I feel like a bit of a twit for posting about this, but my family dog, who we’ve had for 14 years and who I have actually known for longer than half of my life… is coming to the end of his days.
…he keeps having episodes where we think he’s going to need to be put to sleep, but then he’ll recover and be fine. It’s happened four times now and each time we think it’s the end, I get so terribly upset about it and then he’ll be OK.
Obviously when he’s alright it’s a relief, but at the same time it’s proving to be really hard to cope because each time he’s OK it means I then know I’ll have to go through it again.
He’s a black lab and he’s got the classic problem that his back legs are giving out. However, apart from the weak legs he’s still generally in really good spirits – he’ll still go ‘silly’ and roll around like a puppy and he is still properly obsessed with food & attention. But over the last two months he’s had various episodes where he’s been unable to stand up and we’ve thought it was the end, but then he’s perked up completely and been fine again. Now today it happened again, only this time he had the doggy equivalent of a stroke & was fitting. However, he’s come around from it and is completely back to his old self.
Every time we think it’s going to be the end I completely go to pieces – he’s almost more like a sibling than a pet (and if that sounds weird then so be it) and the thought of losing him just makes me feel terrible. I know it will happen and I’m sure I’ll come to terms with it when it does, but having to go through the feeling again and again is getting really difficult. L
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Feel ridiculous but I almost can’t cope…
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Aww its heartbreaking to see a beloved pet suffer, - what does the vet say ? Is he on anti-inflamatories, cod liver oil? any other meds at all ? Al;so it might be worth keeping Rescue Remedy to calm him when he has these moments.
All you can do is to be there for him, don't let him see you are distressed if you can help it, that will distress him further.
All you can do is to be there for him, don't let him see you are distressed if you can help it, that will distress him further.
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Thanks Black Cat!
I know, it is horrible. He's completely back to normal now though, snuffling around in the garden just as he would have prior to his 'stroke'. While he is happy the majority of the time I think we will continue holding on to him, but not when he is obviously in contant discomfort, that would be selfish.
He is on treatments for his problems with his legs, I'm not 100% sure what as he lives with my mum and dad and I have moved out now, so I'm not around him all the time anymore. I will suggest the rescue remedy to my mum - she uses it on herself and on her horse, so I can see no reason why she wouldn't try it on Moss!
x
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this might be too late, or totally inappropriate or irrelevant, but I do know a few people who have sworn by those pedigree joint care sticks/chews. Apparently they can give your dog a new lease of life! might be worth a try. Best wishes to you and your lab, I have a lab and although she's very young, I often think how distressing it will be when her life comes to an end! x
Oh nina I'm so sorry to read this. It is so distressing and upsetting when a pet is unwell. I recently said goodbye to our little cat Molly, it was terribly terribly sad, but it was the best thing for her. It was more difficult for our family to see her so uncomfortable and not able to do the things she loved.
I hope your dog is comfortable and you enjoy the rest of your time with him. Try and remember the happy times and the lovely long life he has had with you all.
I hope your dog is comfortable and you enjoy the rest of your time with him. Try and remember the happy times and the lovely long life he has had with you all.
<font color="#333333"><strong>________________________________<br /></strong></font><strong><br /><br />hence, the potato thus looks like a penis.<br /><br />Posted by </strong><strong>satsumakitten <
Its a horrible time - wonderful highs that he seems so mich better, and then the awful lows when he plunges down again.
All you can do is enjoy your time with him, show him how much you love him, take lots of pics and vidoes if you can and just deal with 'that' day, when you need to - no point in worrying about it, it won't make it any easier.
Its not stupid - I lost my old cat in ther summer and we still miss her so much.
All you can do is enjoy your time with him, show him how much you love him, take lots of pics and vidoes if you can and just deal with 'that' day, when you need to - no point in worrying about it, it won't make it any easier.
Its not stupid - I lost my old cat in ther summer and we still miss her so much.
Well dang, I found my original profile and sign in ! Tis me !
I may not always be right.... but I'm never wrong.
I may not always be right.... but I'm never wrong.
Me and my partner had a male Golden Retriever who died a couple of years ago aged 15 years. It was hard towards the end as he would go down and then pick up again. I would recommend given him glucosamine tablets mixed in food he likes. It helps with joints.
You can buy high end food for elderly dogs which has this in but its pricey. Personally it was better for us to buy tablets and crush them into food.
You can buy high end food for elderly dogs which has this in but its pricey. Personally it was better for us to buy tablets and crush them into food.
I've had to have 2 dogs put to sleep because of old age. Both gradually lost the use of their back legs. It is a terrible time when they go but, as the others have said, enjoy your time with him and remember the good times. He obviously enjoys life still when he is well.
Christine
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