How to decide the end is nigh?

[The_Burg]

Our eldest grey really seems to be struggling. Bad arthritis in the bag legs. Has been checked over a few times and nothing really can be done.

Now dogs mask pain to an amazing level, the back end goes most days now and she sort of stomps on the back end.

But she generally seems quite happy, gets excited when we get home and does the doggy dance.

Not been walked for months, last time we tried she was so bad i had to fetch the car after after only a few 100 yards.

So bad at that point we nearly took her straight to see Mr Heriott.

She collapses often, but seems so happy in general. SO am i a bad owner and should put her to sleep?
Younger dog suffers too as you can't take him out alone without her getting upset.

She's around 14 now and ex racer, lives in the utility room during working hours as we can leave the door open for toileting. Cant leave her in the main house as she messes.

She's a lovely old girl and doesn't look her age apart from the back legs and almost no teeth.

Hard decision soon. Advice required. Do you think she suffers and hides it?

[The_Burg]

Problem is i don't know, she's always been a bit of wreck since we took her on 3 years ago. Far better than when we first saw her. Dental work to remove the wrecked teeth for one thing, about 6 left after. Hugely under weight etc and generally abused.

She has had a crap life and wouldn't want her to suffer, wife says it's my decision.

Hardest one to make!

[The_Burg]

rambo19 said:

A hard hard decision to make. but the fact that your struggling with it proves your a good man.

Not the sort of comment you get often here, thank you sir.

[The_Burg]

And she has just farted in that special doggy way. The gentle lift of the head and innocent look.
Disgusting as the smell is, i would miss it.
Hope i'm being a good owner keeping her going.

[The_Burg]

Maybe it's just the heat? She don't look to good.
Though legs not too bad, probably.

Not asked for any food, though nor has the youngster. Just too darn hot.

[The_Burg]

Well she picked up and seemed to be happier. Tonight she's struggling. It's too darn hot. Been pouring jugs of water over her to keep her cool.
SO hard to make the choice, she seems happy most the time, but really hating this heat.

Would i be killing my faithful friend because she's a bit hot? I really don't know.

[The_Burg]

bexVN said:

If you can get her comfortable tonight see how she copes tom as I think it is meant to be slightly cooler.

I'm sorry to say heat can often tip infirmed animals just too far, we sadly see it a lot (esp if the have any circulatory issues)

You are in an almost no win situation and as you prob remember I know exactly what you are going through.

I have never regretted the timing of my decision with Jimmy even though I know he could have struggled on for a few more weeks, I didn't want him to. He deserved so much more than to continue as he was (and risk him falling etc) He had no chance of recovery. If there had been I would have helped him continue his fight.

Many people regret leaving the decision too late. Occasionally I feel some people do rush a decision when we could've improved a pet's qol but that is not at all common and much more common the other way.

I know I'm rambling but I am really hoping I am helping with your struggle. Is there no way your wife will get involved in helping with this difficult time? Ultimately my hubby trusted my opinion but we decided together aswell, I was grateful for this as I would've hated it to have been all on me.

My wife wants me to make the decision as she can't, not like i can either. Sadly suspect you may be right and we are prolonging the decision.

[The_Burg]

Fast asleep now. No sign of life apart from the rising chest and occasional fart.

Lovely old girl. Used and abused.

[The_Burg]

Seems happy enough today, let me hose her down in the garden. Seems very chilled again, last night was not nice she was really seeming to suffer. If only they could talk....

[The_Burg]

bexVN said:

Was hoping this would be the case due to being sl cooler today. Whilst they can't talk we can read their body language more than you realise. I don't think you are pro longing things at the mo she is having good days still but I hope talking on here will help you not do that either. Just take it a day or two at a time for now and think about yourselves (this is not selfish) as it is incredibly stressful for us at this time.

Indeed, it's so hard. Every time we say ok game over she picks up.
Really seemed to enjoy being hosed down today, unlike the youngster who hated it. Still not much you can do to cool them otherwise.

[The_Burg]

She's doing fine again. Not keen on eating but as it's hot neither is the youngster.
Every time we get to the final decision she seems to get better.
The legs are very arthritic and she does struggle but seems so happy when i get home.

[The_Burg]

Not so good again tonight, kind of feel like i'm just waiting.
If only she could talk and tell us how she really feels. So sad.

[The_Burg]

bexVN said:

What's happened tonight ?

Just struggling with those nasty arthritic back legs. Plus the humidity.
Rained a bit so has increased the muggyness a lot, *(is that a word?).

Now comfortably collapsed on her bed snoring and farting contentedly.

[The_Burg]

bexVN said:

The_Burg said:

bexVN said:

What's happened tonight ?

Just struggling with those nasty arthritic back legs. Plus the humidity.
Rained a bit so has increased the muggyness a lot, *(is that a word?).

Now comfortably collapsed on her bed snoring and farting contentedly.

This weather has been awful for our pets, we have several cats in on drips at the mo because of it . She may also be struggling a bit with reduced nerve signals to her hind legs (sadly common in elderly sight hounds) the good thing is this is not painful like arthritis but will increase difficulty with walking, co ordination and control. It's good that she can still rest easy, essential for a greyhound!!

She was diagnosed with arthritis several years ago when we first rehomed her. We gave her daily aspirin but seemed to make no difference at al.

[The_Burg]

bexVN said:

Aspirin is a strange drug to prescribe for Arthritis. Is she on anything else for it now?

No nothing, vet said nothing can be done. Aspirin was an internet recommendation.
Poor old used and dumped race dog. Ireland to found roaming the street of Coventry.

Younger one is a Tirkane, sires sperm is worth a mint.

Sad sport, used and abused. Guess my two are lucky, most don't get to live. Disgusting 'sport'. Almost as bad as dog fighting.

[The_Burg]

Well today was the day. RIP Gilgarry Joli. Still made it well past 13 years.
Took a turn for the worse and we made the decision. All for the best but not a nice experience.

[The_Burg]

Gutted, our younger Grey keeps looking round,checking the garden. Every time we go upstairs waits at the bottom. (Neither did stairs). It's horrible, died in our arms, such a sad task. We did right though. She was struggling. Would post pics but on my iPad. She was in a terrible state when we got her, vets bills were near £1k, nursed back and we had her near 3 years.

[The_Burg]

Indeed John. The youngster, well 10 is so unsettled. Looking for his friend.

All folk who rehome are good people.

So sad when they go.

[The_Burg]

A few days on and Harry Has-Been has settled back down and stopped hunting for her. Seems to be full of beans. Just showing us how well he is maybe?

Still feels odd but certain it was the right decision.