Black Lab back legs don't function?

Question

My 11 1/2 yr old blk. lab back legs gave way. He was on Rimadyl for his Arthritis for mostly his front legs. He does not seem to be in pain but can't move with out help.

I been told by the Vet, I should consider putting him down because the way he is there no quality of life, the Vet has said this is in his spine which is making his back legs not function, but he seems not to be in pain.

I don't think a dog-cart (wheelchair) is the answer for him since his front legs are really not that strong they support him but he has Arthritis in those too.

I help him to do his business he lyes mostly in the same place all day until i take him out.

Any suggestions?

Answer 1

He is old, he has no quality of life. It is a tough decision to make but you must be strong enough to make the right one for him, not you. Dogs do not show pain the way people do. If he is that arthritic, he's in pain or zonked on pain meds. He can't even potty alone! I agree with your vet. He wouldsuffer no more. Good luck to you...

Answer 2

Aww I'm sorry about your dog! its awful when you have had them so long to see them get ill!! the thing is your vet is right he has no quality of life is will soon end up wetting and soiling himself and laying in it. And you wouldn't want that to happen to anyone!!
You just have to remember all the great times you have had together and that he will never be forgotten!!! or replaced!! In situations like this you have to be cruel to be kind! take someone to the vets with you for support and have a good cry after to let it out, because i know how upsetting it is, I had my first dog put down at 9yrs old he had arthritis and we kept him going on medication for as Long as possible because we didn't want to loose him, then one day when i seen him laying there, he had wet himself, couldn't move and looking so sad!! i thought its not fair!!! I'm being so selfish because i dont want him to go!! but my poor dog was sad and suffering!! Its very hard but it is for the best!! Think of all the great times and 11/12 is a great age for a dog! many dont make it half that way! Im sorry again hope you do the right thing. :)

Answer 3

I hate to say this but you should consider your vet's suggestion. Just last week I had to make the same decision for my Doberman. I too would help her in & outside.She had trouble with her back legs plus a heart problem. Her front legs started to get weak & a couple times they even went down. This is the hardest decision you will ever have to make for your dog & the last act of love for him. Believe me I did not want to let her go, but it would be cruel & selfish of me to watch her suffer any longer. You may want to go to this site and read the paragraph on Euthanasia: The painful choice http://www.ygrr.org/doginfo/death-coping.html I want to say my heart goes out to you, but to your dog as well. Look into his eyes & you will feel the answer you are looking for. I seen it in my dog's eyes!!!!

Answer 4

Good long life for your dog - but sometimes you do need to let go. Not saying now is the time.If you can care for him stay with him longer. I had a dog at the age of one loss feeling in back legs- something was wrong with the spine and the surgrey was 50/50 that hed be ok. Well at that time we couldnt afford it . But we did keep him but with in time he was telling us in certain ways it was time to let go. We used a towel to support his back end which gets really heavy . Ask yourself are you keeping him for you or is his life still good for him. You will figure out what to do in time.
Take care and I hope all goes well.

Answer 5

sounds like what my dog had (mylopithy -sp?)
its a degenerative disease in the base of the spine, they can only treat it right now and hope it doesnt get worse, but they dont know how to cure it. my dog got so bad within a year that she couldnt stand, would fall, couldnt control her bowels. it was really sad because they ARENT in pain, at all. they just cant feel it and cant control it. we ended up having to have the vet come out and put her to sleep in the kitchen. i'm really sorry hun.

Answer 6

Old Labs and Retrievers tend to get cancer - somtimes in the brain too and then get unable to control their legs.

My Retiever got epilepsie from it and had two sudden breakdowns until we put him down.

Take the vets suggestion if you feel your dog suffers.
Your dog will let you know when it is time.
Just look into his eyes.

I know it is hard to make the desicion.

Answer 7

This is probably CDRM (Chronic Degenerative Reticulo Myopathy) There is nothing to be done for your dog and I respectfully suggest that your vet is right.
There is no quality of life and certainly no dignity at all
Good luck

Answer 8

unless you carry him around on a cart for the rest of his life, im afraid the vet's advice would be best. sorry to hear that though, i lost 2 dogs too so i know its not a easy decision to make.

Answer 9

FIRST LET ME SAY iM SORRY BUT YOUR VET IS RIGHT.
FIRST YOU SAY HE LAYS IN THE SAME SPOT HE WILL END UP WITH "BED SORES"
ARE YOU REALLY SAYING THAT SINCE HE ISN'T IN PAIN HE IS A HAPPY DOG.
REMEMBER LABS ARE VERY ACTIVE DOGS AND ALL HE CAN DO IS LAY IN THE SAME PLACE ALL THE TIME.
NOW PLEASE PUT YURSELF IN TEH DOGS PLACE IMAGINE WHAT IT IS LIKE LAYING IN ONEPLACE NOT BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO BUT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET UP.
nOW IMAGINE HIS EXCITEMENT OF WHEN YOU GET HOME HE WANTS TO GET UP AND GREET YOU AND GO TAKE A WALK WITH YOU -----BUT HE CAN'T.
NOW HE HAS TO DEPEND ON YOU TO GET HIM UP AS YOU SAID HE DOESN'T HAVE GOOD LEGS BUT SO MUCH MORE WEIGHT HAS TO GO TO HIS FRONT LEGS i NOW YOUTRY TO HELP.
NOW PLEASE IF YOU REALLY LOVE HIM GO TO THE VET AND END THE MISERY HE IS IN .
i KNOW IT'S A HARD DECISION BUT AS i SAID IMAGINE HOW HE TRULY FEELS AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT.
gOOD LUCK AND YES IT IS HARD BUT BEST.

Answer 10

THen it is probably time to put him down. As hard as it is on us, It's not a very good life for them for us to keep them around for our sake. Sometimes the best option is euthansia