hoegaandit
New member
Aibou is now twelve years old and has been through the wars the last few years. We believe he had a stroke about three years ago, he has gone virtually blind, and his arthritis is very bad.
His vet is starting to raise the possibility of him being "put to sleep" and my ex-partner who lives with me thinks he should be (especially when he was somewhat urinary incontinent, although he is currently ok again in that regard).
I am reluctant but don't want the fact that I am extremely close to him to muddle my judgment, as I don't want him to suffer unnecessarily.
As regards the cons:
(a) He has to be on a lot of pain medication (3 x 50mg carprieve (aka rimadyl/carprofen) and 3 tablets tramadol a day); if he does not get that he whimpers.
(b) He cannot walk much at all - now his walks are just pottering around say 50 metres (150 feet); because of our living situation I usually have to carry him a fair way for his walks (and he is a super size bulldog about 38kg (84 lbs) so heavy to lift and carry, especially up steps).
(c) He seems to have something wrong with his stomach eg when he lies down will quite often lie down on his front for a while with his back in the air
(d) He is virtually blind (and his eyes get dry so need drops) and bumps into things and falls awkwardly on his legs sometimes
(d) About once a day he gets very restless and I can't figure out why (he has had food, drink, been taken outside multiple times to relieve himself - but is still restless for 20 mins - 1/2 hour)
(e) He is somewhat listless, sleeps more than usual, does not show enthusiasm much, has stopped eating some foods and his treats; it is better that someone can stay home to look after him (which fortunately I can as I mainly work from home)
As regards the pros:
(a) He still loves his little walks, especially where there are lots of dog smells and other dogs (his tail goes right up)
(b) He still enjoys some foods (softer foods like mince meat)
(c) He still barks crazily if someone knocks on the door or our other dog barks
(d) He still enjoys lying outside on the balcony in the (here now winter) sun on a foam mattress with a blanket over him
(d) His pain is controlled with the medication and he has been a lot better since we upped the dosages.
(e) He has recovered in the past eg after his stroke and getting blind he got totally confused but that generally came right.
I would greatly appreciate if anyone has any thoughts or comments. My thought is he is getting towards the end and I don't want to keep him longer than is appropriate. So if he is in pain and we can't control that, or if he just does not have any real quality of life, then it will be time for him to be "put to sleep". But I don't think we are quite there yet.
PS: Please no reference to sentimental stuff like "rainbow heaven" - that is fine for those that helps, but not for me!
Thanks very much, Chris
His vet is starting to raise the possibility of him being "put to sleep" and my ex-partner who lives with me thinks he should be (especially when he was somewhat urinary incontinent, although he is currently ok again in that regard).
I am reluctant but don't want the fact that I am extremely close to him to muddle my judgment, as I don't want him to suffer unnecessarily.
As regards the cons:
(a) He has to be on a lot of pain medication (3 x 50mg carprieve (aka rimadyl/carprofen) and 3 tablets tramadol a day); if he does not get that he whimpers.
(b) He cannot walk much at all - now his walks are just pottering around say 50 metres (150 feet); because of our living situation I usually have to carry him a fair way for his walks (and he is a super size bulldog about 38kg (84 lbs) so heavy to lift and carry, especially up steps).
(c) He seems to have something wrong with his stomach eg when he lies down will quite often lie down on his front for a while with his back in the air
(d) He is virtually blind (and his eyes get dry so need drops) and bumps into things and falls awkwardly on his legs sometimes
(d) About once a day he gets very restless and I can't figure out why (he has had food, drink, been taken outside multiple times to relieve himself - but is still restless for 20 mins - 1/2 hour)
(e) He is somewhat listless, sleeps more than usual, does not show enthusiasm much, has stopped eating some foods and his treats; it is better that someone can stay home to look after him (which fortunately I can as I mainly work from home)
As regards the pros:
(a) He still loves his little walks, especially where there are lots of dog smells and other dogs (his tail goes right up)
(b) He still enjoys some foods (softer foods like mince meat)
(c) He still barks crazily if someone knocks on the door or our other dog barks
(d) He still enjoys lying outside on the balcony in the (here now winter) sun on a foam mattress with a blanket over him
(d) His pain is controlled with the medication and he has been a lot better since we upped the dosages.
(e) He has recovered in the past eg after his stroke and getting blind he got totally confused but that generally came right.
I would greatly appreciate if anyone has any thoughts or comments. My thought is he is getting towards the end and I don't want to keep him longer than is appropriate. So if he is in pain and we can't control that, or if he just does not have any real quality of life, then it will be time for him to be "put to sleep". But I don't think we are quite there yet.
PS: Please no reference to sentimental stuff like "rainbow heaven" - that is fine for those that helps, but not for me!
Thanks very much, Chris
