J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Its funny as my wife is of the same mind but wont make a decision but says she would be happy if I just sorted matters, i couldn't do it without either full agreement of the Dog being in absolute agony, I have been here before, I was left with my little lad on holiday in a rented house in Anglessey in the sticks with the in laws very old and very ill Retriever, they all went out, she had been bad earlier but took a turn for the worst, won't go into detail but it wasn't nice, couldn't raise anyone on mobiles, couldn't leave the house as the lad was sleeping and I didn't have a car, no vets number and a Dog that was dying and not in a peaceful way, so there is me racking my brains to decide what to do. Do I collect the littleun and walk to the nearest house to use the phone book and find a vet or finish the Dog off myself which involed working out how I would do such a job. Luckily My Father in Law returned and took her in his car to the local vet where she got put out of her misery.

Perhaps part of me wan't to avoid that scenario ?

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I don't know if Dogs get Alzheimer's but she seems ok for a bit and then seems very disorientated and confused where beforre she coped with her lack of facilities quite well, where once she could work out things by the number of steps like the bloke int the great escape with the pin, now she just crashes and jumps.

little-ginge

I would imagine that animal could suffer from some form of cognitive disfunction - especially at older age..

Spoon

Then there is a marked difference in her quality of life and she doesn't appear to be coping too well now. Call the family together and let them know this and take her to the vets. You've been great to her for so many years now do the right thing for the last time.

Lee247

Oh look, someone doesn't approve of me and Spoon. We are being pinked

J4CKO, I know how you must be feeling. I had the same decision with cat number 2. Kittygow, she went downhill fast after my first cat died. Had allsorts wrong with her and I kept dithering about what to do. At the end of the day, I had to make a decision and I had her put to sleep. I was heartbroken but at least she was not suffering anymore. Only you know if she is suffering as you have had her for such a long time. Best wishes to you

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Trouble is, I am not sure what I feel, part is not arsed and would be glad to be rid of her as she is a pain in the **** yet the other half is wondering how I could think such a thing, I then think she is basically ok but she cant see, cant hear, has several lumps, the biggest of which leaks and smells, she has one massively swollen nipple which also oozes, the vet isnt much help and just gives me anto-spetic (Yeah, Savlon, cheers) . I end up cleaning her lumps which makes me gag, the wife wont touch it (she usually isnt squeamish) , I clean it and it bleeds, yesterday a chunk fell off and she leaves bloody slurges on the walls and sometimes rolls it onto the carpet which is minging. The house sometimes smells of it, it unpleasant for visitots, especially ones that star fussing her and then spot the Beefburger too late.

Lee247

Sorry J4CKO Your graphics kill me

OK, I'm ready for the pinks, you need a new dog. She is ready for doggie heaven. Give her a big kiss and let her go. It's for the best

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Perhaps, the In Laws Lab might have puppies in the summer so we might have one of those but having a Dog is more hard work than a lot may imagine , especially towards the end of its life.

Hoppy

Yve is right. Sorry mate

dunx

iTrader: (3)

J4CKO, you have to decide just before it gets too much for "old dog".

Mine's only 13 but has a subcutaneous swelling on his back, over the last couple of years it's got bigger, but now he's ravenous all the time... and looking a bit skinny.
I'll be heart-broken when I have to decide enough is enough, but he can't.

One day it will be clear it's time to let go.

Duncan

Underworld

Better to let it sleep!! sleep!!! sleep!!!!!!!

its deaf and blind, it just grew that thingie on the back.. after (if) you get that cured, it'll definitely catch some other disease soon.... then die in pain......

ScoobyWon't

When my Golden Retriever got to 15, I knew it was time. I saw his eyes swivel inwards, and his legs go, but I couldn't do it.

In the end my dad and brother took him , but I was still heart-bbroken. It's not an easy thing to do at all. I wanted more time with him, but at the same time I did'nt want him to suffer.

Luckily now, I've got 2 loony retrievers to keep me company, and I love them to bits, but when it's time forthem to go, #i know I will be heartbroken twice.

David Lock

Time to let her go in my opinion. You're not doing the dog or your family any favours by hanging on to the bitter end which, in any event, probably won't be that long anyway.

I've had to do it twice in the last few years and it's horrible but she sounds as if she's had a pretty OK, chilled out, life dl

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

I took a photo of the "Beefburger", not a very good one and I have linked to it rather than put it on the page for the more Squeamish, it looks worst today having cleaned it yesterday.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...3032008100.jpg

Turbohot

Jacko, time to set your dog free, mate. She needs to be in peace.
I read your thread last night, went through a lot of emotions, and understood your dilemma. Yet for the dog's sake you dearly looked after for years, she needs to part.
Take it easy.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Strange thing is, today, she seems quite happy, just mooching and sleeping, its ok if you avoid her slurging your shins with her nasty lump.

Lee247

J4CKO, what exactly is that lump on her back, it is horrible

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Its a kind of wart apparently, she has been to the vets twice with it and all he said was £250/£300 to remove them (there are others), common Spaniel thing and removing it is no guarantee they wont come back, done under general as well and although its safer these days with such an old dog with a heart murmur there is always a risk, I just get the feeling the vet would end up charging £300 for euthansing the dog, as it is it was £25 for the last consultation and some strong anti septic which I dilute and clean them, they go crusty and dont look as bad but when I clean them they bleed and yesterday due to its shape and me touching it a lump of it fell off so the bleeding has been worse.

So, all in all, minging, the dog doesnt seem bothered thou she occasionally rolls on her back and then sniffs the carpet where the lump was in contact.

David Lock

Having 2 Spaniels myself I looked up these wart things. It seems that they can be passed on to other dogs, especially young dogs where the immune system is not matured, so best not to get her to mix. I'm not trying to be clever but if, like me, you didn't know this then if you do come to replace her then sling out old bedding etc. dl

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

David, cheers for that, useful to know and not something the vet mentioned, The Wart virus is contagious in humans so it stands to reason it will be in Dogs as well, nowadays she doesnt mix with other Dogs, we used to take her to min laws but its easier and she seems happier just to be left to sleep, we did have my brother in laws pup here for a week but we kept them separate as ours didnt cope well with the pestering.

David Lock

I was never allowed to do that

Lee247

I spoke to my pal this afternoon about your dog. She used to have a Cocker Spaniel who was also covered in these lumps. She said the same as others in this thread, that they are common to the breed. Her dog's were nowhere near as bad as yours though and she said she had to have her dog put to sleep aged 14, due to "old age"

It really is a tough decision and only you and your family can make it. I know what I would do, hard as it is

little-ginge

Looking at the photo makes me wince - must be worse for you in person, and for the poor dog for having it!!

As I said last night,it's something only you & yours can truly decide,but I agree with 84, I know what I would do even though it is a heartbreaking decision and process

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Funnily enough it doesnt seem to trouble her one iota,she does however roll then sniff the carpet, but its not very often and you learn to leave your coat out of range.....