Considering putting a family member down - my dog that is - but a good vet saved her!

My dog is nearly 13 years old, has large fatty tumors on belly and leg that make going up steps difficult, and an ear infection. Finally we went to the vet yesterday and got medication for the infection which contributed to her confusion, urinary and sometimes fecal incontinence. What a big difference just in 24 hour once the ears were cleaned poperly with antiseptic and antibiotics perscribed daily. Now she's playful for the first time in a month and indicates when she has to go out. To top it off, she no longer misses catching treats and baby carrots in her mouth from 10' away!

Hopefully her sister (same litter) will continue being the same pain-in-the-a whenever I start to eat something.

I don't know how I would have felt if I put down our yellow lab/border collie mix that we've had since she was a pup, and not tried the vet for a solution to what I thought was dementia. Me, on the other hand at 72, might have my wife to worry about if I get more ornery the older I get. Guess I'll have to go fish'n more often...:fish

Good friends are hard to find. Glad she got fixed.

Glad the Vet got her back to normal. Surely is a tough decision to have to put one down

Great story! More :fish is always a good thing.

Funny how two siblings have different personalities. The sick one looks to me for affection; the other one follows my wife all around especially if there's food involved. My dog does her thing in the yard in one location; the other, a little here a little there - no fun to pick up, which I why I've nicknamed her, Bit & Pieces. Most definitely no fun when it's next to my driver side door on the ground!!! nonono

Sometimes I wonder which should be put down first! Ah, but family is family no matter where they 'go'.

Bristol (my dog)
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Bits-&-Pieces Palin
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(Guess you'll never guess where I got their names.) ;)

I’m glad you got your pup some more time. It hurts bad to put a long-time family member down.

After I put my shop cat , Camo, down earlier this week, I had a long conversation with our son. He has a very old kitty that is getting in really sad shape. She is having eating problems as well as serious personality issues. I told our son he would soon have to man up and make a critical decision.

A few years ago he had another ancient kitty who he just couldn’t bear to make that decision. He let her suffer for months longer than she should have. I reminded him of that. We are doing our beloved pet a huge disservice by trying to hang on to them behind their ability to have a good life.


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The Shepard picks a favorite by the week. The little Bulldog has times of the day devoted to me and the wife. Neither one likes their schedules messed with.

When Bristol was incontinent (both) in the house every night, I figured things were going to get worse but thankfully I was wrong! She's almost back to normal mentally and has few nightly accidents (only urinary). That's what paper towels and Spic & Span spray are for. Right?
One option is tragically permanent; the other simply - disposable - and life goes on.

The older I get the less I think incontinence is a real problem:biggrin Glad you got your dog more time with you!

GREAT story. Thanks for the post! Uplifting.
Bob