He has been feeling pretty awful lately. At first, i thought he had allergies again, but I gave him his usual med and tried a few others the vet recommended, and nothing seems to help. It’s been a couple weeks, and by then he has usually gotten over it. He spends some time playing still, but a lot of time is spent crying. And when I go over to snuggle him, he walks away to somewhere else. He wants to be alone. That scares me a lot.
He suffered a bad spinal injury last year, and the vet said that it can sometimes come back later on. She said that if it did, there wouldn’t be much else to do. There is technically a surgery, but he is 15 and not likely to survive anesthesia.
I feel very conflicted about it all. The vet is going to call us back with available appointments today or tomorrow, but I don’t think there is much left.
I have had him since I was a child. My grandma got him for us when my dad died. I don’t want to lose him, but I hate having to sit here and listen to him cry and know there is nothing I can do. Last year, things looked bad for him, but then he got better. I am hoping that happens again. I think it probably won’t. He is 15.
It is painful to let a pet go, but it’s the kind thing to do. When they spend their time crying and isolating, it’s a good sign they are in too much pain.
@Ninjastar I am trying to grieve and love our 17yo dog while he is still here. It’s so hard.
Medically we have done everything we can. He is no longer on meds. And we are celebrating each hour / day with him. We are just listening to make sure hear him when he says he’s ready.
When he is, we have his favorite blanket, chocolate peanut buttercups, his brother and us by his side, everything is in place so when it happens we are ready.
I hope your appointment with the vet gives you a better idea of timeline and confidence in knowing what you need to do to give him the best life and care.
Wait. So are you saying that instead of the anesthesia thing at the vet, you are feeding your dog his favorite forbidden snack?
I might want to do that. Do you know if it is a predictable and low-pain solution universally? Or is it just for your dog because you know how he responds?
Also. Dying at home “naturally” is NOT a good thing. They’re often un severe pain. Do the kind thing. Get him checked and then let him go peacefully by euthanasia if the vet says he is too far gone.
I worked with a vet when I farmed. I’ve seen people wait too long and their dogs were suffering. Please don’t do that.
Thanks for the heads up. Gonna be following the vet recommendations the whole way, but I was curious about that. We are planning a Best Day Ever for Friday, in case the vet says there is nothing more we can do. Going to his favorite park, then to the ice cream place that does doggie sundaes, then to the vet.
Glad I cleared it up some. I’m passionate about animals and doing the best possible for them.
He’s displaying concerning signs according to your description. I’ve seen that type of behavior from many different species when they were nearing time.
A Best Day Ever sounds great. Especially if you can get him some painkillers beforehand.
I second this. See if you can get pain meds, and then do the best day ever with him. My plan for my dog is when we do go to the vet to put him down someday I’ll give him chocolate on the vet table just before he gets the first shot. That way he gets it without suffering from it
Hugs!