How to deal with a senior animal?

I was really wondering what is the best way to deal with a dying or passed pet. My sweet lab whom I had since i was 3 is now 13 and doing OK. He can lay down, and get back up. Not too gracefully, but he does manage :). Somtimes if he is on a hard surface he starts thinking, (ohhhhhhh boy I gotta get of of here,) and he tries to get onto the carpet and sometimes falls :( I get him back up or in a comfortable position. He was supposed to be put down when he was 18 months old but we paid 20 k for surgery, and he lived to be how old he is now! I know he won't last forever, so how do I make the future as easy and tear free as possible :( ? I'll post pics when I'm done my homework (homeworkssucks).

The rule of thumb I've always heard is that when the bad days outnumber the good, it's probably time to let him peacefully go. Until then, give him as much love and help him be as comfortable as possible.

And stay with him when it's time. I'd hate to think that my dog's last sight before passing on is me leaving the room.

Sounds like you guys really cared for that dog to spend that much on surgery! wow!
Well I would say just make his time as comfortable as possible.
My lab cross is going to be 6 and she already has some bad hips, I cant imagine she'll make it to 13 without surgery.
I cant imagine what your going through, but I would say just try not to hold onto him just because of your feelings, his his quality of life is poor then he is not happy. As far as making it "tear free" that just isnt possible. Death is what comes to having pets. Its the hardest part of life and its just something that must be done.
I hope you and your family cope with this well and good luck!

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Originally Posted by SilverDemon

The rule of thumb I've always heard is that when the bad days outnumber the good, it's probably time to let him peacefully go. Until then, give him as much love and help him be as comfortable as possible.

And stay with him when it's time. I'd hate to think that my dog's last sight before passing on is me leaving the room.

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Agree 110%.

I recently had to have my 17yr old cat put down yesterday was a week ago(9/14). The last year has not been the best for her. But she had a few cat "strokes" over the last year and after each one she just got worse and worse.

The only advice I can give you is make the time you have left worthwhile and have patience alot of patience. Its hard on them and I know its hard as a human being to watch your family member fade away.

My cat was not in her head was blind in 1 eye, deaf and kidney failure. She meowed alot which will get on your nerves. But I took care of her loved her like I always did. But after this last spell she had.... she could hardly walk and get around on her own. Was very stumblly on all 4s when she did and was able to get around. But it got to the point were she was weak, not getting up, laying around even using the bathroom on herself. Then I knew it was time since she didnt want to go naturally.

But enjoy the time you have... but when that animal can't fend for itself--such as being able to walk/stand or even eat on thier own it is time to consider the option.:tears:

You'll know when it's time. Big dogs tend to just give up... my beloved Boxer (Mittens 3/95-7/08) just stopped eating and went from 60lbs down to 37lbs in a manner of weeks- would only eat treats out of my hand. I prayed nightly for God to take her in her sleep, but we ended up having to take her in. Doc said "I can run $700 worth of test and tell you she is dying, or I can just look at her and tell you she is dying".
Wife couldn't be in the room, I was able to hold her in my arms as she passed. She had done so much for our family it was the least I could do, I don't regret it for a moment. Crumpled up, hugged her and balled like a baby (6'4" 225lb, 38yo man)...
Tears? you bet, but I'm a softy when it comes down to it. Here we are 3years later and the tears are flowing as I type.
All part of it, drink it up and enjoy the time you have together!

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Originally Posted by razrbak

You'll know when it's time. Big dogs tend to just give up... my beloved Boxer (Mittens 3/95-7/08) just stopped eating and went from 60lbs down to 37lbs in a manner of weeks- would only eat treats out of my hand. I prayed nightly for God to take her in her sleep, but we ended up having to take her in. Doc said "I can run $700 worth of test and tell you she is dying, or I can just look at her and tell you she is dying".
Wife couldn't be in the room, I was able to hold her in my arms as she passed. She had done so much for our family it was the least I could do, I don't regret it for a moment. Crumpled up, hugged her and balled like a baby (6'4" 225lb, 38yo man)...
Tears? you bet, but I'm a softy when it comes down to it. Here we are 3years later and the tears are flowing as I type.
All part of it, drink it up and enjoy the time you have together!

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That sucks. I don't care how big of a man someone may be... your not a true man unless you shed tears. :gj: But I know how you feel man... as I was typing that about my cat I started crying and my eyes are still wet. After having animals for so long in your family.... its like a mother, father, brother or sister that you lose. It really sucks but its part of life and just think... when its your time to go. They will be at rainbow bridge to greet you.

I agree with Silverdemon totally. From a pre-vet point of view, I believe it the quality of an animal's life is the up most importance compared to the length of age. I've seen some selfish pet owners try to prolong their pet's life by putting them through painful procedures. The quality of life for these animals are so bad, it gets to the point where treatment isn't even worth it.

If any pain or suffering get too much for your dog to the point where prolonging his life may be cruel, the best decision may be to have him humanely put to sleep. That would be the kindest thing you can do for him.

If your dog isn't in any pain or suffering some sort of ailment, all you can do is be there for him and make him comfortable. Maybe set a small floor rug or dog bed on the hardwood/slipper surfaces, so he can get up easier without slipping.

There is no written formula to deal with the grief of a lost pet. Everybody mourns and recovers differently and in their own way. There will be tears. It's unavoidable with the relationship you and your dog have. He's a family member and it will be sad to lose him.

Honestly, time is the best healer.
I cry each time when a pet passes away. I was sad. But like me and many others, you'll reach the point where you'll think, "hey! I shouldn't be sad anymore. My dog was great and I had many great memories with this guy throughout the years! He wouldn't want me to be sad!"

And this may sound cruel, but I believe the best recovery aide for a pet is to get another. It's not a replacement for the animal lost and it will never be, but bringing in a new life may help bring light to the darkness one may feel. That's just my opinion.

Good luck. I wish you and your dog well.

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Originally Posted by BrianD

I don't care how big of a man someone may be... your not a true man unless you shed tears. :gj:

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:gj:

Yup. I'll admit it, I lost it when we had to have our first rat put down. He might as well have been our child. I'm not a big guy, but size doesn't matter when it comes to losing a loved one. I was there both times when my brother in laws' dogs died. Both are as manly as they come. One is only 5'4" and a construction worker and the other is a 6'5" 250lb Tech Sgt in the Air Force. Both dropped like a dead deer when their dogs died.

My brother found out his dog had cancer at 3 yrs old, his vet came to the house to put his dog down, I think it was more peaceful for all of them to have it done at home rather than an office setting.

I saw your post and it took a little bit of time for me to respond. This topic hits very close to home for me right now. I lost my Ruby 1 week ago today. She was just over 1 month short of her 16th birthday. Our pets our an important member of our family as any and when we lose them it leaves a hole in our hearts that cannot be underestimated. Your dog has been a part of your life since you were 3, so probably as long as you can remember. When they leave your life there will be a hole in all you know and to avoid the tears and loss is unfortunately unavoidable. But do yourself 2 favors; 1 don’t waste time morning them while they are still alive. Life is too short to waste any time that you have left felling sad about losing your friend. And 2 if you haven’t already take them to your vet for a checkup and a geriatric blood profile. My Ruby started having problems staying on her feet and after a blood profile we discovered that she had developed hyperthyroidism and some simple and cheap medication gave her a new life and extended her life by several months. It has been suggested that the best way to “get over” losing a pet is to get another pet. While this may work for some I think it is important, in the interest of this future pet that you make sure that you give yourself the chance to grieve and deal with your loss. And to make sure that in your heart you are truly ready to love your new pet the way they deserve. My heart goes out to you. I knew for almost a year, ever since my Ruby was diagnosed with cancer that our time together was coming to an end. And still when the time came to say goodbye, although she was ready I was most certainly not. It’s been seven days now since we lost her and I still can barley manage to hold it together long enough to get through a day of work. When we put our hearts on the line and welcome pets into our lives knowing that we will outlive them; the pain that we face and you now fear is inevitable. But with all we gain from those relationships, I guess most of us would agree. The pain is well worth the rewards. Enjoy the time you have left and good luck with what lays beyond.
Jason Ladouceur.