When do you know it s time to say goodbye???
Discussion
Our Cooper was diagnosed with Histiocyctic Sarcoma.. he started going off his food and acting tired, something a couple of days he had blood tests, a scan, was referred to Liverpool
Animal hospital where they made the diagnosis
He s had a first dose of chemo, been on antibiotics, paracetamol, various drugs and pastes to settle his digestive system and give him an appetite, but we re still struggling to get any food in him.
We ve tried anything and everything to get him wolfing his food down but little success. The only thing he won t refuse is a bloody Bonio!!! Silly bugr .
He has his moments of brightness, having a quick game of tug with his spaniel sister on the lawn, walking round to the neighbours gate to stare at their rabbits, cuddles on the sofa and rolling over for a belly rub, so while he can do these things we are reluctant to let him go.
He s due another round of chemo on Thursday, but I suspect they will say he s not strong enough. He s lost 10% of his body weight in 3 weeks, his platelet count is on the floor, and still no appetite.
Animal hospital where they made the diagnosis
He s had a first dose of chemo, been on antibiotics, paracetamol, various drugs and pastes to settle his digestive system and give him an appetite, but we re still struggling to get any food in him.
We ve tried anything and everything to get him wolfing his food down but little success. The only thing he won t refuse is a bloody Bonio!!! Silly bugr .
He has his moments of brightness, having a quick game of tug with his spaniel sister on the lawn, walking round to the neighbours gate to stare at their rabbits, cuddles on the sofa and rolling over for a belly rub, so while he can do these things we are reluctant to let him go.
He s due another round of chemo on Thursday, but I suspect they will say he s not strong enough. He s lost 10% of his body weight in 3 weeks, his platelet count is on the floor, and still no appetite.
Edited by Ceeejay on Sunday 16th August 20:53
Really sorry you’re all going through this. Cooper still having those little moments where he wants to play, see what the rabbits are doing, have cuddles and roll over for a belly rub must make the decision even harder.
I think I’d be the same while he’s still showing those flashes of himself. I’d probably speak to Liverpool before Thursday though, especially with the weight loss, lack of appetite and platelet count, just so they can advise whether there’s anything else they can do to make him more comfortable and get some food into him.
Whatever happens with the next round of chemo, I hope you get some more good days with him. It sounds like he’s very much loved, and I’m sure you’ll know when the balance starts to change.
I think I’d be the same while he’s still showing those flashes of himself. I’d probably speak to Liverpool before Thursday though, especially with the weight loss, lack of appetite and platelet count, just so they can advise whether there’s anything else they can do to make him more comfortable and get some food into him.
Whatever happens with the next round of chemo, I hope you get some more good days with him. It sounds like he’s very much loved, and I’m sure you’ll know when the balance starts to change.
king hell mate.....
I had to make the call to have my Red Fox euthanised this morning. She had been poorly for a fair while and today I could see she’s simply had enough.
Her whole demeanour just suggested she had given up. So within an hour of making the call, the vet was at my house and she was euthanised in the garden.
For the first time in 20 years, there are no dogs here.
Good luck but you will see the signs of when’s the right time.
Her whole demeanour just suggested she had given up. So within an hour of making the call, the vet was at my house and she was euthanised in the garden.
For the first time in 20 years, there are no dogs here.
Good luck but you will see the signs of when’s the right time.
Richtea1970 said:
Unfortunately there's never a 'right time'. Having gone through this recently, I still question whether it was too soon or too late, and that question will never be answered.
Same here; we had to do this recently and it’s horrible, so I feel for you having to go through this process.Our vet said something along the lines of:
1. It’s better to be too early than too late; and
2. If you’re thinking about it, it is time or very nearly time.
Heartbreaking decision and impossible to know whether you’ve gone too early or too late, but if you’re preventing suffering, early is probably kinder. That said, we did that and I wonder whether another few days or weeks would have allowed us to come to terms with the decision a bit easier - but is that for just for our benefit?
It's a bad time. Out older poodle went 6 weeks ago. She was 13 though, and average lifespan for a Standard Poodle is 12 to 14.
On painkillers for arthritic hips. A slow developing tumour near her bladder. Finally developed a bit of dementia and was barking and unsettled. She could have lasted another few months physically but her quality of life was going fast. It was time.
It isn't easy knowing when. But as has been said better a few days too early than leaving it too late. My sympathies.
On painkillers for arthritic hips. A slow developing tumour near her bladder. Finally developed a bit of dementia and was barking and unsettled. She could have lasted another few months physically but her quality of life was going fast. It was time.
It isn't easy knowing when. But as has been said better a few days too early than leaving it too late. My sympathies.
MYOB said:
I had to make the call to have my Red Fox euthanised this morning. She had been poorly for a fair while and today I could see she s simply had enough.
Her whole demeanour just suggested she had given up. So within an hour of making the call, the vet was at my house and she was euthanised in the garden.
For the first time in 20 years, there are no dogs here.
Good luck but you will see the signs of when s the right time.
Sorry to read thisHer whole demeanour just suggested she had given up. So within an hour of making the call, the vet was at my house and she was euthanised in the garden.
For the first time in 20 years, there are no dogs here.
Good luck but you will see the signs of when s the right time.
It hurts so much when they go
We left it too late on our first dog . We lost her a year ago . We both now know we did and it's a regret I will carry to the end of my life .
However whatever decision you make is the right one .
It's a huge responsibility and a heavy burden.
Trust your instincts and try and filter out the emotions ( utterly impossible and ridiculous to say of course)
Trust your instincts.
However whatever decision you make is the right one .
It's a huge responsibility and a heavy burden.
Trust your instincts and try and filter out the emotions ( utterly impossible and ridiculous to say of course)
Trust your instincts.
Ceeejay
Having just returned from the vet this morning, having taken my spaniel for her final visit, I totally understand your dilemma. But as others have said, I think in your heart you know when it’s time. The question I ask myself is “if I prolong things, who am I doing it for, myself or the dog?” That tends to focus my mind. I too,once left it later than I should have, and it is one of my biggest regrets.
If it isn’t a process that you’ve experienced before, it is peaceful, quick and painless.
Whatever you decide, and whatever the outcome, I wish you all the best. My house is an emptier place today, and so is my heart, but it’s for the best.
Having just returned from the vet this morning, having taken my spaniel for her final visit, I totally understand your dilemma. But as others have said, I think in your heart you know when it’s time. The question I ask myself is “if I prolong things, who am I doing it for, myself or the dog?” That tends to focus my mind. I too,once left it later than I should have, and it is one of my biggest regrets.
If it isn’t a process that you’ve experienced before, it is peaceful, quick and painless.
Whatever you decide, and whatever the outcome, I wish you all the best. My house is an emptier place today, and so is my heart, but it’s for the best.
I wrote a long reply last night just before going to bed, then lost it before I could post 
But its contents have been covered by subsequent posters with their very good advice, so I won't repeat.
What I will do is wish you the very best at this horrible time (which I've experienced more times than I care to remember) and express what an absolutely stunning dog Cooper is.
And add to that my sympathies to everyone else who has been and is going through similar.
Virtual hugs to you all x
But its contents have been covered by subsequent posters with their very good advice, so I won't repeat.
What I will do is wish you the very best at this horrible time (which I've experienced more times than I care to remember) and express what an absolutely stunning dog Cooper is.
And add to that my sympathies to everyone else who has been and is going through similar.
Virtual hugs to you all x
Sending our thoughts OP. Bella the Labrador has had a hard year and whilst recovering from some injuries/issues, just got very 'old'. She was a total weapon until ~13 and then just exploded, thankfully we should make it to 14 in a couple of weeks.
However, she is on a sling and mobility is an issue as both knees and elbows are 'gone', riddle with arthritis, etc. But using the QoL form above, she's in the clear with some margin... but her physio prefers one with no eating, happiness, etc. categories that focuses on mobility. That makes for more grim reading.
But I am trusting the process and I believe she will tell me when it is time. If I don't know, being with her pretty much her whole life, I don't want a stranger deciding.
Wishing you the best of luck with chemo and hopefully a return to form and more time to cuddle!
However, she is on a sling and mobility is an issue as both knees and elbows are 'gone', riddle with arthritis, etc. But using the QoL form above, she's in the clear with some margin... but her physio prefers one with no eating, happiness, etc. categories that focuses on mobility. That makes for more grim reading.
But I am trusting the process and I believe she will tell me when it is time. If I don't know, being with her pretty much her whole life, I don't want a stranger deciding.
Wishing you the best of luck with chemo and hopefully a return to form and more time to cuddle!
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff