Elderly Dog

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AprilsBoy

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I have had my 16 year old rescue dog for 14 years. He was left on Newcastle streets where he was badly beaten (broken jaw & ribs). The rescue centre where we got him from were just about to have him put to sleep as he was that nervous and anxious. He is/was the most genuine little dog and has been my best friend since the age of 9. However he just doesnt seem to be 'there' anymore.
He has always suffered with bad hips which over the past few years has got worse and he now has arthritis. The vets have tried several painkillers but to be fair he doesnt seem in pain just a bit uncomfortable. The past year or so his behavour has totally changed. He doesn't interact with people/our other dog, he doesnt recognise words etc that he used to, he has started to have accidents in the house.
He also showed signs of a stroke around 2 months ago. We took him to our local vet which said he most likely did have a stroke and that he could possibly have dimentia. I can see what the vet means as he seems to be in a world of his own and he repeats stuff alot e.g. walking back and forwards, drinking, wanting to go outside every 5 mins. His character and behavour has changed dramatically, he destroys anything left in the house, he has accidents everywhere (doesnt seem to know when he needs the toilet). I just dont know what to do. Vet says he isnt in pain but its more his mental state i worry about. I dont want him to get distressed.

Any advice would be much appreciated. Thank you
 
If it were me I would be seriously thinking about quality of life/possible PTS.

If a dog can no longer get around without strong meds or is not happy in himself or cannot control his toileting (which is very distressing for a dog) then I am afraid I would be thinking about PTS.

Thinking of you at this difficult time. You've given him a great life and he is a very good age x
 
CaveCanem said:
If it were me I would be seriously thinking about quality of life/possible PTS.

If a dog can no longer get around without strong meds or is not happy in himself or cannot control his toileting (which is very distressing for a dog) then I am afraid I would be thinking about PTS.

Thinking of you at this difficult time. You've given him a great life and he is a very good age x
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I did speak to my vet who said he isnt in physical pain so he is 'fine'. I do disagree with him as i know my dog and he isnt the same. I do think its time just think i needed a little reassurance that PTS is the right thing. Thank you
 
I totally disagree with your vet and agree with you. As you say, you know your own dog.

Physically healthy and mentally healthy are just as important as each other IMO x
We put to sleep a much younger, physically perfect dog because said dog was mentally unstable and potentially dangerous and I would do it again because it was the right thing for a very unhappy in the head dog, as well as right in terms of public safety. The vet was in total agreement.
 
CaveCanem said:
I totally disagree with your vet and agree with you. As you say, you know your own dog.

Physically healthy and mentally healthy are just as important as each other IMO x
We put to sleep a much younger, physically perfect dog because said dog was mentally unstable and potentially dangerous and I would do it again because it was the right thing for a very unhappy in the head dog, as well as right in terms of public safety. The vet was in total agreement.
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Thank you you have made this alot easier for me x
 
Thanks he's been my first dog so have never had an old dog. So just wanted to know that i wasn't doing it for selfish reasons and its the best thing for him not me.
 
I agree with Cavecanem. If your dog has dementia, which is perfectly possible, he will get distressed with the frustration of it all as well as the incontinence. I think it's time to let him go, but boy you must have some fabulous memories to share. You did such a wonderful and unselfish act when you rescued him, and showed him that life can be great and fun, and that there are kind and loving people in the world. Well done you! Now it's time for that final act of love...big hugs to you...
 
Superhot said:
I agree with Cavecanem. If your dog has dementia, which is perfectly possible, he will get distressed with the frustration of it all as well as the incontinence. I think it's time to let him go, but boy you must have some fabulous memories to share. You did such a wonderful and unselfish act when you rescued him, and showed him that life can be great and fun, and that there are kind and loving people in the world. Well done you! Now it's time for that final act of love...big hugs to you...
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Thank you :). My dad is going to take him to a different vets early next week as other local vet thinks he is fine and 'happy' And when we asked if it would be more humane to PTS the vet said no he is fine because he is not in pain. He has been the dog of a life time bless him.
 
How sad and distressing for you. It's awful to have to take this decision but we all have to do it sometime. I would agree with other comments and PTS in these circumstances. You should also probably take the view with the vet that this is YOUR dog and friend and that the decisions regarding PTS should be YOURS and not the vets, given the information you have supplied here. You are the client and frankly if I felt that my dog needed to be PTS that is what would happen. Sometimes you need to be firm which can, I realise, sometimes be difficult at an emotionally difficult time.

Hugs to you, I really feel for you.
 
its definitely been a difficult decision. He is very perky in himself as in wanting to come to the stables with me but when he is is there he wanders back and forwards. I have been under the impression that he is happy because he isnt 'down/unhappy' as such but both my parents have said he isnt happy just coping. The only thing he is interested in really is eating and if he could he would do this all day. This and the comments have made me see that he isnt happy and not himself. Thankyou for all your support.
 
When Sandy had a stroke she was perky but really wasn't herself anymore. She coped ok but in the end we decided to pts as her quality of life wasn't something we were happy with and we were worried she might have another stroke and lose mobility which would have distressed her too much. A few people have since said they would have kept her alive longer but we decided it was better too early than too late so called the vet out who agreed with us that her quality of life wasn't good :( Was horrible and we still question it but tbh she was 13/14 and she wasn't going to get better.
 
Hi, im so sorry that your best friend is in such a bad way. My 16 year old dog had a stoke last sept so i came close to having to make same choice for him.
I think you know what to do.
Im so very sorry
 
It's a horrible thing to have to do I have it coming this summer it's not time for me yet but I know it's coming.
It's the final thing you do for them .
 
I agree that qualify of life doesn't just apply to physical health, and some of the conditions that come with age can imo cause a lot of stress and unhappiness to dogs. A horrible decision to have to make but I think pts is the right one for your boy. I feel for you.
 
You know the saying "Better a day too soon than an hour too late", and that sums it up. You wouldn't want him to get to the stage where he is suffering, even for an hour.
I have a 17 year old JRT who is "absent" some times, and I know it is coming for her, but she does still have a spark and can bounce with the best of them when it is food time. It is a really hard decision, especially when your vet thinks he is fine as yet. Don't be hard on yourself, do what you know is best for him.
 
Well after 3 weeks of a happy dog, on Sunday he had another turn where he looked as though he had a headache and a bit wobbely. I then knew this would just keep happening so monday morning we booked him in for this morning to be PTS. Yesterday he was full of beans which made me feel like i was doing the wrong thing but i knew it was no life for him. This morning i took him to the beach (he doesnt normally go for walks due to his hips) and we sat there and just cuddled and he went for a little paddle. We went home and he had loads of treats. Vets were brilliant i sat there on the floor with him holding him in my arms. He went eating some treats and me telling him how much i loved him.
Hardest thing by far that i have ever had to do. House feals empty and im trying not to regret my decision just needed to write this down as cant talk about it. Love you baby you were and always will be my bestfriend and i hope you knew that. xx
 
What a lovely way to spend your last hours together. The happy memories will replace the pain you feel right now, give it time. You showed him how much you loved him by letting him go, rather than keeping him going when he was suffering, just because you couldn't bear to part from him. There is no greater love any of us can show our pets. Be kind to yourself, drink a toast to him tonight, and know how lucky you both were to have had each other, albeit for far too short a time...
 
So sorry for your loss but be comforted by the fact that you definitely did the right thing by your dog.

However hard it is for us sometimes it is the last loving act we can do for our much loved animals.

Run free little dog.

Xx
 
I read your earlier post and the answers but didnt comment as everyone had expressed my own feelings. You have made the right decision as hard as it is you thought of your dog not you, his last memories will be of you cuddling him and lots of treats which is the best way to go.

I know he was your first dog but Im sure as others will tell you it never gets easier, its the downside of dog ownership but one we all sign up to because of the pleasure and the enrichment of our lives that they bring.

Hugs to you. xx
 
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