I broke my old dog! How do you know when it's time?

[ParisApril]

I took my 12.5 year old lab for a walk yesterday and then last night she couldn't stand up! We have hardwood and when she tried to stand up she couldn't. I had to help her up then she walked slowly and wobbily to go outside to pee before bed.

How do you know when it's time? She sleeps 90% of the time and has some breathing wheezing/gagging spells that are not too bad. But she really doesn't do very much. When I take her for walks she limps for days afterward but she really wants to go so I take her.

Sigh. My first ever pet...

[lonegirl]

Do you have her on any anti-inflammatories like Metacam or Rimadyl? Or even Glucosamine chondroitin? Quality of life is the most important....is she happy? Does she eat well? It sounds like she enjoys going out but is sore. I would talk to your vet and get some Metacam or Rimadyl or something similar to help her with her aches and pains...many people have come to us saying their old dogs was acting like a young dog again after these meds.

[dachshundqueen]

If she were a person, you'd have her at the doctor.

You need to get this dog looked at to determine if there is medication to ease her difficulty.

Having a dog that was temporarily paralyzed, the faster you get treatment, the less damage is done and living like that is no way to live.

Liz

[2xy]

I agree that doggy should see a vet to determine whether she can be made more comfortable.

That being said, 12.5 is old for a big dog. Quality of life is what's important. I just had my 14yo Chihuahua put down last fall, and it was a tough decision to make because he was slowing down but otherwise physically healthy. His quality of life issues were stemming from mental deterioration. If he was truly hurting in the body, it would have been easier on us to let him go, I think.

[Mama Mko]

Rimadyl has helped my dog's arthritis a good amount. A glucosamine supplement also helps.

[ParisApril]

Well she was up and about yesterday! I shouldn't have taken her for such a long walk as much as she wants to go. I will have to take her on a walk just around the block.

I gave her a low dose aspirin before bed the night she couldn't get up on her own. Maybe that helped.

I keep hoping she'll pass away in the night peacefully. I have told myself that when she's not able to get up and down the 4 steps to the backyard to go to the bathroom than it will be time.

I would like her to get to enjoy the nice weather this summer though. She loves to lay in the sun on the deck.

This is going to be hard.

[lonegirl]

Why not bring her in to get some meds? She may have lots of time yet. My old dog (shep mix ) was 15 and she died because my mom accidently backed over her. It isn't rare at the hospital to see big dos in their mid teens.

[Red Pajama]

You can buy buffered dog aspirin from vet supply catalogs. I use Foster and Smith, but there are others. I had a sheltie that lived on a daily aspirin for almost 5 years. I have one that's turning 14 in April who only needs an aspirin occasionally, although she doesn't go for walks any longer.

As for "when it's time" questions, even when it is time you'll question yourself. Quality of life is important, and you have to define what makes your dog happy.

[ParisApril]

Originally Posted by lonegirl

Why not bring her in to get some meds? She may have lots of time yet. My old dog (shep mix ) was 15 and she died because my mom accidently backed over her. It isn't rare at the hospital to see big dos in their mid teens.

She limps because she's old. My dog has had cancer for 6 years now. Lumps and bumps everywhere. Labs are only supposed to live 11-12 years. Our vet told me to buy dog food with glucosamine in it so I buy her an excellent dog food Orijen or Acana. She told me to give her a low dose aspirin when she's having a bad day.

[lonegirl]

Originally Posted by ParisApril

She limps because she's old. My dog has had cancer for 6 years now. Lumps and bumps everywhere. Labs are only supposed to live 11-12 years. Our vet told me to buy dog food with glucosamine in it so I buy her an excellent dog food Orijen or Acana. She told me to give her a low dose aspirin when she's having a bad day.

She limps because she is sore...pain can be alleviated and youth can be restored to her. I am sorry she has cancer....what type? Labs can and do sometimes. live longer. It is great she has made it this far but I just want to assure you that I have seen many in their mid teens....so maybe she has more time in her yet
Oh btw I am not trying to be rude...so I hope I don't offend you.

[Oubliette8]

There are medications that can help with the pain. it sounds like she is having trouble getting around daily, and then gets significantly worse when exercised. I would suggest looking into medication, it could greatly improve her quality of life. Rimadyl is one medication, Metacam is another. When my lab got to an older age, I thought she was just slowing down. However, I left her with my parents when I went out of town and they took her to the vet as they noticed just how much she had slowed down (which was not as apparent to me, since it happened over time and I lived with her). The vet prescribed Metacam, and when I came home, it was like a whole new dog! She acted like a young dog again with the medication. It was truly beneficial. If your dog can not do the stairs even when the max dose of pain medication is used, then I might consider euthanasia. But your dog sounds like an excellent candidate for an arthritis drug.

Also, about Gluscosamine. Most dog foods do NOT contain enough to be therapeutic. Orijen Senior contains 1400mg/kg Glucosamine and 1200mg/kg of Chondroitin. Your dog would need to eat about 8 CUPS of Orijen a day to get that amount. Cosequin, a popular brand of Glucosamine and Chondroitin tablets for pets, recommends dogs over 50 lbs and under 100lbs should get 1,500 mg of Glucosamine and 1,200 mg of Chondroitin daily for a therapeutic dose. Unless your dog is eating 8 cups of food every day, she's not getting a therapeutic dosage.

As far as Aspirin, its great for the dog that only needs it occasionally. It sounds like your dog needs to move to something stronger though. Just because she's near the end of his natural life span doesn't mean that some meds couldn't help make her more comfortable until she passes on. I would revisit the issue with your vet- tell him that she's slowed down significantly, that the dog still begs to go on walks but if you do bring her, she literally cant walk afterwards, and that you've thought about euthanasia because her quality of life is diminishing due to the immobility. I wouldn't be surprised if medication helps a great deal- it might be that she does nothing all day not becuase she is old, but because it hurts too much to move. Meds can help with that, and make you both happier.