What would you do?

[poiuytrewq]

We have been treating my elderly dog for a while, trying to find a balance between side effects and helping her out.
She started walking with a weird gait, not lame but unco-ordinated and out of sync. She would also fall over. The slightest knock or jumping off the sofa/down steps and she’d fall.
She has been on varying doses of steroid for a good few months now. Too much and the side effects seem to take over, not enough and her legs go again. We have found a dose which seems a happy medium.
She has no eye reflexes, and fails the knuckle test all round.
on a low dose she falls but now it’s just a few seconds to correct.
The alternative is to MRI and see if there’s any disc damage or something possibly operatable.
Now, She’s is terrified of going to the vets, she had to stay in a few years ago and have a nasty cut sorted under GA. ever since she’s hated it. She stands with her head literally pressing the door to get out, tail firmly between her legs and won’t interact with anyone, even for treats and she is a ganet. For this reason I can’t bear to leave her there or put her through treatment that I can’t even stay with her through.
So, for now we have agreed that as she seems ok, she’s not falling and is re-living puppy hood with all Cecils squeaky toys ? that we would just keep managing it with the pills.
She’s 15 I’m not sure how much longer operating on anything would give her compared with leaving it and not terrifying her.
Does this sound fair?

 

[Britestar]

I would leave the dog as is, and make a decision based on quality of life.
I have a cat with a brain leison. She's on daily steriods. Wibble wobbles everywhere, but eats and toilets normally. Once one steroid a day does not keep things in check, or if she has a seizure, I will say goodbye.

 

[Sandstone1]

What breed is she? 15 is a good age for most dogs. If it were me I would not scan or operate. I would keep her going as long as shes happy and enjoying life. Once she is not then its time. Im sorry its never easy.

 

[quizzie]

Absolutely fair, and absolutely the right thing to do.

 

[poiuytrewq]

She’s very happy. Not able or wanting to do proper walks anymore, likes a amble round the field but nothing more.
Still likes to catch a ball but not for ages. Loves her food etc

 

[poiuytrewq]

What breed is she? 15 is a good age for most dogs. If it were me I would not scan or operate. I would keep her going as long as shes happy and enjoying life. Once she is not then its time. Im sorry its never easy.

She’s a border collie

 

[Sandstone1]

I would just spoil her rotten for as long as shes happy then. 15 is a good age. I lost my dog at 14 last year and its hard.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I would just spoil her rotten for as long as shes happy then. 15 is a good age. I lost my dog at 14 last year and its hard.

I know, I lost my lovely little 7 yr old a few months ago. It going to be rubbish saying goodbye to 2 in a year.
Sorry about yours x

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I would do pretty much what you are doing. When they hate going to the vet's I try to keep them away from there as much as possible. I would monitor carefully and be prepared to make 'the' decision when her quality of life deteriorates.

 

[Thistle]

She’s very happy. Not able or wanting to do proper walks anymore, likes a amble round the field but nothing more.
Still likes to catch a ball but not for ages. Loves her food etc

She sounds like my old staffie, she's happy, eats well, goes for a twice daily amble, is pretty much on the same routine as my puppy, 3 meals etc. We didn't think she'd make Xmas, she looking ok, we'll keep going as she is while she's happy. Luckily she likes the vets

 

[poiuytrewq]

She sounds like my old staffie, she's happy, eats well, goes for a twice daily amble, is pretty much on the same routine as my puppy, 3 meals etc. We didn't think she'd make Xmas, she looking ok, we'll keep going as she is while she's happy. Luckily she likes the vets

Liking the vets makes life so much easier! My old dog actually adored the vet! He found trips there super exciting!
I feel awful with this one the second we pull up and I have to drag her inside (I’m only half joking there)

 

[TGM]

At that age I wouldn't put my dog through an major operation, even if they didn't mind going to the vets. Personally, if she was mine I'd keep her going if she was happy and had good quality of life but would call it a day if suffering or if major veterinary intervention was needed.

 

[Thistle]

At that age I wouldn't put my dog through an major operation, even if they didn't mind going to the vets. Personally, if she was mine I'd keep her going if she was happy and had good quality of life but would call it a day if suffering or if major veterinary intervention was needed.

Totally agree, you have to look at recovery time vs extended life, also emotional trauma etc

 

[MurphysMinder]

I think you are doing the right thing. I lost my old GSD at the end of last year when she very suddenly developed spinal problems. A visit to a specialist and MRI etc was offered but I said no, and the vet agreed that decision. We went down the keeping comfortable route, sadly it didn't work for her and she was pts but as your girl is managing on the treatment given then that is what I would stick too.

 

[Bellasophia]

At that age I wouldn't put my dog through an major operation, even if they didn't mind going to the vets. Personally, if she was mine I'd keep her going if she was happy and had good quality of life but would call it a day if suffering or if major veterinary intervention was needed.

TGM…my thought entirely..
let her potter,enjoy her last days and be ready to help her at the end.

in the meantime I’ve always kept my thoughts positive by searching breeds I like,look at breeder sites and plan ahead..not a betrayal by any means but definitely a way to keep your thoughts positive and focused ahead.
Life goes on and your life must go on positively…don’t second guess this, it is the cycle of life.

 

[Moobli]

How is she getting on now OP?