Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

Well, as some of you know, we have 2 Huskies. One of them is 11ish (We got him from a shelter, and they weren't sure on the age), and 1.

Our older Huskey, Echo, has been sick since September of '12. He's got really severe allergies. He'll lay on the ground and just weeze. He looks f'in miserable. You guys know when your Dog just looks sad... That's how he will look. He'll just walk up to me and just stare at me, and he looks awful. We've had it checked out by a couple Vets, and they said there's not much we can do. The only option is a $3,000 to $4,000 surgery that has a 50-50% of actually helping.

He also has really bad arthritis. He was an outside Dog (Chained to a tree) for 8 years, and you can tell. If you put your hand on his hips you can feel his hips popping with each step. We have since stopping taking the stairs (It was only 2 sets of stairs), and take the elevator down. He's been struggling more and more with it. He's gotten almost hostile at times with our younger Husky when he tries to play with him. Sometimes when he lays down or gets up you can see his legs shaking.

The Vet said they have medication to lubricate his joints, and ease the pain a bit. None of this seems fair to him, doping him enough to keep him around for our selfishness. I really struggle with the idea to keep him around, but in pain. He's "my" dog, so my Wife is letting me make the call... But we've never had to deal with this before. All of our other dogs have died of Cancer, etc.

My question for you fine gentlemen is at what point do we put him down? Is where I'm coming from off base in that it's not fair to keep him going for my own sake? I wouldn't want to live life doped up, how can I make that choice for him? I'm just torn on this I guess.

Any and all insight is appreciated.

Re: Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

Sorry to hear about your dog. I can relate all too well with your situation.
I had a bulldog who was dear to my wife and I, like a child. We had her for six years before we had to put her down. She had nothing but health issues from day one but she was a happy dog. Eventually she was diagnosed with a rare skin disease. So rare amoung dogs that they do not know much about how to treat it. We had her on experimental meds for years. We spent way to much money in the 6 years we had her to try and keep her healthy with surgeries and meds. In the beginning she would be sick for a month and then seemed almost fine for a month, but after a few years she started to be sick all of the time. She wasn't herself anymore, and you could sense she was suffering. We eventually decided it was best to put her down, one of the hardest descisions we have had to make. I think it was the right descision, although we miss her dearly. You gotta do what is best for the dog and your family brother. We will definitley not be able to help you make your descision as it is a very personal one. I will keep you in my thoughts and wish your family the best.

Re: Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

Some friends had very bad skin allergy problems with one of their labs to the point where it seemed that only drastic measures would work. The wife located a vet clinic that include holistic approached in their treatments and they found that a minor enzyme supplement cured their problem.

No idea if it would help your dog, but it is an option to consider.

Also, glucosamine for humans does wonders for dog joint pain. I take 2 tablets a day and the older greyhound takes one. For my breed (greyhound), it is highly recommended once the dogs reach 5 years.

Re: Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

This is a tough one Brian.

I guess ultimately is your decision, but I would really study the pet and judge how bad it really seems to be. Is not fair to the dog to suffer. Again this is dependant on how bad he is really suffering.

Re: Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

For me it's all about quality of life. I have a 16 year old dog. He needs his 23 hours and 45 minutes of beauty sleep every day and the remaining 15 minutes he runs around like a puppy and seems happy. As long as he seems happy we are OK. He has some allergy issues (food and other stuff) but mostly he is in good health. We know that the day will come when he will not be so happy and then we will make the tough decision to not let him suffer.

It's different for everyone, but I think you can tell when your dog's suffering overcomes his happiness. Just my :2

Re: Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

Mark,
I went the hollistic approach on my Maltese when he was operated for cancer and then was given a month or two to live.
He lasted nearly a year and appeared quite normal until the last couple of days.
I think it really made a difference.

Aside from natural herbs, the main change was diet.
His cancer is believed to have been due to severe allergies. There is a purported correlation between processed dog food and allergies in dogs.
Hollistic vet had me convert both dogs to a raw diet and I saw an immediate change in their coat, stool, eagerness to eat, etc.

My Yorkie had bad joint problems. While there are Meds for that, they are hard on them. He gave me some natural stuff to help that also, supplemented by glucosamine and certainly helped.

OP, been where you are.
I dropped $3,000 on the cancer operation for the Maltese.
I dropped $3,500 for a broken leg on the Yorkie.
I always wondered when THAT lousy day would come.
The thing is, when the day does come, you really know it.
It stinks and the feeling lingers but all we can do is make them comfortable until that day and then afterwards, remember all the joy they gave.
Don't hang on for you but do all you feasibly and reasonably can.

Good luck.

Re: Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

This is well put. :tu


Looking back, our dog's entire life was an experiment. We tried everything possible, and spent beyond our means.
But she was a happy dog and loved life.

Re: Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

I appreciate the advice you each have offered. It's all very appreciated.

Re: Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

As said Glucosamine for the joints and human Benadryl for the allergies. My last golden lived to be 13yr old. Had real bad allergies and hip dysplasia. I gave him 2 Benadryl and 2 glucosamine every day. Also a can of tuna as a treat every other day( the oil helps the joints). Benadryl from a vet is very inexpensive as opposed to from a drug store even though it is the exact same as human Benadryl. I used to take his. And the glucosamine I would give him mine, because the stuff from pet store cost double and is same stuff.

Also, dogs cannot OD on Benadryl and it does not make them drowsy.

Good luck and follow your heart, you will find the right thing to do.

Re: Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

This.

Just know you've done everything you could to make his stay with you as loving as possible. You pulled him from a hostile environment and gave him a proper home. That's like winning the lottery for a dog. :)

Tearing up over here. So I need to wrap this up.

You'll be in my thoughts and prayers, and if we can be of ANY help or what have you...don't hesitate to reach out.

Re: Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

Brian,

I put my 13 year old Shepherd down in March. The answer ultimately depends on their quality of life....when their QoL is no longer good, you are keeping them with you for yourself, and not for them. Asa wise man here told me, they give us unconditional love, and only trust us with this decision in return. I hope some of the ideas mentioned here help. If they don't, you alone will know when it's time.

Re: Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

I'll add this little bit. Don't think you're quitting on him by putting him down. You've brought him this far, you've done all you know to do.

Re: Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

I am sorry bro. I have to agree with those stated when the dogs in pain and you keep the dog your putting yourself 1st over that loved dog.

Re: Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

I'm not going to quote everyone, because that'd turn into an essay. But you all make very valid points. I'm glad that I wasn't completely off base in how I felt wrong keeping a Dog in pain was being selfish. Even when you say it it seems like common sense, but I can be quite stubborn.

I appreciate the kind words, thoughts, and loads of advice everyone has given. It was exactly what I was hoping for. :tu

Re: Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

We put our shepherd down 3 years ago. I can't tell you how we knew it was time, but it just was. We got to the vet. The dog layed down on the floor and it was almost like she knew and was ready. She was in too much pain at that point and wanted relief. It would have been wrong of us to not give her that.

Re: Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

Have had to put two dogs down because they were suffering. It is never an easy decision. Will keep you in my prayers.

Re: Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

Todd, you're the literally the nicest person I've ever "met"

Re: Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

You don't know me very well.

Re: Need some FOG insight with our Dog
 

Keep your head up. Been there. After reading all the wise words above I have a feeling you will know when the time is right.