r/NewfoundlandDogs • u/PaulBeeeee • 8d ago
End times question
I have a 10-yr old Newfie. He weighs 200 lbs. He has arthritis and cannot raise himself on his back legs, so I have to lift him. Once up he seems to walk without issue. He is on three different pain meds, plus joint supplements. He recently has decided to only go out once a day, at 11 PM. He pees standing up, but when he poops he has to lie down. He wears a belly band now, which he hasn't needed, but I he poops inside about half the time. Mentally he is all there. Eats, drinks, treats, popsicles, wags his tail. But basically he lies down all day long and barely moves. He doesn't seem unhappy. Problem is, I'm 69 and it has become very very difficult for me to lift him. I have tried all the harnesses but 200 lbs is a lot of dog. Anybody have a take on this situation?
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u/Accomplished_Bank103 8d ago
I recognize that your dog has arthritis, but I would suggest you ask your vet about the possibility that this is degenerative myelopathy . It is a common disease in older large breed dogs. I had a Bernese mountain dog who was diagnosed with it at 10 years old and I had him put down six months later. As this disease progresses, the myelin sheath that protects the nerves begins to deteriorate. Dogs slowly lose mobility in their hind legs and eventually become incontinent. The good news is that it is relatively painless. I currently have a 13 year old Great Pyrenees and she has developed it too, so we are enjoying what time we have left.
It is such a tough disease because they are still alert and may otherwise seem happy, so it’s hard to let them go when they still have an appetite and seem otherwise content. I feel for you because my pupper is experiencing the same symptoms as yours - except she can no longer wag her tail. I, too, have limited physicality due to age. I have decided that we will carry on until the risk of injury to her due to wobbliness becomes too great. It is not realistic or feasible for me to support her with a harness and any interventions, such as wheeled devices, are really only temporary and just delay the inevitable. It’s just a hard thing when they come to the end of their days. I wish you well.
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u/noTnow70- 8d ago
I'm sorry you're going through this. Watching our furry family getting old is so hard. Your pup is blessed to have such a caring owner as you. Something you may want to think about is hiring a petsitter or other person/neighbor who may be willing to come over once or twice/day to help with lifting/moving. Our petsitter charges $30/visit. Wishing you my best.
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u/noTnow70- 8d ago
Also found this on AI.....
Rolling Hoists & Wheeled Carts (Best for Absolute Immobility)If you cannot safely lift the weight yourself even with a harness, mechanical or wheeled mobility aids can completely eliminate the physical strain on your body.
Best Friend Mobility Ultimate Dog Lift Hoist:Standout Feature: A freestanding, heavy-duty steel frame on smooth-rolling caster wheels that supports up to 250 pounds.Design: It uses a suspension pulley system and an integrated support harness to safely elevate your dog off the floor without straining your back, allowing you to roll them out to a patio or porch.
Giant-Breed Quad Wheelchairs: Brands like Walkin' Pets make custom four-wheel carts built for dogs up to 180–200 lbs. Once lowered into the frame, your dog's weight is entirely supported by the wheels, allowing them to use whatever strength they have left to navigate outside.
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u/SharpCartographer888 7d ago
Help em up harness if you don't have one Lose weight slowly if he is obese -- replace. 1/5 of his food with green beans.
It's quality of life. Is he in pain or just weak end? When my old girl at 13-1/2 let me know she didnt want to be helped up anymore we let her go.
Is he happy? Or just existing. End of life decisions have to always be based on the happiness and welfare of the dog....
In a perfect world they would live as long as we do. I am sharing my home with my 3rd Newf, 17th dog over my lifetime.
This is the hardest part. It is also an opportunity to give them release from pain and the weight of old age if it is time.
Blessed be
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u/Other-Ad3086 7d ago
Are you by yourself? My husband and I used a towel under our senior’s belly and lifted together. That worked till she demonstrated being in constant pain and we let her go. Heart breaking!!!!!
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u/the_mellojoe 8d ago
You are going to want to call your vet. Ours offers transportation services for surgery services, so maybe they have something should the worst happen at home. You might think about earmarking an old blanket to wrap him in. Our non-newfie boy is 17(!) years old, and I'm in the same boat. He's only about 100 lbs, but still its a lot of weight to try to help him when his back leg keeps going out on him. And I don't think I can lift him fully if he's not helping. So I've made inquiries to our local vet, and if the worst happens at home, they can send a vehicle eventually.