Hi all, First time on here so bear with me I have a 13 yr old black lab who we've had since she was 8 weeks old, she's had arthritis in her back legs for over 3 years and she's really struggling now, she's on Rimadyl once a day and 6 tramadol a day :'( I took her to the vets a couple of months ago as she was finding it hard to stand on the back legs and for a blood test to check her levels because of the Rimadyl and her liver enzymes were over 1200 as opposed to 160 6 months previously, my vet also thinks she may have chushings disease but after the trauma of her having bloods taken on the last visit (took 8 attempts and Lucy became so distressed she poo'd everywhere) I couldn't put her through more tests :'( Lucy is still eating and drinking but is very forlorn and she's now getting leg sores on her back right leg that is bleeding and weeping and although I'm trying to keep it dry and clean it won't heal as she's constantly lying funny and it keeps catching, she's also having bowel accidents in the house, the back door is always open and it's as if she doesn't know when she needs to go and only realises when she's actually going by then it's too late and she's rushing to get out and stumbles out the back door most of the time falling out She's also got cataracts and is finding it hard to see where's she going but also who we are :'( She pants all the time even when lying down and doesn't even want to go for walks anymore, I can normally manage to get her out for 5 minutes (10 minutes on a good day) before she just stops and walks back the house. My question (finally) is I know in my head that this is possibly the time to pts but my heart is saying no as some days she's not too bad but the bad days are far outweighing the good days, I would appreciate any help or advice that you could give me. Many thanks Rachel
Re: Help & Advice please Hello, welcome to the forum. This is so sad for you and your girl. I really feel for you having to make such a difficult decision. I've never had to make it myself, and I'm not sure anyone but you can decide when it's time - you sound like you love your girl a huge amount and I'm sure you'll do what is best. Best wishes to you. Julie and Charlie (6 months, choc boy)
Re: Help & Advice please Thanks Julie & Charlie, Means a lot that there's people out there to advise where they can. Rachel
Re: Help & Advice please Hi Rachel, I really feel for you, and just want to give you a hug. I have had an old dog. When I saw that he had started to really, really show his age, we knew we had to make a decision about how long we should let him go, and how long was too long. For myself, I decided that if he couldn't walk independently and seemed unhappy/depressed, that would be it. In the end we had to make a decision to say goodbye before he got to that stage, as he had a major haemorrhage. But, that sudden crisis aside, lack of mobility and lack of evident happiness would have been our 'signals' that is was time. Although it's easy to write it, it's still a totally subjective judgment as to when that point might have been reached. As Julie says, it's only you who can really decide. You have known and loved your dog all her life. Whatever you do, it'll be the thing that is right for your dog and it'll be done out of love and selflessness. The thing is - don't ever punish yourself over it, whatever decision you make.
Re: Help & Advice please Hello there , so very sorry to read your post, its a situation that sadly I have been in several times . What I used to do , when things were looking bleak , was to keep a diary for a few days, then look back and see if the bad days, hours, outnumbered the good ones . I do think that, hard as it is , we have to stop and consider quality of life and if this is diminishing , we have to accept the inevitable and make that final, but kindest decision for our dearly loved pets . My thoughts are with you , I am a volunteer for the Blue Cross on their Pet Bereavement Support Service , if ever you need support you can call free from a UK landline 8.30 a.m. until 8.30 p.m. seven days per week on 0800 096 6606 , it can help to talk things through with people who understand .You can also e mail the same service at pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk
Re: Help & Advice please Thank you all for your kind messages and support, it's going to be a rough weekend I think, I need to speak to my children tonight, 19 + 13 but they know she's not well so I think it'll be a family decision but one that needs to be made, I'll keep you posted. Thanks again
Re: Help & Advice please What a very hard time for you, Im sure you will make the right decision, and the best one for your poorly dog. Best wishes from me and Otis, my four and a half month old pup, Im sure there will come a day when I have to make such hard decisions, how brave you are X
Re: Help & Advice please Hello Rachel, This is such a difficult time for you and your family. My heart goes out to you. I would look at the quality of life that Lucy has and make any decision on that. If you can talk to your vet that would be good. They will know what level of pain, if any, and distress she may be in. Look at with her general day to day activities and assess if she is comfortable most of the time. We have had a number of old dogs, and this decision will never get any easier. She has given you and your family 13 years of wonderful dedication and love, I know that you will do the right thing for her when ever that time may come.
Re: Help & Advice please Lucylab,I'm so sorry to read what you and your old lady are going through.I have never had to go through this yet as we are only just getting to know our first dog.Ive seen my parents have to make the decision several times and they have always used quality of life and of course pain as their guide.You will know in your heart of hearts when is the right time,none of us can tell you.It is the last act of kindness and love you can do for your wonderful dog.from dogs and owners I have known over the years this time comes and the decision always seems to fall to the owner......natural causes,'god'whatever higher power you believe in doesn't seem to often intervene.... No one will judge you for helping your girl pass peacefully when you feel the time is right and if you need some tlc for yourself this is the place to come....... Lucy will have had a wonderful life with you and I'm sorry you are facing an upsetting decision Best Wishes Angela x
Re: Help & Advice please Hi Lucylab, welcome to the forum. So sorry that you are facing such a difficult decision. I don't know if it will be any help, but there is an article on this subject on the main site. It's called Knowing when to let go Best wishes, Pippa
Re: Help & Advice please Hi Rachael, my heart goes out to you and your family being in this very upsetting situation, I can't imagine how you are feeling as I have never had to make such a decision. All I will say is go with your heart and it won't let you down. I will be thinking of you. Helen xx
Re: Help & Advice please Hi Rachel, This is so hard for you and your family. Most of what needs to be said has already been said above. Just wanting to send you my support as well. I think the advice to consult the vet is a good one - they can be an objective eye that is needed in these emotional times. Or they might have some other treatments for the distressing symptoms. Just don't allow guilt to play a part - you have given your girl a lovely long life and have taken care of her well. All if this is part of that care and love we give them. Hugs to you and your family.
Re: Help & Advice please Thank you all, unfortunately I don't have a good relationship with my vet mainly due to the issues we've had with trying to get blood for blood tests, Lucy was so distressed and the vet lost her temper on several occasions, I was furious hence I don't want to cause her more stress. Pippa, the article you mentioned is very informative and I'm using this when I speak to the rest of the family. I'll let you know what we decide once I've spoken to the children. Thanks again. Rachel
Re: Help & Advice please [size=12pt]Hello Rachel, What a difficult time for you all. Our last dog was a collie and we faced a similar situation when she was sixteen; after agonising for days we decided her quality of life was so poor the time had come. She slipped away so easily that we thought we had made the right decision. Despite this we were overwhelmed by the sadness we felt at losing such an important member of the family. Our children were teenagers and couldn't remember a time pre dog so they found it hard - I think you are right to involve your children in the decision. Is it possible to change to a more sympathetic vet? Alice
Re: Help & Advice please Hi Rachel, Sorry you are having a bad time with your girl. I think everyone has said all the helpful stuff. Hope you are all ok :'( My heart goes out to you. x
Re: Help & Advice please Very very difficult time for you and your family. What a shame your vet was so unpleasant - is there another vet you can talk to? It does help if everything can be as calm as possible when that time comes. Above all - just stay with your girl and hold her. She won't be afraid or feel any pain - but it is a very emotional thing. I had to let both my old boys go last year. :'(
