[Kitchen Cottage]

How do you know?

He is between 16 and 19.  when I got him 15 years ago I was told he was a year old, when I took him for his jabs, the vet said he was about 4.

He has arthritis, he was on metacam, but seemed better during the summer and I stopped it because I was told it led to increased muscle wastage.  It is back in spades this week, and its heart breaking to watch him sit down, he doesn't curl anymore, he lowers his back legs over about a minute, which is a long time.  He's developed incontinence over the last week.  I have stone floors so its manageable.

I'm going to take him to the vet for more metacam but I'm starting to wonder if its getting close to time?

I don't want to put him to sleep for my convenience, I want to know how much quality of life he thinks he has.... and he damn well can't talk.

Fred would be my "once in a lifetime" dog.  I have Misty and I'm getting Terry but no other dog will ever replace Fred. 

[Steph Hen]

Freddie sounds like a much loved and special dog. He's also a good age. They can't stay on metacam forever, a minute is a long time to take to sit down... I had a cat that became incontinent - she was very unhappy about it (I know it sounds stupid), she knew she was wet and stank, and her bed was wet, and she couldn't bend round to lick properly, and there was too much urine for her to deal with.
Mum had the vet come to the house so she just went to sleep on my mum's lap in the morning as she had a coffee and didn't even notice the vet come in or touch her.

[happygolucky]

It's heartbreaking to make, we all would prefer our pets to just not wake up when they reach such a good age as Freddie........you will know when it's time, I think it's when they cannot go to the toilet or eat........I am sure we all understand your pain.

[in the hills]

KC - 


An old dog of ours suffered from a degree of incontinence for over a year. We kept him going because he was otherwise fairly fit .... for an old boy. Wasn't easy though.


The Metacam always helped our oldies considerably and Freddie might pick up again when he is back on it. We also had a drug that helped our boy with the incontinence.


The final decision is always heartbreaking and I don't think anyone can give you an answer. Although I struggle against it, I always know inside when it's the right time. Some people make the decision sooner, others a bit later. Maybe when you can see that all the sparkle has gone, when moving is just too painful or when he stops eating ...... you will know.


The vet should give you an opinion too but at the end of the day he is your lad and you will know.

[Mammyshaz]

Such a hard time deciding what is the best action to take when a best friend is old and struggling. Only you can decide how he is coping. You know him more than anybody else.
Try to base your decision on quality of life. Ask yourself if he seems happy, eats ok most days, is happy to go for a toddle out now and then and is comfortable. Does his incontinence bother him or does he not care.
Can he get around comfortably when nobody is around to help. No doubt he has days that are better than others but does he have more good days than bad.

I really feel for you,such a heart wrenching time when you aren't sure what to do for the best. Hope these questions help your decision a bit. 

[doganjo]

Put him back on Metacam.

If he stops eating, drinking and taking notice of you and his surroundings then it is time, but  I don't think his time has come yet.,  If the incontinence isn't worrying him don't let it worry you. Your vet may have something for that too (Is it wees or poos or both?). At his age I wouldn't worry about muscle wastage or kidney problems from the metacam.  Just make him feel better

[ZaktheLad]

Agree with doganjo.   

If he stops eating, drinking and taking notice of you and his surroundings then it is time, but  I don't think his time has come yet., 

   

[darkbrowneggs]

So sad for you its a heartbreaking time whatever happens 


If he seems fairly happy in himself I would let him go on a bit, sometimes things can improve even if only in the short term, but if he is by nature a clean dog and doing wee's in the house upsets him then it might be time to let him go.


You could try phoning Ainsworths in London and say you have an elderly male dog with incontinence - they can often give advice over the phone and post out remedies and I have had a lot of success over the years going down that route


But only you and he will know when the time is right.  Sending lots of good and healing thoughts for you both through the ether.  [size=78%] [/size]

[happygolucky]

Keep thinking about Freddie and you ...I did not mean just incontinence I actually meant "cannot actually go to the toilet or be able to stand up to go and leaking,  we had a Lab like that years ago, it was so sad but it was an instant decision.....he sounds OK at the moment but like I said, you will know.