Old black lab?

Question

my baby (reba) is almost 12 and she has a huge growth on her gum that is getting larger and bleeding. She is peeing a lot and even having multiple accidents in the house a day sometimes with blood, she is also drinking alot. i have been told to put her to sleep because she is not happy and might be experinecing kidney failure , but she doesn't cry or anything about it. Any ideas all doc says is its up to me. i love my dog but i dont want her to suffer.

Answer 1

I had to make the decision to put my 14-1/2 year old lab mix down about a year ago. It wasn't easy, but I knew it was time. Only you can make the decision. Please look at your dog with objective eyes and think of her quality of life. Dogs are not wimps and they'll keep going as long as they possibly can, even if in pain. However, it doesn't mean that they should.

Answer 2

Is the sore on her gums cancer from a wart virus? I don't think those are painful. As long as she is happy, keep her. She can't help being old. As long as she isn't suffering, then just let her be as happy as she can be. The excessive drinking is probably due to some kidney failure.
You are a wonderful dog owner. You will know when she is suffering rather than just being old. And you will have no reason to regret your decision then. Sometimes humans use an excuse of age to euthanize a dog when it becomes inconvenient to keep. That is different than ending suffering for your pet, you know?

Answer 3

Sometimes it's simply difficult to know when it's time to stop the suffering of your old friend. I loved both my dogs dearly and did everything it took to keep them going - radiation for a tumor, shots for diabetes, my wife and I learned to catheterise our male for an intermittent urethra problem, etc. I faced the same dilemma you currently face. With all the treatments we gave them I wondered frequently if I was being selfish keeping them alive or being a wonderful friend to them. Little to say I loved both my dogs dearly and was very in tune with their body language, etc. In the end they made it clear when they went from being happy I was helping them to "it's time to go." The best advice I can give you is to watch your friend and really try to look at it from an unselfish point of view. Remember, life is precious and so is your friend - you'll never have another dog like her. Don't jump to a quick conclusion that you need to put her down because it's the politically correct thing to do. Really try to be a good friend and watch her very closely. Finally, when it comes time to put her down(some day), do the right thing and be there holding her when she is put down. Don't just drop her at the vet and tell them to do it like so many people do. She's always been there for you, it's your turn to be there for her in her final moments. It will be very hard at the time but you'll have the rest of your life to remember how you did the right thing rather than regretting you weren't ther for her.

Answer 4

Doc is right. It is up to you.

Take her in for a thorough checkup - discuss the tumor in her mouth and the blood in her urine - both very grave symptoms.

Document her activities - how many times she looses control etc. How well she's eating, drinking, playing, getting into and out of bed etc. If the quality of her life is such that she is unhappy - especially if she's accidenting - then maybe it's time for her to cross the rainbow bridge.

If, however, she takes the accidents etc. in stride and is still a happy dog - then consider keeping her with you a little while longer.

But sooner or later you will have to make a tough choice. I suggest you prepare yourself for that time. It's coming sooner rather than later.

The good thing about our pets is that they're still with us - only in spirit. See, mankind is the only one of God's creations stupid and foolish enough to disobey His orders. Our pets never disobeyed His commands - so they never left Eden. so don't be worried for her spirit.

Answer 5

I in simple terms adoped a 9 a million/2 yo Lab so i do no longer see why you could no longer undertake a 4yo. in simple terms be arranged to handle a canines that has character traits which you're blind to. in case you have yet another canines already, take that one for an creation first to make confident they gets alongside. canines's tend to have an instantaneous like or dislike. It takes a great form of time and endurance to handle an older canines, fairly in case you're used to having had your individual doggies and raised/knowledgeable them to be the canines you prefer in life. None the fewer it incredibly is finished and given the main appropriate proprietor you could gain astonishing effects from adopting an older canines, fairly in case you do no longer prefer the pup stuff on your life. My new canines has been right here in simple terms over a week, he's settling in, has some stressful traits, yet maximum of all I comprehend he's probable feeling very lost and uncertain precise now and needs reassurance yet on the comparable time an company hand (no longer punishment) simply by fact he's a tad stressful, nipping/pulling at me etc. in simple terms confirm which you do prefer to dedicate to this canines, simply by fact they are actually not consumables, you could no longer in common terms take it then pass it on if it does not artwork out for you, too many residences for a canines in simple terms makes it extra volatile. good luck and that i desire you and your new canines each and all the final. undergo in ideas love is a robust trait in human beings and canines alike.

Answer 6

I think you answered your own question. Just because she doesn't cry doesn't mean that she isn't in pain. Her symptoms sound like kidney failure & that will become more painful as she becomes more toxic.

I have had many dogs put down over the years as they become older and infirm. It is never easy. I just try to remember that it's about their comfort, not mine. I miss every one of them, but it makes me feel better knowing that I prevented a lot of suffering.

Answer 7

Dogs won't neccesarily cry when they are in pain. The most common sign in dogs is excessive panting. If you have taken her to the vet already and they recommend putting her down you could get a second opinion but I have a feeling that you will only be prolonging the inevitable.

Answer 8

I lost my 10 year old best friend 2 years ago to liver cancer. she was a purebred black lab that had the body and the looks of a 3-4 year old lab. I had noticed that she wasnt eating normally, as in not hardly taking in any food at all. This went on for a couple of weeks and then she had a little siezure one evening. I thought that I should take her to the vet and have her checked out, so I did. His intial testing he couldnt really find anything wrong with her, so he just put her on some anti-seizure meds and we went from there. she still didnt eat right, and then I noticed that her belly was swelling some. i took her back to the vet and he wanted to do some exploritry surgery on her to take a look inside. what he found was her liver was cancerous and that she was not going to get better. Anyway, to make a long story short, he said to me that she is going to suffer unbeknownest to me and that the best thing for her would be to put her down. I pondered the thought for a couple of days and i couldnt get it out of my head that she was suffering inside, so I went ahead and did it. I stayed in the room with her while the vet did his thing. It is very humane and painless for them. i dont recomend to anyone to watch their pet get put down thoug, as it is very painful for you to watch. I cried like a baby for 3 days, and still have not forgot her at all to this day. i feel badly for you, but if you care for your friend, maybe that is the best thing for her. my sympathies to you are very true! :'-(

Answer 9

It really is up to you. After 12 years you know your dog more than anybody. You should know if she's suffering. If you think she is in pain, you should probably put her down. Either way it's a tough choice.

Good luck!

Answer 10

My heart goes out to you, I had to put my dog down last year and it was very difficult. I still think about her, but it gives me comfort to know she is not in anymore pain, she had hip dysplaysha and was falling down the stairs, and had trouble standing up. Someone told me that your pet will let you know when it's time, I didn't know what they ment at the time, but after much prayer, when the time came I could see it in her eyes.