She is old, but eating great and at times, very playfulll, jumping and kalluping around with me in the back yard!
She has always had ear infections, that I spend 70 to 100 a month on since 1992. I know she is deaf, but not in too much pain, She does shake her head alot. I am needing other people's opinion, what should I do?. I have to move and she will not have the home she is used to. PLEASE help me?????
2006-10-14 17:56:24 · 11 answers · asked by doris_38133 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
first off... about the chronic ear infections.... have u talked to ur vet about it? with dogs that get chronic ear infections there is a simple surgery that they can do that actually closes the ear canal. this eliminates the canal that the infections get into and basically stops the problem. and most dogs will still have some hearing..but as u said ur dog is already deaf.. it may not be an issue lol. it is much less painful and expensive in the long run
deaf dogs, as well as blind dogs do very well. they dont know that anything is wrong with them and they adjust very well. it may take some time, but she will adjust. being deaf will not affect her ability to get used to a new house and surroundings. and her age shouldn't matter much either. the most important thing will be that u are there. that's all she will really care about., talk ot her about it, tell her u are moving and that u are going to this great new place. when u get there, talk to her, reassure her, tell her what is going on. it really will make her feel better. she will pick up on the fact that u are ok with the change, and she will be ok with it to. it's the old "you're ok?-i'm ok"
i dont see any reason why should couldn't come with u to the new house and be perfectly happy.
2006-10-14 18:12:09 · answer #1 · answered by Critter_Queen 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Your faithful friend of almost 20 years would follow you anywhere. If she thought for one moment that it was what you wanted, she'd follow you straight into hell.
Granted, a deaf dog will take a little more time and attention in a new setting (and extra care if there's apt to me more traffic or children that she can't hear and, hence, expect or be familiar with, you do not need to feel pressured into having her euthanized simply because you're moving.
And please do not even consider relinquishing her to an animal shelter in the hopes that they'll find her a nice quiet home so that she won't have to go through the trauma of making the move. You'd be hard pressed to find a no kill shelter that would take a dog that old, and even harder pressed to find an adopter.
Do the right thing...take her with you. Leave a room or two unpacked while you help your friend...your very dear friend of almost 20 years .. to adapt to her new surroundings. Please.
NOTE: Chris I, there's a flaw in your analogy that taking an old dog with you on a move with you is like putting an old person in a nursing home. When an old person goes to a nursing home, they don't typically get to keep their companion of 19 years with them at the home.
It would have been better for you to say that putting an old dog in an animal shelter would be like putting an old person in a nursing home.
2006-10-14 18:20:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
We run a shelter specifically for antique animals. We get the animals from people who are going into nursing homes, and referrals from the local pound. Older dogs are usually put down due to health problems in most pounds, so we give them a place to live out their lives.
However, we also have to make decisions regarding when the quality of life is no longer there. We have seen hoarders and grief-stricken owners unable to humanely let go of a suffering animal. I think that is THE hardest decision a pet-owner has to make. We have a lot of people ask us "How do I know when it's time? Why don't she give me a sign that she's ready to go?"
Well, they are the animals, and we are the humans responsible for their welfare. We can argue "Right to life" all night long, but it doesn't help the animal to let it linger if it's in pain daily, or has to be overmedicated to get through each day. I feel we DO have to make that decision, if we love the animal at all. It's extremely selfish to make an old animal suffer because we can't bear to let it go on to a better place. Again, tho, that is a very hard decision and takes a lot of courage.
You have an extremely old dog, and I can't imagine that she is still in decent shape at all. As you say, she has good days and bad days. How many bad days compared to the few good ones? You say she is "not in too much pain." That's not acceptable. We know all about the ear infections and they can make a dog's life miserable. How about arthritis? Can she sleep without having to get up and adjust herself because of her discomfort? Is she shaking her head to the point that she is giving herself hematomas? Those are very painful.
Yes, she has a great appetite, but we have found our old ones do long after their bodies have failed them in most ways. That isn't necessarily a sign of good health.
You have given her a wonderful, marvelous life, obviously, if she has lived to this great age and can still recognize you and want to frisk around.
Never mind the issue of moving, or the people in this column who have criticized you for saying she's suddenly inconvenient. If it's time, it's simply time, and this move is forcing you to do something you probably should have already done.
If you are unable to decide, please ask a friend what they think. At our shelter, we have to have meetings to make these decisions, as some of us have favorites among our wonderful old gals and guys and can't be impartial.
You know this dog better than anyone. She has been a great friend. Now it's time for your to summon your courage, and decide what's best for this dear friend. If you think the move will truly be hard on her, then you know what has to be done. It is not cruel. It takes a lot a heart to let a friend go on where she will be much better off, even tho you will never stop missing her. If you think she still has some pep in her, and you can get those ears cured (take her to another vet if this has been ongoing that long), then let her make the move with you. She'll go anywhere you go. But make sure that's what's best for HER.
You're the one who knows best..... I think you know what you should do. Good luck, and best wishes to both of you.
2006-10-14 19:37:42 · answer #3 · answered by Charlotte M 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Jeremy is right. It is you she loves, and knows. As long as you are there, she'll be happy. Yes, she will miss her old surroundings, but you can make the transition easier for her by bringing as many familiar objects as possible, and arranging them in as familiar an array as possible, so at least in one or two areas of the house, things will seem familiar to her.
As she is a VERY old dog (and that is a remarkable age for a dog to reach) she may not last long in the new home, but in the long run, it will probably be easier for you to try and help her make the move and enjoy the rest of her life, than to put her down and feel badly about it for the rest of YOUR life.
Good luck to both of you....
2006-10-14 18:06:48 · answer #4 · answered by old lady 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I'm not quite sure what your question is? Certainly you should continue to treat the ear. If you must move be sure it is to a place that will be comfortable and pleasant for your Faithful Loving Dog of 18-19 years. I'm certain you could not be so heartless as to put your dog to death as a matter of convenience.
2006-10-14 18:22:41 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take her with you. She has been your faithful companion for almost 20 years. She deserves for you to be faithful to her as well. She will adjust to her new home because you will be with her. You love her and she loves you. Her quality of life doesn't sound like it's low so there is no need for you to "put her down".
2006-10-14 18:27:38 · answer #6 · answered by TheresaE 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She will adjust fine to a new home. I may be wrong but I think from your tone you are thinking of killing her. If I'm wrong then sorry for this but if not, How could you? A faithful friend of 19 years and you are actually thinking of betraying her trust? She may be rough around the edges but old dogs are so comfortable. She won't be a bother in your new home. Just give her a chance. If you try to give her up she will never be able to adjust to a new family. If you don't believe me follow the link below. Please please don't do something terrible to her. Again if I am in error I apologize but it doesn't sound like I am.
2006-10-14 18:07:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
i hate to say this, but putting her down would be the best thing you could do, and i think you know that allready. when older animals have to change in anyway, its hard on them, and some cant deal with it. its like putting an old person in a nursing home, doesnt matter if the living quarters are better, to them its not home. ive tried it both ways and the emotions you have to go thru suck, but you have to do what is best. my thoughts are with you.
2006-10-14 18:26:41 · answer #8 · answered by chris l 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
just take a few days with just her and help her get used to the house, bring things from your previous house that shell know
2006-10-14 17:59:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Have a talk with her Vet.
She'll be confused by the move so maybe it's time to let her go.
Having said that.....I couldn't do it to my dog....I'd take him with me.
2006-10-14 18:32:58 · answer #10 · answered by daljack -a girl 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋