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by Keith Grossman on 19 December 2009 - 22:12
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...

by sueincc on 19 December 2009 - 22:12
by DKiah on 19 December 2009 - 22:12
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
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.

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.

by Two Moons on 19 December 2009 - 23:12
No one can make that choice for you.
Meds are no substitute for a life.
by tarheelgirl on 20 December 2009 - 00:12
Pam

by DebiSue on 20 December 2009 - 01:12
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

by VonIsengard on 20 December 2009 - 02:12
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