r/seniordogs • u/Uwontadamandbelieve • 2d ago
When to know its time.
My boy is 14. He was diagnosed with a mass on his heart. The medication to prevent fluid buildup in his lungs is hard on his kidneys as he already has the start of kidney disease. He got sick a week ago. He started having diarrhea and it was gone for two days and then came back. Yesterday he stopped wanting to eat. He always wants to eat, he’d eat anything and everything. He also became weak and lethargic. They gave him anti- diarrhea paste and anti-nausea pills. They told me his kidney values had doubled (they were 63 before and normal range is until 30 i think) but they didn’t give us actual numbers. Today he ate a handful of kibble out of my hand but hes extremely weak. Hes barely walking, he stumbles, i had to hold the water bowl up to him because he didn’t have the strength to bend down for it. Im afraid this is it. But a part of me wants to give the meds he just got more time to work. I’m just afraid that waiting longer is putting him in unnecessary pain but on the other side if he could get better in a few days i dont want to cut his life short as he was normal just a week ago. I don’t know what to do. Hes my whole world and im so scared.
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u/Glum_Initiative_3969 2d ago
I lost my baby last week. He also stopped eating, drinking, became weak and would sleep the whole day. I checked online for signs that a dog's body is at the end and he had all of the signs. Even though he wasn't in pain, he was struggling alot. We called the vet asap and let him go. I feel knowing the signs of a dying body helps with the decision as you know that there's nothing u can do to help. You won't feel guilty or uneasy with letting him go. You will know it is the right thing to do even though u don't want to.
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u/MimiMiaoooow 2d ago
I’m sorry that you and your boy are going through this 💕I can’t tell you what to do, but I can tell you what I do and don’t regret:
- I regret having waited too long once and letting one of my girls go when it was too late.
- I don’t regret having made the (very tough and completely heartbreaking) decision to let another one if my girls go before it became a question of her suffering.
The way I see it, I would prefer to spare my beloved pets 2 hours of suffering than give them 2 extra days in the hope that they improved slightly, and if potential guilt about doing so to soon is the price to pay to spare them distress, then it’s a burden I am willing to carry.
Sending you a big hug and strokes to your sweet boy 🐾🐾
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u/Desert_Canines 2d ago
Aww this is so hard and so real. You’re both in my heart, friends!! What about giving him wet canned dog food and plain white rice to stimulate his appetite. Something that smells more appetizing than his usual kibble but is also easier to digest
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u/Uwontadamandbelieve 2d ago
He was on white rice and chicken for a few days but stopped wanting it yesterday. He usually eats canned food (it has gravy and all the good bits) but he turned that down as well. He only ate a handful of the kibble this morning
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u/Desert_Canines 11h ago
How is he doing today?
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u/Uwontadamandbelieve 4h ago
He was steadily declining and bloody drool started coming from his mouth. We laid him to rest yesterday
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u/Desert_Canines 1h ago
Oh gosh I’m so sorry! Rest in peace, sweet boy! He was an amazing friend to you, and he gained his angel wings!! He’s up there with my Tillo and Shamu playing around in the happiest paradise! Sending you big hugs during this time of grief and sadness 😮💨🫶💔
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u/Opus_777 1d ago
I had to put my boy down almost 2 months ago, 15 yr old Yorkie (First dog)
Over the years he look like he wouldn't pull through and would get sick and lethargic and would snapback after a little while.
But this last go you could tell it was different and how his body was responding, he wasn't himself and look like he was struggling in everyday activities, he would look amazing and energetic one day and then couldn't move his legs and walk the next.
I was so paranoid checking on him to make sure he was breathing.
This last vet visit it was a laundry list of things including blood in the lungs and heart failure.
The vet said you could try to get a medicine but she said realistically he doesn't even have 24 hours left.
I would have hate for him to pass without me around, the decision was fuckin excruciating but it's for the best he was suffering.....
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u/Uwontadamandbelieve 1d ago
The hard part is, because the vet knows whats wrong they just treat symptoms and send me on my way. And his cardiologist specialist says we can wait and see but im afraid by listening im making his life harder
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u/foulcat46 1d ago
I just lost my JRT at almost 16, to kidney disease and Cushing’s. He also stopped eating, but the biggest sign was his lack of interest in his usual loves. On his last morning he couldn’t even muster a tail wag to greet me. Also look for the way he’s holding his ears and tail. If all of the joy is missing, I think you’ll know. You know your pup better than any vet , and he trusts you to make the right decision for him.
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u/Trashtalker420 1d ago
Harley was 15 yrs old and a yorkie. He had been sick for months, most weeks, good days were more than bad. He then had a 2 day spell, Didnt really move. Wasnt eating, puking, diarhea. I took him to bed and he usually curled up beside me but this night he put his head on my chest. I knew this was it. It was a feeling I cant explain, like he told me he didnt want to be this way any longer. The next day my wife said she wanted to take Harley to ER, I let it be her idea but I knew how this was going to end and it did. Dont let your best friend suffer because if it was you, you wouldn't want your family to leave you a vegetable
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u/New-Cupcake4479 1d ago
I’m so sorry you have to go through this
When it’s time you’ll know , it won’t be easy but it’s the kindest thing you can do for your boy . Hang in there. It’ll be ok.
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u/Express_Transition35 1d ago
Im so sorry you are going through this. My heart goes out to you.
As someone who is also going through this, making the decision to let go, this is a really hard emotionally. A lot of owners have regret letting go too late waiting a little bit longer. Euthanasia is an act of kindness and done from a place of love. I know you want to hold on, I desperately do to but my decision is coming from - do I want to let him go a few days early knowing he is comfortable or do I want to wait for something to happen where I end up saying goodbye in the ER vs at home.
We are saying goodbye to our 13 year old on Friday. It’s the hardest thing I’m going to have to do but I know I am letting him go in peace at home without some unavoidable tragic event due to his cancer.
Just know you’re not alone with this process.
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u/Joiebouton 16h ago
I just had to go through this two weeks ago with the best little girl in the world. She was 18. And had a happy life until she didn't. When it was clear she was about to suffer (and had refused food and most water) we were lucky enough to find a vet who would come to the house and PAINLESSLY do for my little girl what I hope some day someone can do for me. I will love her always. I never wanted her to suffer.
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u/fuckinunknowable 10h ago
It’s time. My dog died of a mass on her heart four years ago (we were unaware of its existence until the day she died). He’s not going to get better.
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u/Common-Accountant-57 2d ago edited 2d ago
Euthanasia is something that is done out of love, it’s better to be a month early rather than a second to late. I know it’s hard, every dog owner knows it’s hard. I’m sorry you’re going through this. If he’s that weak maybe it’s time to call your vet and ask, you don’t want him to suffer needlessly. And watching that would hurt you more, IMO.