I have large Rott.that is 11years old. he is a big guy at 125lbs. The past couple of years he has slowed down and has difficulty getting up and walking. he is beginning to dribble urine quite a bit. when i help him outside in the morning it appears he is also dripping urine where he sleeps leaving a large wet area where he has been sleeping.. I have been giving him Rimadyl for some time now but his improvment in minimal. sometime when he comes in the house he is not able to take the inital step over the porch to come in. some days i need to wrap my arms around his hind end to lift him up and get him going. I am content to spend time at his level on the floor rubbing scratching and talking with him. his demeanor is good, i see lots of time left when i see his face. his body just wont allow him to be like he once was. The vet said i should think of having him put to sleep this winter. I have never had to do this in my life..Am i being selfish by hanging on? Just the thought of doing it is a horrible thought. any advice would be appreciated

Hi Duke,
It's a sad decision to make when you have to put a beloved pet to sleep. :( He is a very large dog to live such a long time. But it doesn't sound as if he is in much pain. Is his size due to his build or could he stand to lose a few pounds? Seriously, the less weight he carries, the better for his health it would be. But -- I'd talk with a vet for dieting advice instead of going off an 'internet opinion.' ;)

It seems as if your vet is taking the -- "well, he's lived a good life" approach to his age from what you are writing, and not really that focused on the patient except for his age. Is there anyway that you could get either a second opinion or locate a vet that specializes in geriatric dogs? Either could help provide you a better perspective as to what to do. Medications and attitudes have changed over the years towards elderly pets.

Personally, I go by a quality of life scale with the dogs that I've had in my life. Are they in pain? Are they aware of what's going on? Do they still take pleasure in living? Is it a terminal illness, or is it able to be successfully managed by medication. Can he/she still get around comfortably -- Hopefully, your health is not in danger by lifting up a dog of this size. Ultimately it comes down to "What is truly in the best interest of my pet." It's a hard decision no matter what.

I hope these thoughts help you. Good luck with your 'pup'. It is tough saying good bye... but don't do it until you are positive that this is the right thing to do. Being pressured into it by someone else doesn't help your guilty wonderings in the future :(

regards,
toodles

I went through agonies too when my lab was near to the end of her life at 14 - her "back legs went" too and I had to half carry her out to pee etc. we managed for a month or so and while she still enjoyed her grub and had a wag for me, I waited. The last week or so she "went up and down" - one day I would think "This is it - its got to be today" then she would perk up and I'd wait another day. Then one morning she refused her food, and wet herself for he first time as she had lost all interest in trying to get up to go out - we had established a routine where she sit up and then stand and carry her front end if i helped her back end - when she had no interest in getting up any more - that was the day she was pts at home, quietly with a valium injection first to make absolutely sure she went peacefully. Although immobile she looked very fit - still shiny coated and in fair condition, when the vet arrived her saw her lying by the rayburn and turned to me and asked where the dog was, as he assumed that she was a fit and healthy one and the dog to pts was elsewhere. It was heartbreaking but I held her face in my hands while she had the injections and she went quietly and peacefully. Its agonising waiting for the right day to do it - but you will "know" when that day arrives, do have it done at home if at all possible, its so much less distressing for the dog and for you. Best wishes.

Duke

Always a difficult time when our wonderful dogs hit old age. It sounds like there's not much more you can do with the incontinence if he is already on Rimadyl. If you are content to keep cleaning up - then you can go with that as long as you are able to cope. It's not likely to be causing your dog any pain. He might end up sleeping in damp patches though - so you might want to think about using vet-bed for him as that allows urine to soak away from the dog - so they stay dry. If he is having trouble getting up steps - could you build a ramp? He would probably cope with that.

You will know when the time is right for that final trip. You will see it in his eyes. That is not a cliche - you do truly see it.

You could talk to your vet now about what you want to happen at the end, wdo you want and will your vet come to your home? That may be less traumatic for him and for you too.

Pam n the boys

pam.you couldnt put it better, i know that look, its like a plea to get them out of it isnt it??? not hard to miss :(

Hi, this is the worst part of having a dog and the size brings practicalities that don't make it easier :(. I've got two that I'm asking myself the same question about at present. You are the only person who can make the decision though your vet can be a big help if (s)he is sympathetic and willing to listen. After I let one dog go on for too long, I asked my vets to tell me in no uncertain terms if they ever think that I'm being selfish in keeping a dog going. As long as you trust the vet completely I think that is a good thing to do because the vet doesn't have the same emotional involvement as you do. Apart from that my own very approximate 'rule of thumb' is to let things be (but watch closely) as long as the dog is not in pain or distress and still enjoys food and company.

If you can cope with the mopping up and your dog isn't getting skin problems from getting urine on his skin because he dribbles, I wouldn't see that as a cause to let him go unless it bothers him. Some dogs get very upset by incontinence but it seems to be an individual thing. We had one that got very upset by 'mistakes' but a completely incontinent oldie that we lost earlier this year wasn't bothered and our present semi-incontinent oldie isn't either.

We've had several dogs that had trouble with the back steps over the years. They were all giant breed, so we made a moveable ramp and if something like that would be of any use/interest, e-mail me at sight.hounds@virgin.net and I'll give you details. Some people use trolleys for dogs when the back end goes. I don't think I'd go so far, but again you are the only one who can decide.

It is so hard isn't it? I am in the same position with our nearly 14 year old Maremma Sheepdog - also a big lad and also becoming incontinent (he poops while he is lying about the house - thankfully it is very "solid" and easy to pick up! :) ) - his back end is getting very weak though he is on Metacam. About half the time I have to assist him getting up - the rest of the time he manages to pull himself up on his own - and he stumbles and falls quite often. But at his last vet check his heart was really strong and everything internal seems fine. There are days when I wonder if it is time - days when he seems to slow - or has had a fall - once or twice I have been on the verge of calling the vet. But then he jumps up in his uncoordinated way when he sees the lead coming out - or his dinner - or he is rolling on his back batting his legs around in the air like a puppy to have his tummy tickled and I know he isn't ready - he is still enjoying his life - it is just not exactly the same as it once was. I think the key to what you say is "I see lots of time left when I see his face". You will know when you see pain or distress or weariness in his eyes. Until then enjoy each precious day that is left. All the best.

I totally understand. My Dog Bumper is nearly 17 years old. My parents want to put him down because he occasionally poops on the floor, he doesnt seem to know about it himself untill it happens, then he heads straight for the door. Another difference ive noticed in him over the past 12 months or so is that he doesnt utter a sound... he used to bark when a bird or a cat was out side and he used to whine whilst knawing on a bone. Its like hes lost his voice! Im finding it very hard to accept the idea of putting him to sleep. People say its silly but I feel like i'd be loosing a member of my family. I still see life in his eyes, and he makes every effort to greet me when I come home from work even if it does take a few tries for him to get up. His back legs seem very weak, but sometimes he seems fine. My aguement with my parents is that he still has a lot of good days, and only a few bad days which we an all help him wityh, so what give us the right to take those good days away? His days may very well be numbered but I really dont think he is in pain, i think hes just weak. Ive tried my best to stop being selfish and look at it from every point of view, but i still come to the same conclusion. We should keep looking after him! He deserves the right to die naturally if possible and so long as he is not in pain I am happy to help him as much as I can. I wondered if anyone could give me some advise on how im going to cope with his loss, or maybe about possible treatments he can have in the meantime. It would greatly be appreciated. :(

You will know when the time is right.

You must remember it is him you must think about and make sure he is not in pain and also importantly that he still has dignity.

I had Mars my 14 yr old Lab pts in August and it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life but I took comfort knowing she was not suffering anymore and she was at peace.

What ever happens my thoughts are with you and hope you make the right decsion for you and your dog.

Best Wishes

Lucy

In many ways it is never the right time - you always want them a little longer. But you have to do what's right for them. My vet always says, "Better a week too soon than a day too late" and it's absolutely true.

Hard to do though.

Hi duke
This time is the hardest of all, the worst thing about having pets is saying good bye to them especially when its down to the owner to say when.
3 years ago I was in the same place as you now I had a greyhound called cherry he was an ex racer that I had had since he was 3 due to the fact he was on death row as his owners gave up on him when he keepted looking away from the hair when racing it didn’t surprise me as he was so stupid and use to runaway from anything bless him,
But he also was having a job getting up and leaveing wet patches behind him he could no longer go for a walk over the park but wasen’t in pain 4 weeks later I noticed he had started loseing weight but was still eating well and not that greyhound can afford to lose much as you all know there not a lot on them anyway. I think this is one you have got to decide on as hard as it is when the time comes it can only be your decision my cherry was 13 years old when I took him down, I have had dogs die before as gutted as I was these I had no say in and didn’t have to say when it was going to happen it was the hardest thing ever takeing him down to the vets that day.
I think we all different on when enough is enough I myself look at the quality of life what dogs enjoy and weather I would like to be keepted alive wetting myself laying in my own urine as he would do this in his sleep and wait for me to wake in the morning to help him up and just being able to see the same view day after day no playing no running that he loved so much this is only my view on my baby at the time after much thinking about, I went to the vets sat on the floor with him cuddle ling him whilst he slipped away.
But now his at rest and not here with us but always in my mind out of sight but never forgotten sorry I can’t give you an answer but I think if you look deep into your heart you will know the right time
Sandy.

Just read this old posting and I was in the same position a few years ago with my 16yr Lab and was wondering how the old big guy is?

I agree - you will know when the time comes, but don't let it drag on just for your sake. The dog has no knowledge or guilt - its us humans who are left with the terrible guilt about whether it was the right time or not. The dog is just at peace and knows nothing more. If his dignity is going and he no longer wags his tail, wants to eat or get up to go out or enjoy even a short walk, then I believe the time has come. In the wild, such a dog would go off to die in peace. Because of science we can keep old dogs going on longer than necessary (in alot of cases) but in general its for our sake and not the dogs. At least we have the ability to call it a day for them, when in their eyes you can see that they want to "go". I lost my 12 year old Rough Collie 2 years ago, but had no chance to make the decision as it was taken away from me (something haemorraged inside) but when I saw him at peace I was completely devastated but knew there was no suffering. I hope you have quality time left and wish you all the best.

Hi Duke
Is your Rott still with you? If so, have you tried Dennes Greenleaf tablets for the incontinence? Used it successfully for a bitch of mine that leaked quite a lot at one time - tablets from the vet didn't work but the Greenleaf did.
Steph with 2 oldies both 14 years young - Otto with heart failure and sometimes problems getting out into the garden in time to pee & Chester riddled with cancer but still won't miss a walk & won't stand any nonsense from the younger dogs, but still enjoying life.

The question you have to ask yourself is, "Would I want to live like that". I never had to put a dog to sleep until last May. Her name was Gizzy, a little Shih Tzu. She was the mother of Muffy who now has cushings disease and has trouble breathing. Muffy's dad is Chewey who also has cushings disease, heart murmur and an enlarged heart. But it doesn't stop there, Katie Mae who is only 7 (the other two are 11 and 12) just had major ear surgery, a heart murmur and an enlarged heart. I had three deaths to look forward too and it won't be long. The first sign that any of my babies are in pain I will be at the vet and will be holding them as they go to heaven to see mama Giz. Shortly I will loose my whole family but I can't think of me, I have to think of them and the quality of life they have. I'm sorry about your dog and this will be the hardest thing for you, but your dog will love you for it.
Mary