Old dog on her last day?

Question

I have a 16 year dog(mixed breed) and she is on her last days, I suppose.

She has a lot of problems walking, where her toes curl inwards when she tries to walk. She drinks a lot of water, will drink about a bowl of milk and water + glucose sugar. She refuses alll food except chicken liver ( she eats about 1 pack per day)
Yesterday she was looking better, she was wagging her tail at everyone and look real happy with the attention.
But today she couldn't get up and ended up defacating on herself. She still eats and drinks( only outta my hand though).

She's not in any pain( well from what I can tell). Should I go and get her put down or should I let her die naturally? Every morning I expect to see her dead, but instead She lifts her head and give me a wagging Good morning.
I just dont know what to do, either way it breaks my heart.

She has gone to the vet recently ( over 7 times within a year). Last it was for a lil growth on her foot and she got meds for it.... which was 2 weeks ago.
I would carry her to a vet, but the last time the vet was open was last week wednesday and will be open tomorrow( long holiday weekend here so the clinics are closed).

HER nails are not long, she is an outdoor dog and they are quite short. It looks like a nerve problem and the vets never addresses the problem anytime I ask them.

She is on cataflam for a lil bit of joint pain , but before( as in 2 weeks ago) she never had problems moving about. She is still on the cataflam and has problems walking.

She went on herself, mainly cause she was inside and its slippery. Since then she has not done that again.

When the vet comes tomorrow, we will see whats the best course of action, whether to treat her or to put her down.

Answer 1

I'm sorry for your pain. If she can't get up, it's time to do the right thing. As hard as it is to do, you need to have her put down. It's one of the hardest things you'll ever do, but it is in her best interest.

Answer 2

I really wish I hadn't read your Question, because now I feel terrible.

From the sound of things---and honestly, I'm not saying this to make you feel even worse---you're right, it does sound like the old girl is nearing the end. All of the symptoms you described are pretty common in an older pet (some people, too!), but defecating on herself was the real clincher...no animal would do that unless they were in a pretty bad way.

I know you're going to get Answers that go either way...put her down, or don't. My vote is to do it. I know it makes you sad, but if it makes you feel better, it makes me sad, too. Your dog doesn't seem to be in pain, which is a good thing. And you say she's generally happy and wagging her tail. If it were my descision, I would want to remember her as a happy, wagging dog, who still had some of her dignity left. Her health isn't likely to improve, and the reality is that she'll probably deteriorate further. Put yourself in your dog's shoes, so to speak, and ask yourself "would I want to live this way?"

I hope I've been helpful; I really wish there were some magic words I could send your way.

Answer 3

I know its soo hard here are some sites with info to help you make the decision.. I cant tell you what to do its up to you alone, its the hardest thing but its something you have to decide on your own... http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/lossandgrief/f/FAQ_euthanasia.htm
http://www.specialneedspets.org/pet-euthanasia1.htm
This site may help you deal with the coming grief of losing an old friend.. http://petloss.com/


Maybe also this poem will help you...

The Last Battle
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.

-- Unknown

Answer 4

Hi Nurmala, so sad to hear of your impending painful decision.
My faithful border collie Kim was put to sleep 5 years ago. She was 17 and losing her after having had her from a rescue home 14 years previously hurt so much and still does.
I approached the local dog warden asking to be advised when they wanted to rehome a border collie. Ended up having 2 at the same time. They helped me put aside some of my grief. It may be an option for you. There is another answerer extoling the virtues of a dog rescue organisation in Cambridge. It might help you if you could home a rescue dog as soon as possible,maybe before you have to say goodbye to your friend. Please take her to the vets asap as there are several drugs available to alleviate canine distress and you might have her with you for a while longer.Give it a try but steel yourself for the worst case scenario. My Kim was euthanased at home which helped me cope rather than have the vet do it at the surgery. Home visits are more expensive at approx £100.00 just in case you may be worried about the cost. My thoughts are with you.

Answer 5

Your poor dog is only going to get worse, at her age she will never get better now, so I would take her to the vets she has had a good life with you and you do not want to watch her suffering. I feel sorry for you as it is heartbreaking especially if you watch her being put down. Try to be brave for her and remember her as she was when she was younger. Good luck to you. Reading these poems and answers from everyone on here has got me in tears, people are so kind about animals.

Answer 6

sorry to hear about you dog. i lost my dog last wednesday he too was 16. over the last couple of days he went up and then down. he had trouble walking although he put a brave face on it, he wanted to go one way but his legs another. he was also 90% blind and half deaf.again he was in no pain i believe. on wednesday lunch after watching him for a while decided to take him to the vets only to find out he had had a fit. liver and kidneys had given up and all the muscle had gone from his legs
on reflection the way he was behaving was i think his way of asking me to do what was right although it broke my heart it had to be done. we got him from Manchester dogs home less than 2 years ago but he retired in Spain. now we have found a pet crematorium where he will be cremated on tuesday then he can be buried in the garden with his prize possestion his ball

you will know when the time is right and so will she.
good luck

Answer 7

i am so sorry to hear about your dog. I, to, recently lost a 16 year old dog. She was sick for about 3 weeks when I finally felt that I couldn't keep being selfish by keeping her around for my own happiness. This is a very personal disision. But you should probably start working your mind around the fact that it is her time to go. I had Miss Priss put to sleep. I was able to sing to her our song and hold her while she went. That evening some friends came over and we had a funeral for her. I will never forget her, she was my favorite dog of all time. ( I've had alot of dog's) She will be missed but not forgotten. Good Luck and you have my prayers.

Answer 8

You have given her a long,happy life,and i think in your heart you know the time has come.Had to do it myself last week with my 16 yr old cat,its broken my heart but it was the kindest thing to do,she started having fits and had gone blind,lost a lot of weight and wasnt enjoying life much for the last few days.
Take your dog to the vet as coming down one morning and finding her or having to watch her suffer will only make it harder for you.Its the kindest thing to do,and the last thing you want to do i know,but it is kinder to your dog rather than let her suffer,not easy to do but its the last act of love from a good owner to a beloved old friend.My thoughts are with you .

Answer 9

May I go now
Don't you think the time is right?
May I say good-bye to pain-filled days
and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best,
an example tried to be,
So can I take that step beyond
and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first.
I fought with all my might!
But something seems to draw me now
to a warm and loving light.
I want to go! I really do!
It's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can
to live just one more day .
To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and are afraid
because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that,
and hope you'll always know
that my spirit will be close to you
wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me.
You know I loved you too.
That's why it's hard to say good-bye
and end this life with you.
So hold me now, just one more time,
and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me,
you'll let me go today.


Copyright Susan A. Jackson
Written for a beloved pet and friend

Answer 10

Oh you poor love, and poor dog. I hate to say it but the best and kindest thing you can do is take her to the vet and steel yourself for coming home without her.

I had a similar situation with my German Shepherd, Shane. He had degenerative myaeleopathy, similar to the human disease multiple sclerosis. There was no cure, and he too had tremendous difficulty walking. My vet advised that I should spend his last days loving him and I would know when the time had come to say goodbye.

Sure enough, I woke one mornning to find he'd weed himself as he hadn't been able to get up in the night to tell me he wanted to go out. I couldn't let him carry on in distress like that.

It broke my heart and I miss him still, but was comforted by the card I received a couple of days later from my vet. In it she wrote that I did the kindest thing for Shane.

I wish I could tell you something different, wish even more that I could provide you with a cure. All I can do is say that sometimes we have to be incredibly strong and let go, knowing that we mustn't let our dogs down in their hours of need. It's a terribly high price to pay for loving your dog, but it is sometimes the only way to repay their trust and to remove their distress.

My heart is with you both, I wish I could do more.

Miranda

Answer 11

I have been through this many times and I think it's the hardest decision you have to make about your pet.My thoughts are, are you keeping the dog alive for yourself or the dogs quality of life. Don't forget putting a pet to sleep is the last kind act you can do for your much loved dog.My thoughts are with you, I know it's a heart breaking decision.