Any suggestions? Ive an almost 16 yr old beagle Smokey DOB 6/29/91 & had him since I was 3 & he was a pup..?

Question

Later he developed at 11ish arthritis & has been takin rimadyl when needed I found out he has a heart murmur - aparentally born w/it. Now he has Lame Legs where you push on a part of his spine his back legs'll drop. He was doing fine on rimadyl &I went away for Lake George on my birthday. I got back & he seemed depressed (yet usually when I get back from trips hes so excited and jumpin all over me). Hes recently havin breathin problems - pantin in a way (which might be showin pain which Ive heard pantin is sometimes a sign of it Its not a "I'm-hot-let-me-cool-off" type of pant. Its when he even sleeps now which I think the heart murmurs kickin in (since hes never had meds for his heart murmur). His back legs are problematic He doesnt sit normally most of the time now. 1 leg sometimes is straight out & the other sittin normal (for ex:). I think it might b time to put him down, but its hard hes been in my life, my shadow & my love- a son. I kno its better to take him out of pain

Answer 1

I have a 15 year old cocker spaniel which shows signs of aging all the time and I think the way you are wondering if he is in pain and if I should make that dreaded decision. Only you will know when the time is right...you know your dog best. I've been told that when a dog stops eating, that's the time. If Smokey is still eating happily, I think he wants to be around longer. Arthritis is common in older dogs and is not a reason to put him down. A heart murmur, especially one he was born with shouldn't cause him pain. His lack of enthusiasm when you came home from the lake may be just "I'm glad to see you , but I'm tired" My dog pants a lot too...I contribute that to stress...maybe because older dogs have the need to be closer to you for support. When I come home after a day at work, he pants alot and seems stressed. After a while, he calms down and goes to sleep. An older dog is going to show signs of getting old, but that doesn't mean he is ready to leave this world. As long as he is happy with you around and seems content with the life he has, I think you should keep him around a little longer...but that is all up to you and how you read your dog. Good luck with what you decide. I know it's a hard decision. But you will know what's best in the long run.

Answer 2

There is no way to diagnose those particular symptoms from here because they happen with so many things, particularly in extremely old beagles. And 16 is extremely old for a beagle. Please, take her to the vet. Shaking is one of the primary signs of pain. An exam won't cost much and if it is liver failure or something like that they can tell a lot just be feeling from the outside. I'm sorry for what you're going through. I have 2 old beagles and they are tough dogs. If she is in that bad a way, then it isn't minor.

Answer 3

Sadly I'm afraid I agree with you. 16 is old, even for a small breed dog, and Beagles and Bassets are the worst when it comes to upper resperitory and orifice diseases (Which might explain some of his difficulty breathing). From what I've heard, theres not too much you can do for a heart murmer. The medication doest do a whole lot, so I wouldnt blame yourself for it. I have an aunt who has arrythmia (heart murmur), who is on medication, and she says it does do much but steady it a bit, and keep her from getting too flustered.
Plus he my have congestive heart failure. Which is a horribly long drawn out way to die.
I would say he's lived a good long life, and if he doesn't show signs of improving after a week or so, I'd put him out of his misery.
My cousin recently put down a Dachshund he's had for 21 years. Poor dog.
Good luck, and I'm terribly sorry. I know how tough it is.

Answer 4

I had the same problem with my 10yr old sharpei but he had different health problems. I did all I could for him for almost a year and spent a lot of money. I had to have him put down which was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. It took me over a year to get over it, he was like my son also. It was the best thing I could have done for him! Why let them suffer and be in pain when they can just go to sleep. When they get old they can only live so long healthy and when it is time to go let him go in peace. They first give them something to put them out like people when you have surgery and then put them down so they don't know or feel anything! It will be the hardest thing you will ever have to do but you will know that you had a wonderful life together when he was healthy and now it is time for him to go to dog heaven. So sorry for your sadness as I just went through the same thing! You will know what you have to do when it is time to be done.

Answer 5

Sometimes you have to just do it?No one can tell you what to do ..But in your heart you will no when it's time.
Beagles are long lived dogs and if he has lived this many years and sounds like a pretty good life with a good life long life friends.
I know how you fill I had to put one of my dogs down and he was 16 yrs old I was thinking he would just pass on his own but he never did and it was real hard to do it but I did and life does go on and he will never pass in your heart.Good luck and you will do the right thing....

Answer 6

you have all the answers already. You know in your heart it is time and yes it is very hard to loose a canine kid. It is even harder when we have to make the choice for them. You will know when its time and when your heart will be ready. Take a day or two off and spend it with your "son" and enjoy his time and remembering all the joy and laughter and those silly puppy moments he had and give him everything he wants that he shouldn't have had. Like Chocolate. One pup that we had to put down always tried to get into the chocolate so he got himself a chocolate bar... writting this brings me to tears as i have had to do this twice for sick dogs and once for a dog that turned visious towards another of our dogs. Its hard and I know the pain.

And maybe if for you, a new pup would help you to be comforted by the loss of one "son" BUt only if you and your life are ready for the puppy and the following 16 years. Others have to wait it out until their heart is ready.

Answer 7

Euthenasia is always a difficult decision. I have had to do it twice -- a fourteen year old German Shepherd and a nearly nineteen year old mixed breed. I knew it was time when they stopped eating and their kidneys shut down. If he is in pain and you can't control it, it is time. It is the last gift we can give our beloved pets -- freedom from their pain. I stayed with both of my dogs until they died. The newer drugs are very quick and painless. They go fast and easy.

Answer 8

Oh, I'm so sorry, but I will have to agree with you. If his life is not longer productive or happy and especially if he seems to be suffering then it is time to put him down. It will be hard especially since you had him for so long. I feel for you. I know you have a hard decision to make.

Answer 9

The panting is probably congestive heart failure. There is fluid around the heart. It is time to help him end his pain. It's not fair to him to make him live this way.

Answer 10

Pls put him to sleep..i'm sad to say this but it would be better for you & him.. He will not had to suffer anymore and you can hug him till the last breath... May god bless over him..