Prednisone & Life or Not

[caninecrazy]

This is a difficult post for me, but I need to talk, vent, or whatever to fellow dog lovers. I'm not usually a whassy, wheepy, whinner, but.....
I've been grooming a long time and have had my share of clients and pets pass onto the rainbow bridge, but somehow, someway, this one is extemely hard for me....
This is my life dog, my heart dog, my everything once in a life dog,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
My yellow lab Tess who is 13yrs old has been sick for a while, she collapsed at x-mas and because of my DH was put on prednisone, (he wanted her to live through holidays) and she has kept on going. She collapsed again and I went to vet this time thinking this was it, until she grabbed cookie jar from vet. I lost it. I could not put her down. Vet said I should'nt either, else it would eat away at me. I mean at that time she was her "old self" again. She is not in pain but it keeps escalating further down hill. I can only up her prednisone so far. (yes we know what it does to a body but at this point in her life, it's NOT an issue but what keeps her alive)
She's breathing hard, so up the dose, but when is enough? Am I being SELFISH, I love her so much and I have to say (I'm crying and typing) don't want to say good bye. I feel so silly, dumb, crazy but GOD I hate this! I'm having such a hard time with this particular dog. I don't want it to be over. God I love my Tessie.
I know this awful to dump on you all but I guess I thought you'd all understand how I feel....

[Arrooh]

Most

people say you'll know when it's time. I'm not sure I always have though. I'm sorry. I then resort to a power greater than you and I to help one way or the other. Again to me if they are enjoying the couch, sunshine, hugs, biscuits etc then those small things are worth a lot. It's a time to sort of resort to hospice care, anything she would like do it. The more pleasure you can give her the better you will feel imo.

[petgroomaustralia]

If you think she is suffering then its time. I have a cat with liver disease that I have the same issue with, she seems to be happy at the moment but at the first sign of distress it will be time. Hard for me but best for her.

[puppy love]

I am so sorry you are having to go thru this, it is so hard to say goodbye to our furry children. I understand your pain and all the feelings you are having right now as I have been in the same place you are now having to make that final difficult decision. I know you have helped clients when they had to make that choice for their pets, but it is different when it is one of your own. It takes every ounce of courage you have to make that decision.

From what you said in your post, it sounds like Tess' time is very near. She has been too good of a friend for 13 years to suffer or struggle for even 1 day. Just know that you gave Tess a wonderful life and when she needed you most, you were there for her and that you helped her pass with peace and dignity. Sending you strength and hugs...

[Cat Crazy]

I sitting here crying while reading this. I went through that with my Jenny. She was my everything as well. You will know when the time has come. There will be a look in Tess' eyes that tells you. I too worried that I was being selfish and hanging on too long, but looking back at the experience, I have no doubt I did the right thing at the right time. I feel that so long as you are asking yourself this hard question, you will do the right thing as well.
(((( HUGS ))))

[elliesmom]

you'll know

Im so sorry for you and your family. It's very hard to even think about losing a beloved part of the family. I think everyone has gone through this at some point. It's very hard to see your baby go down hill and know the time is near. But you'll know when it's time. It's probably one of the hardest decision you'll have to make. But thats what makes us human, we can make the choice when its time. Use the prednisone till it's not helping anymore. Then you've done all that you could. Vent whenever you need, that's what were here for to lend an ear!

[RudyRoo]

Do what is in your heart. Sometimes I think people are too quick to put a dog down due to illness. Long time ago I had a dog who had a stroke and was paralized. Took him to my dear sweet vet and he told me normally I would recommend putting this dog down, but I know you and I know how much this dog loves you. He put him on a IV over night, sent him home, I kept him hydrated, hand fed him and carried him out side to potty, After about 2 weeks he started coming back and lived to the ripe old age of 16. The dog I have now has been close to death twice, but with lots of TLC , has recovered and is living on borrowed time. I don't feel the least bit guilty for doing what ever I could to keep him alive and you shouldn't either! People talk about being humane and the quality of life,, for dogs,, they don't run out and put grannie down cause she is sick, peeing in her pants and has a terminal illness,,,I think you will know when it's time to let her go, but untill then, enjoy the time you do have with her.

[Smart-n-Pretty]

You might NOT know. I kind of use this non tangible formula--if she is suffering MORE than she is living it is time for her to go to Heaven. All dogs go to Heaven, you know.

[alabamagroomer]

I'm so sorry...

My "pet of a lifetime" was a chocolate lab and I lost her 7 years ago. I, too had to make the decision and she told me it was time. The day she looked at me and sighed in a way I had never seen with such sorrow in those big brown eyes, I knew it was time. She and I took a day from work and I gave her everything she loved but could no longer have. (she had bad allergies) She got a hamburger and a chocolate shake, a bath (which she loved) and we went to the lake and watched the ducks. Then I took her to my vet. She loved him and was very comfortable with him. The hardest decision was made easier knowing that after 15 years of loyalty and love, I was able to give her release and an ending to her pain. After the deed was done, I felt so relieved and at peace. I've had other dogs that I love and would freak if anything happened to them, but until I got my giant schnauzer female 2 years ago, there was no comparison to the love I felt for Kahlua. Josey has not replaced her, but this is the dog I feel has her soul. Same eyes.

Sorry I rattled on, but know that you are being prayed for in this struggle and that you are not alone. Pray about it, watch your baby closely and give her a day you will always remember with her.

[winterroo]

Going through it right now with 2 dogs...I feel your pain. I have always had dogs get sick and have to be put down, not live til ripe old age, so it is a really tough call this way. With all the others, I just new, and have never had any regrets...as long as she is still eating and drinking and has a little pep in her step once in a while, keep her comfortable. When she loses her sparkle, then it is time. Sorry you're having to deal with this, I know it is tough.

[4Sibes]

I know I've said it before...but it bears repeating, and it's been my observation over the years not only with my own "heart and soul" pets, but those of countless others I've had the joy of crossing paths with in my life.

My experience has been that so many of these guys remain in one's life long enough to enable you to process some of your grief while they are still here, sitting right by your side. Within an arms reach of a pat on the head, a tearful hug, a loving glance while their old body sleeps.

I also think there comes a time, when you look into their eyes, and unmistakably...it's as if they are saying "ok. I'm ready when you are".

I have every confidence you will recognize those words when you see them.

Thinking of you.

[SwissNChow]

I had a friend with the same issue with her Mastiff. Nursed that boy through rounds of cancer and everything. Would not listen to anyone's suggestions to let him go. Two days of absolute depression and whailing on her part after he finally died on his own and someone showed her a picture of her and the dog that was taken just 2 days before he died. She was shocked. She had not looked at her dog objectively before that picture. Her mind had him the picture of health and shocked about why her dog died. But the picture allowed her to see reality. That her big, healthy boy her mind saw was a very sick, very old dog. (Not old by chronological age because he was only 6, but by body.)

She came to terms with it almost immediately and said had someone shown her that picture, she would have put him down and stopped his suffering.

My point, sometimes it does take an objective eye.

[Jedd]

Yep, hard as hell.

I had a shepherd/golden mix that was aching from a fused spine and other issues so the vet put her on Rimadyl. Rimadyl just about killed her. So I asked the vet for prednisone. Kept her on a small dose, enriched her diet and extended her happy days for about two more years. She finally got cancer though and we finally had to her put down.

But like you, I went to the vet with the intentions of putting her down twice and after talking with the vet we decided to try other things. Both times they helped. So have a long talk with your vet. If they won't take the time with you find another one who will.

Sometimes there is nothing else to try. If that's the case then allow her to go run in the fields of heaven. It's very hard. But time heals and memories get sweeter.

[MamaTiff]

No one ever doesn't question the same things you are asking yourself right now. And no, I do not think you're being selfish. You are being human. You have a bond with an amazing creature whom you don't want to say goodbye to. Nothing wrong with that.
I hope you can come to your decision and feel good about it. That strength is very hard to find, I know. I agree- you will know when it's time. Good luck and I'm so sorry to hear you having to deal with this.

[Lucy in the Sky]

I feel your pain. I have a pet I am struggling with that decision right now. Do I do another treatment, try another pain med, or do I let him go? It is hard and I am still not sure what the right answer is. I know he is fighting for me, and I want him to live, but this may be too much to ask of him.