[Kitchen Cottage]

Please bear with me...

Freddie is my sprollie, he is somewhere between 16 and 19

His weight has dropped to 17kg.  He is doubly incontinent.  He is on metacam but seems to be in perpetual discomfort if not pain.  He was previously on previcox (?) but that didn't seem to help, in honestly, I missed a few days. He is very very very unsteady on his back legs, he can't turn round easily, falls over frequently, the kitchen is now a sea of rugs because otherwise his legs splay on the tiles and he is stuck.  When I have been at work he has had a few topples from which he can't right himself and I don't know how long he has  been stuck when I get home.  He has some lumps on his stomach which seem moving so I don't worry about them and he has an abcess on his head (been there for years, the vet says they are a spaniel common feature) which now seems to be spreading.

Some days though, increasingly few, he seems happy and pain free.

I have been struggling with the "quality of life" issue for a year. 

I have a vet appointment on 30th.  My vet is very pro-life and says Fred can go on until there is a crisis, which he says will be the back legs going altogether.

I am not so sure that is a good test.

I have two rescues here, one of which has unsettled him (the not old, blind, collie who turned out to be a young, sighted GSD type) but I am asking for that foster to be moved....

In my mind, it is time but, do I wait until post foster and Freddie has settled again?  It's the fact he seems so uncomfortable most of the time

Advice please.

Sorry to drag this out but I have had him so long and I can't imagine a Freddie free house 

[Mammyshaz]

It's a hard call and only one you can make yourself 

If it helps I'm a stern believer in a good quality of life rather than quantity( or length) of life. They should enjoy what time they have and if they cannot do that, as hard as it is, it is our duty and care to let them go.

   such an awful situation to be in.

[kelly58]

Mammy shaz is right, you and your dog are unhappy its time to say goodbye
It hurts like crazy but just think of the lovely life hes had.

[suziequeue]

If you were in Freddie's position - what decision would you like to be made about you?


I appreciate that this is somewhat "anthropomorphising" the situation but Freddie is a full family member…...

[lachlanandmarcus]

I'm not sure of your vets definition of back legs going...to me they sound gone enough for there to be a high risk of him getting stuck until you get there and find him.....not sure it is good to wait until the animal IS suffering. So I would go with your instinct, mind you my OH is of the never PTS mindset so it's a struggle to convince some of that, incl some vets.


If you think it's time, then you wouldn't be wrong. You could wait but it's up to you not vet. Better a month too soon than a day too late.

[doganjo]

Sorry to be brutal but you have to be brave.  If it were you what would you want?

[darkbrowneggs]

I think maybe the fact that you are asking means that in your own mind the time is right.  We all need reassurance that we are doing the right thing.  And it wont make any of it any easier, but sadly I think you know its time


If anything is ill but will get better or at least improve then carry on with the treatment  But when the outcome is inevitable to delay it probably doesn't help much in the long run


 

[Bramblecot]

I think you probably already know the answer...
It never gets any easier and that is how it should be. 
Do you use Forest vets at Hemnall St?  I found them to be very kind and understanding every time I made the difficult decision.

[Fleecewife]

It has reached the time for you to do this last thing for Freddie, without any more 'shall I, shan't I'.  He's miserable and has no reason to stay other than your need not to let go.  Having him euthanased is your final gift to him.

[shygirl]

it sounds like it is his time to go now.
iv never had a dog put to sleep so i dread it with mine and can imagine how awful it is. i think it would be easier to tell the vet straight what you want rather ask for their opinion. most vets would accept this professionally and do the deed quickly without more checkups etc.

very hard for you tho 

[Backinwellies]

  

 nothing to add  .... except if and when you make your mind up  ring the vet and make an appointment for the deed ...saves discussion at vets...... and  a good vet will be ready and take you to a quiet room and give you time.
Also helps to decide before hand whether you want ashes back. 

[Old Shep]

 

[Kitchen Cottage]

Goodness so many doggy issues at the moment 

Freddie had blood in his urine today so I took him to the vet and he is on antibiotics.  I also told the vet that the metacam wasn't working and I thought he had a poor quality of life.

The vet doesn't listen to me and his view is that "what we want is a crisis, such as the back legs going so we don't need to make a decision", anyway I agreed to give Fred 10 days on the new pain meds and see how that goes.  In truth it may be that his discomfort has been caused by a urinary issue, the vet doesn't know what caused the blood but thinks its an infection.

On top of Freddie,  I've told the rescue that I can't foster Yellow anymore.      I agreed to foster a blind older dog and got a sighted GSD puppy... she is too destructive and suffers massive separation anxiety and she is destroying the place.  Also she is bullying the other dogs if they come near me.  I am absolutely gutted about Yellow,  I have let her down, she now has to go into Kennels which is the very thing she doesn't need..... the rescue have been totally sh1t in dealing with me and I will NEVER foster for them.  I have fostered dozens of dogs, all agreed to to take account of the fact I work so mainly older and quiet dogs,  I would never have agreed to a GSD puppy.

At the moment I am all dogged out today 

[darkbrowneggs]

Nothing much to say really just 


And take care of yourself also.

[shygirl]

The vet doesn't listen to me and his view is that "what we want is a crisis, such as the back legs going so we don't need to make a decision",

if you feel it is time to put your dog to sleep then be very clear and firm with your vet. i agree speaking over the phone will be easier (for me anyway) and then arrange a time/home-visit to do the deed.
i know from my experience with english townie vets, some would rather do everything possible to save an animal but there is a limit - both emotional and financial. be firm and clear, or get someone to go with you who can be firm for you.
the alternative is to find a new vet.
If the dog is down whilst you are at work then id be inclined to agree euthansia is the best thing. its is heartbreaking for you though