my dog is incontenant and has very bad athritis, how long will he live?

Question

A bit of a cold question, I know, but it's getting really hard work, what with a 1 year old son to look after.
My mum's dog died earlier ths year, she was 14 and my mum kept her going too long, I felt. She couldn't even stand up to wee and was totally blind.

My dog is 14, a collie/ labrador cross and has been a wonderful pal. The past year his back legs have gone and recently he poos in the house everyday, he'll even be in the garden, then come into the house to poo!! I don't want to "do a mum" and keep him alive far past him being happy and not in pain, but how do I judge it?

I need to just point out, my dog ahd terrible arthritis and cant stand up to eat all the time, falls over alot and cries out in pain. I dopnt want to have him put to sleep because he poos in the house (as someone "sympathetically" pointed out)

Answer 1

few minutes

Answer 2

My 8 year old Lab went diabetic in late June. Then within 2 weeks started to lose her sight. In July she was totally blind. She still loved to fetch her ball in the water, by the sound of it hitting the water and also by smell. In August I decided to have her eyes removed as they needed drops 3 times a day and the constant irritation was getting her down. She was fantastic,my Vet said like a pup born without eyes. Cusching disease had been diagnosed along with the Diabetes. It looks like her life is coming to an end. Her chest has two soft lumps that are getting larger each day, biopsy, results are due any day now. She is getting incontenant now and I am prepared for the worst but I will not let her suffer. It's me that's going to suffer when my best pal goes.

Answer 3

I don't find your question cold at all. I think it's really legitimate. I had a terrier mix & put her down before she got too bad because I wanted her to not hurt all the time. She was 16, had a cancerous tumor in her bladder. The vet said if the tumor dislodged, it would be intensely painful and traumatic. She might have been fine for months yet, but the thought that she'd hurt so much & that it might happen while I was at work or class was too much for me to bear.

I can appreciate those people telling you that your dog will let you know when it's time, but sometimes you have to make the choice for your peace of mind. The decision is hard enough without letting others place unearned guilt onto you.

Answer 4

14 is pretty old for a dog that size. He would be about 98 in human years. Have you taken him to the vet? They do have medications to help with the pain associated with arthritis. They even have food to help out with any "Alzheimer" type symptoms. It is Hill's Prescription Diet b/d. It has been clinically shown to help with incontinent problems. The biggest reason why some people don't want to put their pets to sleep is for selfish reasons. Dogs are very loyal and think they have a duty to their owners to keep on living. If there is nothing medically you can do to alleviate the pain and his quality of life is slim to none, then it is probably time to think of euthanasia. As a veterinary technician, I use to tell people to make a list of 5 things that your pet use to love to do, once they don't want to do any of those things, then I start telling the owners to start thinking about euthanasia and release your pet's burden. The most loving thing you can do at that point is to let your pet go. You will see him again at the Rainbow Bridge. Below should be 2 sites you can visit.

Answer 5

I had a border collie as i child, he was hit by a car when he was a pup and his hip went through his pelvic bone but he lived until with was 14... when he would walk funny like it was hurting him the vet told us to give him aspirin .. i found that sticking it in a hot dog or some kind of food worked the best.
I know how sad that must make you feel. My dog king wanted me to go out and play with him and i did, the day that he died he couldn't even use his pack legs at all. I stayed right by his side until the end. Its hard but i wanted him to know i loved him. And i don't think you would have ask if you didn't love you friend so,i donut think you should but him to sleep that sucks i was there for molly my dog when they put her down and all that did was piss me off, i didn't want them to die but i would rather be there for them and show my love just suck it up for the dog and let nature do the rest.

Answer 6

Our Bulldog was diagnosed with severe Hip Dysplasia at the age of 6 months. She is now almost 7, as well, and doing very well. She is on Rimadyl and a Glucosamine/MSM supplement and has been for almost 4 years. Since nobody can predict how long a dog will live with this condition (which is not a fatal condition), I suggest that you speak to the Vet about medication to make her life more comfortable until the time does come.

Answer 7

it is really hard making this decision. i have a few times over the years and it never gets any easier. if you dog is in a lot of pain and having bowel problems maybe it is the right time,but make sure. 14 is a great age. have you tried giving him asperin for his arthritis or changed to senior foods for his digestion? give yourself another little while and try the asperin for a week and see if there is any inprovement. a short slow walk will also help with his joints and with the change in his food add a tsp of olive oil for his stools to soften up. give him another chance and then you will know that you have tried your best to help him in his old age. if things don,t change put your old friend down so he won't be living in any more pain.best of luck. try 1 asa in the am and 1 in the pm.

Answer 8

If you are already asking the question you must be concerned that his quality of life is suffering. I am hoping that you have taken him to the vets to ask for advice. As long as he's not suffering too much though, allow him to live out his old age giving him more love, more care and more patience. He has given you a lifetime of unconditional love, now is the time for you to give back to him when he needs you most.

Answer 9

I feel the best way to decide is to determine is he is in pain more than easy throughout the day. My grandparents had a dog who they let suffer through his pain until he gave up eating.. i aggree that a dog should not suffer. you could give him some child pain reliever as long as it dosn't contain aspirin and see if it helps. another thing is that he has reached the oldest that those to breeds of dogs are give in most standards.

Answer 10

I can't even think about this question without crying. You have got to do what is best for your dog. Not what is easiest for you. You are with your dog. You know if he is suffering, if he is liveing in misery. I know it is hard to put up with the way he is now It is also hard to decide to put him down but you are the one that knows.Do you think he is enjoying life now.? If he still is, clean after him. We had a cat for 22 years.(regular years) and he got to where we had to put him down. It about killed all of us but it had to be done. He got where he lay and went bathroom all over himself. He couldn't get up to eat by himself. Many other things. Still it was hard. That is part of haveing a pet . Loveing it completely. I will be sending prayers your way to help you with your decision. Good Luck with whatever you see you have to do.

Answer 11

The decision to euthanize has to come from you. I know this sounds corny and trite, but your dog will let you know when it is time to let him go. You'll look into his eyes and see nothing but pain. It sounds as if he is pretty bad off, as dogs generally don't like to poo themselves. Fourteen is pretty old for a large beed such as your dog's.

If you are making any decision in regards to euthanizing your dog out of love and concern for the dog, whatever you decide to do will be right. If it's out of love, it can't be wrong.


Aside to pollypolly000
You know, I've decided I've had enough of nasty jerks like you. I've flagged your rude response, and encourage others to do the same. I intend to do that from now on to anyone who is as snotty and non-productive as you are, regardless of whether it is in response to one of my own posts or someone elses. Have a cruddy day.