I need help with a horrible decision :-(

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Mitchyden

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I have two ex-racing greyhounds, one of which is Poppy who is 9 years old.
For the last year she has been panting a lot and has been to the vet numerous times. She was been diagnosed with an under active thyroid and has been on medication for over 9 months. The panting hasn't stopped and as she has very bad arthritis, both me and the vet are assuming it's pain related.

She has arthritis in both of her front legs, her back legs, her hips and her spine and has been on Metacam for a while and for the last month 4 x 5mg Tramadol. She is very wobbly and can only go out for 10 minute walks as she gets very tired and does seem to be getting more stiff. Since the weekend her dosage of Tramadol has been increased to 6 x 5mg per day. My vet has said that she cannot have much more than this and I'm wondering if it's time to let her go. My vet has said that she will stand by any decision I make.

Poppy is still eating but most of the time hasn't any enthusiasm for anything. She never wants to get off the sofa although if you take her for a different walk she gets excited but is exhausted after 10 minutes. She also does have an odd mad moment where she will sprint about 50 yards but unfortunately she pays the price for this and is then very uncomfortable.

I feel it is time to let her go but no-one else seems to agree as they say while she is eating normally she is ok. I'm concerned that she is in a lot of pain but I don't want to put her to sleep before it's time.

I appreciate that no-one else can make this decision for me but would just like to know what other people think.
 
Oh poor you and poor Poppy. I think you know, deep down, what to do. What a rubbish decision to have to make - but please know that no'one will ever judge you for making it a little too early . . . it's easy for me to be objective about someone else's animal, so I'd have to say that I'd be letting her go . . . but I'm pretty sure I will be where you are when it comes to making "that" decision about any of my own animals.

I really do feel for you . . . and her. Take heart.

P
 
Didn't want to read and run.

As animal owners we all have to make this decision at some point in time.
What ever decision you make will be right as you know her best.

But I know if R's quality of life (not being able to thunder around the park) was ever effected i would let her go...

Good luck and thoughts are with you and Poppy at this hard time xxx
 
Its a horrible situation to be in, and I really do feel for you.

For me its all about quality of life - when my Collie could no longer hoon around, rounding everything up, I knew it was time, whereas with my old Retriever, she was happy to pootle less and less, and it was only when she became incontinent that she let me know the time had come .... I could see it in her eyes.

My thoughts are with you. xx
 
She is your dog and it is your decision.

Vets find it very hard to tell you it's time, so don't expect them to help with the decision. Go with your heart - I think you know it's time, so trust your instincts on this.
 
Mitchyden said:
I have two ex-racing greyhounds, one of which is Poppy who is 9 years old.
For the last year she has been panting a lot and has been to the vet numerous times. She was been diagnosed with an under active thyroid and has been on medication for over 9 months. The panting hasn't stopped and as she has very bad arthritis, both me and the vet are assuming it's pain related.

She has arthritis in both of her front legs, her back legs, her hips and her spine and has been on Metacam for a while and for the last month 4 x 5mg Tramadol. She is very wobbly and can only go out for 10 minute walks as she gets very tired and does seem to be getting more stiff. Since the weekend her dosage of Tramadol has been increased to 6 x 5mg per day. My vet has said that she cannot have much more than this and I'm wondering if it's time to let her go. My vet has said that she will stand by any decision I make.

Poppy is still eating but most of the time hasn't any enthusiasm for anything. She never wants to get off the sofa although if you take her for a different walk she gets excited but is exhausted after 10 minutes. She also does have an odd mad moment where she will sprint about 50 yards but unfortunately she pays the price for this and is then very uncomfortable.

I feel it is time to let her go but no-one else seems to agree as they say while she is eating normally she is ok. I'm concerned that she is in a lot of pain but I don't want to put her to sleep before it's time.

I appreciate that no-one else can make this decision for me but would just like to know what other people think.
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Try devils claw and equimins flexijoint, if you buy the horse one you don't pay tax as its a farm animals. We used this on our dog and it made a lot of difference, they told me.


If you have lubrication you don't have pain
if you don't have pain you don't need painkillers.



We took ours off metacam (which made no difference) but he improved on flexijoint........ worth a try


A powerful supplement to support healthy cartilage, strong joint structure and the quality of sinovial fluid. Containing a superb specification of Shark Cartilage, Chondroitin Sulphate, Glucosamine, MSM and Ascorbic acid.

This supplement has some powerful ingredients and must be added very gradually when introduced for the first time, literally a pinch at a time, and slowly increased each day up to the full recommended dose.

Full money back warranty in the unlikely event that Flexijoint does not work on your horse (guaranteed)
Click to expand...
 
Been through something similar recently, feel for you, a horrible situation to be in. From reading your post I get the feeling you know what to do, you've certainly done your best x
 
Poor Poppy, that's no quality of life at all.
Imagine if fire broke out or some other emergency, would she be fit and quick enough to escape? It's the same criteria we should use if our horses can't get up; if they can't escape, it's not fair on them with their flight instincts I'm afraid; I'm sorry, it's so hard when you're so close to a problem like this. I do know that the relief of making and abiding by a decision is immeasurable and I always end up wishing I had done it much earlier for their sakes, not my own. Hugs, it's never easy.
 
Mitchyden said:
I have two ex-racing greyhounds, one of which is Poppy who is 9 years old.
For the last year she has been panting a lot and has been to the vet numerous times. She was been diagnosed with an under active thyroid and has been on medication for over 9 months. The panting hasn't stopped and as she has very bad arthritis, both me and the vet are assuming it's pain related.

She has arthritis in both of her front legs, her back legs, her hips and her spine and has been on Metacam for a while and for the last month 4 x 5mg Tramadol. She is very wobbly and can only go out for 10 minute walks as she gets very tired and does seem to be getting more stiff. Since the weekend her dosage of Tramadol has been increased to 6 x 5mg per day. My vet has said that she cannot have much more than this and I'm wondering if it's time to let her go. My vet has said that she will stand by any decision I make.

Poppy is still eating but most of the time hasn't any enthusiasm for anything. She never wants to get off the sofa although if you take her for a different walk she gets excited but is exhausted after 10 minutes. She also does have an odd mad moment where she will sprint about 50 yards but unfortunately she pays the price for this and is then very uncomfortable.

I feel it is time to let her go but no-one else seems to agree as they say while she is eating normally she is ok. I'm concerned that she is in a lot of pain but I don't want to put her to sleep before it's time.

I appreciate that no-one else can make this decision for me but would just like to know what other people think.
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Have re-read this and want to clarify my earlier post . . . you are, after all, talking about the toughest decision ever - ending a life . . . and I feel you deserve a more comprehensive answer than I gave you in my first response.

A few things jump out at me:

1) The panting - if it IS pain-related, then she's very uncomfortable, bless her - if it's not, then you're looking at something like congestive heart failure (which will also make her short of breath) - either way, she's not happy but have you and your vet explored other reasons for the panting?

2) The arthritis - basically it's affecting all the weight-bearing/self carriage parts of her skeleton - no wonder she doesn't want to get off the sofa, bless her :(.

3) Pain relief - she's already at the upper limit of the Tramadol - but there are other pain remedies out there

4) Your vet - if your vet is saying that she won't object if you decide to have her PTS, then she's telling you something . . .

. . . I don't want to tell you what to do . . . but I did want to highlight to you what made me say what I said in my first post. It's too big a decision to comment on lightly.

I know that you want to do what's best for your lovely dog . . . and if that's seeking out alternative pain therapies then good for you (and her) . . . but make the decision for yourself . . . not pressured by those IRL and not influenced by anything I (or anyone else on here) says/writes . . . you know Poppy best.

Big hugs.

P
 
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It is horrible when you have to think about this.

Our much loved dog was elderly, but still eating well. However, the day that he didn't get up and bark at the postman was they day he was PTS.

Only you can know when is the right time for Poppy, but better a week too soon than a day too late.
 
It is so difficult to be in your situation, but as the others have said, first and last, it is your decision, and you should do what you think is best for Poppy.

If you want to try more or other medications/supplements, perhaps acupuncture or something else, to maybe feel that you've tried everything you could, then do it if you think that is in her best interest.
But if you feel that 9 months to a year of going back and forth to the veterinarian without fully being able to solve her problem, means that you've let her go through enough in the hope of making her better, then it sounds very reasonable to me if you decide to let her go.

Personally, I don't think that whether they still have an appetite for food or not, is the only factor which always decides whether they have a good quality of life. I mean, how much time per day does she spend on eating, and does it weigh up the rest of the time?
 
Thank you everybody for all your responses. In particular I would like to reply to PolarSkye's last reply.

1) Poppy has had various tests, blood tests etc and my vet doesn't seem to think it's her heart, in particular, she hasn't any other symptons. The only way to confirm this is to have her scanned which she would have to an GA and in her current state I am loathed to do this.

2) This is what is bothering me in that it's in all the joints she uses to get around and I hate watching her hobbling about.

3) There is a more powerful drug than Tramadol available but my vet says it will basically make her spaced out as it's morphine based. I don't see the point of giving her this if she's going to be away with the fairies all the time.

4) I did think this myself. Having spoken to her over the last couple of days she says she doesn't think I'm cruel keeping her going but still said she would agree with any decision I make.

With regards alternative pain therapies, I've tried lots of herbal mixes, turmeric and acupuncture but nothing seems to make any difference.

I do believe that it would be kinder for her but it didn't help today when my parents turned up and she went mad - wagging her tail and running around! She looked so happy but I have to weigh this up against the rest of the time when she struggles to get up and about! I am fully aware that it could also just be an adrenaline rush as she's always stiff afterwards.
 
Mitchyden said:
Thank you everybody for all your responses. In particular I would like to reply to PolarSkye's last reply.

1) Poppy has had various tests, blood tests etc and my vet doesn't seem to think it's her heart, in particular, she hasn't any other symptons. The only way to confirm this is to have her scanned which she would have to an GA and in her current state I am loathed to do this.

2) This is what is bothering me in that it's in all the joints she uses to get around and I hate watching her hobbling about.

3) There is a more powerful drug than Tramadol available but my vet says it will basically make her spaced out as it's morphine based. I don't see the point of giving her this if she's going to be away with the fairies all the time.

4) I did think this myself. Having spoken to her over the last couple of days she says she doesn't think I'm cruel keeping her going but still said she would agree with any decision I make.

With regards alternative pain therapies, I've tried lots of herbal mixes, turmeric and acupuncture but nothing seems to make any difference.

I do believe that it would be kinder for her but it didn't help today when my parents turned up and she went mad - wagging her tail and running around! She looked so happy but I have to weigh this up against the rest of the time when she struggles to get up and about! I am fully aware that it could also just be an adrenaline rush as she's always stiff afterwards.
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Oh you poor thing . . . what an agonizing choice!

As I have said before, you know Poppy best . . . and you will make the right decision for her, simply because she is yours.

Thinking of you.

P
 
Honestly, you can keep throwing drugs at her as much as you like, but they have so many side effects. If she was mine I'd call time. I'm sorry. :(
 
Mitchyden said:
...
I do believe that it would be kinder for her but it didn't help today when my parents turned up and she went mad - wagging her tail and running around! She looked so happy but I have to weigh this up against the rest of the time when she struggles to get up and about! I am fully aware that it could also just be an adrenaline rush as she's always stiff afterwards.
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It is a very difficult decision to make, when they still have moments that is so full of joy and happiness, but can't that also be seen from another point of view, that maybe it is better to do it when she still can go mad of happiness over meeting people she love, rather than wait until the day when she doesn't care who comes for a visit.

Lots of sympathy, it's really hard.
 
I would definitely let her go if she were mine. I have kept one greyhound going too for long and bitterly regret it, even though in that case too she wasn't in pain either; I will never do that again, looking back at her photos makes me cringe every time :(

Poppy has had a good life with you and will be grateful for you making the best decision for her when she needs you to, even though I fully realise how hard it will be for you. Thank you for re-homing rescue greyhounds, they really are the best ever dogs :) :)
 
I take Tramadol at times and although you are out to lunch when you first take you quickly get used to it it's an opiate though and you quickly need more to get the same result pain wise all it would do is buy you a little time .
I am in exactly the same place with my old boy on steroids and temgesic but without the panting it's so hard when they are happy and pleased to see people but in you shoes I think i would PTS .
Have a hug from me it's a uniquely horrible experience .
 
What a horrible position , I really feel for you.
I've always stood by the mantra 'better a week too early than a day too late' and it's never served me wrong, if it's any help. Like others have said, you know Poppy best, and will be best able to judge when you /know/.

Good luck and best wishes xxx
 
The regime that works for my severely arthritis collie is metacam, codiene and green lipped muscle. If she misses any one of those three then she's pretty bad but the three together work really well.

She was initially on tramadol but have found the codiene a much better pain killer and is less sedating for her. The green lipped muscle is a really good joint supplement with all the fish oils etc.


I know this is a decision I'll have to face in the next few years with my girl and I think you're the only person who can make the decision and your dog will tell you when she's had enough
 
Thanks everybody for your replies and thank you all for being so honest. It's sort of made the decision to let her go that tiny bit easier knowing that so many of you would do the same, and it's what I needed to hear.

The appointment is booked for lunchtime and typically she has been the best today that she's been in a long time. Having gone through hell to make the decision I now don't want to change my mind! Plus if I did, tomorrow could then be a bad day and I'd regret cancelling the appointment.

Once again, many thanks for your help.
 
meandmyself said:
Honestly, you can keep throwing drugs at her as much as you like, but they have so many side effects. If she was mine I'd call time. I'm sorry. :(
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i agree with this

also just to throw into the mix - long term drug [spesh metacam]... has effects on other organs.

id call time too im afraid, when quality of life is compromised whether the dog is 2 years or 15... the decision for me is made.
 
Mitchyden said:
Thanks everybody for your replies and thank you all for being so honest. It's sort of made the decision to let her go that tiny bit easier knowing that so many of you would do the same, and it's what I needed to hear.

The appointment is booked for lunchtime and typically she has been the best today that she's been in a long time. Having gone through hell to make the decision I now don't want to change my mind! Plus if I did, tomorrow could then be a bad day and I'd regret cancelling the appointment.

Once again, many thanks for your help.
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Thinking of you today OP xx
 
Mitchyden said:
Thanks everybody for your replies and thank you all for being so honest. It's sort of made the decision to let her go that tiny bit easier knowing that so many of you would do the same, and it's what I needed to hear.

The appointment is booked for lunchtime and typically she has been the best today that she's been in a long time. Having gone through hell to make the decision I now don't want to change my mind! Plus if I did, tomorrow could then be a bad day and I'd regret cancelling the appointment.

Once again, many thanks for your help.
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Thinking of you xx
 
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