a couple of instruments and I'm gigging 2-3 times a week. After 3 gigs, up to 3 hours each, I'm a bit sore but it's manageable. That's why I'm trying it with him. Not that I expect him to play an instrument
Very active dog, like mine , mad as a bag of frogs, that will be the Boxer, but mix it with a Springer, and you most certainly have a bag of frogs. He has had his front leg mauled by a nasty breed, his ears destroyed by another one, But walking along the Thames and watching him clear the concrete wall,around 4ft, Where I know it is at least a 20ft drop onto an uneven grass bank, I was absolutley terrified to look over.
I once deliverd a car around 7am, Bristol area, as I was chatting to the buyer, we heard a big splash, I asked if he had a pond, he didn,t, but his neighbour did. I just had to wait until he returned,
He was fine, I was not after having to climb the steel ladder holding him, a few days later he did it again, with the wife, she really struggled, but he was fine again. After hid nuts were chopped off, coming back from vets, I closed the gate, rest was instructed, but he cleared the 3ft fence, from standing, and was off. He had zero training or socializing when I got him, around a year old.
I am not so sure about shop bought CBD, many say it helps with nothing, or little, but is readily available, 8th seems a long wait, I would try it quickly, the real stuff I only give at night or in the morning if he is staying home, it had a near instant impact when really bad, that improved in days and I am sure, but for that, the vet would have recommended the needle, instead he got a steroid one. Tried others drugs, so you can imagine, a few quid spent. Seem to have a nice balance now.
Off to the park, the sun has gone over the yard arm, cooling dip is in order.
Hope he improves, talk with yout vet, but not pets for vets, never again, Medi Vet have been very good.
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