My Golden is 12 1/2 now - my vet found that he had some signs of kidney disease a few years back but we caught it early enough that by putting him on a special food for it and starting him up on daily medication, we were really able to prolong the ill-effects and keep him in pretty good health.
A few days ago, I noticed that he was starting to look noticeably thinner and was really not eating much. He's slowed down in recent years naturally - he's around 80 in human years, so it's to be expected - but lately on our walks, he's been really slowing down.
Of course I took him to the vet yesterday to have blood work done and figure out what's going on.
Just got a call back and his kidneys are really failing him at this point. There's just nothing I can really do. He's still able to get up and go for walks with me, I've been getting him to eat a little bit at a time. He'll still gladly eat his treats, drinks his water, etc. But he seems weak and his energy level is markedly lower.
Basically, we're at a point now where I'm going to have to decide when the right time is.
I don't want him to suffer. I don't think it's time yet - he's still going to the bathroom outside, he's not vomiting or anything. But I know I'm going to have to ultimately make this decision sooner than later and I'm pretty heartbroken. This dog has been by my side for the vast majority of his life.
The vet told me that eventually the nausea is probably going to make him vomit a bit and that's really when I'll know it's time.
I don't know if anyone has been through something similar here - just kind of beside myself right now. He was doing so well and this really kind of seemed to come out of nowhere.
Sorry for venting - I know we've got a lot of dog owners here, though. I figured maybe some of you would have some advice or something to help me through.
I know it's going to wreck me mentally for a while, though.
I was in a similar situation last year with my dog(lymphoma) and I tried to maximize every moment with him while he was still alive. Use these last moments to appreciate him and your time together.
Sorry bud.
but i know there will be a time that i will have to put him down. dogs live all their lives only knowing to love their owner.
My advice is this. you are the owner and you love that dog. You will make the right decision. Your dog is what you have to base the decision on. Be kind and be wise to this decision. The dog loves you and always will. His life was only here for you.
I know that if it comes down to having to transport him to the vet's office, I'll be there for him. I know my son will be there, too.
Not sure about my daughter. She might. My wife ... probably would not do well with that.
But like you, I think about Archie ... I want him to hear our voices and know we're there, maybe have a bit of comfort in that, as he drifts off.
As hard as that would or will be, I'd prefer it, for him, over us coming home one day to find him.
IMHO having the family along for the ride is OK, but I would recommend they stay in the car. I wouldn't put them through that, it's too hard.
I know it's going to wreck me mentally for a while, though.
It was harder than I expected, and I expected it to be hard.
He never had any other serious issues. He still gets up and down the stairs on his own, still climbs in the car.
I can tell he doesn't feel well now, though. He's just been sleeping a lot and his energy isn't there.
Makes me kind of miss the days growing up when the dogs we had would get old and my step father would just bring them "to the farm" to live out their days happily around all the other dogs and farm animals.
no idea the farm really meant putting them down. Sort of changed things for me (obviously?).
You're right, it is the hardest part. Hang in there.
8 is young, but if there's a such thing as an "ideal" way for them to go - it's peacefully like that.
The unpredictability factor makes it especially hard. I really don't know how much time I have with him.
I guess I can't worry about that and just need to embrace what I do have right now.
I just don't want to see him in really awful shape.
To get weird and "out there" for a second, though - I do think there's a special spiritual connection between dogs and their primary owners. He'll let me know when he's ready I think.
Quote:
My 8 year old English Bulldog passed away last April. I was lucky, though. She was having a normal morning, and came over to where I was sitting on the couch, licked my leg a couple of times, then laid down with her butt on my foot, and her nose nuzzled up to my 5 year old who was sitting on the floor reading a book. A few minutes later, he and I got up and started doing stuff, she never did. She died in her sleep right between us. It really sucked, but at the same time it was as beautiful and sweet. I miss her.
8 is young, but if there's a such thing as an "ideal" way for them to go - it's peacefully like that.
The unpredictability factor makes it especially hard. I really don't know how much time I have with him.
I guess I can't worry about that and just need to embrace what I do have right now.
I just don't want to see him in really awful shape.
To get weird and "out there" for a second, though - I do think there's a special spiritual connection between dogs and their primary owners. He'll let me know when he's ready I think.
Roxie was the fifth dog I've owned, and the only one to go like that. The other four, unfortunately, hard decisions had to be made.
I think you're right, he'll let you know.
I do know that there are vet services where they will come to your house and allow you to put them to sleep peacefully in their favorite spot inside, or in the yard perhaps. And then will take them for you. So they don't have the trauma of going in the car, or to the vet and being in a foreign place.
Best of luck, I know it's hard.
Just kind of needed to get it off my chest and I know there are a lot of dog owners here who have been through the same and understand how hard it is.
Friends will be there for me too but I'm not really the type of guy who tells everyone around him when things aren't going so well. I tend to keep this stuff to myself more often than not.
Can't imagine what you are going through emotionally. It makes my eyes water up just thinking about it.
We provide, food, shelter, medicine and protection from predators. Because we do this we are burdened with the decision of when to put them down.
Next big decision is staying with the dog thru the process. I did and it was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my adult life.
I wish you the best..
the real terrible thing is that they know something is wrong and they look to you to make it better like you have probably done before. But you can't.
Hope it goes as well as it can
I've been taking my 14 year old yorkie to weekly chemo treatments which I never thought i'd be willing to pay for. Turns out neither my wife or I were ready to let go and while it has been hard, he continues to fight to be by our side. As long as he is visibly enjoying being here, we are committed to doing whatever is needed to help him.
You don't.
One big tell from him is that he almost always sleeps right next to my bed - but lately, he's been sleeping in places where he usually doesn't.
Last night he laid down in my bedroom but after an hour or so, he got up and walked out into another room. He was back in the morning, but it's definitely not like him. He seems to be spending more time alone even though I keep going wherever he is, petting him, and encouraging him to follow me back upstairs or into my room.
It's rough. I know he doesn't feel well but he's still making his way around and wants to go for walks as soon as I grab his leash. He's slow but he doesn't need me to help him with the stairs or anything.
I guess I just want to do the right thing - for him more than anything else. Probably overthinking it. I'll know.
Things like this are why I still post here. A lot of bullshit to go around, but there are still a lot of really great people here.
Means a lot.
there's a lot of pain in losing your pal - one who's been completely unselfish, giving and appreciative of you in a very unqualified fashion
just make sure when the quality of life gets to the point that they are either suffering or diminished - that you help them out by putting them out of it -- it's the best thing to do for both of you
I myself had to go right out and get another pal -- it doesn't make the pain go away - but it sure helped me
keep your eye on all the great memories you have
I feel for you and please know that you gave him a good life and are saving him from suffering.
Read this right after I got in from a walk with him. Ever since he was young, I've always taken him for a walk at night around now. He seemed a lot like himself, ate all his treats when we came in and even ate some of his food. Wagged his tail, wanted to be pet.
These are the things that make it the hardest- those small glimpses of him being okay again but knowing it's just temporary.
I understand now why owners wrestle with this so much when their dogs get to this point. One day the dog seems miserable and you feel terrible and feel like you shouldn't let them suffer like that and then the next day, they seem like they're feeling better and you think "phew - good thing I stuck it out..." but then they go back to not feeling well.
It's really hard.
My dog, Tiki, an Airedale Terrier is going on 15. He was close to death about 2 years ago. He had an abscess rupture. He wouldn't eat, lost a bunch of weight.
Long story short, I fought to have the abscess removed (without a grand of tests), fed him soup and raw beef liver. The beef liver was a suggestion by a friend who grew up on a farm and is a reservoir of knowledge about a lot of things. Of course it has a lot of vitamins and nutrients. Tiki recovered.
Now when my dog seems lethargic, I'll give him some raw beef liver and he will pep up for a while (not days, weeks).
I know his days are numbered, but I'm glad I think I bought a couple more years for him between the surgery and not just the liver, I also give him a lot of cruciferous treats (ends of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage).
Anyway, good luck arc.
This time is very hard for all affected, when it was time for my little guy it absolutely crushed the entire household. That Christmas was most definatley not joyful. The numerous vets and specialists we took him to could never pin down what exactly was wrong with him. It was eventually diagnosed as a doggy kind of als. I built a ramp for him and carried him out and back in for a couple of months. One day i took him out for his constitutional and I went back in for a minute, he tried to squat and dislocated his hip and never once cried, I cried more than he did.
I had a service called "In the Comfort of Home" come to the house after the vet told me there was nothing to be done. He was safely in my lap, his favorite spot, when he went.
The thing that got me through his passing was all the memories of him when he was young. I can still see him when he grabbed a slice of pizza off the living room table and I caught him mid act, those eyes, man they just melted me.
My thoughts are with you and your family
I'm just saying (assuming he or she isn't in a lot of pain) it can possibly help extend his or her happy days as it is packed with vitamins, nutrients, enzymes that even the best dog foods are lacking.
When I say extend, in my case I believe (in addition to a couple other things), it's given us a couple more years. And though it's still going to be painful as hell for me, I'm more prepared for it now then I was 2 years ago.
I have no idea about your dog, but maybe it could buy you a few more months or more (as an example) - and maybe that would help you prepare (and get through the holidays).
I'll just say, the avg lifespan of an Airedale Terrier is 11. My dog, Tiki, was very close to death (due to a ruptured abscess) when he was almost 13.
I had what remained of the abscess removed, but he wasn't eating and I had to build him up before he could have the surgery.
Anyway, he's now a happy old dog, though I know his days are numbered. I give him the liver once every month or so.
He'll be 15 in Dec.. if he makes it to Dec. (if he shits on our carpet one more time, my wife is going to kill him).
The problem with my guy is that his kidneys are completely failing and it's basically irreversible. Even changing his diet or giving him different food won't make much of a difference. Once the kidneys start to really go, there's just not much that can be done.
If home cooked meals every single day would help him live longer and feel better, I'd do it in a second.
I'm doing everything I can to comfort him and help him out. He slept next to my bed most of the night last night which is more normal. We went for a pretty long walk this morning - he insisted. I told him to lead the way. We usually do a quick lap in the mornings but he wanted to take the long way around the neighborhood so we did.
He's a big guy - he was over 90lbs before he started getting sick. He's lost a good deal of weight but stuff like this is always tougher on the bigger dogs.
At this point, I'm just giving him every bit of love and attention that I possibly can. Thankfully, I work remotely so I'm able to stay with him all day while I work.
Just going to take it day by day and when I know it's time, I'll do the right thing.
The problem with my guy is that his kidneys are completely failing and it's basically irreversible. Even changing his diet or giving him different food won't make much of a difference. Once the kidneys start to really go, there's just not much that can be done.
If home cooked meals every single day would help him live longer and feel better, I'd do it in a second.
I'm doing everything I can to comfort him and help him out. He slept next to my bed most of the night last night which is more normal. We went for a pretty long walk this morning - he insisted. I told him to lead the way. We usually do a quick lap in the mornings but he wanted to take the long way around the neighborhood so we did.
He's a big guy - he was over 90lbs before he started getting sick. He's lost a good deal of weight but stuff like this is always tougher on the bigger dogs.
At this point, I'm just giving him every bit of love and attention that I possibly can. Thankfully, I work remotely so I'm able to stay with him all day while I work.
Just going to take it day by day and when I know it's time, I'll do the right thing.
Honestly, as hard as it has been, the last months with Max have been the best. I've never spent so much time doting on him. He also doesn't seem to mind the additional love-through-treats he is getting.
The kidney diet is the only thing that any vet I ever spoke with would recommend. It has a lot less protein, especially the canned - although the canned is good because it gets fluids into the dog.
One of the problems is that phosphorous starts building up in the dog - they do have a supplement called phosphorous binders - that may help, for a while.
Lost one of my dogs to kidney dysplasia. Had to give him subcutaneous fluids for over a year to keep him around. The nausea is a common symptom.
Dogs unlike cats cannot live very long with kidney disease. I was told that there was a local place that started doing dialysis but the family agreed that it would just be extending his life, while not improving the quality of it.
Sorry to hear about your dog.
The kidney diet is the only thing that any vet I ever spoke with would recommend. It has a lot less protein, especially the canned - although the canned is good because it gets fluids into the dog.
One of the problems is that phosphorous starts building up in the dog - they do have a supplement called phosphorous binders - that may help, for a while.
Lost one of my dogs to kidney dysplasia. Had to give him subcutaneous fluids for over a year to keep him around. The nausea is a common symptom.
Dogs unlike cats cannot live very long with kidney disease. I was told that there was a local place that started doing dialysis but the family agreed that it would just be extending his life, while not improving the quality of it.
Sorry to hear about your dog.
Yeah, I mean - we've been "maintaining" for a few years now. He's been on Enalapril and KD Kidney Care food for quite some time. Giving him fluids under his skin is an option - they did it when I took him in the other day and it perked him up a little bit.
It's hard, but I think at this point, doing stuff to just "extend" his life probably isn't even what's best for him because even if he could live another year the way he is now with no improvement, I don't feel it would be a happy/enjoyable year for him.
I've basically resigned myself to the fact that this is just going to run its course and when the time comes, I'll have to free him.
That doesn't mean I'm going to just let him go without any care, of course. I'm still doing everything I can to make each day as good as possible for him. We're still going for several walks, I'm getting him to eat a little bit, spoiling him in any way I can, and giving him non-stop love and attention.
But he's past the 12 and a half year mark now which is around 80 in human years. He's no spring chicken anymore. I don't want to do things just to keep him around if they won't actually improve his life quality.
In a lot of ways, he's already beaten the odds.
We're having a good day today. Went for a good walk this morning, he's napping now but he was walking around a good bit earlier. Came up and downstairs a handful of times, his tail is still wagging and I can still see some life in his eyes.
I'm just going to take it day by day and embrace every minute I have with him.
The unpredictability makes it hard. The whole thing is killing me but I just keep reminding myself that I've given him the best life I possibly could have since he was a tiny puppy and that he didn't go a single day in his life without feeling loved or cared for. I know I can take solace in that and I'm going to be with him until the very end.
The phosphorus binders helped a little bit as well. The fluids helped but they were a bitch to go thru - 10% of his body weight in CCs
I made him some chicken and rice last night and mixed it with his prescription food and he literally gobbled it all up within about 2 minutes. So, his appetite is still there.
I gave him a little more this morning and he ate all of it again.
He's starting to seem a little more like he was before I could tell he was really not feeling well.
Hopefully I can keep him eating and get him to add some of the weight back that he lost. Giving him a vitamin supplement so that he's getting the nutrients he needs. Went for a walk this morning and his stool was solid too.
He's also been sleeping next to my bed again like he usually does.
Might just be a good couple days, but it seems like my boy has some life left in him yet. If he'll eat like this, I'll cook for him every night.