We are utterly, horribly, totally devastated today. Our oh-so-loved, best dog ever pup needs to be put down. About 3 weeks ago he started with a very minor limp ("is he limping or not, I cant tell" kind of limp). No outward signs of pain - still very active and running, jumping, fetching. We had to refuse to play with him to keep him resting it. Vet did not want to see him until it had been 7 days. A week later, vet said he saw no cause for concern - pup was happy and full of life, must be a minor injury. Keep him calm, nothing is wrong, etc. Spoke to our breeder who said we were the 4th in the litter to contact him that week regarding a limp. Two had confirmed ED: one very severe, one minor and with simple surgery pup was expected to make full recovery with no complications. We visited the breeder and he watched our pup and felt that it was likely ED. We made an appt for xrays (with a diff vet!!!) but it had to wait until this week when pup turned 6mo because of the sedation. It was only another week to wait anyway. 3rd affected pup in the litter had xrays confirming pano (growing pains) and nothing to really worry about. We were optimistic that was our case too. Over the last 10 days pup has gone downhill drastically. He is now like a very senior dog hardly able to get himself around. It is heartbreaking to watch. The vet did the xrays and sent them on to a specialist - we are fortunate to have one if Europe's leading specialist dog joint surgeons in our university animal hospital. We received his opinion today. Pup has severe dysplasia in both elbows, one side is possibly surgical candidate, the other likely not. He also has a growth disorder in both of his shoulders for which there is no corrective surgery. (We were not actually surprised by this, when I looked at the xrays at home, the huge difference between the shoulder bones is immediately obvious, but we were not sure which one was normal, it turns out neither). He said he strongly suspects that it is in puppy's hips as well; although hips were not xrayed, he said you'd not see something like this in forelimbs and not have it be present in hind, too. I am not surprised by this because over the last week while waiting for xrays, we had started to suspect something strange going on with his hips as well. He has said that his next step is a CT scan, but that he feels the ultimate prognosis is so poor that we should really consider if even we want to actually spend the money on an expensive CT when he knows there is little he can do. Elbows are possibly surgically treatable to prolong pain levels for a year or two, shoulders are not surgically treatable. Pup would be on pain meds his entire life, which would probably be only a couple of years. He will never run and play, go for walks, etc. I think that says it all really. This poor pup is just the most amazing dog. I've had a lot of criticism from friends and family - we should seek 2nd and 3rd opinions, we should spend however many thousands over multiple surgeries, etc. I find it really unhelpful and unsupportive. We are distraught over this. A lot of friends also questioning the breeder. YES the parents were HD and ED scanned, both had perfect scores and no I do not feel he has lied to us. He is also distraught, truly terribly heartbroken. He's just laying here now, staring at me looking so so sad. And I'm so sad. I guess I am wondering here, how long would you leave it? A few months with painkillers....? Or just as soon as possible because it is inevitable? I do believe he is suffering. I dropped a kibble yesterday and he didnt even try to get it because it meant standing up. He does have some playful moments but he flops down after 15-20 seconds. Over the last 3 weeks he has deteriorated to the point of hardly walking - does not bend his elbows, holds arms out at 45 degree angle to plod along. It is worse daily - he was not like this 5 days ago... He had a painkiller injection on Thursday and it made zero difference whatsoever. I can't imagine what next week will be like. He has also been suffering on/off diarrhea which started about the same time as his limp. Antibiotics did not help, stool sample clear. It clears up for a few days and then comes back. I can't accept that it is not related but also can't see how it is just coincidence.
Oh my dears. Your poor pup, and poor you - there are no words to express this. I actually think you know the answer to this question. You know the answer better than your friends and family. You love your dog more than they ever can, you know him better, and it is you that he looks to for care and comfort. Whatever you might do, you have to ask the question - "why am I doing it?" and "am I doing it to make me feel better or am I doing it for him?". I dread the time that it will be my turn to make a decision like this for Pongo. But it is almost certain that that time will come - I hope in a long time, but it will come. When it does, I very very much hope that I can find a way to make sure that this part of his life, be it long or short, is characterised by comfort, love, fun and gentleness; not by pain, anxiety, unfamiliar people prodding him, or separation from his pack. Do not let anybody tell you that you are doing the wrong thing. Whatever you do, if you do it from a place of love then you will be doing the right thing. Full stop. And having said all of that, I can't give any advice on what you should do, or how long you should leave it. But I think you will know, when you think only about your pup and the fact that you love him. Take your time. You will do the right thing, and you will know it is the right thing, and your pup is a lucky, lucky boy to have you as his human. Huge forum-wide hugs for you and him. Please let us know how things go, and know we are all here for you whatever you decide to do.
Oh I really feel for you! What a heartbreaking decision to have to make for one so young. My personal thoughts, are to PTS sooner rather than later so that he doesn't suffer if the painkillers aren't working, but only you know what quality of life he has. Sending loads of love to you both. x
What a devastating prognosis...I cannot imagine. I’m so sorry. You know your dog best and I believe you will know the right thing to do. Personally, given his young age I would want to see if pain meds made any difference in the short term and spend as much time as possible with him.
I am so, so sorry to read this @Kobe, it is a cruel and brutal and devastating position to find yourself in. My heart goes out to you. I cannot imagine how hard it must be watching your dear pup deteriorate before your eyes. I am thinking of both of you.
That’s devastating and I feel so, so sorry for you. I’m sure you will make the right decisions for him and for you. It may be useful to talk to the breeder again to find out what the owner of the other puppy with severe ED is planning to do, but in the end you know your own puppy best. It sounds as if you’ve already decided that the resulting quality of life would not be worth putting him through surgery and, if that’s the case, at least you have given him the best months ever since he’s been with you. Thinking of you. Do keep us updated.
Kobe, I am so very sorry you are having to go through this. Our pup is 5 months old and you and your dog are familiar to me as you have been an active poster in the puppy forum over the past months. It sounds kind of silly but it feels like there’s an unspoken camaraderie on here as there are a number of people, you included, whose puppies are around the same age where we are experiencing similar issues and pitching in to help. It’s one of the things that makes this forum an amazing place and makes your news so sad to hear. I don’t think there’s any easy answer in this awful situation other than to go back to the old adage that it’s better to make that sad choice a day too early than leave it a day too late. Although even that seems jarring given your dog’s age. Once again I’m so very sorry.
My heart goes out to you. What a terrible place to find yourself in. You have the toughest decision to make but I hope you can do what you feel is right for you and your pup and not what other people think you should do. I keep changing what I'm writing because it's so hard to know what to say but I wanted to say something. Your pup has had the most amazing life with you, with so much love and care so try to hang on to that thought. He won't know anything else after he has gone but he certainly knows at this moment that he couldn't be loved more and that's an amazing thing.
@Stew thank you, yes there are others here who have similar aged pups who I feel I "know", funny to hear others "know" my pup. @Granca the other severely affected pup was actually presenting with symptoms much worse than our pup, a few weeks earlier. They are under the care of the same surgeon. Our breeder has been to appointments with them, offering advice and care and support. They have chosen to go ahead with surgeries, multiple are planned over the next months. The surgeon has said she will be on weekly pain injections, therapy, and will never be able to walk properly. She will be able to get herself around, but not run and play, not go out for walks, never have a normal dog life. He suspects after a couple of years she will have to be put down due to pain levels. They have chosen to do this, because they can't bear to part with her. I understand their feelings, I really do. But I also know the breeder disagrees with them, having heard what her life will be like. He tearfully advised us not to follow the same path but also said he would support us if we did. They have also decided to accept another pup from his next litter as a replacement. That offer has of course been made to us as well but I don't feel at this time that we can accept a new pup...we need time. Maybe next spring. Pup's favourite time of the day is good morning. He anxiously waits for each person to come downstairs and say good morning. If he is doing anything else, the minute he hears a movement upstairs he goes crazy and races to the stairgate. If you're not there in 30 seconds he starts whining and wimpering because he can't wait any longer. He knows who is still not awake yet and often gets that person's shoe to sit with. You get jumped on and licked and climbed on like you are his bestest friend he's not seen in a year. It's lovely This morning I was up and about upstairs for a good few minutes before I came down. I got my coffee poured and sugar in before he came slowly ambling in to find me and he bumped my leg with his nose and then just flopped down for a rub. There is a baby bird barking (yes barking - it is the strangest sound!!) in the neighbour's garden right now. Long ago, pup created a hole in the hedge so he could spy on the neighbours, sticks his wee face through and peeks in with his bum and tail going a mile a minute, in hopes of a hello from the neighbours. He barks at birds that he sees eating the worms in their grass. This morning he just looked at it and looked at me. Like he was saying "you check it out for me, I can't". I just sat and cried. His one back leg looks really bad today. He doesn't bend it when he walks and is up on tiptoes of both back paws.
I'm so sorry for you and your pup. It must be so hard for you, but you really do have your pups best interests at heart, no matter what other people say.
So sorry you find yourself in this horrible situation. You must do what you feel is right for your pup, it is no-one else's right to tell you. Thinking of you at this tough time x
Our pup's four and a half months old so very similar age to yours. Horrible position to be in and I couldn't imagine how heart broken you must be feeling. As you and others have said, make the best decision for your puppy and ignore any pressure from friends and family.
Just sending you a hug through the tears. There really are no words. I hope that you will let another pup into your life at some point; you need somewhere to put your love. Our last Lab died very suddenly just before his 8th birthday. It was only a month before we got another. I still miss the first one but somehow having another has helped us heal. None of this is your fault, it just sounds like incredibly bad luck. Though for what it's worth I don't think I would get another pup from the same breeder.
I do not fault the breeder at all. He has do e nothing wrong. Human beings have no cintrol over the biological realities of pregnancy in animals. No pregnancy in any animal is risk free. The treatment and love and support we have had from our breeder is one readon I would never go to anyine ekse, but stick with him in the future 100%
Thank you for the update. I know you will do the best for him... and for your family in the future too. He sounds such a lovely character and is lucky to have such a loving, caring family.
I have no words, but am another who has followed the trials and tribulations, fun and frolics of Kobe, he’s one of the forum pupsters, thanks to your posts. Just sending heartfelt support through tears. Be strong for your boy. There are loads of us holding you and him in our hearts.
