the right time

[buggybelle]

I know my 12 year old Great Dane is not in the best of health Failing kidney's heart very enlarged & enlarges spleen ,but now we seem to have another problem & not a very nice subject but when she passes water it is really dark brown in colour & when she passes "the other" (sorry i did say it's not a nice subject ) it is like jelly sometimes & she cannot seem to bend to do it so it falls out as she walks around.on a few occasions now when i've got up in the mornings she has messed in her bed,& yesterday when friends arrives she was barking & passed foeces in the lounge .It seems like she has lost control of her bodily functions sometimes & just does it . I keep being told it's time we had her put to sleep & I wiil know when the time is right .But when is the right time? She sleeps nearly all of the time & sometimes is quite bright & runs up the garden & then I feel Guilty to be even thinking of such things ,Then on the otherhand am I being cruel to keep her going without her dignity .Any answers what you all would do

[B00]

Awww bless you, it's such a painful choice isn't it?

My general rule of thumb is that if your vet has assured you she's not in any pain and as long as you can bear to see her like this (and clean up after her!) I'd let her enjoy her remaining time with you to the fullest.

when you decide that the kindest option is to have her put to sleep, please don't beat yourself up over it, console yourself that she and you have enjoyed each others company over the years.

All the best
Boo

[andy-hughes]

Definitely with Boo on this - if your pet is not suffering - and you are not suffering (!) there is no reason why she shouldn't live out her last days with you, which from your description, are not going to be very many I'm sad to say.

When the time comes, you have to know that shw would want you to do what you have always done - act in her best interests because you love her, and that can be very painful, but best for her.

Hope this helps.

[kita1]

You may find that the decision is taken out of your hands and she may die naturally in her sleep, so be prepared for this too.

I have always found when animals go off their food and are reluctant to go out then they are getting near the end.

Keep a close relationship with your vet (the brown urine could be a kidney infection?), they will let you know if your dog is in any pain. If she is not and you are able to keep her clean and happy then I would not do anything. All dogs (like people) are different, I had a GSD in a K9 cart for 18 months, she was quite happy even though she was paralysed, I have had other dogs I would not even consider putting in that situation. I too was told that she had lost her 'dignity', but they did not know my dog - dogs live for today, they do not think about what tomorrow will bring, as long as she is showing interest in things and getting around OK then I would be happy. Believe me, when an animal gives up you know about it!

Spoil her in her remaining time with you, she is a good age for a Dane and sadly what will be will be, just remember that you do the best you possibly can at the time, there are lots of us here that understand and have been through the same thing.

Thinking of you.

[mydogsandme]

Sorry to hear about your dog. The last poster was right, I think you know your dog and if they still have quality of life. I've been thinking about this subject lately as my 12 year old cocker spaniel seems to be losing almost all her sight over the Summer. Walks have always been the highlight of her day but now she's nervous to go anywhere as she bumps into things a lot. She's happy in herself at home and eats loads but I do worry about her. My dachshund has a nature such that I wouldn't let him carry on if he got lots wrong with him as he's such a cry-baby (bless him!) and really goes down if he just has a sore paw or something. I know he'd become very depressed if he lived with illness for a long time. You'll know when it's time. All the best.

[buggybelle]

Thankyou all for your kindness,i'll see how things go

[Litchick]

buggybelle, just wanted you to know my thoughts and prayers are with you. xx

[Noweia]

If the discoloured urine is a problem that has just occured, take her to the vets in case it is something serious that needs seen to.

I agree with all the other posters - you will know when it is time. Sometimes this might happen quite suddenly - she may just take a turn for the worse - but you will know when she's hurting and when to let her go. Then she'll be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge!

My thoughts are with you at this time, let us know what happens.

[bearpooch]

I think you will know when it's time. This happened to me a while back. My beautiful dog developed a brain tumour and was too old to be put through an op. I was worried I would hang on to her too long as life without her was unthinkable. And then one day I looked at her and got the strongest feeling that she'd had enough. Taking her to the vet that day was the hardest thing I've ever done but in a way it helped to finally be able to do something positive for her. I still her miss her terribly. And I really feel for you. But trust your instincts....I think you'll get it right. x

[lankeela]

Try to make life as stress free as posible for her - avoid visitors coming if necessary if she gets upset and barks at them, and make sure you put down plenty of paper so you can easily clean up after her. This will help her not to feel bad about going indoors. You can reassure her that its ok if she makes a mess. Its you that has to clear it up, so if you are prepared to do it then carry on. I am sure you realise it won't be for much longer.

When the time comes, let her go with dignity. Remember the following: better a day too soon, than a minute too late.

Also get the vet to check her. Don't worry about taking her because you think he will want to put her to sleep, he will leave this decision to you and will do all he can to help her in the meantime, and it could be something that he can help her with, if only for the short term.

Many big dogs go 'off their legs' and cannot get up in the later stages, and you may find that this is what will take the decision out of your hands, as a dog of her size that cannot get up without a lot of help is not having a good quality of life. I am not talking about the odd helping hand to get her moving if she has stiffened up whilst lying down, I am talking about legs that buckle under her completely and inability to stand even when you help her up.

This is a very difficult time and I am sure you will make the right decision at the right time.

[sue11]

Oh buggybelle, why do they have to grow old? It is so painful to see your animal like this isn't it. I am in agreement with the other posters, if your doggie is still enjoying a quality of life then it is worth keeping her with you that little bit longer, I am so sorry, all the best, Sue

[ruthann58]

you will know when the time is right .we have a 12 year old gsd and like yours having a poo is done walking round the garden we have found that giving her glucosamine chroditon and msm have improved her mobility and helped with her stiffness she too has the odd accident she sometimes wets her self when she is asleep and dreaming we buy really cheap carpet remnants and cut them up into large mats for the kitchen as she slips on the tiles .then when she has an accident we throw the bit of carpet out, a bit expensive i know but i dont think she will be with us much longer she still loves life rounding up the hens and raising merry hell when the postman comes

[divegirl]

Hi Buggy.....am in the same position as you.....have an eldely Dane, although he's only ten. We already have the accidents etc.... The 'poo' situation could be colitis and is worth getting checked out as it can be treated... My boy is still pretty lively, but that has not stopped me from thinking about and sorting out what will happen when he 'goes'..... the peace of mind that I have knowing that everything is under control helps me.....shall try a little humour here......not exactly a hamster is it!!!!! Believe me....you'll know when it's time to let your baby girl go....No one takes on a Dane unless they are completly devoted....and you'll be fine. Sorry if this doesn't make sense....but is late, but had to reply!
Good luck Buggy....keep in touch
Lisa x

[buggybelle]

I did'nt realise so many people would be so kind .Thankyou all so much x

[B00]

Anytime buggybelle- we've all been there with our beloved pets and know how much it hurts.

Hope you have many more days with your best friend- take care of yourself :-)

[druiaghtagh]

Buggybelle i just want to say that i understand completely how you are feeling. I lost my first dog Nina after 13 years when cancer re occured in her, she passed away at home on the very day we were going to the vets to have her put to sleep. Megan we have had now for 9 years , she is 13 she is a rescue dog who now has a bit of stiffness after lying down, i think oftyen now she is older that we may not have her much longer, beautiful animals that our pets are, we owe it to them to take the right decision when we know the time has come, i will be thinking of you, bless you and your dog, Geoff .