An old Golden

[Raggs]

The 2 Goldens I did the other day. Tyler and Toby. Ones old ones young. Tyler is the old one. He was perfectly fine last time they were in, which was November I believe. He came in the other day and just wasn't his normal self. He was walking slow and limping and just didn't really care about what was going on around him. Got him into the tub via stairs, which he almost fell off of. I was standing right next to him to lift him back up. I started to wet him down and noticed that his spine was sticking out and I could see his ribs and his pelvic bone. He couldn't hardly stand in the tub, but he refused to stay in a sit position. I picked up one paw to wash it and he wobbled and I had to catch him so he wouldn't fall. So I just bagged washing the other paws underneath and just did the tops. He didn't do to well with the force so I just towel dried him really really well and put him in a cage. On the way down the stairs from the tub he started to fall again, but this time I wasn't able to catch him and he went sideways. He was still so wet that he just slid right out of my arms. I sat there with him for a minute to make sure he was ok. He got up and walked right into a cage.

I went to the back room and told my boss that I didn't think he'd make it back again for another groom and if he did that I would refuse to groom him for health reasons. Some people just need to be told when to put their dog down. Dogs will let you know, but Tyler isn't eating and the lump on his side is growing, doesn't just look that way because of the weight loss, it's gotten about 4 times bigger. Being a Golden, he probably has cancer. He's 10. I feel so bad for putting him thru the groom, I should have stopped before I even started when I saw him not standing right.

[rapuzzled]

Oh, that's so sad. I just feel so bad for him. I have such a soft spot for the old doggies, they are just my absolute favorite clients. Well, at least he's clean, but I think you did right cage drying and possibly not grooming him again...probably all his poor old body can take.

I have an older beagle that I love her even more now that's she old, I just love her old face, lol...am I crazy or what?

[rainingcats&dogs]

i used to groom an old golden named mr.fish,dad was a surfer,i had a very good relationship with the dad,he trusted me,and appreciated me,fish was always good,except for when he would try to hump me,that was gross,well one day i was grooming him and he seemed off,not his normal self,well i tell dad,and he said i will take him to the vet,dont see him for a few months and this dog came in 2 times a month,i did call and leave messages to see if anything was wrong,well about 3 months passed he called to make appt,fish dog had cancer and had to have his front leg amputated,shoulder and all,and he doesnt say nothing about this when appt was made,well of course i had him in tub,and bawling my eyes out,poor dog was licking my face the whole time,then the next appt.he called and asked if i could give fish his last bath,dog didnt do well on 3 legs,and dog had to be bought in on one of those flat bed carts,it was such an awful sad sight,so months go by and owner comes in all ticked off,throwing one of those reminder cards at me,you know it pissed me off,but i stopped before i opened my big mouth,i would be upset too,if i knew his dog dies why was i sending him reminder cards,i just apologized,and the new girl we had working,was sending the cards she didnt know any better,i know this doesnt have anything to do with the goldens you did,but i think you are doing the right thing not wanting to do him again,to sad

[pamperedpups]

That's so sad. Did you not check the dog in? At least you were able to groom him a bit which had to make him feel a bit better after the fact. I would have suggested to the owners that next time he needs to be groomed at a veterinary clinic, just in case...

[plushpuppy]

That is so sad, I hope the owners realize how bad he is and help him . I know that it is hard we have had to do it but in the long everyone was better off especially our beloved dog.

[Raggs]

I was doing another dog when they came in so I didn't see them when they got there. But I didn't have any reason to either, the owner brushes and combs them at home, they always look immaculate when they come in and he always wants the same thing. Feet trimmed and the inside of their ears around the canals shaved. My boss is really good at telling the clients when their dog needs to see a vet so I'm sure he'll say something about this Golden.

I feel for you rainingcats&dogs that have had bad situations. People don't let us know when their dog dies and then they get all pissed of when we call about them or send them a reminder. Cause with our magic wand we also have the ability to read minds.... Like the lady with her 2 poodles that I do.. She says one thing and means something else.. LOL.. Thank goodness the husband was there last time to translate....

[Maggy]

I know what you mean about people not knowing when its time to say goodbye. Last year about 2 weeks before christmas a lady comes in carrying a cocker. She puts him down to fill out the new client info and he just kind of sways back and forth. She told me she didn't expect him to make it for two more weeks, and he's both deaf and blind. I took him back and was shocked, he was like a skeleton and couldn't stand up more than a minute at the most, I could barely do a mini groom with the help of a bather to keep him calm and help hold his legs steady for me (with him laying down).

[Helly]

This is one of those situations like the Springer I did recently. As soon as you notice the weight loss and weakness, you should stop. Examine the gums (he's probably anemic), check hydration, check for propriception deficit, call the owner and suggest they get him to the vet ASAP. Sudden weight loss at any age means something is wrong, and needs medical evaluation.

And I know, some people seem to need to be told that it's time to put the pet down. In our opinion. But ethically, you can't. Even a vet (if they're ethical) doesn't tell people to put their pet down. They'll mention it as an option, ask about quality of life and point out the pet's suffering. They'll help you make the decision. They'll agree with you if/when you make the decision. But it's not their job to decide for you.

You're not at home with the animal, and have no way of determining his quality of life. Weakness and frailty aren't really good determining factors. If the dog is eating, able to control bodily functions (even if he needs help getting out to take care of business), lack of pain or good pain control, and interest in family activities; those are determining factors.

[bow_wow_wheels]

I groom a lot of older dogs on a regular basis. I take photo every time I groom them and then look at them in succession. If they're looking pretty bad as time goes on I give the photos to the owner so they can see what I see.... As I've said before it never gets any easier (((HUGS)))

[irish23]

I have a hard time with the older dogs who are suffering... I had a situation with my brothers dog. She was 15 years old, had liver cancer, and a HUGE tumor on the underside of her stomach. I groomed her the weekend before thanksgiving and noticed she had lost weight and the tumor was bigger. I told my brotherto get her to the vet. He, in denial did not.
I get a call from my mother a couple weeks later (she went over to walk her as the dog was incontinent) and she could not get her up the stairs and she was laying there. My mother was hysterically crying. I called his wife who is on the same page and knew it was time. I told her that something was wrong she was wobbly, disoriented and not herself. I was worried that she has ruptured the tumor and was bleeding internally.
They brought her to the vet.. Vet said it was time to put her down., and my brother drags it out for another 5 days. We just lost my Dad a year and a half ago and my brother has some issues with letting go. It was horrible. I am just happy she is at peace and not suffering anymore. I am sure my brothers wife is happy too not having to wash towels and sheets soaked with pee and poop.. and poor thing is pregnant with twins can you imagine? I loved sweet happy Cam but her spirit was just gone and she was so weak. I feel bad that he dragged it out so long.

[diamienono]

Some people believe in letting nature take it's course, and some just for selfish reasons can't let go. When a dog stops eating, then they know it is time. I get a lot of the old ones that have a hard time for the grooming. I just do my best for them. I don't go for looks with the seniors, I go for comfort. I did a 14 yr old collie last week and this dog was in bad shape. Could not hear, barely could see or walk or stand or sit. It had a considerable amount of matting. Guess what, that dog went in the house looking like a butcher got at her. I shaved her rear end with a 7. The whole rear. I shaved her front legs with a 7, took chunks of matts out from behind her ears. Then, I explained what and why I did it. I told her I wanted the dog to be comfortable. She was so happy. She said they live week, by week and if she was still around in a few months she wanted me to come back.

[Raggs]

I have an Akita that comes into my work. This poor girl is 15 has severe arthritis and has cancer. She's been in for over a month now. She falls constantly and can't get back up, we have to help her up and then help her walk a few steps to get her balance. She's incontinent. She goes potty while she's sleeping, walking, eating, anything, she can't hold to save her life. She eats just fine though. She's on a bunch of medication as well. This poor girl can't stand on her own after she lays down. Sometimes she can get up but most of the time we have to help her. She just gives us this look like she wants to die already. She's a lover and just gives kisses constantly. She eats normal but is dropping weight fast. The vet has told the owner that it's time to put her down but she refuses to do it. I think that's she's left her with us so long hoping she'll die. This lady cries when she brings her in for grooming and she never leaves her for more than a week if she has to. She goes away for work, but she's been home for 3 weeks and she wont pick the dog up. We think the lady knows it's time for her to go and is hoping that she'll die on her own with us. We panicked yesterday. She took a deep breath and then didn't take another breath for over 30 seconds. I was starting to cry and then she took a shallow breath and then started to breath normal again. I know CPR for dogs, but on this poor girl, if she stops breathing at my work, were not going to try to bring her back.

[Fluffy Puppy]

Sounds like the St Bern. I had in last week. She was almost 10, very thin and her back legs could barely hold her up. I probably should not have put her through the groom, but by the time I realized how bad off she was, it was kinda too late. I worked on her straight through..she layed down most of the time. When she would go to get up, she couldnt get her footing (feet would knuckle over) And when we finally got her on all 4 pads, she would just flop right over on her side.
I told the guy I wouldnt recommend having her groomed again...too hard on her. He said his wife (they are divorced, she keeps the dog) has been wanting to put her down, but he has been fighting her over it. This was the first time he had seen the dog in 6 months...I'm hoping her realized how bad off she was.

I have been trying to make the decision to take my old girl in to the vet. She is 17 and her back end is starting to go. But I think she still gets around pretty good...she is nowhere near like the St Bern was.
My one sister keeps telling me it's time..she can see it in her eyes, the other 2 say they don't think so, but I just don't know. I dont want to be like some of these owners who try to milk every last day out of their dogs because they just don't want to let go (seems selfish and unfair for the dog). I always said that when she gets to the point where she can barely get up..that's when I will let her go, but then again, do I really want her to get to that point?
It's a hard decision to make.

[Allan]

I have many regular clients that are older or handicapped and make each groom as stress free as possible. Many owners have had these dogs 14,15 and 16 years.......they truely are family. You are describing your Golden as a classic "Old Golden" and extra care is needed. The weight loss is usually noticeable around 12 yrs of age and they get larger fatty tumors on their chest and sides. Trouble walking or standing are their arthritic hips and I let them rest as much as they need. I have a few that I groom on the floor,one side then flip them over to do the other side.The owners are very understanding that they may not look perfect,I try to make it enjoyable for the dog. It's the hard part of our profession but if we don't do it.............
Who will?

[Helly]

I have been trying to make the decision to take my old girl in to the vet. She is 17 and her back end is starting to go. But I think she still gets around pretty good...she is nowhere near like the St Bern was.
My one sister keeps telling me it's time..she can see it in her eyes, the other 2 say they don't think so, but I just don't know. I dont want to be like some of these owners who try to milk every last day out of their dogs because they just don't want to let go (seems selfish and unfair for the dog). I always said that when she gets to the point where she can barely get up..that's when I will let her go, but then again, do I really want her to get to that point?
It's a hard decision to make.

I do understand how difficult the decision is. We went through it with Kimuk just over a year ago. She was losing weight and having difficulty getting up due to a degenerative muscle disease. But she wasn't in pain, she was still eating, and she still liked to tease Oli. When she started getting picky about her food, we knew the time was getting close. But she was still not suffering any pain, and she was still enjoying life. Then one day she fell in the kitchen and couldn't get up. We let her rest overnight, but in the morning she still couldn't get up or stand on her own. It was time.

The vet I worked with tells clients to make a list of 4 or 5 quality of life issues that you think are important, and answer the questions honestly. For me, they are:

If the pet is in pain, can the pain be controlled by medication?

Is the pet still eating?

Is the pet able to control bodily functions?

Is the pet able to rise and stand without assistance, or with a reasonable amount of assistance?

Does the pet show an interest in the family, toys, other pets? Does he/she enjoy attention or just endure it? Does he/she enjoy gently play time with toys? Does he/she still enjoy the company of other pets, or just tolerate them?

When the answer to three of those catagories is no, I consider it time.