dillema

[aspasia]

hello everyone and thank you for letting me join.
my Izzy is now 15,5 years old and almost unnable to move herself. i have to lift her and carry her back legs with a pashmina, for her to pee and poo. sometimes i am too late and the have to bath her, not easy now.
i have given her a shot of librela 20 days ago and only saw a small improovement.

 

[Jacqui-S]

Hi @aspasia welcome to the forum.
Sorry you are having these worries about Izzy. Have you a vet available to talk to?

 

[Cath]

Welcome to the forum @aspasia sorry your Lzzy is poorly

 

[Atemas]

Welcome @aspasia to the forum. I too am sorry that Izzy is so unwell and the Librela has done little to help her. Have you seen a vet?

 

[aspasia]

Yes I have and he said th@t maybe with the next dosage the libera it might work for a little more time.
But I doubt it will be a miracle.
Should I persist or let her go.
It sounds cynical I know, but really when do you know?

 

[Jacqui-S]

This must be really hard for you. I haven't been in this situation so can't help you directly.
I think advice is generally " better a day too early than a day too late".

 

[MellowYellow]

Hi @aspasia, welcome to the forum, and I am sorry that Izzy is not doing so well. I had a very elderly lab like Izzy, his name was Billy. At 15 he was in a lot of pain and couldnt move well. The vet found he had three rotten teeth (how did I not know???) and they were removed, and his painkillers were upped. He had another very happy nine months of life after that, with gentle walks and lots of sitting in the sunshine and cuddles. Yes, he had accidents in the house, but he was still happy and enjoying life, so I took that as part of living with an elderly family member.

On morning he peed in his bed and couldnt get up. He looked at me so sadly, as if to say 'I have really had enough now', and I knew it was time to let him go. I think you will know when Izzy has had enough too.

The main thing is to stay with your dear girl until the very end, and just keep telling her how much you love her and what a good girl she has been.

Good luck, and do keep talking to us if it helps. We all know the ups and downs of sharing our lives with a beloved dog.

 

[Stacia]

@MellowYellow, that is a very helpful post, especially saying stay with your dog to the very end and speak lovingly. I was a veterinary nurse and I found it so upsetting when people found they couldn't stay and the dog would look yearningly after them. However, I do understand that some people can't stay.

 

[Atemas]

I think you will know when Izzy has had enough too

Yes you will know @aspasia. It’s the toughest decision but the kindest to let them go when they are no longer enjoying life. I’ve been there with my black Labrador who was almost 13. We stayed with her and held her until she went. She knew we loved her very much as she loved us. Big hugs to you

 

[Jennifer]

I’m so sorry about Izzy @aspasia . I agree with @MellowYellow you will know when it’s time. I’ve made the decision three times now. My first lab Murphy was 15, then Scott who was only 8 and Scout who was 12. With both Murphy and Scout I knew it was time. For weeks before, like you, I kept wondering when but in the end I could see in their eyes they’d had enough. They were tired, they’d had enough and just wanted to sleep. It was the hardest decision and yet in a weird way easy because I knew it was the last thing I could do for them, to let them sleep. Scott and Scout were both sedated first. I think this made it easier as they really did just fall asleep in my arms.