Help to make that decision I don't want to make......

I did this when it was time for my darling Robbie to go. I held him in my arms on the floor and he fell asleep. All the family were there with him. You will know when the time is right. Be kind to yourself

 

We did this with Ginger when it was time. It was certainly easier on us and her.

 

My husband and I sent our love to Rainbow Bridge in November. Her name was Maggie and her picture is shown. Our vet told us in March of last year that we needed to start preparing. We were so grateful we had 8 more months with her. She had just turned 14. We struggled with "when" as well. And, like many others who have posted, I was told "she will let you know when it is time," and she did. We had no doubt it was time. We continue to have huge holes in our hearts. I miss everything about her, even the fur all over everything! I've been in contact with the same breeder we got Maggie from and they are having three litters. I am excited that we will get a new lab puppy this summer (not sure when yet, but will find out soon). I know the new pup will never replace our Mags, but she will sure help heal our broken hearts.

 

Please don’t feel guilty when the time comes. I agree with the others that you will know the right time. It’s the most horrible and hardest decision to have to make and yet it’s really the final act of love we can give to our dog companions.
I also agree to get the vet to come to you. Waiting for the vet to arrive is hard. We have been through this four times over nearly 50 years and it’s never easy. I’m sure all the forum’s thoughts are with you

 

All of the above has had me in tears and I know so well what you are going through because it’s exactly the same for my poor Coco (other than the blindness). This is the most difficult thing I have ever had to deal with and like you I truly cannot face making that final decision. The thought of asking the vet to come over and euthanize my best friend is far too painful for words.

My girl is almost 13 and has deteriorated over the last six months - she is on so much medication now but I know she is still very uncomfortable, but she keeps going.

I’ve heard about CBD oil and am thinking of trying her on it. Has anyone else tried it please?

My Coco has congestive heart disease and is on Pimibendan 10mg twice a day. She is also taking 10mg of Fortekor Sabor once a day - both for the heart problems.

She also has arthritis quite severely (she’s 13 yrs now) and so per day has 150 mg of Gabapentina Teva, 200 mg of Tramadol, 200mg of Theophalline, for pain control and 30mg of Seguril (Furosemida for fluid rentention).


Her pain control helps, but she is very uncomfortable.


I would like to try her on CBD oil as I’ve read about such good results for dogs but I’m nervous to give it to her because of all the medication she is on.


I was advised by the company that I bought the CBD oil from to stop the pain killers but continue with the heart medication. I’m worried that the CBD oil might counteract some of the effectiveness of the other meds - can anyone please advise me on this. Any information would be most welcome.


Many thanks in advance

Lesley

 

Hi Lesley and welcome to the forum. You are in such a difficult and sad place right now, and it is so evident you are doing everything you can for your lovely girl, Coco.

I read this interesting blog on the pre-griefing our dogs, and it has made me think of you.

pre-grieving-our-dogs

We all get to be in the place you are in, and it is a horrible place to be. I honestly think the anticipatory stage is the hardest, and letting go is actually a relief. It doesn't help that whilst we recognise our dogs as soulmates, partners, and most importantly members of our family, society doesn't quite see it like that, so it can be difficult to find the empathy we need, whilst we go through the roller coaster of emotions associated with pre-grieving.
We also reach out to find ways of helping, supporting and caring for our pets, this is only natural.

This brings me to the above quote...I am just worried that you have been advised by a non-clinical ( sorry, me making an assumption here..) who does not really know your dog, has advised you to stop the pain medications. Maybe it's time to have another chat with your vet at this stage and ask for their thoughts on your girl's condition right now, and if there is anything else that could help make her more comfortable, Coco sounds like she is a very, very poorly girl right now.

A note on CBD oil, the evidence in palliative care isn't quite there yet, it's just a little short on good clinical data, there are trials out there but they don't give us clear answers at this stage. There is a lot of interest in CBD and for sure some of it quite compelling especially in the area of epilepsy.

 

Hi Lesley,
I'm so sorry you are going through this. Letting Daisy go is possibly the most difficult decision I've ever had to make, but it happened May 10... I have to say that while I still miss her horribly, I am now able to look back at videos of her 10+ years ago, and video of her near the end of her life, and she really had aged incredibly.

Initially I thought I would have the vet come to the house, but I decided to have her euthanized at the vet's office, and I had probably the best experience I could have under the circumstances (now I'm crying....) because everyone who was there was very caring and had known Daisy her whole life. Over her life she visited the vet's quite regularly and she loved everyone there and wasn't overly nervous to be there. The vet opened early for me and we were the only patients. My daughter and my parents came as well. It really could not have gone any better. That said, I was a mess for quite a while after, and I still have my moments now 4 months later. But I don't regret letting her go because I know it was the right thing.

Please discuss the CBD oil with your vet. They will know if there will be any possible issues mixing with Coco's current medications. What quality of life does Coco have? Can she still enjoy a walk or getting outside? Does she still eat and drink her food? What finally made my decision was realizing Daisy could no longer go on walks....she was struggling horribly to walk and I broke down crying on the street because I knew this was it. I made the appointment.

This forum is a wonderful place to get help, suggestions and advice. I wish you luck with Coco and hope you can find ways to ease her discomfort.

 

I am so sorry for your loss. Why can’t they live longer?

 

Man, this thread is heart breaking to read Went through it with my childhood dog and it really is so hard. He was my family. Glad I got a new Buddy now