Misha The Black Lab's Last Weeks - A Little Help
Discussion
We adopted Meg and Misha in June 2022. Misha is now 10, and the vets have diagnosed from her urine and bloods that she has kidney failure, this was about 6 weeks ago. It feels like we are in the final weeks, but it might be a lot longer.
The vet wasn't especially helpful with what happens next. They did say she can come to the diet clinic to lose some weight, she is 40kg and should be closer to 32kg. And they suggested blood pressure testing. I couldn't see the point of either, we have her on a senior weight management kibble. I know I can ring them, but so far she has been okish so it didn't seem to be the right thing to do.
However things are changing now.
Up to now she has been overdrinking. Now she seems to have stopped urinating as often and as much, a few weeks ago she was waking every couple of hours and now goes 4 hours.
She is really struggling with her rear legs suddenly, almost unable to climb the stairs.
Still runs a bit outside for the ball, but has slowed down.
Can't walk as far as a week ago, gets out of breathe easier.
2 days ago threw up all her food for the first time, not happened again and seems to be eating again like a labrador.
Her skin is awful now, always been subject to dandruff but lots of flaky skin, her lumps and bumps seem bigger. And she is definately shedding hair a lot.
She is now sleeping a lot more than she was a week ago.
Her eyes are very bloodshot, wine red.
She is defactating fine.
If we see any changes I will revise this post, and any input will be massively appreciated. I want to judge when is the right time to ring the vets to see her again, she hates it and I don't want to stress her.
The vet wasn't especially helpful with what happens next. They did say she can come to the diet clinic to lose some weight, she is 40kg and should be closer to 32kg. And they suggested blood pressure testing. I couldn't see the point of either, we have her on a senior weight management kibble. I know I can ring them, but so far she has been okish so it didn't seem to be the right thing to do.
However things are changing now.
Up to now she has been overdrinking. Now she seems to have stopped urinating as often and as much, a few weeks ago she was waking every couple of hours and now goes 4 hours.
She is really struggling with her rear legs suddenly, almost unable to climb the stairs.
Still runs a bit outside for the ball, but has slowed down.
Can't walk as far as a week ago, gets out of breathe easier.
2 days ago threw up all her food for the first time, not happened again and seems to be eating again like a labrador.
Her skin is awful now, always been subject to dandruff but lots of flaky skin, her lumps and bumps seem bigger. And she is definately shedding hair a lot.
She is now sleeping a lot more than she was a week ago.
Her eyes are very bloodshot, wine red.
She is defactating fine.
If we see any changes I will revise this post, and any input will be massively appreciated. I want to judge when is the right time to ring the vets to see her again, she hates it and I don't want to stress her.
You have my sympathies, we lost our lab last year aged 13 and we prevaricated for ages wondering when the time was right. In the end he pretty much lost the use of his back legs and had to be helped up in the morning, although he was still eating fine and seemed happy. We had a couple of accidents in the kitchen which he seemed very upset about, so that was really the trigger point and he went while he still had a bit of dignity.
Heartbreaking though and I'd have him back as healthy dog if I could, but better slightly too early than leaving it too late I reckon.
Heartbreaking though and I'd have him back as healthy dog if I could, but better slightly too early than leaving it too late I reckon.
lost in espace said:
Bless you and Misha. We went through this with Sam whippet (he had other immune-related complications though).Having said that, I can't really remember much detail to be of much help to you, sorry. But one thing I did wonder - would your vet do a home visit for a consultation if Misha finds trips to the vet stressful?
Sending you and Misha best wishes.
Edited by moorx on Saturday 17th February 16:39
popeyewhite said:
My sympathies. My dog is 14 so I'm acutely aware ill health is imminent.
If Misha lost 8 -10 kg life would probably be a considerably easier for her.
It would yes, but I keep thinking that it's far too late. I will take her to the vets tomorrow and weigh her, and ask the receptionist about an appointment. If Misha lost 8 -10 kg life would probably be a considerably easier for her.
garythesign said:
As others have said, better a week early than a week late.
Only you will know when the time is right.
Its is absolutely hell to go through
Sending hugs from my 13 year old to Misha
I had a rescue Tibetan Terrier and it took me 4 years to get over her death through heart failure due to overbreeding. I am a bit more hardened now, and we got them when they were old not expecting them to last forever. 10 is a good age for a big girl like her. Thanks for everyone's good wishes and concerns, it is really appreciated as I don't have anyone else to talk to about this. Only you will know when the time is right.
Its is absolutely hell to go through
Sending hugs from my 13 year old to Misha
Earlier this year we were going through very similar feelings (see my topic).
I’ll not reshare the cartoon, but it’s very relevant, as were the 3Ws.
In the end it came down us agreeing that we were only really prolonging Macks life for us not for him and actually he had very little/no quality of life.
Good luck with whatever you decide….. it’s not easy and we all share your pain.
I’ll not reshare the cartoon, but it’s very relevant, as were the 3Ws.
In the end it came down us agreeing that we were only really prolonging Macks life for us not for him and actually he had very little/no quality of life.
Good luck with whatever you decide….. it’s not easy and we all share your pain.
Marcellus said:
Earlier this year we were going through very similar feelings (see my topic).
I’ll not reshare the cartoon, but it’s very relevant, as were the 3Ws.
In the end it came down us agreeing that we were only really prolonging Macks life for us not for him and actually he had very little/no quality of life.
Good luck with whatever you decide….. it’s not easy and we all share your pain.
Thank you, the cartoon has been at the back of my mind since you posted. She is here now snoring, she had a proper cough a few months ago and the vet diagnosed a heart murmur, diseased voicebox nerve and that food was dropping into her voicebox. She is very vocal now lying in bed as a result. It hasn't been easy for the last 6 months, she wakes so often in the night for a wee we have to keep her in the bedroom, and she is very noisy. I’ll not reshare the cartoon, but it’s very relevant, as were the 3Ws.
In the end it came down us agreeing that we were only really prolonging Macks life for us not for him and actually he had very little/no quality of life.
Good luck with whatever you decide….. it’s not easy and we all share your pain.
Since starting this thread today she has definitely gone down hill. She got upstairs, but is for the first time looking uncomfortable. She came and lay by me and just looked over her shoulder at me for a long time, she never does that.
We will go for our walk in the park and ring the vet on Monday. I am dreading having to get her downstairs and into the car if she has an issue at night she is so big.
Thank you everyone.
We will go for our walk in the park and ring the vet on Monday. I am dreading having to get her downstairs and into the car if she has an issue at night she is so big.
Thank you everyone.
RDMcG said:
My sympathies indeed. I will be facing the same event n the next few months, maybe weeks, I fear. I have always been with my dogs when they have their last breath and hold a paw to be with them. It is very hard, but in the end they know that they are not alone.
I wish you well, both of you. It's just the worst part of the deal. Just remember you had a great life together Sorry to hear this. I said goodbye to my old lab earlier this week so you have my sincere sympathy.
Good advice given on here is the 3 W’s as a guide to how she is feeling: Wanting to go for a walk, wolfing down the food, and wagging her tail. They will usually give you a sign that the time is nigh, and you should act on it. Ask your vet for advice, it’s what they are there for. And as mentioned, when the time comes, better a week early than a day late.
From a practical point of view, if you need to carry her, one of the stiff plastic dog baskets and a person either end is pretty handy.
It ain’t an easy time, but is part of the job of being a responsible owner. In my experience, having made the decision and taken the old girl down to the vet for the last time, the relief of a gentle goodbye was very welcome.
Talk to your vet, listen to your dog, and if you need to make the decision, do so. Weekend / night / out of hours doesn’t matter, when the time comes, do what is right for the dog.
Good luck to Misha and you.
Good advice given on here is the 3 W’s as a guide to how she is feeling: Wanting to go for a walk, wolfing down the food, and wagging her tail. They will usually give you a sign that the time is nigh, and you should act on it. Ask your vet for advice, it’s what they are there for. And as mentioned, when the time comes, better a week early than a day late.
From a practical point of view, if you need to carry her, one of the stiff plastic dog baskets and a person either end is pretty handy.
It ain’t an easy time, but is part of the job of being a responsible owner. In my experience, having made the decision and taken the old girl down to the vet for the last time, the relief of a gentle goodbye was very welcome.
Talk to your vet, listen to your dog, and if you need to make the decision, do so. Weekend / night / out of hours doesn’t matter, when the time comes, do what is right for the dog.
Good luck to Misha and you.
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