Thinking this might be it :(

[MrsElle]

Following my post last week about 12 year old Ridgeback Lola and her problems she really has gone downhill.

She fell over on the beach today and it took a while for her to get to her feet. When we got to the car she fell over again and when OH went to pick her up she growled at him, which is so unlike her I just cried. She must have been so miserable and/or in pain to do that.

The vet is coming on Tuesday but I know that nowadays they don't seem to suggest any particular option, but give you all the options and leave it to you. I want advise though, I want to know that if we decide to pts it is the right thing to do for Lola - selfishness tells me that I should leave her be for the time being as she does have her good days, but is this the right decision for Lola? I need to do what is best for the most fantastic dog I have ever had the pleasure to know.

How do you decide when the time is right?

 

[CorvusCorax]

For a large dog, when they cannot support their own weight, for any dog, when it cannot toilet itself (this can be very upsetting for them), when the senses have gone to the extent that the dog is confused or scared, if the dog, of any age, is mentally unstable to the extent that is is either miserable or dangerous, if the dog has more bad days than good.
TBH, only YOU will know x

 

[MurphysMinder]

Only you can decide what is best for your girl, but would say that when my Buffy started losing her balance and falling over several times a day I made the call to the vet. She could probably have gone on for longer, but would have ended having to be lifted to her feet and I didn't want that for her. Thinking of you, it is so horrible when they get old.

 

[L&M]

We had to PTS our beloved pointer a few weeks ago. He was also 12 and had developed CDRM over his last couple of years which didn't become a real problem until a few months ago. The first time he fell over I was in shock and tried to convince myself it it wasn't happening, but by the third time within the next few days knew we couldn't let the situation continue.

It was the hardest decision I have had to make in a long time but know we made the right one. We may have done it a few weeks too early but on the day he was PTS he walked into the vets with dignity and pride - not being carried in on a stretcher having collapsed on a walk or in the garden with no-one to help him. It also gave us time to say our goodbyes, made sure he had some lovely 'last' meals and cuddles, and know that he was loved.

Hopefully once the deed is done you will feel a sense of relief, both for having done the right thing and releiving yoursely of the strain of making the decision. I got my husband to make the call to the vets as knew I would be incoherent, and will be ever greatful for him for helping me deal with it.

Thoughts with you....

 

[Dancing Queen]

im really sorry to hear this. my vet comes to the home i you ask, so the animals dont stress in the vets. big big hugs. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx