Pet Lovers

[SingingLady]

She is our little Pom-Lhasa mix. Will be 17 in a few weeks. Terrible heart problems, collapsed trachea. Clearly has doggy dementia. Sleeps about twenty hours a day. Wanders around the house restlessly, looks and acts lost. Barks randomly for no apparent reason. Frequent house accidents now. Losing weight although we see her eat. She still likes gentle petting. I think it's comforting to her. And loves treats. That will never change 🥰
Took her her to vet yesterday for increased nearly non stop coughing. She could hardly catch her breath. Xray shows trachea much worse. At it narrowest point, you can barely see an opening. She is on many meds but he significantly increased the hydrocodone for the cough. Started a course of prednisone. She weighed six pounds, down a pound since they last weighed her. 
He expressed that her quality of life doesn't seem very good, with the dementia, house soiling, progressive weight loss, medical problems. 
We agreed that unless she improves greatly with the medication tweaks, we should probably have her euthanized sooner than later. My husband, through tears, is on board which I never thought he would be. 
Tough times, especially this period of limbo as we desperately want to see signs of improvement. Yet we know that her medical conditions are progressive and irreversible. 
You have all been there, I know you understand. 

[Citrine1]

I'm sorry that you are dealing with this and don't mean to add to your stress, but it sounds like she is beyond ready to be laid to rest.  For pete's sake, the dog can barely breath and wanders about aimlessly?  She's 17 and in poor health.  Do the right thing and let her go now.  

[LindaSal]

My heart goes out to you and your husband.  Yes, many of us have been down this road before and I'll say what I always say, do what's best for your precious pet and not what's best for you.  Godspeed

[kze]

I feel so sorry for you and certainly understand.   But please, please do what's right for her.  Don't wait any longer.  I can't imagine how miserable she is.  Prayers for her and you.

[SingingLady]

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@Citrine1 wrote:

I'm sorry that you are dealing with this and don't mean to add to your stress, but it sounds like she is beyond ready to be laid to rest.  For pete's sake, the dog can barely breath and wanders about aimlessly?  She's 17 and in poor health.  Do the right thing and let her go now.  

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maybe I didn't say it right. When she's not coughing she can breathe ok. Like right now she's lying down. Looking around. Breathing is unlabored between coughing fits. . But to your overall point, yes I know what you mean. We have to do what's in Lola's  best interest. Oh God. I think maybe it's not just my husband who has been in denial. Reading these responses....yeah. Soon. 

[Citrine1]

Thanks for your reply @SingingLady , and I apologize for sounding harsh.  I've had to put so many dogs down over the years and I understand the agonizing one does over it.  

My husband is always hesitant and makes it harder for me than it needs to be.  Our one dog was 16 when we put her down and, honestly, I think we waited too long.  She needed help getting up the steps (she was a 90 lb. lab/boxer mix), she couldn't control her bowels and pooped all over the house, and she could no longer hear.  She had some other health problems as well.  Her last year she just "existed" and I'll never forgive myself for letting her linger.  I promised myself I'd never do that again.

My sympathies are with you at this difficult time.  

[SingingLady]

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@Citrine1 wrote:

Thanks for your reply @SingingLady , and I apologize for sounding harsh.  I've had to put so many dogs down over the years and I understand the agonizing one does over it.  

My husband is always hesitant and makes it harder for me than it needs to be.  Our one dog was 16 when we put her down and, honestly, I think we waited too long.  She needed help getting up the steps (she was a 90 lb. lab/boxer mix), she couldn't control her bowels and pooped all over the house, and she could no longer hear.  She had some other health problems as well.  Her last year she just "existed" and I'll never forgive myself for letting her linger.  I promised myself I'd never do that again.

My sympathies are with you at this difficult time.  

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you weren't harsh and I didn't take it that way. What you said then and now is absolutely on point. We may have the same husband- this is his M.O. with every dog we've had to say goodbye to. In fact Lola is just existing and this is not how we want to treat our treasured family members. Jim is sobbing as we speak. He understands this is going to happen next week. He agrees that it's time.We want to give our doggy a couple of days of better symptom relief if we can, with the new medication plan. That, and my touch and voice, will mark her gentle exit from his world. 

[Citrine1]

@SingingLady   Aww, I'll be thinking of you, your husband and Lola over these next several days.  Bless you all.  

[On It]

@SingingLady I have written two responses and deleted them. I will post this one. I cannot imagine spending this weekend with Lola struggling, your husband crying, and everyone under stress.

I would call the vet this afternoon and let your little baby go to rest. It is time for the three of you to be at peace. Of course, your hearts will ache, but delaying the inevitable is only causing misery and pain for the three of you.

I am sorry you are facing this decision. We have all been there, so you have our deepest sympathy.

[FancyPhillyshopper]

It's very hard to say goodbye forever to a beloved family member, whether animal or human.

I have certainly watched people in a state of "existence only" who lingered for days and months.

I always remember that animals have different uses of senses from us, especially dogs,  so I should not judge their health only from the human perspective.  

If a pet enjoys its meals, wants attention from the people, and still is active, then I try to assist with its health as much as possible, rather than considering it a lost cause.

If my pets have trouble eating regular food, then I will provide blended or liquid food to help them as they age.

Coughing is also caused by the heart failure--perhaps there could be another way of treating it .  We have many specialty vets in our area, and I always try to get an opinion from them beyond my regular vets,  who are limited in their expertise.

The most important thing is that I do not want my pets to be in pain and suffering, but being old and somewhat feeble is a natural part of aging.