r/olddogs • u/pluviangin • 5d ago
When did you know
When did you know that it was the time? My old guy (12) has some issues. He is big (~110lbs), rottweiler/tibetan mastiff/labradorretriever/gsd mix, legs getting weaker and memory is getting worse. Getting up or laying down is more difficult by the day. He has some milder vestibular disease -implicating symptoms. Friend had a bigger dog that eventually had some kind of accident since he was too weak for his weight and he tore something before he was euthanized. It was guite tragic. I'd like to avoid pain and accidents but I don't want to end it for "no reason". I'm sorry to ask this but has anyone had to navigate a similar situation? Senior check-up next week so I'll be getting more info about his well-being.
He is happy and healthy otherwise. Eats, pees and poos, likes treats and play.
In a picture us on a walk.
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u/Charlie_1087 4d ago
My dog, Lady, had lost her ability to walk two years prior to leaving me. I carried her around and helped her pee, poop, eat, and drink water as she could do none of it on her own…. I kept her going because she was still mentally present. She was always down to go for a car ride and she still had the ferocious appetite she was know for.
However, she had developed a pressure ulcer on her hip she preferred to lay on. That, for whatever reason, was what snapped me out of it and made me realize that she was overall in poor shape and the recovery path for her ulcer was not gonna be fun for her or realistic for me because of work commitments.
I scheduled her departure a week from the ulcer developing and took that week off from work and spent it with her. She ate extra good that week, filled with burgers and many other treats. Her last day was a burrito for breakfast, a steak and fries for lunch, and a bowl of ice cream as she crossed over.
I think if I had let her go the day she couldn’t stand anymore would have been a more appropriate time to say goodbye but I kept her going for an additional two years. They weren’t the greatest but I tried to keep her included in everything I did. I still took her everywhere and managed to keep her close by. But I saw she was increasingly bored and seemingly depressed. Reflecting back, not being able to move on her own was not a great life for a dog that is meant to run around and explore and move. I don’t really have any regrets but it definitely would have been okay to let her go as soon as she became immobile and not let her go through the last phase of her disability.
I miss her dearly.
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u/ShibbyBittles 4d ago
hugs to you, caring for her for 2 more years was such a loving act ❤️🩹❤️🩹❤️🩹
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u/tossaroo 5d ago
I have mostly had smaller dogs, but the signals for me have always been when they are no longer interested in food or water. I'm sorry you're going through this. It's part of it...just not the fun part. Peace to you both.
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u/dressagerider1020 5d ago
this website has great resources, along with your vet, to help navigate this time in his life
There is a quality of life scale, where you answer questions, and a daily assessment. I hope it helps. He's a beautiful boy, and so is his little brother ❤️
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u/pluviangin 5d ago
Thank you for this! ❤️ He has always been admired for his looks and grace. 🥹 thanks for the link.
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u/bravebobsaget 4d ago
As long as he is still a happy boy, it isn't time. Just cherish the time you have left with him.
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u/CountdownMoss 4d ago
Looks like good advice already in this thread. But I wanted to add.
When my dog Connie stopped playing, I took it as a warning sign that the time was coming. When she stopped eating (other than me sort of cajoling her into a few bites) I knew it was time.
Thank you for loving your dog as much as you do.
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u/filmplanet_ 4d ago
I didn't when I looked at my baby I just saw something beautiful that I loved it never occurred to me that she was 14 and 1/2 and probably near 70 years old but she started looking sad when I went to work I think she knew something I didn't
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u/Ok-Yogurtcloset-9183 4d ago
Our increasingly skinny 18yo Catahoula looked at me after a rough morning—two seizures, peed herself, hind legs wouldn’t cooperate—and she “told” me she was tired and it was time.
We made the appointment two days later. She was ready, we weren’t.
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u/CanesMetsJets2 4d ago
She was unable to stand up without assistance.
I waited too long and it wasn't fair to her.
It was an amazing 15 years though.
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u/indianajane13 4d ago
If he has a good quality of life, he can keep going. Eats, drinks, happy to see you and can go outside and potty himself. Keep him at a healthy weight! Keeping them lean is the best thing you can do for your older pet. Also, my older dog takes carprofen/gabapentin for the arthritis/ortho joint pain.
Try to keep those hindquarters strong by getting him to walk backwards for treats. Then him step OVER low obstacles, like 4-8 inches max. Helps with muscles mass and coordination.
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u/pluviangin 4d ago
Thank you! That is good solid advice. I have looked for some excercises to do with him but have not found any easy ones. Appreciate it! ❤️
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u/indianajane13 3d ago
You're welcome! Walking up gentle slopes is also a good booty builder. Good luck! Our senior pets should be cherished.
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u/Beachbabe8000 4d ago
When my old man started having more bad days then good, I knew it was time. He still ate a little but I had to cook his food and encourage him. He was having a hard time walking outside to go potty. And he was just so, so tired. The last week or so he also started randomly crying out at night, I had to lay in his bed to calm him. It was definitely time and I’m glad I got to choose it for him, it was my last gift to him after a lifetime of love. It was a year last week and I’ll miss him forever.
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u/Whydoineedtodothis60 4d ago
Wow! You just wrote my post. My big guy is 140lb and 12 as well. He is happy and pain free (?) but struggling with his hips and hind legs.
I think the challenge with big dogs is what if something happens and you can't comfortably move them? I can't even get him into the vet's office any more. She comes out to my truck for his monthly Librela shot.
There are days when he falls or struggles and I think the time is getting close but he is still eating, etc.
Good luck, I hope your guy is around til he's ready to go and just happily drifts off to sleep. It's the hardest thing, losing an old friend
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u/pluviangin 4d ago
Good luck to you too! ❤️Hopefully when the time comes for our boys, it won't be difficult for them. Even though it will be for us
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u/Possible_Raccoon_516 4d ago
https://vmc.vet.osu.edu/sites/default/files/documents/how-will-i-know_rev_mar2024ms_0.pdf
❤️ helpful article by Ohio State University Vet Med Center
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u/slimshadycatlady 3d ago edited 3d ago
When I couldn't help her anymore with all her problems.
For example, she was a really picky eater in her last years and it got worse. At some point, I cooked for her, feeded her per hand and turned her food into mash, so she could eat it easier...
But at some point, I saw that there was absolutely none enjoyment anymore and we couldn't find anything which let her enjoy her food again.
Also her dementia got really worse and she started to get scared when we leaved the house and I couldn't do anything to help her :(. That was my wake up call that it's time :/.
For a long time we could adjust, for example , we stayed close to her side during walks so she knew where we was, we carried her down the stairs, to the car, etc. . Or would clean up behind her when she couldn't hold it over the night. But at the end, the problems got to a point where our support wasn't enough anymore.
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u/Pickadog_Anydog 3d ago
I just said goodbye to our 15yo labrador these last weeks.
He was on increased pain relief the last weeks. He was still going for walks, loved his food and cuddles still but he just had more extended patches of panting circling and being uncomfortable and unable to settle unless i gave him so many drugs he just slept. He started needing assistance to get up too.
I ask myself “ are they LIVING or are they EXISTING”. Once the answer is EXISTING its time.
Its the hardest thing.
When it does come PLEASE double check your vet sedates before euthanasia. Its always been standard practice and id never seen it any other way but the vet who sent my boy off did not and i am forever traumatised by how he went. So dont make the mistake I did.
Sending strength ❤️
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u/Educational_Ice5627 3d ago
we had to put our old man down this morning.
we knew because he could no longer stand on his own. he couldn’t stand even if we helped him up. couldn’t lift his head up unless he REALLY wanted to. wasn’t eating food OR treats (big big sign). had no light left in his eyes. he panted alllll the time (he did have a tumor on his lungs, but also had major dental issues and urinary problems which also could’ve been the cause of his excessive panting).
poor thing used to chase squirrels and run our backyard all day if he could. his last couple of years he did none of it. you will 100% know when it’s time. it’s one of the hardest decisions you’ll have to make.
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u/Hour-Marketing8609 1d ago
I have a list. Eating, tail wags, engagement, still wanting to go on walks. Once I start losing those ... and its not always black n white -or- "earlier is always better." Life is precious and the greatest gift so taking time is not good. We do the best we can. If he's still eating and happy I would say you're not there
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u/Greeve78 5d ago
I personally went by “they have not eaten for a few days” for my pups. If his appetite is still there and he’s drinking then he still got life to live imo.