When do you know it's 'that' time?
Discussion
My Westie, Jaz, is now 16 and a half years old.
She's been pretty injury and illness free all her life but about 3 years ago she started having fainting episodes every day. She was put on heart pills (Cardisure) which seems to have solved that for the most (occasionally she still has a little wobbling episode or seems to get 'locked' in position for a few seconds).
Then 2 years ago she was diagnosed with Westie chest where fluid builds up and she had big coughing fits daily. She was put on Corvental and Medrone for that. Again, that seems to do the trick most of the time apart from needing a booster injection every 8 weeks or so.
Then, about 18 months ago, I noticed that she seemed very vacant and I was not sure she knew who I was. She was diagnosed with old age cognitive disorder and takes Aktivait to try to help that.
And lastly she needs Urilin daily to keep her from wetting herself (which works wonders).
Bless her, she has more drugs than a coked up rock star!!
Whether it's old age or a mixture of old age and all the drugs she takes, she has for the last 6 months been insatiably hungry to the point where some days I am feeding her on the hour or, occasionally every 45 minutes. I will feed her and then she will start panting and staring at me, pushing her nose into my leg and basically pestering me until fed (she has never been like that in her entire life). What makes matters worse is I can only feed her small meals otherwise she gets terrible stomach pains and then wanders around the garden for 1-2 hours whimpering until she is sick. The vet believes this may be connected to her heart condition in some way but we are not absolutely sure.
Lastly, she cannot settle at all. She is now totally deaf so is never happy unless she is near to me and can see me (I work at home so always there) but even when I am in the room with her, she constantly roams the kitchen. dining and living room (one large space) for hours at a time. While doing this she pants continually as though it were really hot even though it's not. Eventually, this tires her out and then she will settle in her bed - normally around 8pm - and she's pretty much done for the day,
This whole episode (eating/wandering/panting) happens every single day and I am starting to wonder if she's happy. It breaks my heart to see her this way, not the Jaz I have known since a puppy. We do get the occasional wag of the tail (once a month) as though on some days she knows who I am and who she is (if that makes sense) but on the whole she just seems lost and unable to be at peace until she's worn herself out.
I have always said to myself that I would never let her suffer and will do the right thing for her when the time comes. However, her condition is not one where you can say she's in obvious pain or has limited time left. So I'm left feeling guilty some days just wandering if she's suffering and I'm doing nothing to help her.
I've cried so many times over the last couple of years when the vet thought she was ready for that final journey that I am prepared for whatever comes BUT.... how do you know in this case when it's 'that' time?
Sorry for rambling!
She's been pretty injury and illness free all her life but about 3 years ago she started having fainting episodes every day. She was put on heart pills (Cardisure) which seems to have solved that for the most (occasionally she still has a little wobbling episode or seems to get 'locked' in position for a few seconds).
Then 2 years ago she was diagnosed with Westie chest where fluid builds up and she had big coughing fits daily. She was put on Corvental and Medrone for that. Again, that seems to do the trick most of the time apart from needing a booster injection every 8 weeks or so.
Then, about 18 months ago, I noticed that she seemed very vacant and I was not sure she knew who I was. She was diagnosed with old age cognitive disorder and takes Aktivait to try to help that.
And lastly she needs Urilin daily to keep her from wetting herself (which works wonders).
Bless her, she has more drugs than a coked up rock star!!
Whether it's old age or a mixture of old age and all the drugs she takes, she has for the last 6 months been insatiably hungry to the point where some days I am feeding her on the hour or, occasionally every 45 minutes. I will feed her and then she will start panting and staring at me, pushing her nose into my leg and basically pestering me until fed (she has never been like that in her entire life). What makes matters worse is I can only feed her small meals otherwise she gets terrible stomach pains and then wanders around the garden for 1-2 hours whimpering until she is sick. The vet believes this may be connected to her heart condition in some way but we are not absolutely sure.
Lastly, she cannot settle at all. She is now totally deaf so is never happy unless she is near to me and can see me (I work at home so always there) but even when I am in the room with her, she constantly roams the kitchen. dining and living room (one large space) for hours at a time. While doing this she pants continually as though it were really hot even though it's not. Eventually, this tires her out and then she will settle in her bed - normally around 8pm - and she's pretty much done for the day,
This whole episode (eating/wandering/panting) happens every single day and I am starting to wonder if she's happy. It breaks my heart to see her this way, not the Jaz I have known since a puppy. We do get the occasional wag of the tail (once a month) as though on some days she knows who I am and who she is (if that makes sense) but on the whole she just seems lost and unable to be at peace until she's worn herself out.
I have always said to myself that I would never let her suffer and will do the right thing for her when the time comes. However, her condition is not one where you can say she's in obvious pain or has limited time left. So I'm left feeling guilty some days just wandering if she's suffering and I'm doing nothing to help her.
I've cried so many times over the last couple of years when the vet thought she was ready for that final journey that I am prepared for whatever comes BUT.... how do you know in this case when it's 'that' time?
Sorry for rambling!
Thanks both!
I am going to book an appointment with the vet - he's known Jaz for quite a few years so should be able to give me an honest and informed opinion.
We've been feeding her on lovely mince, home made cottage pie, steak and fresh cooked salmon recently to try to spoil her - that will continue
.
She cannot eat dry food for a number of reasons so hiding it is out of the question but I will start hiding treats around the house to see if that helps.
The 'you can never be too early' approach is what I am all to aware of - I really could not stand to think I let her suffer.
Thanks for the advice and support.
I am going to book an appointment with the vet - he's known Jaz for quite a few years so should be able to give me an honest and informed opinion.
We've been feeding her on lovely mince, home made cottage pie, steak and fresh cooked salmon recently to try to spoil her - that will continue
.She cannot eat dry food for a number of reasons so hiding it is out of the question but I will start hiding treats around the house to see if that helps.
The 'you can never be too early' approach is what I am all to aware of - I really could not stand to think I let her suffer.
Thanks for the advice and support.
Thanks Ali - I know what you mean re your dad.
I feel like a potential murderer when I think about this so I'm hoping a professional chat with the vet will help not only with my feelings of guilt but also whether my concerns are warranted.
I know I'm strong enough to do the right thing for her but want to be sure that's where we are right now.
God it's horrible!!
I feel like a potential murderer when I think about this so I'm hoping a professional chat with the vet will help not only with my feelings of guilt but also whether my concerns are warranted.
I know I'm strong enough to do the right thing for her but want to be sure that's where we are right now.
God it's horrible!!
I know what you mean
I've never been in this position. I don't know if that makes me lucky in that I haven't had to make the decision, or unlucky that I didn't get chance to make it.
I know that I dread it - both mine are house cats now (have to be as she's blind & he doesn't like being without her). So i know that day will come for them both
However, I DO know that it is a pure act of love. Only because you love them can you be so fair to them, and at is how you will know when it is right xx
ali_kat said:
I almost don't want to ask; but...
Any news on Jaz please mate?
Thanks for asking Ali.Any news on Jaz please mate?
The Vet says all her strange behaviour is the dimentia and that while it may be distressing for me to watch, it certainly is not for her as she really is not aware of things like we are.
However, I found lumps in her neck before the vet visit and a week later it was diagnosed as Lymphoma.
So basically she could have anything from a few weeks to a few months left. Right now she is eating like a horse and seemingly as content as can be with all her issues - she's fast asleep on the rug right now
The good news is that 'that' decision will now be made for me - as soon as she stops eating I'll know it's time.
I'm feeling very lucky that I can now just focus on spoiling her like crazy, giving her treats and great food when she wants and just allow her to be totally spoilt.
Knowing that time is limited is both sad and liberating - I can make sure her last months are the best and at the same time it will be obvious when I have to make that decision so can avoid any temptation to delay doing what's right for her.
During this time I'm coming to terms with it all and spending quality time with her. Many of us have to through this quite suddenly so I'm just glad I have some time to get my head around it all and make her last months the best
I really hate to be pessimistic but I would advise you think in days to weeks not months, it'll be less of a shock (it rarely is months especially if chemo is not advised- and no I would not advise it for her )
She's obviously a little trooper bless her, you'll know very quickly with an illness like this when the time is right, awful to say but easier than dealing with dementia.
)She's obviously a little trooper bless her, you'll know very quickly with an illness like this when the time is right, awful to say but easier than dealing with dementia.
Hi Bex - I'm prepared for it being weeks but don't like to write it (we are silly us pet owners down as it feels wrong to say it, as though I'm letting her down.
Vet has said she's too old for treatment so we will just let nature take its course.
This is much better than a long drawn out dimentia situation I agree (been there with a family member). That is a comfort to me knowing that there won't be any long term suffering.
down as it feels wrong to say it, as though I'm letting her down.Vet has said she's too old for treatment so we will just let nature take its course.
This is much better than a long drawn out dimentia situation I agree (been there with a family member). That is a comfort to me knowing that there won't be any long term suffering.
Oh Gary I'm so sorry.
So long as she's happy she's fine, as Bex said - you'll know when she isn't & be able to do the best thing for her
Have you discussed the Vet coming out to you? It's much nicer for you all that way. And you don't have the agony of having to walk out & drive afterwards
Sorry, just a thought morbid I know xxx
I'm so sorry.So long as she's happy she's fine, as Bex said - you'll know when she isn't & be able to do the best thing for her
Have you discussed the Vet coming out to you? It's much nicer for you all that way. And you don't have the agony of having to walk out & drive afterwards
Sorry, just a thought morbid I know xxx
ali_kat said:
Oh Gary I'm so sorry.
So long as she's happy she's fine, as Bex said - you'll know when she isn't & be able to do the best thing for her
Have you discussed the Vet coming out to you? It's much nicer for you all that way. And you don't have the agony of having to walk out & drive afterwards
Sorry, just a thought morbid I know xxx
I've not had that conversation but it is one that I will have. I actually have not even thought of 'the process' to be honest - what happens afterwards? Where do cremations take place for example? I'm so sorry.So long as she's happy she's fine, as Bex said - you'll know when she isn't & be able to do the best thing for her
Have you discussed the Vet coming out to you? It's much nicer for you all that way. And you don't have the agony of having to walk out & drive afterwards
Sorry, just a thought morbid I know xxx
I am not sure what is worse - having the vet come to me and then I let him take her away for cremation or what?
It may be worth having a chat to your vets so you know what to do and what happens, there is nothing worse than trying to decide at the time or not understanding what is happening, I had great peace in knowing what we wanted for Jimmy.
Home or vets personal choice, people worry about stress for the pet, often poorly elderly pets don't actually care, we rarely do home visits these days but then again we know most of our patients so well they are at ease with us, we take time and minimise any stress.
Cremation is what most people choose, your vets will be able to tell you who they use and usually have leaflets etc if you want to learn about them. You have choices with what you want to do after and if you want to usually a choice of urns (though I bought one from an online site which went with Jimmy as I had a particular wish about what I wanted)
I hope this helps a bit for you. Planning ahead if you have chance really helps for when it happens.
Home or vets personal choice, people worry about stress for the pet, often poorly elderly pets don't actually care, we rarely do home visits these days but then again we know most of our patients so well they are at ease with us, we take time and minimise any stress.
Cremation is what most people choose, your vets will be able to tell you who they use and usually have leaflets etc if you want to learn about them. You have choices with what you want to do after and if you want to usually a choice of urns (though I bought one from an online site which went with Jimmy as I had a particular wish about what I wanted)
I hope this helps a bit for you. Planning ahead if you have chance really helps for when it happens.
Edited by bexVN on Tuesday 23 September 09:10
So sorry that this is happening. Don't like to think of this happening to my two pals, Bert and Ernie, but I know time will eventually come for them too.
Lost Hamish after 17 happy years when his heart and kidneys started failing and he was too unwell to continue. Hardest thing I have ever done and I still feel tears even writing this now almost 6 years later.
There are pet crematoria around and I would think you can search on google for them near you.
I left Hamish with the vets and they dealt with everything but I didn't get his ashes or anything. If done individually you can have their ashes back.
If you leave them with the vet, their bodies usually get put into a freezer until there are enough to collect and cremate. Sounds horrible writing that down.
Just be assured that you are really doing the best for your pal and they really won't feel anything at all.
Lost Hamish after 17 happy years when his heart and kidneys started failing and he was too unwell to continue. Hardest thing I have ever done and I still feel tears even writing this now almost 6 years later.
There are pet crematoria around and I would think you can search on google for them near you.
I left Hamish with the vets and they dealt with everything but I didn't get his ashes or anything. If done individually you can have their ashes back.
If you leave them with the vet, their bodies usually get put into a freezer until there are enough to collect and cremate. Sounds horrible writing that down.
Just be assured that you are really doing the best for your pal and they really won't feel anything at all.
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