URGENT! Need some advice, pretty fast! Sick dog - Page 3

There's a definite difference between not doing well and suffering, though, and as a culture we've become accustomed to hastening the end of life for our pets instead of waiting for illness or age to complete its assigned task.  I'm not opposed to using the tools available to us to hasten the end, but I'm also not against the practice of 'hospice care' for animals that can be kept comfortable IF the owner is sure they're going to be able to cope with that experience.  A dying pet that's been getting palliative care certainly doesn't need to endure a panicky, rushed trip to a vet for a last-minute euthanasia when a family member breaks down at the sight of some of the events that a natural death entails, so it's certainly not an option I'd urge on someone.  But if that's what Murphy's owner prefers for his boy, and Murph's not in pain, I wish them both a peaceful parting--and for you, too, Travels.  It's obvious that there's a piece of your heart that has his pawprint on it, too.

Just got home from a run with Drake and a stop to check in on Murphy and Zeke.  I opened the door and there was a trail of diarrhea leading to the stairs (no blood, but looser than cow pies), where there was also a pile of vomit.  Zeke did not want to pass the "mess" and I had to clean it up before he'd come down the stairs.  Murphy didn't come down until I was outside with Zeke.  He was moving slow, has lost more weight since last week, but wagged his tail when he saw me.  I took him out to the yard and he sat in his "spot", up by the wall, watching me walk around the yard with Zeke.  I don't expect he'll last out the week.

hexe, while I agree with you and don't think Murphy is suiffering, as in pain, he certainly isn't happy.  Jim hasn't changed anything about his activities to stay home and tend to him and with that, I have a problem.  At this point, Murphy is more important than a ride on a motorcycle.  What good is keeping him alive when he's closed in a house all day, fretting over making a mess?  Not only that, but I can tell it's also having an effect of Zeke, he wasn't his boisterous self at all.  He may be happy when Jim comes home or when I go over, but that's maybe one whole hour out of 24 and to me, that's not a quality of life.  It's past time, IMHO and though I haven't been firm about that with Jim, I intend to let him know when I speak to him this evening.

I agree Abby, I was hoping he'd go peacefully, but peace is not what he's living at this point.  Thanks for the support and yes, his paws have left their prints on my heart, it's very hard to watch :(

This dog has a personality like "Petey" from the Little Rascals, he's a special boy.

Maybe it's hard on Jim and he's avoiding it. Not excusing it, but maybe that has something to do with why he seems to be in a bit of denial and not dealing with it by staying home with him. 

I agree with Hexe. I am not into euthanasia unless a dog is in agony; I let nature take it's course whenever possible. Not being "happy" isn't enough to justify needing die, imo. We have all gotten to be too quick on the trigger to pts, imo. Life isn't always happy. Death is natural and not always pleasant. 

Sorry Jenni, I beg to differ when I'm the one taking care of him while Jim is away.  He's hoping I'm the one that finds him and that's not my job.  If he wants to keep him alive, he should be home to let him out as much as needed and spend some time with him.  It's not much of a life having to tiptoe through your own shit to get down the stairs, appalled at the sight and smell of it.  I sure hope nobody would ever do that to me!

While I understand that he is in denial, he should at least recognize what he's doing to not only me, but his other, healthy dog,  it's not fair to anybody.  I'll go back to visit Murphy while he's still with us, but I'm not going to cover for him anymore, I feel like an enabler.

Travels, I do take serious exception to the fact that Murphy's person hasn't made it a PRIORITY to spend every free moment he has with the dog as he's dying, tending to Murphy's hygiene as an integral part of *caring* for him...and that he (Jim) does seem to be trying to pass it all off on you, and isn't ensuring that Murphy's surroundings are kept clean and pleasant--well, that's most certainly not the way hospice *care* is supposed to work for any living being.  What Jim is doing at this point is neglecting his dogs, both of them, by forcing them to spend their hours in those conditions.  There actually are veterinary hospice facilities being opened in various places, but it's not fair of Jim to ask this of you.

Were I to find myself in your present position, I would have to sit my friend down and be brutally direct with them--if you can't provide the intensity of physical care for the dog that is the mainframe of a hospice situation, you are mistreating the dog, robbing him of his dignity as well as his comfort, and the dog deserves better than that.  If the problem is that he doesn't trust himself to keep it together in front of other people at the vet's office, then I'd help him find a vet who does housecall euthanasia; if it's a case of not being able to even be present when the euthanasia takes place, I'd offer to take their place--ideally, a pet should be in the arms of someone who loves them as they cross this threshhold, but not everyone is emotionally equipped to serve in that capacity, and there's no shame in that.

Abby, I get weepy just recalling that section of Merle's Door (anyone who's not yet read this book, be forewarned: do NOT read this chapter in public unless you are made of granite; I could read only one paragraph at a time, then the page would be blurred out from my sobbing)--and I agree with you, from Kerasote's description of those last days, that path is not the one I would choose for my beloveds. 

If the dog is having bloody diarrhea, there has GOT to be a lot of pain and cramping going on. I can't believe the dog isn't having at least some discomfort.

I totally agree that it's time to have a serious chat wiith Jim!

Any updates?

This topic hits home.  I spent the night up with my 12 year old baby boy last night.

While my hope is that he will die a natural death, I will intervene way before we get to the agony stage.  He deserves better then that.

There are no pleasant deaths, natural or aided.

Not that anyone cares what I think, but I will add my opinion..

Jenni, Your dogs have to be in agony before you consider euthanasia?..IMO that is not acceptable when other options are available..There is a big gap between "not being happy" and "being in agony"..Somewhere in the middle of the two is what I am personally comfortable with. If I saw someone " letting nature take it's course" who had other options available I would have some not so good thoughts about that person..

What bennefit is there possibly for letting nature take it's course..Do you share the same concept about going grey and getting wrinkles??..lol.they are natural occuring events..I personally enjoy the bennefits science has to offer and will afford my beloved pets the same luxury..

There are many ways creatures human/animal suffer and it is not always a physical suffering..Emotional suffering can be just as terrible and devistating. A animal that is left alone in the last weeks of life having to stress about not having the capacity to control his bodily funtions is suffering. It is merciful, kind, and compassionate to come to their aid..JMO

GSDtravels, what you are doing is generous..Hope this guy passes soon as peaceful as is possible..