Advice please re pts

T

Translationsneeded

Well-Known Member
Joined
27 January 2017
Messages
205
Visit site
Hi all

Background...We have a spaniel (12) who is losing weight at approx 1/2kg per week. He is now verging on skinny. Several tests done but nothing conclusive. Vet suspects cancer but we are not testing any further for various reasons.

We know we will need to pts in the next few weeks but I'm not sure I'll know when the time is right like I have with other pets. He is manic and full of energy. He always has been. He doesn't seem to understand pain / show weakness. In the past he has run until he has collapsed etc. We need to control him as he has no off switch.

I'm worried we'll leave him too long and deep down he'll be suffering. Likewise he is so full of beans I don't want to make the decision too early. Vet just says 'we'll know' but I think he'll be too far down the line then.
Anyone experienced anything similar?
 
Your vet is right, you will know. As soon as his activity patterns, general demeanour, food in take, continence levels, and his general sense of well being start to decline, then before he starts to suffer, that will be your time to perform the final act of kindness.

[edit] It may be in days, or weeks but it will happen if your vet's suspected prognosis is right and you will be aware.

Alec.
 
Thanks Alec. I guess the signs with him might just be less pronounced than other animals I've had? He isn't always clean overnight now and before he would have howled the house down rather than having an accident. Now it just happens and he doesn't even bark (I'm a light sleeper so would defo wake up)
 
I'm sorry to say that were your dog mine, I would consider the time to be 'Now'. If he's always been an otherwise clean dog, it must be very difficult for him and I would save him the indignity of being dirty.

The poor lad and poor you too, it isn't easy, I understand.

Alec.
 
no advice for you but i knew with my lurcher back in september, she just had a sad .woeful look and i knew it was time to make that decision as the painkillers were not working....it was something i wasnt expecting and hit me harder than any other animal i have had PTS....but it was the right decision for her.....you know your dog and will be able to tell when he is not happy but it is a horrible time for us...hope all goes ok....
 
Such a horrid decision. No advice but I think when the bad days start to outweigh the good then the time is right. I have an elderly collie who's time is coming ... :(
 
With something so progressive, undiagnosed and as such untreatable I think there has to be an argument for letting him go before you 'know'.
 
Thanks all for your helpful and kind messages. Has anyone experienced this with a dog that just doesn't have an 'off switch'? I'm just so worried I won't get that 'look' that I've had with previous pets. Will he give that look or will it be too late.
 
Translationsneeded said:
Thanks all for your helpful and kind messages. Has anyone experienced this with a dog that just doesn't have an 'off switch'? I'm just so worried I won't get that 'look' that I've had with previous pets. Will he give that look or will it be too late.
Click to expand...
My vet said that Spaniels are well known for being stoic. Mine definitely is. She has arthritis in her hock (possibly caused by an injury at some time) and will run around chasing a ball without showing any discomfort. Later that evening she won't be able to walk without her painkillers. I would say when she's in pain she just looks tired in her eyes. I hope I know when it's her time.
 
I suspect your vet (who, unlike us has actually met your dog) is right. If you want to err on the side of 'too soon' you'll find plenty of support for that on here (not my personal preference but it is for lots of people on HHO). If you leave it a day too late then you have to keep in mind that out of 12 years the dog won;t know that one down day happens to be the last (and so makes you feel terrible). It will know it has had 12 good years and one down day.

When you do make the decision I'd really recommend having the vet come to you (unless your mutt is particularly pro-vets) as I've found that nicer and calmer for older animals plus you can let any other pets see and then bury without having to drive when sad.

Tough times but you've done it before and (like the rest of us) will probably do it again. Chin up and enjoy the rest of your time together,
 
Meleeka, mine sounds similar to yours.
Thanks girlfriday. My vets are great but because the dog is so stoic (perfect word meleeka) they have often thought there was nothing wrong with him when we knew there was (basically he was behaving like a normal dog and well behaved and quiet but he was proper poorly that time)
That's why I know it's down to me to make the decision. Maybe when he behaves for the day I'll know it's time ;)
 
Years ago I had an elderly greyhound who was much the same - constant gradual weight loss, blood tests and other tests didn't show a thing, I had her back to the vets twice a week for several weeks & the vet was absolutely useless. I left it too long for her, even though she was still eating fine, enjoying her walks etc - all I can is that it will haunt me for the rest of my life. I would advise that you do it now :(
 
Translationsneeded said:
Thanks all for your helpful and kind messages. Has anyone experienced this with a dog that just doesn't have an 'off switch'? I'm just so worried I won't get that 'look' that I've had with previous pets. Will he give that look or will it be too late.
Click to expand...

I don't think it will necessarily be a look - more changes in usual behaviour.
 
Lévrier;13629029 said:
Years ago I had an elderly greyhound who was much the same - constant gradual weight loss, blood tests and other tests didn't show a thing, I had her back to the vets twice a week for several weeks & the vet was absolutely useless. I left it too long for her, even though she was still eating fine, enjoying her walks etc - all I can is that it will haunt me for the rest of my life. I would advise that you do it now :(
Click to expand...

Thank you for sharing your experience. Sorry you've had to go through it. sounds like a very similar situation
 
It's horrible isn't it? I am at the same point with our elderly JRT...he's having accidents too where he was always so clean indoors, but like your boy, he still has energy and has been running around today like a spring chicken...I know what needs to be done, but it's the doing it...
 
maisie06 said:
It's horrible isn't it? I am at the same point with our elderly JRT...he's having accidents too where he was always so clean indoors, but like your boy, he still has energy and has been running around today like a spring chicken...I know what needs to be done, but it's the doing it...
Click to expand...

So horrible :( someone actually asked me the other day how old the puppy was!! He's so full of energy most of the time!
 
Our 13 year old BC was out with the horse on the Monday, by Wednesday he was bit wobbly, Thursday in vet, home for night but cried when went for poo Friday and wouldn't eat, was hungry and would take food if tempting then look uncomfortable after swallowing (first ever sign of pain) straight back to vet Friday night and drugged to make him comfortable, scanned next day (saturday) and PTS, huge tumour surrounding his organs vet was amazed he had been so well up until week before!

You will know when the time is right, the first wobble or sign of discomfort.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top