I am a mess, my dog isn't good

17 years ago

I have a nearly 14 year old lab, Abby. She's looked like a senior the past year, but has remained happy and active.

Since Friday she has been going downhill, mostly not eating and looking weaker. Yesterday she stopped eating around noon and got "that look"- those of you who've lost elderly pets probably know what I'm talking about. I was going to make her an appointment today even though the prognosis seemed bad for a 14 yo lab.

In the middle of the night she quit walking- DH got up, found her, and brought her back to bed. She is breathing hard now, like congestive heart failure is setting in.

Since she's progressing so fast, part of me just wants to let her rest here until nature takes its course, the other part of me is worried about how long that may take and thinks I should go ahead and make an appointment for this afternoon. Her quality of life is gone and it seems she isn't going to get up again, but at the same time I don't want to put her through being dragged off to the vet if she will go peacefully and quickly here.

I just don't know what to do and am a mess right now. I've been up since 2 am crying, so thank you for listening this morning.

Comments (14)

onyxdaily
17 years ago
Quasifish, I feel your pain and am so sorry for what you are going through with your dear Abby. We lost our 17 year old lab in Nov 2005, and she took a sudden turn in the late afternoon on a Sunday. We, too, didn't know whether to take her in or keep her at home, but the decision was taken out of our hands when Onyx passed peacefully in her sleep later that night. May God bless you and may your dear Abby rest easy.
oddity
17 years ago
I am sorry you are going through this with your baby girl. You are in my prayers.
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mokanee
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Won't your vet come to your home? So you don't have to "drag" her anywhere...

I know when the time comes, even though it will be more $$$ I am going to get my vet to come to my house so my babe can be where she is most comfortable and the last thing she remembers doesn't have to be the trauma associated with going to the vet.

But it is hard either which way you decide. I haven't quite had to make the decision yet.. but am close. I spend most of my nights crying so I know exactly how you feel. Good luck and we will all be with you in spirit.
debd18
17 years ago
So sorry for what you're going through. I lost my pug to congestive heart failure two years ago. I would recommend that you go ahead and see the vet. It can become scary for the dog near the end because they struggle so much to breathe. I waited too long with my dog and then had to make a desperate dash to the vet with my poor, scared dog.
bbaird
17 years ago
If you really like and trust your vet, call him/her and ask about your concerns. Get an informed opinion. It might be time, it might not.

I agree with the posters who suggest that you ask the vet to come to your home.

I'm sorry about Abby's problems. I hope it works out well.
raul_in_mexico
17 years ago
Ask the vet to come to your house.
joepyeweed
17 years ago
If she is fading fast, I probably would not rush her to the Vet. If you have any valium, give one to the dog and one to yourself.
labmomma
17 years ago
Ugh, I feel so badly this is happening to you and your dear Abby. I have been there once, and I am actually probably headed there sooner than I want to admit with my now 12 yr. old lab. Old gal has started with congestive heart failure (very early stage). She has some symptoms, but as of today she looks good and is eating. We are all about one day at a time. However, I have plan in place with my vet that he will come to our home when it is "time", so that I do not have to deal with getting my old gal into the office. It will be hard enough without any additional stress. Perhaps you could inquire if your vet would come to you. Most times there is not an awful lot of equipment needed for your vet to assess your dog. That way she does not have to be put into the car and taken to the office (more stress on her and you). Also, if you have a longstanding relationship with your vet, they are usually very compassionate at times like this. Most vets didn't go to veterinary school to get rich, they go because animals are their passion.

I do think you need to call your vet regardless of whether he/she will come to you. You don't want your pet to suffer trying to get her last breath. It will be scary for both of you. I think this is the absolute worst time in any petowner's life. When the time comes to make a tough decision, you need your vet to guide you accordingly.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

p.s. Take the valium as suggested above.
cheryl_p
17 years ago
I'm so very sorry. I think it to be the hardest thing of all to do. Prayers with you.
mboston_gw
17 years ago
I know what you mean when you say you know it is time. We debated for several days with our Brittany but then there was a moment when she looked at us and we both just sighed and shook ours heads yes. That was a year ago Feb. and I still tear up when I think of that day. When you need to, visit Rainbow Bridge website. It is very comforting. Cherish the memories you have with Abby.
weed30 St. Louis
17 years ago
I am so very sorry for what you are going through. As you know, I had to make the decision last week. It is so hard, but for me, it got to the point where I knew I could not let her go through any more. My biggest fear was that I would not be home with her, and she would die all alone, and possibly in pain.

Take her to the vet, wrapped in whatever blanket you have that she liked to lay on (your bedspread?) and also something from your dirty laundry that really smells like you. Those things will comfort her.

I am so very sorry. (((HUG)))
sammy zone 7 Tulsa
17 years ago
I just read this,and am truly sorry. My suggestion would be to talk to the Vet who has probably been tracking her health. I know ours has a truck and apparatus to transport animals. I cannot advise, but wish you the best.

Sammy
Meghane
17 years ago
I wouldn't let "nature take its course." In the natural world, animals that can't run away are prey. It keeps them from suffering. Obviously that isn't going to happen to your girl. She could last a long time while slowly suffocating. Not a good death IMHO. Please make arrangements for her. I know it is so sudden and it's hard to be rational with such emotional decisions. I've been there too, and have to admit that I needed a good talking to in order to make the right decision. Even when I knew better. It's so hard...
I am so sorry (((from the whole family)))
yborgal
17 years ago
Our PeeWee woke up in the middle of the night gasping to take a breath. We rushed her to an Emergency vet hospital and they immediately put her on oxygen and had her in ICU for a day and a half. We learned she had congestive heart failure and major kidney problems but were told that with meds and special food we might have bought her anywhere from 6 months to a year. Her lifestyle would be quite different than before her episode but she would be pain free.
Well, it was obvious to us that though she was in no pain she had no energy and barely ate or drank anything. She might have had time, but she had no quality of life. I was so afraid she'd have another episode and would die gasping for air.
I couldn't make a decision and prayed she would die on her own.
PeeWee slept in a playpen at the foot of our bed because of incontinence problems and in addition to clean towels I would place the nightgown I had worn the previous night so she'd have my scent close to her.
I awoke around 2:30 AM to check her and her breathing was shallow but she was comfortable. She was sleeping in the far corner of the playpen.
I checked her again at 5:15 and she was gone. It was especially heartbreaking when I realized she had made it to my nightgown and passed away curled up on it.
My heart still aches when I think of the effort it took her to reach that spot, but I guess it was important to her to be close to me in some way.
I'm so sorry you're going through this. If you love your furbaby, and I know you do, this is a monumental decision you'll be having to make.
Hopefully, Abby will pass away painlessly in her sleep.

Mona

I am a mess, my dog isn't good

Comments (14)

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