"When do you know your dog is suffering"?

Question

I have a little chi, and she has a heart problem. She is 12 years old in January. I know she is getting old, but she is coughing alot, and the meds help, but unless i give her the tusigon for sedation for relaxing, or lasik pills to relieve stress on her, she coughs all the time. Sometimes perpetually. She does seem at peace at times..not coughing just walking around. She eats really well...almost too good. She wags her tail when i get home, she just getting tired. I know i am the best judge of when, but while she is coughing alot, i do not believe she is suffering. Does anyone have any ideas about this? Maybe someone has been here....? If so, i would appreciate a response. Thank you all so much...

Answer 1

We all suffer, no matter the species.
When I thought I was going to lose the great love of my life, King do to injury, my trusted vet told me these three things.
1 when he stopped playing with his favorite ball
2 When he lost his hunger for food
3 When he could no longer be happy, it was time.


I listened.
But I spent 13 years with my best friend and learned this from King. When he was done fighting this life, he would let me know. He did and I was the last loved one of his to let him go.
He gave me the gift of not making me feel guilty over my own decision.
He freed me.
Watch you little girl, when she is ready, she will let you know you will have sorrow and grief, but peace because it was her decision as to when to go home.
God bless you and her.

Answer 2

you do know her the best. the hardest decision is to be able to say when they are not comfortable and you are ready to help them move on without suffering. She must stay on the pills to help her. If she has coughing episodes at that time that don't stop, she's not comfortable. when she is getting tired and tireder and finds it difficult to get up and down, her heart may be working in correctly. Eating is a good sign, as is drinking and using the bathroom. So you have that all down.

Dogs do not tell us when things are bad. We have to guess. I believe its related to the old times in the wilder days when showing weakness meant death. It still holds to day. unless they are totally suffering, they never say a word.

You are doing well. Give her the best days of her life, and when she is sooo tired she doesn't want to move, or the cough is worse, or fluid build up, difficulty breathing... to name a few, then you will take the next step. Until then, keep the watch going, and keep being a great "parent" . Doctor visits to listen to her heart can always help you to determine the status too. It will never be the wrong time. You will make the decision and it will be right.
Keep it up!

Answer 3

I have had a dog that went through something like this.

You'll know when the dog is suffering when it doesn't do anything like it normally does. It doesn't eat, or doesn't want to walk around or anything.

Your the best judge, cuz you know the dog and know all her habits, and can tell when something is off.

Eventually though, the dog will suffer and you will have to put it to sleep, and you should do that before it starts to suffer a lot.

Spend as much time as you can with her and make her as comfortable as possible.

Answer 4

If the dog is eating that is a good sign. The appetite is a plus and the fact that they can smell is even more of a benefit. If the dog is lifeless, whimpering or sleeping alot, then their is cause for concern. Small breeds do tend to have more physical related problems, ie. heart failure, over exertion from alot of exercise - these are things to watch so if the physical actions decrease be concerned.
good luck!

Answer 5

She doesn't sound too comfortable to me.
As long as the cough is not interfering with her eating or resting and the meds are helping she is probably ok. I just don't think I would want to live like that.

Answer 6

It is extremely hard to explain. If you are in tune with your dog, there is a look in the eyes that lets you know. When you see it, you will know. Sorry; there is really no way to explain it.

When she looses the will to live, she will stop eating. That is really different then suffering. I suffer all the time with arthritis and illness but I'm not ready or willing to die.

Answer 7

If she is still wagging her tail for you and eating (and playing?), she hasn't given up yet. I had a cat (19 years old) who fell very ill because of the pet food recall, unfortunately he did suffer. I didn't want to give up on him so I sadly prolonged it, trying everything I possible could, vet after vet (I hope he forgives me, he meant everything to me).

You'll know when it's time (crying out in pain for example)They let you know. Most animals will try to be alone when it comes to that time. They will try their best to hide themselves and pull away from you. Why I don't know? Just their nature.

Best of health for you and yours.