My old man jrt has been unwell for a while now. He developed a cough last november and the vet said she was sure it was a collapsed trachea but could only confirm it with an x ray then surgery to repair the problem. We discussed the pro's and con's and decided that at 13.5 yrs old surgery was not the best option and to see how he got on. The cough is still there but not as bad.
He has now developed some new problems. He poo's whilst walking along without knowing he's doing it and he often has a very vacant look about him. He moans and groans alot (but most men do), doesn't like being outside and has turned into a real grump with the rest of the dogs. His quality of life has been affected too. He cant go for long walks or be let off the lead as he starts to cough and nearly collapses so it's only short walks round the block. Cushings disease has also been mentioned by the vets.

I'm so torn in what to do. Do I pay the money and have surgery done for the cough and tests for the cushings which will result to meds for the rest of his life, or do i accept that it is his time and let him go to the bridge before he gets worse and really starts to suffer?
I feel really bad for not getting him treated yet but i dont think it's fair to put him through all that at his age.

Help... please

Ally x

Think it all depends on the dog and if the surgery is going to be very invasive and whether the recovery and quality of life afterwards outways the risks of surgery.

I would also say the general well being and health of the dog besides the reason for surgery is a very important factor as well.

I think you have gone through all of this and only you really will be able to answer your question as we all are in the best position to judge our own dogs .

What ever you decide it will be in his best interest.

the decision has now been taken out of my hands. He took a real turn for the worst tonight and started attacking the other dogs for no apparent reason. Took him straight down to the vets and he thought he was losing his mind. He wasn't happy so I let him go while he still had his dignity.

Ally x

Oh dear so sorry but at least he is at peace x

So sorry nothing could be done for your old boy.

So so sorry, Sometimes you dont need to know you just KNOW it is the time, however that time comes along xxxx
Run free little man
And {{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}} to you
Lea xxx

So, so sorry.

{{{{  HUGS  }}}}

Oh no, I'm so sorry for your loss :(

So very sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you.

So sorry for your loss,run free lovely boy.

Sheilaxx

So sorry to read this I hope you are feeling ok?

just come across your post. how very sad. but you were with your boy and helped hoim at the end,

So sorry for your loss. He made it easy for you by helping with your decision and taking it out of your hands. Faithful to the end.

So sorry, it sounds like he had dementia, it happened with one of my old dogs, he was not aggressive but was obviously not normal at the end.
He is now at peace and you did all the right things, run free little man.