When is the right time to let her go?

Sharla · #1 23-09-09, 10:34 AM

Hi,as some of you may know Sharla is 2 months away from her 14th birthday.Took her to the vet today for a check up and she said that she looks terrible and maybe the kindest thing to do is to let her go

She suffers from HD and arthritis and she is also very skinny(23kg compared to 26 kg when she was last at the vet's,about 3 months ago)
I feed her dry food mixed with chicken ,rice and peas and her appetite is good although shes still losing weight.
She really been struggling with her back legs for the last year and a half although PREVICOX seems to help with her mobilty and pain.one of her back nails bleeds everytime she goes for a walk lately cause she drags her leg on the ground and it worn the nail down to the quick.
To be honest she doesnt look great and what i hate most is people giving me the dirty looks and whispering remarkes saying how thin she is and 'look at that poor thing she can hardly walk" when out for walks

At home she lies down most of the time but she can still manage her 2 daily 20 mins walk without much problems although she does struggles abit when she on one on her bad days.
The vet says bring her back in 2 weeks time to reaccess her and if shes lose more weight its time to let her go

she still alert and im sure she wants to stay with us and will fight to the end.
I feel sad and emotional and i really dont want to lose her although i accept eventually i need to let go.

Steve

DelsMum · #2 23-09-09, 10:46 AM

Oh dear my heart goes out to you.

No one can tell you what to do- you know your dog and you'll know when it's time. All you can do is ask yourself whether you think she has a good quality of life ie does she enjoy her walks, food, cuddles etc and is she in any pain?

Maybe to help you both over the next couple of weeks while you think/assess the situation you could try to build her up a bit with 'special' food? When my dads jrt hit 13 she stopped eating dog food and had nothing but chicken and sausages (she got a bit on the fat side so this may help?) personally if she is old and thin I'd give her anything she wants even if it's not particularly 'healthy'.

Does she have pain relief for her HD/Arthritis? Metacam perhaps?

walk her on the grass and put a dog boot or a sock on that poorly foot for now.

Yes eventually you will need to let her go but I would hope that during this 2 week hiatus while you are assessing what to do your vet has offered you some methods of making sure she is more comfortable and it doesn't sound like they have?

Sharla · #3 23-09-09, 10:53 AM

Hi,shes on PREVICOX painkiller everyday.Thanks for your reply it really helps

super D · #4 23-09-09, 10:56 AM

Totally agree with Faye, its down to quaity of life isnt it.
Steve i wish you all the luck in the world, and whatever your decision its down to you and Sharla.
Good luck, stay strong matey
xx

#5 23-09-09, 11:10 AM

I agree with everything that has been said

Linda

Sylvieliz · #6 23-09-09, 11:12 AM

Perhaps two walks a day is too much if she is struggling. Try cutting it down to one and having some quality time with her perhaps in the garden for the other one.
As already said let her eat what she wants now.
Try increasing the rice and cutting out the dried food, add an egg to it occasionally. My oldie took a liking to tinned rice pudding she had a couple of tins of that a week.
Feed her like a puppy several small meals a day better for her digestion now she is old. Try a small tin of oily fish on her food that should help put weight on. Would she take a little grated cheese on her meals.
I don't mean make a sudden drastic change to her diet but just a little gradually.
Put a sock or a dog boot on her foot that is bleeding.
Personally I would let her do what she wants and eat what she wants.
I am so sorry its a horrible decision to have to make and my heart goes out to you.
If she is eating and can just potter around the garden and does not appear to be in pain I would have thought she was okay.
It is your decision not your vets although you can of course be guided by her/him.

maxandskye · #7 23-09-09, 11:26 AM

Oh sweetheart, my heart goes out to you.

All I can say is that when it was "that time" for my last girl Skye, I knew in my heart.

Take care.

Sharla · #8 23-09-09, 11:43 AM

Hi,thanks for the replies.Despite her problems shes still enjoying life and looks happy.She follows me everywhere around the house and still thinks she's a puppy when she sees a tennis ball

She's alright with her walks,infact if she doesnt go for her walks her backlegs goes all stiff
The vet advised putting 2 spoonful of sugar with her food to help her gain some weight and yea,i will give her foods even if they are not really healthy for her.
I know its my decison when to let her go and i know my dog best but i just dont want to keep her for my sake because i couldnt let go and her in pain although its not the case just yet.
Sorry if i go on abit i just want to talk to people who understands what im going through right now

Thanks

kita · #9 23-09-09, 11:48 AM

Please be very careful that nobody reports you to the RSPCA. Under the new animal welfare act you could be prosecuted.

If you do get a visit from an RSPCA inspector you are not obliged to let them into your house. Don't think they will be reasonable. It is quite possible they will insist your dog sees their vet and if they so decide that your dog has no quality of life they will put it to sleep then and there. If you refuse to let them they will return with the Police and arrest you and seize your dog.

If you can avoid walking your dog in public.

You are in a very bad position, if the RSPCA get involved you will not be in any sort of condition to put up a legal fight (you and your dog simply won't have the time).

I never used to say this, but it is better that you have a last couple of days with your dog and then let her go at a time of your choosing, with a vet of your choosing.

If the RSPCA knock on your door, don't even answer the door. Phone your vet and make the final appointment then and there.

Please don't let yourself be forced into having your dog destroyed by an RSPCA vet within two hours of the RSPCA knocking on your door.

Sue

super D · #10 23-09-09, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharla

Hi,thanks for the replies.Despite her problems shes still enjoying life and looks happy.She follows me everywhere around the house and still thinks she's a puppy when she sees a tennis ball

She's alright with her walks,infact if she doesnt go for her walks her backlegs goes all stiff
The vet advised putting 2 spoonful of sugar with her food to help her gain some weight and yea,i will give her foods even if they are not really healthy for her.
I know its my decison when to let her go and i know my dog best but i just dont want to keep her for my sake because i couldnt let go and her in pain although its not the case just yet.
Sorry if i go on abit i just want to talk to people who understands what im going through right now

Thanks

Thats exactly what were here for Steve, talk away hunny
xx