Ginger Bear
Well-Known Member
I have a 10 year old bichon fries who I rehomed as a 3 1/2 year old. Initially, she was a very nervous little thing but very soon became the most perfect little companion.
A few years ago she was diagnosed with an auto immune disorder which makes her immune system attack her paw pads, causing ulcerated patches, bleeding and generally awful looking paws, she also had lumps appear on her gums.
Originally vets were baffled and tried every type of steroid under the sun but these just made her unwell. She was then referred to a specialist who made a stab in the dark and said sometimes an antibiotic and vitamin B supplement cure this type of illness but they don't know why. After 6 months on this medication the illness went away for approximately 18 months. She was however, left with slipping knee caps and stretched ligaments in her legs which meant that she would walk and come to the stables with me but she would have to keep sitting down to rest.
Unfortunately for the last 8 weeks the illness is back, it has attacked her paws again but this time the medication is not working as well. She is gaining weight where she isn't moving around and is sleeping a lot. I love this little dog to pieces, she has a beautiful nature and everyone who knows her loves her...but I do not want her to suffer. I struggle with the fact that in her little face, she's still young and wants to do all the things she has always done and desperately wants to keep up and looks happy, but physically her body is letting her down and now the paw thing has returned there is no saying how long it will stay or if it will go at all. I'm scared of letting her go on too long and being forced to put her down when she really is unhappy.
How do you know when is the right time to PTS? One person asked if she can eat, drink, go to the toilet.. she can do all of these, but laying around with sore feet and dodgy legs is not much of a life is it? Any help much appreciated.
A few years ago she was diagnosed with an auto immune disorder which makes her immune system attack her paw pads, causing ulcerated patches, bleeding and generally awful looking paws, she also had lumps appear on her gums.
Originally vets were baffled and tried every type of steroid under the sun but these just made her unwell. She was then referred to a specialist who made a stab in the dark and said sometimes an antibiotic and vitamin B supplement cure this type of illness but they don't know why. After 6 months on this medication the illness went away for approximately 18 months. She was however, left with slipping knee caps and stretched ligaments in her legs which meant that she would walk and come to the stables with me but she would have to keep sitting down to rest.
Unfortunately for the last 8 weeks the illness is back, it has attacked her paws again but this time the medication is not working as well. She is gaining weight where she isn't moving around and is sleeping a lot. I love this little dog to pieces, she has a beautiful nature and everyone who knows her loves her...but I do not want her to suffer. I struggle with the fact that in her little face, she's still young and wants to do all the things she has always done and desperately wants to keep up and looks happy, but physically her body is letting her down and now the paw thing has returned there is no saying how long it will stay or if it will go at all. I'm scared of letting her go on too long and being forced to put her down when she really is unhappy.
How do you know when is the right time to PTS? One person asked if she can eat, drink, go to the toilet.. she can do all of these, but laying around with sore feet and dodgy legs is not much of a life is it? Any help much appreciated.
