when is it time? - Page 2

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Keith Grossman

by Keith Grossman on 19 December 2009 - 22:12

Good topic; difficult to answer but Dawn is absolutely correct; it is all about quality of life.

A few of my more recent losses...

I went through heroic efforts with my big dog, Shardik, until the geriatric vestibular syndrome hit...constant trips to the vet, drugs, using a towel as a sling to support his hind quarters so that he could go out to eliminate...I realized later, after much soul searching, that much of what I had done was more for me than it was for him and made a conscious decision to avoid doing so in the future.

I came down one morning to find Aja sitting in her own diarrhea because she simply couldn't get up any more.  I called and made the appointment, carried her outside and cleaned her up so that she could die with dignity and let her enjoy her last few hours with me laying in the grass in the warm spring sun...

Brody and Bella both had perianal fistulas...

I had fought Brody's for well over a year, keeping it at bay for some time with cyclosporin, a nasty (and expensive...there was noveterinary version at that time...$350.00 every two weeks) drug that effectively shuts down the dog's immune system completely.  When protopic became ineffective and it returned, the cyclo was no longer effective and he eventually stopped eating because it hurt to much to poop...I knew it was time.

Like Brody, I was able to manage Bella, albeit using a veterinary form of cyclo that was less expensive but still by no means cheap.  It worked for a while but then became ineffective.  One Sunday, she began to hemorrhage and I thought I would never get it stopped.  Fortunately, I was home but had to consider the possibilty that I wouldn't be the next time and she could bleed out...I knew it was time but it was very difficult because everything else about her said perfectly healthy, alert, driven nine-year-old bitch.

If you think it might be time, it probably is or it is at least near.  The worst thing about our dogs is that they always leave us too soon.

But hey, thanks for making me cry... 

sueincc

by sueincc on 19 December 2009 - 22:12

Especially with an aged animal as with an aged person, you will have bad days.  What I look for are when  the bad days begin to out number the good.  The bad days are when for a protracted period of time in a day, the animal has no joy in the  things that used to give him/her pleasure:  eating, playing, being present with family members.  The eyes are dull, the dog pants a lot, the dog can't seem to get comfortable.

by DKiah on 19 December 2009 - 22:12

I feel for ya, just had to make the decision for a 10 1/2 year old......never never easy no matter how many times I have done it but i too prefer to take them when maybe they aren't feeling totally awful or in some sort of medical crisis
Tried to save a girl (in vain) many many years ago and realized that all our efforts were just prolonging the agony and the inevitable.. made a promise from that point on to always help them go when they feel ok .... and nothing has become critical
But we all handle it differently.......

by susanandthek9s on 19 December 2009 - 23:12

Before you call it quits -- have you tried Tramadol for pain? Or another opiod? These are much stronger than NSAIDs and don't tear up the stomach.

When everything has been tried and nothing works anymore, the day will come when the dog gives you a "Please, I really have to go" look. It is unmistakable and heartbreaking. And then it is time. I've gone to the emergency room for emergency euthanasia when a dog has given me that look in the middle of the night and nothing could be fixed.

I'm so sorry that you and Mattie are going through this.

GSDSRULE

by GSDSRULE on 19 December 2009 - 23:12

My old pit/beagle had lupus for years.
I knew it was time when she snapped at me when I tried to put ointment on her poor ears.
(the vet wanted to amputate them)
When she quit running the fenceline and would just sit and cry.
When she couldn't recognize hubs when he came home from work.
When she could not get warm, even with a sweater on by the heater.
She was 12 and it has been 8 years and I still miss her.


Two Moons

by Two Moons on 19 December 2009 - 23:12

It's time usually long before you think it is.
No one can make that choice for you.
Meds are no substitute for a life.

by tarheelgirl on 20 December 2009 - 00:12

When your heart tells you it's time. If your loved family member still has a wag to greet you and eyes shine with love.Only you know when it's time. If the pain replaces the love you will know it is more then should be asked of him or her.
Pam

DebiSue

by DebiSue on 20 December 2009 - 01:12

If you are feeling guilty for hanging on when you know you are hanging on for you and not her...when she gives you that look don't pretend you don't see it.  Respect her and let her go with dignity.  It hurts, it will always hurt. 

Keith, I don't know you, but I think I love you.  Thank YOU for making me cry.

Airin Vom Haus Acton  1997 - 2008 RIP old girl.

Deb

by michael49 on 20 December 2009 - 02:12

Sitasmom,I'm very sorry about Mattie, its heartbreaking to read your post. Its a hard decision to make even when you know the answer. There comes a time when you have to decide whether your doing whats best for you, or whats best for her, if your honest with yourself you have your answer. My heart goes out to you and Mattie       Michael

VonIsengard

by VonIsengard on 20 December 2009 - 02:12

I have two aging girls and I know that is a question I will have to ask myself in the next year or two. I will reiterate earlier points and say I know it's time when the days they can't find joy in their life are the majority over their good days.





 


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