misst
Well-Known Member
My little JRT has been by my side for thirteen and a half years. She has been my little shadow and little comforter in all ways. I got her when my youngest left home as my empty nest filler. She is gentle and kind with all the family.
She has had a lot of health problems which she has come through over the years.
She has been bright bouncy and full of life always even when quite unwell.
Lately she has been developing cateracts, high blood pressure and what my vet kindly calls congnitive decline.
She is physically strong and eats well but she now is weeing in the house with the occasional poo even when the doors are open and she can go outside easily. She is not distressed by this and seems unaware that this is not good. We do not tell her off but this is not normal for her. I do not think it is "naughtiness"
She is frail to look at and is not keen to walk some days but when she does walk she will keep going for an hour or more - following the wrong people/going the wrong way/getting lost if she is off lead!
She is not in pain (vet is sure of this) she does not have kidney failure at the moment, has no infections and is very food orientated. However when there is no food around she is not interested in anything really. She sleeps and stares into space. Sometimes she is agitated but we seem unable to settle her. Sometimes she seems to hallucinate. Once she seemed to be almost attacking our younger terrier - growling pouncing and driving him out of the room. They have always been good friends.
I suppose all of this is leading up to the question - is it time? If she had pain it would be easy. However to be honest regular weeing pooing in the house is not really on indefinitely. I look at her physically and think how can I do this. However she is almost not the dog I knew - I feel awful saying this - she has lost her personality. I have Christmas in my head and think maybe in the new year we will call it a day. Then I meet people on dog walks who know her who say but she is walking and eating how can you do this? I am so upset at the idea of doing the wrong thing.
Anyone on here been through something similar? My old dog previously went off her legs suddenly and was obviously not going to recover so it was an easy decision but physically my little one seems reasonably ok. However I hate that she rarely wags her tail now.
Vet says he agrees no interventions and he doesn't think we will lose her through physical illness - but he thinks the dementia will be the deciding factor. He has said he will tell me if he feels we have held on too long but otherwise he will support any decision I make.
Sorry for the long ramble but need to think out loud tonight...
thanks x
She has had a lot of health problems which she has come through over the years.
She has been bright bouncy and full of life always even when quite unwell.
Lately she has been developing cateracts, high blood pressure and what my vet kindly calls congnitive decline.
She is physically strong and eats well but she now is weeing in the house with the occasional poo even when the doors are open and she can go outside easily. She is not distressed by this and seems unaware that this is not good. We do not tell her off but this is not normal for her. I do not think it is "naughtiness"
She is frail to look at and is not keen to walk some days but when she does walk she will keep going for an hour or more - following the wrong people/going the wrong way/getting lost if she is off lead!
She is not in pain (vet is sure of this) she does not have kidney failure at the moment, has no infections and is very food orientated. However when there is no food around she is not interested in anything really. She sleeps and stares into space. Sometimes she is agitated but we seem unable to settle her. Sometimes she seems to hallucinate. Once she seemed to be almost attacking our younger terrier - growling pouncing and driving him out of the room. They have always been good friends.
I suppose all of this is leading up to the question - is it time? If she had pain it would be easy. However to be honest regular weeing pooing in the house is not really on indefinitely. I look at her physically and think how can I do this. However she is almost not the dog I knew - I feel awful saying this - she has lost her personality. I have Christmas in my head and think maybe in the new year we will call it a day. Then I meet people on dog walks who know her who say but she is walking and eating how can you do this? I am so upset at the idea of doing the wrong thing.
Anyone on here been through something similar? My old dog previously went off her legs suddenly and was obviously not going to recover so it was an easy decision but physically my little one seems reasonably ok. However I hate that she rarely wags her tail now.
Vet says he agrees no interventions and he doesn't think we will lose her through physical illness - but he thinks the dementia will be the deciding factor. He has said he will tell me if he feels we have held on too long but otherwise he will support any decision I make.
Sorry for the long ramble but need to think out loud tonight...
thanks x