Misha The Black Lab's Last Weeks - A Little Help
Discussion
Misha update.
Doing OK but slower to get up, worse on the stairs, coughing more (voicebox issue with food dropping into it). Still wanting walks, food, etc. But I think we are now at the end and it is best to get this done while she is still mobile and not in pain.
At the end of May we are going away, I can't expect or indeed trust family to look after her and it is not fair to leave her with my dog minder for 10 days when she could have an issue. So sometime in mid May if not sooner.
I emailed the vet to ask what they think is best, sort of self doubting her diagnosis as it was January when we had the blood test that condemned her kidneys. But they just emailed back saying they had emergency appointments available every day I just need to ring, and gave me the option of a vet coming to the home for an extra £100. My wife doesn't fancy the thought of her being carried out of the house so the vets it is going to be in mid May.
Doing OK but slower to get up, worse on the stairs, coughing more (voicebox issue with food dropping into it). Still wanting walks, food, etc. But I think we are now at the end and it is best to get this done while she is still mobile and not in pain.
At the end of May we are going away, I can't expect or indeed trust family to look after her and it is not fair to leave her with my dog minder for 10 days when she could have an issue. So sometime in mid May if not sooner.
I emailed the vet to ask what they think is best, sort of self doubting her diagnosis as it was January when we had the blood test that condemned her kidneys. But they just emailed back saying they had emergency appointments available every day I just need to ring, and gave me the option of a vet coming to the home for an extra £100. My wife doesn't fancy the thought of her being carried out of the house so the vets it is going to be in mid May.
Having made the decision to end things before our holiday at the end of May last week, my hand was forced over the weekend.
She continued to have issues getting up, the cough had become awful and constant, and she couldn't get down the stairs properly this morning. And the kidneys had failed properly as she started to drink massively. I called the vets and after a walk, a meal of sardines and dog food, we visited at 1pm. She was sedated at first, and went out like a light. I think she was a lot weaker than we had thought, the vet agreed it was time too.
I wanted to take her myself to the crem in Duxford, very nice people. I drive past there for work weekly it seemed a good place to have her ashes.
Meg the Staffie has slowed in the last week on our walks, so we can take it easier on her now on walks.
She was a very good girl for the 2 years we had her, and will always be my black Lab. Run free Misha, I will see you again one day.
Photo this morning in what was her favourite spot. Thank you everyone for all your input, it was invaluable.
She continued to have issues getting up, the cough had become awful and constant, and she couldn't get down the stairs properly this morning. And the kidneys had failed properly as she started to drink massively. I called the vets and after a walk, a meal of sardines and dog food, we visited at 1pm. She was sedated at first, and went out like a light. I think she was a lot weaker than we had thought, the vet agreed it was time too.
I wanted to take her myself to the crem in Duxford, very nice people. I drive past there for work weekly it seemed a good place to have her ashes.
Meg the Staffie has slowed in the last week on our walks, so we can take it easier on her now on walks.
She was a very good girl for the 2 years we had her, and will always be my black Lab. Run free Misha, I will see you again one day.
Photo this morning in what was her favourite spot. Thank you everyone for all your input, it was invaluable.
Thanks Sway please don't get too upset we were at the end of the road and Misha had a great time with us. Feeling a lot better today but there is a lot to adjust to.
My thoughts with Merlin. I had insurance but it was a joke to be honest, gave up in the end. Our vet got taken over by one of these big companies and the prices went up overnight. It is very tough being the owner of an elderly pet, when we took these two on we had to say that there was a budget and we weren't going to exceed it. I trod on Meg's leg earlier, she hates the vet so much there is no way she could be treated and it would be pointless having a 13 year old Staffie fixed up. Do let us know how you get on.
My thoughts with Merlin. I had insurance but it was a joke to be honest, gave up in the end. Our vet got taken over by one of these big companies and the prices went up overnight. It is very tough being the owner of an elderly pet, when we took these two on we had to say that there was a budget and we weren't going to exceed it. I trod on Meg's leg earlier, she hates the vet so much there is no way she could be treated and it would be pointless having a 13 year old Staffie fixed up. Do let us know how you get on.
Sway said:
It's not the loss of Misha, it's the way you've handled it that's got me choked up.
Really not sure I'm strong enough to do the same if needed...
I just decided to tackle it head on, was there right to the end with her. You will find the strength because you have to for Merlin one day, I asked the vet if it was the right time and she said I would know best as will you Sway. Really not sure I'm strong enough to do the same if needed...
Just revisiting my thread (OP here) for some sad news about Misha's companion.
We adopted Misha and Meg the Staffie as a bonded pair in just under 3 years ago. Unfortunately today was Meg's last. She has been healthy and happy since Misha went last year, she didn't really notice that she wasn't around.
She would have been 14 on Monday, but she has been getting much slower when out for her short walks. We had an episode of blood in her urine in the house a few months ago, and I thought it was the end of the road but the vet gave her antibiotics and she recovered well. The last few weeks a growth on her leg has increased in size, and suddenly went off her food, started drinking loads, and had severe diarrhoea and was soiling the house at night. And he has terrible farts all the time, and they started to smell terribly of rotting. Even walking along she would fart.
This morning I came downstairs and it looked like a war zone with dog mess and wee. She hasn't been getting out of bed either in the morning, and today she went outside twice in quick succession and went back to bed.
The vet could see us straight away, I had sworn that I would have her PTS at home as she hated the vets with a passion but she was a good girl and we all agreed the time had come and we had it done then and there.
I took her to the same crematorium as Misha. The vet was amazing as were the people at the cream near Duxford.
She will be really missed, not least by the kids. She was so protective of my new grandson, and my friend's daughter absolutely loved her.
I have cleared out her stuff, giving it to nice people on Facebook. My wife heard the jangle of her collar and for a fraction of a second thought she was still here, and I saw a frozen frame on my dog cam of her in her bed after she had gone, and then it caught up and all I saw was an empty dog bed. Feeling a lot sadder tonight, thanks PH dog and non dog owners for being there and listening to me. I found out my daughter had her second miscarriage tonight as well, but we are on holiday next week and the thought of having to cancel or leave the dog with a sitter when she didn't well was bearing heavy on me, it was the right time. I have an empty sofa, but in my heart I know it had to be done.
Staffies really are wonderful dogs, RIP Meg you were such a good dog I hope we gave you the life you deserved in your twilight years.
We adopted Misha and Meg the Staffie as a bonded pair in just under 3 years ago. Unfortunately today was Meg's last. She has been healthy and happy since Misha went last year, she didn't really notice that she wasn't around.
She would have been 14 on Monday, but she has been getting much slower when out for her short walks. We had an episode of blood in her urine in the house a few months ago, and I thought it was the end of the road but the vet gave her antibiotics and she recovered well. The last few weeks a growth on her leg has increased in size, and suddenly went off her food, started drinking loads, and had severe diarrhoea and was soiling the house at night. And he has terrible farts all the time, and they started to smell terribly of rotting. Even walking along she would fart.
This morning I came downstairs and it looked like a war zone with dog mess and wee. She hasn't been getting out of bed either in the morning, and today she went outside twice in quick succession and went back to bed.
The vet could see us straight away, I had sworn that I would have her PTS at home as she hated the vets with a passion but she was a good girl and we all agreed the time had come and we had it done then and there.
I took her to the same crematorium as Misha. The vet was amazing as were the people at the cream near Duxford.
She will be really missed, not least by the kids. She was so protective of my new grandson, and my friend's daughter absolutely loved her.
I have cleared out her stuff, giving it to nice people on Facebook. My wife heard the jangle of her collar and for a fraction of a second thought she was still here, and I saw a frozen frame on my dog cam of her in her bed after she had gone, and then it caught up and all I saw was an empty dog bed. Feeling a lot sadder tonight, thanks PH dog and non dog owners for being there and listening to me. I found out my daughter had her second miscarriage tonight as well, but we are on holiday next week and the thought of having to cancel or leave the dog with a sitter when she didn't well was bearing heavy on me, it was the right time. I have an empty sofa, but in my heart I know it had to be done.
Staffies really are wonderful dogs, RIP Meg you were such a good dog I hope we gave you the life you deserved in your twilight years.
Thank you Gary, the support here is amazing. Feel a bit numb this morning. My daughter said to me that the dogs are my new children, and the feeling you have of keeping them safe is always there. When they go you feel so guilty. Will just take time. I am in holiday on Thursday that will help.
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