Please Help Old Age - Page 3

                I cry everytime I visit this thread.......

I am going through the same thing right now. This picture was taken about a month ago. Murphy can still stand and walk by himself but could no longer make it up the steps to the back deck. So the ex built a ramp of sorts using palettes. So now Murphy can come inside at night. During the day he goes in the garage where there is a heater, blankets and water/food bowls. I honestly didn't think he would make it through the summer, but as long as he can still walk I will do whatever I can for him. The ex and I have talked it over and already know what we must do when Murphy can no longer walk. We have been through it before. It never gets any easier :-(

Keith, you know your dog better than any of us possibly can.  If the vets have given you an 'all clear' save for the degenerative condition affecting his hindquarters, AND if Cody truly doesn't show any anxiety/depression/stress despite being unable to move from one place to another without assistance, AND if you can absolutely ensure that he doesn't develop pressure sores from being immobile AND he doesn't experience urine scald anywhere on his body because he can't move himself away from the urine, AND it doesn't 'insult' his dignity that he's unable to keep from eliminating in the house, then I can't in good conscience say it's time to let him go... 

I think we've become so accustomed to the idea of euthanasia for our pets that we've become afraid of natural deaths for them (especially in the US, where we refuse to accept that death is inevitable, and just another part of the cycle).  If Cody is happy and comfortable despite being stationary, and can still empty his bladder and bowels on his own, then the only limiting factor in the equation is whether you're able to keep providing the intensive caretaking he requires and give him the amount of attention and interaction with you that he needs.  After all, a dog of that age is going to spend the majority of his time sleeping in one spot anyway, whether he can stand and walk on his own or not...

Reusable, absorptive bedpads that are used for incontinent patients in nursing homes can be purchased from a hospital and medical goods supply store, and you can also buy them on eBay; they would be useful in helping to keep the urine off both the floor and Cody, and they hold up very well to machine washing and drying. The suggestions of a wheeled cart are valid, although you can't leave the dog in the cart unattended--it's strictly meant to give the dog the ability to move around, and they can't sit or lie down while they're strapped in to the cart...so it wouldn't eliminate the issue of Cody having to lie around in one place all day when you're not there to tend to him. 

My big concern is with how long you're going to be able to provide the level of caretaking Cody now needs, especially with a new baby in the family now.  There's no room for less than intensive maintainence of his skin and coat, because it will only take one time where the clean-up isn't 100% for a pressure sore to develop and infection to take hold in the skin break.  It's not selfish to have to admit that the time is going to come when that caregiving is beyond what you're capable of doing, between working full time and raising a child and nurturing a marriage--what's selfish will be to deny that you're overwhelmed by it all, and as result start cutting corners everywhere. 

I wish you peace at heart as you walk this path with Cody, whatever you decide to do.  Seventeen years is an amazing partnership to have had, and I freely admit that I envy you for having been fortunate enough to have so many years with him.

17 yrs is way above the normal life, but nothing more can be done, and you have to ask is this for the dog or your love. Gsd are strong and have a lot of pride, so as with all elders they will keep trying, also a new baby will have its effects on the dog. My wish is you make the right decision for the dog and your family. my heart breaks for you.

Keith, for heaven's sake, stop crying and go enjoy your dog. 17 years is not an expiration date! Your dog is entitled to every day he has left that he wants to live.

I went through much the same thing with my 17-year-old GSD with degenerative myelopathy. He didn't get as disabled as yours before he called it quits, but it was bad--pooping with no awareness that it was happening (didn't bother him a bit, and I just quietly cleaned it up), struggling to get up and walk, flopping to the ground when he peed because he couldn't support himself. But, like your dog, he had spunk and wasn't ready to go for a long time. I would wince to see him struggle but he just cheerfully kept on going. He was stubborn and there were still many things in life he enjoyed. And he wasn't dying slowly for my sake. He was hanging in there for his sake.

I understand how worried you are about doing the right thing for him. I felt the same way about my GSD. I watched him closely, saw things keep getting harder, and waited for the look--the unmistakable look that says, "If we can't fix this, then please--I really have to go." He finally gave me the look, and I euthanized him then. Your dog will give you that look someday and you will recognize it and euthanize him then--when he asks you to.

It's your dog's decision, and he will tell you when it's time. Trust yourself and your dog. He will tell you. You will know. The waiting for the awful moment is very hard, but try to relax and enjoy the time you have left with him. He (and the veterinarians who have seen him and found no evidence of pain) are the only ones you need to listen to.

If you want to get him a cart, send me a PM.

 Hi Keith, 
I totally understand what you are going through.  I had two GSD, one female who I totally adored who was diagnosed with having CDRM at a very young age 5yrs.  The vet told us that she was'nt in any pain and that the decision was up to us.  I searched the internet and then found out about the Doggie Mobile\"Wheel chair for dogs"  it was costly but I ordered it and it was such a joy to see her running and still being able to toilet herself and go out daily with my 3 other dogs.  Of course this cannot be left on her and you have to be with her at all times when wearing it but what joy it gave her.  Sadly her condition progressed to the front legs and she was then totally paralysed.  It was then after 5.5 extra years of good quality that we had the sad decision of putting her down.  But she told us that she was ready, we could see it in her eyes, the sparkle had gone. It was so, so hard.   I now have another shepherd who is also 17yrs he is still mobile bit arthritic but in good form.  We have decided that if Ben goes down on his hind legs that we will not treat him the same as the last one, he is a totally different dog and would not be happy with this.  My advice to you Keith is that it all depends on the individual dog.  All dogs are different as are people, and if your beautiful dog Cody is happy and pain free then why would you put him to sleep, but please, please consider buying a Doggie Mobile, there is nothing more pleasurable than your dog still being able to go out for its daily walk, the joy and pleasure that this new found freedom will give to him is unbelievable.  You know in your heart what is right, take care.  Birdy

 Hexe, GREAT post. I have thought this for years; we never seem to want to let our dogs die naturally. I agree; if a dog is in miserable acute pain, euthanasia is probably the best option. BUT- life is a cycle, we get old, we die. All of us. Why is it that we're so afraid to just let our dogs die?

I haven't put one down yet. I seem to get lucky and they seem to die on their own when I'm trying to make the decision. I had a cat w/FeLV that I was told I should put down. I wasn't ready and wanted to try to get it into remission, as this was his first bout. He lived a few months after the initial illness and while he looked like absolute hell, he seemed to enjoy himself, eating hungrily, playing, acting normal except he was skin and bones. Then one morning, he was gone. I'm so glad I didn't deprive him of those last few months.

       Jen....

            I think it all depends on the dog.....I have a Great Dane that is very old and thankfully she is able to get up to eat and get to the bathroom( most of the time anyway) on her own . However, the day she needs help, and there has a been a few of those days as of recently, she will be happy for our assistance. There is not a proud bone in her body...lol...I see her living happily until she passes away quietly on her comfy bed.
 
On the other hand my female GSD would not stand to be carried outside to use the bathroom or to her food bowl. My female GSD lived to protect her home, run and play, and be with her people. Those were things she could no longer do very well on her own and she was not content to have it any other way.....The Great Dane does and always has lived for her own comfort........My female GSD had a much different personality......

So, how are Keith & Cody doing? jackie harris