emotional support

[ziggystardust]

When do you know when to let go. I have posted a couple of times with no responses. My beloved ginger who I found 9 years ago sitting on the steps of my hospital  and has been my faithful companion and also her other dog buddies has been diagnosed with chronic renal failure in May 09. I have tried everything to slow the progression of her disease from acupuncture to traditional medicine and have tried every food on earth including dog ice cream to colostrum to baby food to raw . you name it. The past week she was only taking small bites of treats and not even this now despite being on appetite stimulants and anti nausea medication. She is skin and bones. She receives sub q intravenous fluids each night. Although she appears to enjoy lying outside she is no longer interacting with her other pals,Her bark is weak and she is lethargic.When do you know when to let them go.It is agonizing and heart breaking. They say the focus is quality of life and yes she still like to be pet and hugged by us and go outside but she is not eating for two days and she is irritable with the other dogs. Her head is also tremulous.I am open to any advise or emotional support. with my otehr dogs it was so clear when to let them go

[ziggystardust]

I am still agonizing what to do for my dog with chronic renal failure. Yesterday I thought for sure it was time to let her go as she was having bad tremors and had vomited her meal that day and the day before. She had acupuncture on Sunday and I noticed after that her tremors began possibly due to the increased stimulation of the nervous system. She is also on prednisone for her appetite .Her lab values were not that abnormal but yet she  refuses  to  eat much. Her breath is starting to have a faint uremic odor. When the vet came became she was still wagging her tail and walking around and he did not feel her body has gone through too much wasting he felt it was not the time to let her go and to let her enjoy her life a little more s she likes to go into the backyard and bark and greet people although she now has minimal interaction with her two dog companions.Was my husband the the doctor right. At what point do you make this decision. I dont want to loose her or see her suffer and at the same time I dont want to deprive her of life. Today she is not shaking although a little restless and appetite is fair. She is on zantac and antiemetics. Please give me some support or guidance, I know the saying that you now when it is is time but this dog is not the usual scenario. Plus can anyone suggest a natural appetite stimulant for her in  place of prednisone.Thank you

[dschott10]

Last september I lost my 16 year old Keeshond and it was a tough. I'm a photographer part time and was taking pictures of her two weeks before she died and that's when I saw what I took as a sign. The pictures showed her eyes being so tired and as strong willed as she was with all the issues she had it really got me wondering if it was her time. Tiffany was having renal issues and other uncontrollable problems that were getting worse. While some meds were working to keep some of it under control I could tell it was starting to wear her down. Tiffany was my first dog, adopted at age 7 from the pound so I struggled alot with this. I took her to the vet, whom I trusted completely, and he told me something very profound.

Tiffany's life at age 7 was saved, the pound told me she was supposed to be put to sleep the next day, if I hadn't adopted her. They actually delayed several times because she was such a great dog. She cost me over 10,000 in vet bills over the 9 year period but it didn't matter, she was my dog and I loved her to death. Not to mention she was part of the family. My vet said that I gave tiffany a life she wouldn't have had and not many would have spent the money or time with all of her medical issues. His main comment which has stuck with me still was this "In life we have those that impact our lives and at times we must put our feelings aside and ask if we have done everything we can and what is best for our pet." Now that at first didn't help me but when I stepped back and saw her struggles and quality of life deteriorating I knew it was time.

I know this was long but I wanted to share this with you. I still think about it today and miss her dearly. We all hope our pets go quietly in their sleep but it never seems to work out that way. When to let go is the hardest thing any of us will have to deal with. Mine was hard but her struggle, which was mine, started to make it harder to watch. Then I knew it was time.

[ginger899]

That was why I didn't get my other dog (Toby) put to sleep as soon as he was diagnosed with inoperable prostate cancer, age 14 in '99. Because yes -he was going to die -but he still had lots of energy at times, was still enjoying many things in his life, was still eating, though he had times when he didn't have a good appetite. He'd have a bad day, then the next day he'd be better again, barking and having fun.
The vet wanted me to set a date, and on that date have him put to sleep whether he was good or bad. But I couldn't do that. We had a lovely couple of weeks past that date. It was beautiful October sunshine, and he was happy. Then when the time came the symptoms became suddenly much worse, I tried medication, but all of a sudden it didn't work at all, and he was obviously in pain and could not urinate. There were no more medical options available.  At that point, having had time to view the larger picture, and having tried every option there was that night,  I decided to have him put to sleep. It was done very respectfully and very quickly.

I think the point at which to make the decision whether to have your friend and family member put to sleep....is when nothing works any more. You've tried, you've fought, but all roads lead to the same place -pain. Then you can't bear to see your loved one suffer, and dearly want to give them peace.

[peggy64]

Thank you...She has CHF, and enlarged heart because of it....She does like that, acts so sick some days, and then others not quite as bad. That is why I just wait.....

[ziggystardust]

I forgot to tell you my prayers are with you and I hope God or what ever higher power there is guides us both to do the right thing and lets us know when the time is right.What is wrong with your dog Peggy?

[ziggystardust]

I continue to agonize over what to do with my beautiful ginger.Today the head tremors were not observed so it may have been the side effects of one of the appetite stimulants i was giving her. She was irritable with one of the younger dogs who is always in hyperdrive but she is never cross with humans and still continues to wag her tail at everyone and looks for a pet from them. It boggles my mind that on only a few meager mouthful of nutrition that she still is running to the fence and barking at people and today her bark was fairly strong. she was actually chewing on her bone as she used to love t do and took two pieces of liverwurst but then turned her head away and walked away. Iniitiallly I was feeding her pureed dog food via a syringe and she was receptive to this but then she recently started to run away when I attempted to do this. I continue with her acupuncture hoping this provides some kind of palative support for comfort. If anyone else out there has any ideas that have worked for them please share themI have tried every kind of food possible from steak to fish to chicken to cold cuts and dog ice cream. also cream cheese and ricotta cheese.she used to love pizza crust and italian bread  and chicken mcnuggets but now no longer cares about them.Once again I know many people say you will know when its time to let go but she is an enigma .Out of all my pets death this is the most painful because according to her clinical values and ultrasounds her appetite should still be there. Once again thanks to anyone who replied to my post and i am open to anyones thoughts or expieriences