Golden retriever at end of life -I’m wonderingg where to call it off?
Posted by: Alan in skin cancer in dogs treatment, tags: Call, Golden, Life, retriever, wonderingg
Question by Thomas: Golden retriever at end of life -I’m wonderingg where to call it off?
Our sweet old dog(11 years) is clearly fading. She has aged so visibly over the past few months, her whole nose and checks have gone grey – we knew it was coming – a number of tumors in the abdomen and chest, we didn’t have the heart to open her up, because they we so wide spread, and you can’t explain to an animal why they are being hurt -especially when there was no real chance at helping her we’d just know if it was cancer.
Anyway,the brain seems to be failing now, She is getting lost even inside the house and this weekend she had two seizures We started her on steroids and she seems good once more, not in pain and happy, although we know the drugs just brought us time – probably the tumors have spread to the brain.
I am struggling with whether I should wait for her to be acting in pain or have her put down when she is neurologically impaired. I lean towards having her put down when the mind fails, my wife want to wait until she is in pain, but I am not sure I want to wait until she is suffering.
I realize there is not a right or wrong option here as it is not an objective choice, but what do you folks think?
PS she is now having trouble maintaining a decent coat, lots of skins problems etc.
We are going to allow her to continue for now as she appears without pain and the steriods have ended the seizures – even though we know that they have only bought us some time by reducing the swelling on the brain and they will come back once the effect wears off.
It would be nice if she makes it till christmas, but that seems improbably long at this stage.
While the spector of death has retreated for the moment thanks to modern drugs we decided that is the seizures begin again or she acts in pain the time will have come.where she can no longer live comfortably, then we will put her down.
Thanks for all your thoughts.
Best answer:
Answer by Chihuahualove2
Sorry to hear this. Only you and your vet can determine when it’s time to end her life. If she is suffering please see your vet and do what you have to for her.
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August 8th, 2010 at 12:10 am
When the mind fails.
It is torture to keep her alive when her mind is gone.
I feel the same way about dementia patients it is just cruel, if they had a choice I think they’d want to go.
August 8th, 2010 at 12:20 am
yeah when my dog got cancer i put him to sleep because he was in a lot of pain
he wasn’t as bad off as your dog however
i would put him to sleep, at least he’ll have an end without pain
August 8th, 2010 at 1:08 am
Sorry for the pain your both going through.
But as for her coat, we all lose our crown of beautiful hair as we age, so I don’t understand whay that should play a part. When you know she is no longer able to enjoy her life ( which may just be laying on couch watching the world go by sleeping the day away) or if you know she is in pain, than it is time to make a decesion. But don’t decide just because she is not as pretty as before or because she now taking more time to care for. I am using these last months spoiling her and enjoying every minute of it. She spent 13 years gaurding me and spoiling me now it is her turn.
I feel there is no greater act of love than to look at your dear friend and let them know they are loved so much that you will not let them suffer. I know the time is getting near with my dearest friend who’s 13 now and arthritis is getting pretty bad. I know she’ll let me know one day when it’s time and out of love I will let her go with tears of joy, because it will be the last time I will let her how much she is loved.
August 8th, 2010 at 1:42 am
It very sad when you are losing a loved pet, I think put her down when she is really hurting and you can see it in her eyes she is suffering then say goodbye. Sorry about you beautiful dog.
August 8th, 2010 at 2:09 am
Oh, this part of owning dogs just sucks! I lost my most beloved dog five weeks ago, and I know what you are dealing with.
When you say tumors… these are in her body cavity and not just fatty tumors on the outside? Lumpy on the outside is just ugly, it is not generally serious.
The mental decline is called canine cognative dysfunction. There is a medication called Anipryl which helps a good percentage of dogs. If your vet does not have a reason not to use it, you could try it for a month and see if there was improvement. I had a dog who was so addled he wasn’t sure what to do when I put his dinner dish down and who would stand next to an open door unable to figure out how to go outside… in a couple of weeks on medication, he was fully the dog he had been before his decline… it was magic! It is not effective for every dog, and a month should be long enough to tell if your girl was going to benefit.
Regarding her skin and coat… what are you feeding?
August 8th, 2010 at 2:53 am
Losing a pet is so hard to deal with, but I suggest putting them to sleep. It is a painless procedure for the dog. I have had many dogs that have passed this way. It is better that their life move on than them suffer in pain. I am sorry for what you are going through!
August 8th, 2010 at 3:30 am
You are prolonging the suffering…for you and her. We all know that death is inevitable. Instead of taking her to the vet perhaps you should ask the vet for something so she can be comfortable at home and die with dignity. That way you can ease her suffering and help her on her way. There are medications that will take her pain away and she can be at home and be comfortable. Then you can give her the “other” medication that will help her sleep
I know that’s the way I want to go. At home, familiar surroundings, comfortable and with those I love.
August 8th, 2010 at 4:29 am
so sorry to hear about your Golden – we have a 10year old Golden and both of us at the ripe old age of 60!! have now got another Golden puppy… so that will make the passing of our beloved Bella so much easier.
It is difficult when they come to there end of there lives after so much devotion they give us. I hope you make the right decision for her and I wish you the very best at his sad time. My Husband said without any quarms that if she is ill or sufering he would take her to the vet (without me)… as I am more of a dog lover than he is.
Our new pup Tess – has lifted our spirits, hard work mind you at our age!! but loving every moment of it. Our Bella had mixed feelings at first and gave us looks as if to say….WHY!!!!!.
take care and I must admit if it was me… I think the kindess thing to do is to take her to the vet and do what you have to… if she is not in pain does not mean she is suffering if you know what I mean. let me know what u decide ok
August 8th, 2010 at 5:27 am
So sorry to hear about your dog.
If there’s ever a time to put your dog’s welfare ahead of your own needs, this is it. While the idea of living without your beloved pet can be devastating, the thought of her suffering should feel even worse.
Here are some of the guidelines in considering what to do, ask yourself the following questions:
* Does your dog have a terminal illness? Ask your vet what to expect at the next stage and then ask whether you’re prepared to go there.
* Is your dog in the kind of pain that cannot be significantly alleviated by medication?
* Will more treatment improve her quality of life, or simply maintain a poor quality of life?
* Can you afford treatment? End-of-life care can run into thousands of dollars, and people can end up prolonging their grieving while paying off credit cards.
* Is your dog so old she has lost most bodily functions? If she can no longer stand up, get down stairs, defecate, and urinate on her own, the quality of her life is pretty poor.
* Does she still want to eat? Once a dog loses her appetite she’s signaling she’s close to the end.
* Are her gums pink? When gums aren’t a normal pink, your dog isn’t getting enough oxygen.
* Is it in her best interest to extend her life, or are you extending her life for yourself? This last point is the most difficult one for most of us to sort out, but it may well be the most relevant.
Hope the ff. links will help you.
http://dogtime.com/when-to-say-good-bye.html
http://dogtime.com/when-to-say-goodbye-franklin-faq.html
http://dogtime.com/how-to-say-goodbye-to-pet-pilloud-faq.html
August 8th, 2010 at 6:26 am
I am very sorry. I had to make the same tough decision a few months ago. He was my first dog, my baby, and he was only 7 1/2 years old.
The best thing to do is to make sure she isn’t suffering. If she is having so many problems, you shouldn’t wait until she is in pain. Let her go while she has great memories of her life and still knows how loved she is.
I know it is hard, but do what you think is best for the dog.
August 8th, 2010 at 6:49 am
I think right now is the best to put her down. You have enjoyed 11 probably great years with her, but now its time to let her go.
August 8th, 2010 at 7:11 am
Only you can truly decide, you know your dog and you know whats best for her. Good luck and sorry to hear about this. Poor old girl.
August 8th, 2010 at 7:12 am
Our sympathies are with you.
We got our Golden from (of all places) the pound, when our twins were 2 years old. “Spud” grew up with the boys, and was the best friend to all 4 of our children for 13 years.
We had to let him go when it got to the point of him not being able to even get up to relieve himself anymore. He had a long, full life, and was just the most gentle, goofy dog we have ever had.
We made an appointment with our vet, and the boys and I took him to In and Out burger one last time. Then we went to the vet and stayed with him, talking to him and petting him as the vet tech gave him the injection. He looked up at us with the most peaceful expression on his face, as if to say “Thank you, I am going to be OK now”, gave one last big sigh, and left us.
He lives on in our hearts now, and we think of him often.
We have a big Yellow Lab who was my wife’s Guide Dog until she had to retire, and
when my wife went to get her latest Guide Dog, we talked about her having a Golden for a Guide, but she ended up with a little Black Lab. Someday we may get another Golden, but the Labs keep us properly “dogified” for now.
Once again, you have our sympathies. It is a tough call, but the memory of your dog will keep you strong through the decisions you have to make. Honor that memory by doing what is best for your lovely Golden.
August 8th, 2010 at 8:05 am
I have tears in my eyes reading your post and the replies.
When you look into her eyes one day, your heart will tell you she is asking to be set free.
With the last 2 dogs I needed to make the decision, the 1st had a look of fear (she had suddenly started seizuring throughout the day) the 2nd had a look of exhaustion that living was too much a struggle.
I am SO sorry. It is the most difficult, and most loving act we face with our beloved pets.
My symapthies.