If you had a 14 year old dog, what would you do???

Question

My mum's dog is called Mops (obviously because she has hair like a mop) She is 14 and still loves to go to the park and try to run about. She is not eating, and drinking very little. She is my mum's soul companion and mum cannot bear for her to be put down. Mops is not suffering as she still seems to enjoy barking at the window and door when someone goes past and usual doggy things. Mum thinks that it is right to put her down but obviously does not want to. PLEASE no stupid answers just to get your points up. This is a serious question!!!!!

Mops has been to the vets very, very regularly. My Mum looks after her very well. She has spent hundreds of pounds to try and make her better. She won't put her down but was scared that she was making Mops suffer. Mops TRIES to run around with little accuracy and is alittle sick.

It's only 2 days since I asked this question. Thankyou everyone for your good thoghtful answers. Today 27th March, Mops was severly poorly this morning. being sick and pale. The vet has completed blood tests on her a revealed that she had thousands of cells with jaundice. They said she is having liver failure with a very possible tumor. She was suffering with her grunting with pain and not moving. She was in so much anguish that she coudn't even come to see me when I went to my mums to say goodbye. My mum and I took her to the vets in Skipton, North yorkshire and he said that she was soo ill she was going to be gone within minutes. She was put to sleep peacefully at 9.32am on the 27th March 2007 having had a beautiful life in such love and compassion. I was there with my mum and it breaks my heart.God bless her.

Answer 1

Sounds like Mops is ok for the moment. Keep a close eye on her (as you seem to be already).

It is never an easy decision as to the right time to have your dog put down, but it doesn't seem like now is the time.

If she seems to stop enjoying life - no longer taking an interest in things she used to. If she becomes incontinent (a bit controversial here, but it would be unpleasant for you and the dog to deal with regular soiling) then I would say it was time to say goodbye - but it is not that time yet.

You probably know that she won't be around for many more years simply because of her age, so I'd just say to spend time with her, make sure she has the time playing in the park etc. (although don't push her TOO hard). Take photos (you'll be glad of them when she is gone).

When the time does come to say goodbye, make sure someone she knows is with her. You want the last experience she has to be with you by her side. Above all, STAY STRONG. Dogs can sense emotion and she will be upset to see your tears so fight them back, HARD. Cry all you want once she has slipped away, but not before. She's been a loyal friend for 14 years - you owe her that.

I wish you the very best at this difficult time.

Answer 2

I think if the dog is STILL running around and playing and seems to be healthy do not put her down. When was the last time your mother took Mops the the vet? She should probably get a check up and I would ask the vet why Mops isn't eating and not drinking enough. My grandmother has a 14 year old dog as well and he plays and barks and is still like a puppy. Unless there is some major problem I would allow Mops to live the life he loves: with your mother. :) Hope this helps!!

Answer 3

Poor Mops.......... it doesn't sound as though she's ready for giving up on life yet, even if she has slowed down. After all wouldn't we all at that age (7 human years for every 1 dog year), she must be about 98 years old!!!

My first dog lived until he was over 16 years, and it was the worst thing I'd ever had to do when I took him to be put down. It was obvious that it was time, he'd had a stoke, and I knew there was no alternative.

Prior to that he'd not had many ailments, but the odd course of steroids did help when he had an appetite problem.

Maybe Mops is the same, just needs a bit of help. Perhaps she needs a change of food, I know my dogs all get bored with the same thing day after day.

Try the vet first and get advice, but don't give up on her yet, there could be more years ahead.

So what if she isn't as fast anymore, doesn't mean she isn't enjoying a quieter pace. She could be quite content enjoying her retirement, taking things slowly, living in a loving home, and knowing that someone will be around.

Your Mum will miss her so much when the time comes, but it doesn't sound like it has yet.

Mops may have decided to hand around for her telegram when she gets to 100.

I'm sure human recipients of this honour wouldn't take kindly to being told they are too old and that someone had decided it was time for them to depart........

Ask your Mum to seriously reconsider - she will regret it if she does it and there's no real need for it.

Good luck, hope Mops lives on for a few more good years.

Answer 4

I've got a dachshund that is pretty much in the same situation. One day we'll think she's so pitiful and that she's not happy and the she'll pick up a squeaky toy and squeak it for hours, she still wags her tail when she sees us and she is still her spunky self. My vet told us that make a list of everything that your dog has ever loved to do and if they can't do the majority of those things anymore then it might be time to put her down. I would say if she cant do any of those things anymore than it might be time but from the sounds of it she's just getting old. When old people lose their teeth or start not being able to eat certain foods and can't get around as well we don't put them to sleep so why should we treat our pets any differently? I think most of the time that people put dogs to sleep due to old age is because it becomes an inconvenience to them and if thats the case than you shouldn't have taken on the responsibility (this doesn't sound anything like your situation, I wasn't aiming that statement at you it was just an general statement)

Answer 5

Why put down a seemingly healthy dog? I don't see why you're asking the question.

How long has she been off her food? Have you taken her to the vet? She might have something simple like a mouth ulcer than means it hurts for her to eat. Please don't assume she in ready to go without taking her to the vets.

My last dog was very poorly at the end, he had a brain tumour and was having fits, it was EXTREMELY difficult for me to make the decision even though I knew he was unwell.

Speak to your Mum and tell her that you need a vets opinion, and then take it from there. Our vet was very honest, and advised us as best he could. Take professional advice and then think about the dog. If she is happy then leave her be, if she is suffering then you cannot let it continue.

Hope this helps
.

Answer 6

It likely wouldn't hurt to take her to the vet for a check up and have the vet give a recommendation.

Otherwise, if Mops still is active and happy (and not suffering in pain), there's not really a reason to euthanize her.

Perhaps she's just going through a phase or, if it is indeed a sign that she's dying, there's nothing wrong with letting her die naturally and living out her remaining days happy and at home with her family.

Answer 7

I had a fourteen year old dog who started to change near the end. She had a very recent check-up and her health seemed normal for her age. But she had begun to tire very easily when we went for walks. That wasn't like her at all. She had always loved to walk and run with me. One morning she just woke up dead. That is to say, one night I went to bed, and she went to sleep in her bed but the next morning I woke up and she didn't. It was a terrible loss because she was a great dog and had been my buddy for 14 years. It was at least a year before I could even think about getting another dog. She will always be in my heart. But I did get through the grief and I have two young dogs now.

Answer 8

Get your Mom to take Mops, to visit the vet , yet again ,
for a long check up and a chat.

As she is enjoying, a good ,quality of life ,
there is no question, of having her put to sleep!!!

Just because she is getting on a bit,
does not mean she is finished .!!!!

she may have a sore mouth or even toothache,
that is putting her off eating

The vet will examine her
and see, if there is something,
he can give her,
to bolster up her appetite !
Maybe a change of diet is all that is needed

When the vet examines her ,
he may well tell your Mom,
that Mops has a good few years, ahead of her yet,

before she ,is ready to trot over the rainbow bridge .

Hang on in there ,
see if you can make her quality of life, even better .
I can tell how much love, you both give to her .

The vet will tell you what is best for Mops .
if it is a matter of stopping suffering,
the vet will explain that to you

Give Mops a big hug from me

>^,,^<

Answer 9

You need to take her to the vet and see what he says. If he can find nothing wrong then perhaps she just needs a tonic. If your mum is being realistic although she is obviously upset you must be brave as well and take the vets advice. I hope you can make the right decision for both your mum and Mops. I will be thinking about you!

Answer 10

If she's not in pain and obviously enjoying life then she shouldn't be put to sleep. Get her checked out at the vet and try feeding her some different tasty food. My old dog (15 years old) loves having a bit of fresh salmon and mashed potatoes or a nice bit of boiled chicken and rice. If you feed something tasty every few days you don't have to worry so much about her not eating her proper food.