What would you do if you owned him

[dingle12]

I have a 17 year old dog and this last few months i have noticed him getting stiffer

i knew it was going to happen

he is due to the vets in a few weeks for his boosters so going to see if i can put him on metacalm (sp) just to help him but sometimes i look at him and think should i PTS he is still eating very well and going the toilet fine however he his limping on all legs really vet said last time he arthritis in his feet but still looked very well and his heart and pulse rate were fantastic for his age i just think his bones are letting him down

he greats us when we come home tail none stop

and as soon as i get his food out he jumps about in his own was again tail going none stop

so as you can see i have no idea what to do

what would you do ?

This is him playing dec

 

[FestiveSpirit]

Based on that video, nope I would not have him PTS - he seems to be very happy, yes he is a bit stiff but nowhere near as bad as I was thinking I might see

People who keep their dogs alive for their own sake make me cringe (and also make me very angry) and I think I am more likely to say PTS if not sure either way, but if he is still like the video then I think he is doing fine

 

[dingle12]

He does that when his food comes out thats his little dance

then sometimes he will have a mad five min running about and i stop him to calm him down. Then other times he just likes to goto sleep for most of the day and is stiff in front

 

[FestiveSpirit]

It is so hard when they get to be elderly, and I suppose if you are asking the question then you are really considering the option in your own mind

Elderly dogs do always sleep a lot more than youngsters and it doesnt mean they dont have quality of life when they are awake?

I think really you are the only one who can make the call however, as you knew what he was like before and can compare that quality of life to the one he has now

I know what a hard decision it can be

 

[Spudlet]

There will come a day when you know it's time - when that day comes don't delay. But personally, while his tail wags and he's still taking an interest in life, and potters about and is not in pain, I'd leave him and enjoy him a bit longer

 

[dingle12]

I have never had a dog this old and ive said bye to him 3 times now and then he come right. I dont want to give up on him cos he has a limp and has slowed down he seems happy just walks funny. But then the next thing i think i hope he is not in pain

its so hard i wish he could talk and tell me what he wants but its not that easy.

 

[FestiveSpirit]

I think Hanandhen has hit the nail on the head - you will know when the day comes

I remember my first proper dog was a little whippet who had progressively bad heart failure, it was being controlled by medication but she got more and more frail. One day when she was nearly 15 years old I just knew that she had had enough, and made the appointment then and there

Dont ask me how, because I am not usually anthropomorphic (sp?), but they do tell you and you will know

 

[Booboos]

Give Metacam a try it works wonders and you don't have to give it all the time, you can give it as and when you think he needs it.

 

[Cop-Pop]

We're in a similar situation with our Goldie - she's 14 and still healthy but has arthritus in her feet

She still bounces around and is very happy but we worry constantly about her being in pain. We just take every day as it comes - she doesn't owe us anything.

 

[Crazy_Caz]

ditto above... give the metacam a go... but in the end you will know when its really time..

I currently have an oldie (not as old as your one) he comes to work with me and sleeps all the time... very stiff in his rear end... so will speak to the vet and get him some metacam... but he is happy in himself.... they know when its time and so will you...

 

[Blanche]

Give metacam a go . The old ones I've had on it have really improved . If it doesn't work for your dog at least you've given it a go .

 

[Oneofthepack]

I'm in the same predicament but I think I'll judge by her demeanor rather than her stiffness or physical condition. She's rickety, falls over a lot, nearly bald and batty as hell BUT she's so happy to go for her walks, brings me toys to play with, eats well (with the addition of poached salmon...the only thing that makes her feel better apparantly!) As soon as she stops doing all that I hope I'll know that's the right time to let her go.
Crappy isn't it