Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Help us understand when it is time to put our dog down

Our mix lab is nearly 15 yrs old and limps on her front left paw and her hips give away when she runs. She still eats really well along with drinking water and plays for a short time every few hours with us. She can go outside and do her business but she coughs alot and sometimes brings up alot of yellow bile. Is doesn't squeal in pain and we give her one Iburprophen at bedtime. Are we prolonging her life and causing more problems for her?
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
Exactly! Nothing wrong with getting old.....(says me who has just dyed her hair!)
Helpful - 0
1655240 tn?1302038830
Yes I give a regular strength aspirin to my 11 yr old Black lab due to his hips. No tylenol or any other thing that is hard on their liver. I dont use the rimadyl either for the same reason.

Labs are very hardy stoic dogs.  They could have a broken leg and wag their tail.  However, you will know when it is time to put your dog down. It sounds like he has some life left and if he still has pleasure then just bear with the old guy.  I would hate to be put down just cause I got old- looks both ways at her kids-- don't do it!  
Helpful - 0
675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
I totally agree with Karla. Stop the Ibuprofen straight away. And a trip to the vet to get her arthritis managed is a good idea.
Also, a Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplement might help her a lot.
They certainly help my dog, I can vouch for that. She has been on them now for 2 years. She used to limp very slightly on a back leg which was once broken when she was younger. The vet said she would probably grow to develop arthritis in that leg, and it did seem things might be going that way, as any change in the weather to dampness, had her 'hitching' up that leg sometimes. Since starting the Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplement, she has not even done that once!

My dog weighs 28lbs and the maximum dose for her is 500mg Glucosamine and 200mg Chondroitin. I give her one capsule with the 2 combined, with that dosage every day.
If your dog weighs twice my dog's weight, you could give 2 capsules (1000mg Glucosamine and 400mg Chondroitin)

It is perfectly safe to give dogs capsules of this supplement prepared for humans. In fact it is cheaper. So long as you get the dosage right. You could speak to your vet about this too.  
Helpful - 0
462827 tn?1333168952
Hello & welcome....Ibuprofen is TOXIC to dogs....It sounds as if she is still in good shape, but needs a prescription for pain meds. from your Vet.....Your Vet will have a selection of meds to treat your girl's, what I beleive to be, Arthrititis....They work wonders....

The yellow bile is stomach acid and the Ibuprofen could possibly be damaging her stomach lining.....Usually, dogs vomit bile when they've gone too long without food.....She needs to be fed 2 meals a day and a snack before bedtime.....This will help her tummy....Good luck with her....She sound's as if she's doing WELL for 15....Good for you!!!   Karla
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Dogs Community

Top Dogs Answerers
675347 tn?1365460645
United Kingdom
974371 tn?1424653129
Central Valley, CA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Members of our Pet Communities share their Halloween pet photos.
Like to travel but hate to leave your pooch at home? Dr. Carol Osborne talks tips on how (and where!) to take a trip with your pampered pet
Ooh and aah your way through these too-cute photos of MedHelp members' best friends
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.