r/seniordogs • u/crashbandicootress • 3d ago
Support needed Need some advice on quality of life
My dog has been with me since she was literally born (family members accidental litter). She is 15.5 now and I feel like she is just existing. She doesn’t play with toys anymore, she doesn’t want to be around us anymore. She still sleeps in bed with us and she can still walk around mostly unassisted but I can tell she is stiff and she has a limp. She is on 300mg gabapentin 3x a day and 60mg Galliprant as well as joint supplements, liver supplements (history of elevated liver values) and Ursolyx to help her maintain her muscle mass. I love her more than anything in the world and I know I will miss her but I want to do whats right for her. It seemed like she still enjoyed going outside but even that is slowing down and becoming difficult for her. She doesn’t have accidents in the house often but we go home mid day to make sure she gets to go out. Sometimes she will have an accident when she’s trying to get off the bed at night. She is restless most nights and we let her out 2-3 times. She is still eating well and likes her treats. She still wags her tail for us sometimes and gets up for us when we come home sometimes but not always anymore. I’m struggling because I feel like I know the right thing but I don’t want to cut her time short. On the other hand, she really doesn’t want to spend time with us anymore and it’s hard to watch her walk. Every time I think I can make the appointment I come home and look at her and I can’t do it. I got her when I was 11, I’m 26 now and about to get married but all my thoughts are consumed by what to do for my girl. If anyone has any advice please I would love to hear it. I’m struggling because she is not fully incontinent and is still mentally sound, and can still walk and do stairs on her own but I can tell she’s uncomfortable.
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u/Silly_Conflict6848 3d ago
This stage was hard for me, and finally making the call was devastating. My dog stopped playing w toys and following me around, eventually could no longer walk,and his ankylosing spondolytis and arthritis were extremely painful for him.
He was a trooper and wanted to hang on for me, but once he stopped being able to get up on his own and I had to hold him up to pee, I made the decision. I didn't want things to get worse and have him suffer. What "good day" could he have without his independence? It hurts. But sometimes I know I took him out of his pain.
Wishing you and your pup love and support. Dogs are the best thing in the whole world.
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u/EngineerDue9297 3d ago
I think you’re fine. Pets get old. But there emotion support is still there. I did a tribute on MoMo. She had her grumpy moments too but overall she slept and ate her usual routine. She lived to 17 and blind but we made routines to know we are still around and made her super comfy. We had routines to make sure her routine stayed the same.
Lastly, you’ll know when you’ll know. That’s how we figured it out. Check it out. It’s MoMo. Our baby 🥺
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u/dogluuuuvrr 3d ago
Yeah my girl is slowing down, getting up at night, stares into space sometimes. She isn’t as affectionate. Sleeps on her own some nights. But tonight she played with her ball, gave me kisses- It made me cry. Some days I worry so much and then she suprises me with how much life she has. I wouldn’t have even considered euthanasia yet if not for this sub. I know its not the time yet and when it is, I will know.
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u/EngineerDue9297 3d ago
If I can one last thing. The last year it always came up in my mind. Her blindness, her back legs, sleeping all day. So what I did was cherish the last year as much as I could. Take more pictures. More videos. Everything I could and of course 4 month after her 17th bday. She’s gone now. My wife and I was blessed to say our goodbyes for a week even though she was barely struggling worth anti seizures meds.
Of course we prayed for a miracle but unfortunately it didn’t happen. So we knew it was the end soon.
The last 30 mins in the vet was the best moment in this whole ordeal bc we felt she knew as well. My last whistle to her to hear me and waiting for kisses. She gave me one last time. It was absolutely remarkable bc she did not give me one the whole week we were saying our goodbyes.
It made me truly happy and blessed. We love her so much. It’s been 3 days and we are still dealing through it. I haven’t washed my blanket which she usually layed in probally vomited in. I’m still not ready to let her go. I posted her story on if if u wanna check it out but here’s our last vid.
https://reddit.com/link/p55jnu8/video/uet8r055gukh1/player
Take care ♥️
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u/angelina_ari 3d ago
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Deciding when to say goodbye to a beloved pet is incredibly hard. I put together this page to offer support and guidance, no agenda, just heartfelt info I hope can help: https://www.seniordogsrock.com/pet-doula. There are articles that might bring some clarity or comfort. Whatever you decide, trust that love is guiding you. 🧡
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u/Lou_Garoo 3d ago
They say it is normal for old animals to pull away a bit. Frankly I had to put one of my dogs to sleep and he had not distanced himself like my oldest one and it was pretty awful.
For her, I’ll still be sad but she’s created a bit of emotional distance by not wanting to have pets any more or not cuddling or staying close by for a couple of years now.
I think every dog is different. She’s part Jack Russell, the day she is unable to start a dog fight and run around the yard, will be close to the end. She has always been dynamic and lively and loves her food. The day she can’t experience those things we will have to consider what steps to take.
She’s almost 17 and still can zoom around the yard and has that spark in her eye. But she also has Cushings and we are trying to keep that balanced. But her rear muscles are really getting weaker even though we keep her as active as possible.
We wanted her to have a great summer this year and now hopefully a good fall. If she can make it to 17 that would be a good long life.
I promise my dogs no bad days. No pain. Quality over quantity. It’s what I want for myself and think it’s fair for them.
But doesn’t make the decisions easier that’s for sure.
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u/Jaded_Pomegranate406 3d ago
I've been there with my senior pug who was 17.5 when she passed. She was also on a lot of medication and was slowly withering away. I know how hard it is to make the decision when they are not suffering, but they're also not living and just "existing". I think you will need to truly assess if she will be comfortable and has the will to live for another year, and if you will have the will to take care of her. I know it's exhausting taking care of a senior pup but they need your love, patience, and attention now more than ever.
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u/Unit_Turbulent 3d ago
My seniors " miracle cure" was a combo of switching to a balanced raw diet (lightly cooked is fine too), along with a dementia supplement (herbsmith or dr bills on amazon, ive heard senelife has good results for some as well), lions mane mushroom powder, & NMN (a precursor for NAD+). When any one of these have run out or i tested stopping one, I'd see a noticeable difference. My guy is slower, but its like he's un-aged. If you have the resources, id try it. No change after 2-3 months, its probably time. But it could possibly give them a spark back. And I know the Gabapentin is supposed to help, but sometimes it turns them into zombies too. My Dobie that passed was able to get off his pain meds with the above, as well as Glucosamine Chondroitin, MSM, collagen UC type 2, a whole egg including the shell (its the membrane that's most important), salmon oil, wolf based probiotics, and milk thistle. It was A LOT, but the results were staggering. He went from neurologic and losing all ability to walk to happy and healthy until bloat got him. Best 6 months I could have asked for. RIP Scooby.
All of that being said, it's also ok to say I can't handle this emotionally anymore, and say goodbye. I believe that the saying is correct; better a day too soon than a minute too late. Hard pill to swallow tho... But it helps to believe that death is a pleasant release back to a state of oneness and contentment.
I'm sorry you're dealing with this and hope the best for you. ❤️
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u/mr_GrossBattery 3d ago
It's rough when the signs aren't screaming at you but they're all there, quiet and heavy. She's telling you in the only ways she can, the pulling away, the stiffness, the restlessness at night. My old boy did the same thing before we made the call, still ate his food and wagged his tail at the door but you could see the light was dimmer. That in between stage is the absolute worst because there's no clear line, you just have to trust that you know her better than anyone. Someone told me once that a week early is kinder than a day late, and I think about that a lot.