My dog's slowly dying

[MacBoobsPro]

Sorry to hear that jimmi.

My cat is nearly 16 now and although she still seems fine sometimes her back legs give way and she screams out in pain. The next day though she seems fine. I fear the day is coming soon and wonder how I will react. I cant bare to think of her not being there. We have this really close understanding where I know where she is at all times without seeing where she went.

*Walks in from work*

Mum "I cant find the cat. ive looked everywhere"

Me "She'll be under the bed"

Mum finds cat "How...? But? "

Its weird.

Im the only one that can get her in the house from her exploits outside too.

I will really miss her when shes gone and I know exactly how you feel Jimmi. Stay positive.

 

[emw]

So sorry to hear about your dog - I've been through a couple of pets dying, so I can imagine how you feel.

I would agree with a couple others that it might be time to put your dog to sleep. I know it's a tough decision, but believe me - the alternative may very well be worse.

7 years ago our first dog, Bailey - a chocolate lab, got sick. We brought her to the vet, and she couldn't figure out what the issue was, so we brought her to a specialist, who thought she had the dog version of Crohn's Disease. In any case, she kept getting worse - she wasn't eating and we had her on IVs to keep her fluid levels up, but she just got bloated.

Finally, we decided the treatment wasn't working and brought her home. Well, actually, I decided it wasn't working and brought her home, since my wife had just had surgery and was in the hospital.

We kept thinking, though, that she would get better.

One night, after visiting my wife at the hospital, I came home to find Bailey lying in her own urine - she could no longer control her bladder, and couldn't move once it happened. I practically broke down and decided I needed to bring her to the animal hospital to put her down.

So I picked her up, cleaned her off, brought her to the (people) hospital so the nurses could bring my wife down to say goodbye, and took her to have her put to sleep.

She died in my arms on the way in to the animal hospital.

So the net is - I think we waited too long to make the decision to put her down because it was so hard for us to do. But, really, it would have been much better for her (and us) to have done it ealier than to have to go through what she did the last couple of weeks.

 

[leekohler]

Oh man- I'm sorry. I had to put my 14 year old cat to sleep in the fall. He had a brain tumor as well and it was horrible to deal with. He would meow constantly and walk in circles until he fell down. Sometimes he would stare at the wall for long periods of time. It was difficult to put him to sleep, but I know that it was for the best. Take care.

 

[atszyman]

I'm really sorry to hear about your dog...

I just realized earlier this week that my dog turned 8 years old and probably only has 2-6 years left before she goes. It's been a depressing dog week...

 

[Lyle]

Nothing to add but another "I'm sorry", jimmi. It sounds like she's had a great life with you and your family.

 

[aristobrat]

FWIW, here's a link to "The Last Will and Testament of your Beloved Pet'. It's written from a pet's point-of-view. It's always made me feel a little better after a pet's passing.

http://www.coasttocoastam.com/gen/page1383.html?theme=light

 

[kixsand]

It is remarkable how large an impact a dog can have on you. My wife and I got our yellow labrador, Angus shortly after we got married. Time flies...Angus will be 8 years old next month. We've added two kids to the mix in that time...3 and a half and 1 year old boys that absolutely love Angus.

I will be devastated when that dumb dog leaves us.

darren

 

[kixsand]

It is remarkable how large an impact a dog can have on you. My wife and I got our yellow labrador, Angus shortly after we got married. Time flies...Angus will be 8 years old next month. We've added two kids to the mix in that time...3 and a half and 1 year old boys that absolutely love Angus.

I will be devastated when that dumb dog leaves us.

darren

 

[0098386]

She had her operation today. Dunno what I had to fear really, my mums damn good at making me worry for no real reason. "oh she's old so she may die when they operate"
Yea. looks quite hilarious really. Huge scar on her side, half of her body hair has been shaved off (feels like velvet too....). Totally awake too! No sleepy side effects. Which is turning out to be a little bad actually, she keeps crying in pain. Just given her the painkillers the vet handed us.

After seeing her running about after the op today I'm a little more confident that she has maybe 1 or 2 more years left after all. I think that lump might have made walking hurt or something.

*yea. She drinks loads of water now. she gets so thirsty that when her bowl is empty rather than waiting for us to check on it (like every 2 or so hours) she'll just flip it over and start making a noise with it! I tell ya, dogs aren't entirely stupid!

 

[0098386]

It is remarkable how large an impact a dog can have on you. My wife and I got our yellow labrador, Angus shortly after we got married. Time flies...Angus will be 8 years old next month. We've added two kids to the mix in that time...3 and a half and 1 year old boys that absolutely love Angus.

I will be devastated when that dumb dog leaves us.

darren

Sounds like us. My parents Deek about 4 years before I was born so I sorta grew up with him. Had a little black dog called Tiny too but she was already quite old when I was a baby. Tiny was little, but Deek always thought she was his mum .
silly dogs

Thanks loads for the stories everyone. It's so comforting knowing I'm not the only one going through this.

 

[twistedlegato]

This will cheer him up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV7g61qI-Fc

 

[Quboid]

What do people say in situations like this?
Just know that what ever you feel we're here for you. Everyone of us.

 

[dmw007]

This will cheer him up!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qV7g61qI-Fc

Ah, poor puppy- he/she did not seem to enjoy the petspa too much.


It would sure make washing my dog easy though....

 

[ivtecDOu]

you should put it down

 

[JNB]

I am one of those dog lover and really sorry to hear about this. Here is symptoms of dying dog.

dying dog symptoms

you should put it down

Folks, this thread is a year & a half old. BTW, that website is sadder than the thread.

 

[ErikCLDR]

I'm really sorry to hear about this.

My dog died last year at the age of 8. He was a yellow lab-German shepherd mix, way too young to die. He was perfectly fine one day, hemorrhaging the next, and dead the day after. We took him to the local vet, to the nearest animal hospital, and then to Tufts University Veterinary Hospital but there was nothing that could be done. He was an extremely active, strong, and energetic dog. No one believed me when I told them he was gone.

Dogs are the greatest companions. They express unconditional love and are always happy when you are around. Like people they can never be replaced.

Personally I don't think its fair to let animals suffer. No matter how much you love them its not worth seeing them go through the pain of aging. I believe putting them down when the time is necessary is the right thing to do. That way you'll be at least somewhat prepared emotionally. It's not fair to have the animal suffer.

I never expected my dog to die so early in his life. I had thought it about it only a few times, and I promised myself if I knew he was going to have to be put down, I would take him to the beach, by far his favorite place in the world for his last moments of happiness. I never got to do that, but I know he's in a better place, probably frolicking in some waves.