Hi guys,

I am really hoping for some advice here. Sorry it's a bit long winded there's a little to cover. I am really not sure if I am doing the right thing considering putting my dog to sleep, so I thought maybe you could tell me your experiences and/or what you would do?

I have a 13 year old cross-breed called Jack. I got him from the NCDL re-homing centre when he was 5 years old (I was 19), and was warned then that he was epileptic, but not to worry because they would be funding his medication since he was an adoption case.

He used to have fits, but thanks to some patience on behalf of myself, my parents and the vet, we got him settled and he stopped having them. He hasn't had any for years. He has to get 2 x 2 tablets a day (two different medications).

Shortly after we got him, we found out he was biting his paws raw, and often would limp on three legs as the fourth was sore. Turns out he has hayfever - so he now gets 3 Piriton tablets a daty as well. He still chews his paws occasionally, so we have cream on standby for him too, and have to clean and dress his paws if he hurts them.

I moved out of my parents house for a year, but my Mum was adamant she was keeping him, as he had taken more to her (he was the older woman's dog in his previous home, and did the same in ours). He grew very close to my Mum.

About a year ago we found out he had arthritis. He would have trouble climbing up onto the couch beside us, and occasionally tumble down the stairs. The vet gave us tablets to put into his food every day, so now he gets those along with his epilepsy and allergy pills.

Now the vet has found several fatty lumps in his back. They are not life threatening, as they are only fat, but he may need surgery in the future if they affect his legs. Sometimes it seems they already are, as he occasionally falls over with no reason whatsoever.

Okay, so my issue (along with the above), is that Jack is having on and off days all the time now. When he has an off-day he doesn't eat anything all day. He can't get his tablets properly when he doesn't eat, so he's at risk of fits... and we can't get round that if he has nothing in his stomach. Thankfully no fits yet. He still struggles with the stairs and is really slow, but hasn't taken a tumble recently. He's still chewing on his paws and needing them cleaned and dressed.

When he has good days he's very alert and hyper. He always jumps up and barks to welcome people as they come into the house.

My thought about putting him down is because of these days where he is in pain. It's difficult to say whether good days outweigh the bad right now, because it changes so much day-to-day. But Jack always looks bored and depressed - he has to be careful how much he plays because of his arthritis, and can't walk far because of both that and his hayfever. He gets very little stimulation, even when we are at home and try to get him to play. Recently he seems even worse because I got a rabbit, and as much as I don't ignore him, he doesn't seem to like the new addition.

The tablets aren't costing us anything, but they are costing the NCDL and PDSA money every day. Jack isn't insured (my Mum cancelled this whilst I was out the house), and now can't be insured for anything he already has. If he needs surgery on his lumps it will cost a fortune.

Finally, my Mum moved out nearly two months ago now, and left Jack with my dad and I. My dad spends a great deal of time away from the house, and stays away most nights, so it's only me and Jack. I don't think he understands or likes them not being around any more. He gets confused any time my Mum visits. She can't take him as she is not allowed pets in her new house.

As I say it's kind of a long winded explanation, but I would appreciate your thoughts. I don't WANT to put him down if it's not necessary, and I feel guilty at the thought... but at the same time I wouldn't say he's an allround healthy dog, and his quality of life is not what I feel it should be. My dad goes on the defensive when I mention the idea of putting him down, and puts off speaking to the vet saying "he'll see how things are", then puts it off again because the dog "seems to have gotten better". It just seems now it might be better for Jack, but I've never been in this position so I don't know.

I don't think I've missed anything, but if something doesn't make sense or you've any questions, just ask.

Thanks
Michelle

am so sorry you are going through this hun i wish i could help, big (((((hugs)))))

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http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/michellebendle0711

Sounds like you guys have been through a lot..

You know non of us can say really what to do..

You need to take a long hard think and probably have a chat with your family.. Maybe diary his good and bad days for a weeks or so .. So you have something to look at to confirm what is happening..

I do think you will know when the time has come..

Best of Luck and big hugs to you. xxx

Its a very hard position to be in and a very difficult decision to make and ime so sorry for you, ive been there and know how it feels, noone can make this decision for you and even then you have to persuade your dad, but i always say when a dog stops been a dog then i think its time. I always said i wouldnt keep a dog alive for "me" as that is selfish but when faced with it i actually did just that, i could always find an excuse to stop myself doing it mine wasnt suffering as such as in pain but he was reletively young and couldnt do what a young dog should, he was on a cocktail of tablets 13 a day and this was all that was keeping him alive and looking back i actually regret the last 2 months of his life and thats not a nice thought, he took a huge turn for the worse and i knew then i couldnt put him through another day, so please do look at his quality of life and ask yourself he he seems truely happy with his life and i think that will lead you to your decision. Good luck thinking of you its an awful time.

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So sorry to hear this

Why don't you if you can- sit down as a family and discuss what's best for the dog and try and all agree ( hard I know).

Also maybe talk to your vet or rescue centre if you feel that you may need professional advice in reaching your decision.

A difficult time though-so big hugs xx

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Thanks guys.

I've sent my Mum a message and asked her to come over tonight to discuss it with me. I can't have her and my Dad in the same room at the moment /sigh, so I will speak with her first and see how she sees it - then hopefully talk my Dad around.

I am going to speak with the Dogs Trust too, as a friend of mine said they refused to let her put her dog down, as they didn't feel it was necessary. I am not sure he can stay in our house if he's going to keep falling downstairs though.

I appreciate your support though peeps. Hugs xXx

Why does he have to go up and down stairs?
Couldn't he live on one level?
Just remember when you have your chat, that old dogs do lie around a lot anyway without the added problems that your dog has.
Good luck with the chat.

I can't add anything to what's already been posted - I just wanted to say I'm sending happy thoughts yours and Jacks way.

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Hi there, so sorry to read all this, what a hard decission you have. First of all you say he is off his food, have you tried boiled mince with a little gravy mix added to it (not alot as it have salt in it), he may eat it, if he does take some them you know you can offer this to him so he takes his medication. Or try some fish (de-boned) and put the crushed tablet inside it.
We had to have our dog benji put to sleep last year he was 14 years old, it was a heart rendering thing to decide and took a week of talking hubby round to do the right thing for Benji and not for us. Benji's organs were shutting down though.
Cant you put up a baby gate to stop him from going up stairs, let him have a comfy bed in the kitchen or living room at night. Alot of dogs can live having Arthritis as long as they are on med's. But only you can decided what to do. Ask your vet if he thinks he could be in alot of pain, ask him alot of questions then sit down with your parents and have a talk with the knowledge you had from your vet. good luck. xxxxxx

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I agree with what has already been said. I would encourage you to speak to your vets about it. I've been where you are recently with my beloved cat and had to make the ultimate decision for him, not for me. I found my vet to be totally honest with me. When there were still options she talked me through them all but when she felt the time was right she was very gentle in helping me see it too. She really helped me make the decision that I did. I miss my boy but hated seeing him suffer. If I'm totally honest, I'm not sure that I think you are at that stage yet but you do have so much going on in your life at the moment and I think that you need some support in looking after your pal. You got the dog as a family and yet it seems that you are the one left holding the baby, so to speak (I really don't mean that in a harsh way, so I apologise if that's how it came across). As a young adult it can be really hard knowing whats for the best....actually as an old adult too its hard .