What to look for/preparing for your dog’s death

[skerfan]

A little memorial for my big dog that I found on AmazonView attachment 38893

loved that and went searching for it. Same guy on etsy makes springer edition also so i just ordered 2.

 

[Pipe Line]

loved that and went searching for it. Same guy on etsy makes springer edition also so i just ordered 2.

I give it a nice tap every time I walk by that spot on my truck.

 

[FreightPimpDawg]

I would suggest digging a hole and getting some tissue.

 

[turek420845]

Damn Pipeline, hate that you’re dealing with this. Ive got two of the best dogs I ever had approaching that stage of life right now.

From a vet perspective, granted I don’t know the whole story here, this has (in my opinion) been the most graceful way to handle labs with arthritis.

Sounds like your vet is on the right track. Steroid shot can give him a little boost. Where I differ from him is that I would probably try a non-steroid NSAID first.

If this is his first major episode like this, then it might just be that. The first. I would get him in the next few days and if he was my patient, I would prescribe him Quellin for about 10 days. It’s basically like Advil for dogs. There’s a great chance that he totally snaps out of it and is running around like a 3 year old pup after a couple days.

At some point, that will wear off, and he’ll have another episode. Depending on how long it is from now, I might prescribe 10 more days of Quellin (if it more than a few weeks out). You can repeat this process for a while until the episodes become really close together or the Quellin stops working completely.

At that point, I would try a steroid injection and see what happens. If it works, you might get a little more time. If not, it’s probably time to think about end-of-life options.

It’s hard to say when a dog is ready. As his owner, it is true that if you have a good bond with him, he’ll let you know.

My advice is that your job is to try some basic things like the Quellin or the steroid to give him some comfort and life. If those don’t work, and he gives you “the look,” then it’s time.

I’ve never been able to explain the look, but you’ll know it when you see it, trust me.

Again, sorry that you’re going through this, it’s hard to know when the right time is, but you’ll get to a point where both you and your dog are at peace, and that will be the right time.

Let me know if you need anything or have other questions.

I second this. After you have exhausted all your reasonable options, then I have always gone by the rule of when you start to have more bad days than good days. That's the advice I received and it made me a little more comfortable knowing I made the right choice. One of the hardest decisions I ever had to make.

 

[Pipe Line]

I second this. After you have exhausted all your reasonable options, then I have always gone by the rule of when you start to have more bad days than good days. That's the advice I received and it made me a little more comfortable knowing I made the right choice. One of the hardest decisions I ever had to make.

My pictures of him still get the tears going. Hard to believe it's been 8 months already, feels like yesterday.

 

[turek420845]

My pictures of him still get the tears going. Hard to believe it's been 8 months already, feels like yesterday.

I feel ya man. It's been almost six year and two years for me. The one six years ago, I had to make the decision. The other one that passed away two years ago passed away in his sleep, so it was much easier to deal with.

 

[FreightPimpDawg]

It’s just a dog. Get another one.

For Christ Sake.

 

[cwessel76]

It’s just a dog. Get another one.

For Christ Sake.

 

[kyle23]

It’s just a dog. Get another one.

For Christ Sake.

Found the guy who has never had a dog worth a shit.

 

[KidsSeeGhosts]

It’s just a dog. Get another one.

For Christ Sake.

I think it's very brave of you to keeping rolling with your AIM name all these years later.

 

[Quint]

Found the guy who has never had a dog worth a shit.

I’d say that post says a lot more than that.

 

[Milo-of-Croton]

@Pipe Line - very sorry to hear this. The only real issue I have ever had with a dog I’ve had is that they don’t live long enough. They are more than just family, they are our pal.

 

[djw004]

It’s just a dog. Get another one.

For Christ Sake.

Says the Dawg fan…you flip flopping mother fucker. One more missed playoff and you’ll like be a Yellowjacket.

You’re the Mike Vick of dog fans.

 

[Pipe Line]

It’s just a dog. Get another one.

For Christ Sake.

We did. Didn't do much

 

[iruletheskool]

It’s just a dog. Get another one.

For Christ Sake.

I don't understand the whole dog thing either, but just let them have they thread

 

[Dawgsauce]

My boy turns 16 next month. He's still rocking it, but can barely see and hear. Vet last week put him on a med which turned him into an old puppy for a few days. It was a doggy ibuprofin, to go along with his morning and eve CBD chews. He was running after balls again, wagging, playing, it was wonderful. Then the vet called. Tests came back and liver numbers weren't good. We had to take him off the med until another test can be done later this month.

@djw004 hate to hear about your pup. It's getting closer and closer for my boy, so just trying to enjoy him all I can while I can.
I haven't put down a dog in a long time. My last one climbed the fence and died in my neighbors yard at an old age. I was 12 years old when I had to put down my dog myself after it was hit by a car, and no grown ups were around. So knowing when it comes will be a tough decision and one made with consultation from my vet friend.

You are so right dogs are awesome. I've never not had one. My almost 16 year old is named Huck. He has paddled 1,000s of miles with me. We did a 70 mile river trip when he was 6 months old, and 860 miler source to sea when he was 1 years old. He grew up in a canoe, and was the best co pilot I've known in a canoe. He's too old now for rivers, but hoping to get him out on a lake paddle overnight when it warms up this Spring.

 

[FreightPimpDawg]

Says the Dawg fan…you flip flopping mother fucker. One more missed playoff and you’ll like be a Yellowjacket.

You’re the Mike Vick of dog fans.

 

[FreightPimpDawg]

 

[cwessel76]

We got a wannabe alpha male, folks.

 

[FreightPimpDawg]

You guys doing ok over here? Lot’s of emotion coming through my IPhone.