Hmm, need advice on oldie, don't know what to do :(

[Bossdog]

Hi all

I used to post quite a bit on here and have been lurking for ages without posting (congrats CC on your BH and patches on Harvey, he is UBER cute!!).

I am just looking for opnions on my old lab (rescued 4 years ago) who is STILL with us, despite me thinking that she was on her last legs two years ago! She is now 15 and in the last two weeks has dropped 3kgs (down from 25 to 22), I will take her in to vets tomorrow, but want to preapre myself... I don't want to put her through tests and meds but something is obvisously wrong.... would you PTS at this age? She is fully wormed, vaccs, frontlined etc, has a heart murmer but can still have a jog round teh garden, she's a very happy dog. She still loves her grub (gets the same as my 35kg GSD!) but she's obvisuly not utilising it, was worried it was the cold but have been keeping her extra cosy and she is still dropping.

I'm in such a quandry, she is so happy but she has had a horrible life (confined brood bitch) and she HATES going in the car, she is definatly senile and taking her out is like walking someone with dementia down a busy high street, she just panics. Anyway, sorry for the essay, just need some reassurance or advice, don't want to make the wrong decision.

eta: forgot to mention the context of her weight, condition score 2 based on the site linked on here a few days ago

 

[mattilda]

It's a tough decision to make and I think only you can know the answer. For me I look at quality of life, I kind of put myself in the animals situation and ask myself if I want to live like that.
It may be that she just needs a bit of extra or different food. My old horse is 31 next month and he drops weight in the winter so may not be all doom and gloom.
Fingers and paws crossed for your girlie.

 

[CorvusCorax]

Hi there, missed having you around

and thanks for the congratulations x

I think reading your post, it sounds like you are already coming around to making a decision.
As I have said before, I think you can see it in your own dogs eyes and in their demeanour when it is time to let them go.

15 is a grand old age for any dog and whatever you decide, well done to you for giving her the life she deserved after what sounds like a horrible start.

Personally speaking, when (especially big breed) dogs start to lose mobility, their senses (awareness) and control of themselves in the loo department, then I think it is fair to let them go - by and large, we as humans can understand why things like that start to happen to us, animals cannot.

Hope the big fella is doing well too x

 

[Cedars]

Sounds like you know what to do. I wouldnt put her through tests either.

If she doesnt like the car and things maybe you could ask the vet to visit you at home to do the deed?

Thinking of you =[
xxxxx

 

[FestiveSpirit]

It is always tough when dogs get to an old age, but I wouldnt be putting her through a lot of tests etc at that age. I lost my greyhound last year and she had three lots of blood tests which found nothing before she was PTS - she was bouncing around enjoying life until the end, but she was very thin and weak, and in hindsight I wish I had acted sooner