When to say it is time?

[HopesMom128]

I have a 13 1/2 year old black lab mix....Hope.  She was my first child.  She was diagnosed last year with Cushings.  I have been reading your posts and I need some advice.  We opted not to give her the medication.  She was already 12 years old and we don't have the money for the medications.  I am at the point where I am going back and forth with the dreadful decision to put her down.  She is the most precious, sweet and kind dog I have ever owned.  She follows me everywhere (even in the bathroom and lays by my feet).  She already tore both her ACLs when she was younger, she has arthiritis and Lyme Disease.  She just moans all the time when she has to get up or when she lays down.  She is not happy.  I wouldn't say she is in pain, but she is extremely uncomfortable.  My husband and I always say "this is Hope's house, we just live here", that is how spoiled she is.  Whatever she wants, she gets.  She is peeing all over my breezeway, never in the house (she never did), her urine has a very harsh odor....does anyone else have that odor?

When do you say, it is time?  Any help would be appreciated.

[dominosarah]

Just know our thoughts are with you and your baby~~~~~sara

[HopesMom128]

Thank you so much everyone for your thoughtful advice.  It is nice to have people to talk to that are going or went through the same thing.  It helps a lot.

[el_em_en_oh]

When the bad days outnumber the good... it's time.

You'll know when the time is right. I'm sorry your Hope is going through this.

[lindapalm]

Its good she still eats, ours lost her appetite completely, but I blame the meds she was on for that.  Eating was her favorite hobby before we put her on them.  I don't remember her urine having an odor, just that there was a lot of it.Scroll down to the bottom right of this page and click on Animal health-General, and then click on Ask A Vet.  Maybe they can help you with that question. Try to stay calm in front of Hope, I know its hard, but I really think they can sense your anxiety and it makes them feel worse.  Let me know how your doing, Take Care.

[HopesMom128]

She still eats A LOT and FREQUENTLY.  I have to keep reminding her where her food dish is.  All she wants to eat is treats.  She sleeps all day and all night.  I did have her on the Rimadyl but she really didn't show much improvement getting up or down.  I still give her a pill a day to help.
To lindapalm - does your dogs urine have a harsh odor?

[dominosarah]

Just wondering how things are going~~~~~sara

[dominosarah]

One of my friends on here just had to put her beloved dog down and she said the same thing.....you can see it in their eyes~~~~

[undervenued]

I think that, like with any pet, you just know when the time is.  If there is question in your mind, then it probably isn't quite at that time.

There is a certain "look" animals have when they have just had enough... in their eyes... in their face..... something.

[lindapalm]

Our dog also had Cushings, and she would pee on the floor, which she never did before.  We put up a baby gate and kept her confined to the floors with linoleum.  Is your dog on any pain meds, such as Rimadyl, to keep her comfortable?  Is she still eating good and drinking? Does she do anything during the day other than laying and sleeping?  Our dog was on Cushings meds, and I feel it didn't do her much good.  I'm sorry for what your going through, I know exactly how you feel.  Cushings is a horrible disease for our buddies to have to go through.

[dominosarah]

I am sorry you are facing this dreaded decision..........sara