My dog is really ill

[RedShy]

I don't claim to be a christian but I am in limbo right now.
Our 14 year old german shepherd is really sick. We have had regular visits to the vet every year. 6 months ago vet said he is not good. 3 months ago vet said he has musclar disease and back end would go. Last week said he had only week or so to go. His back end has no muscle left. He is in pain.

He has soiled the house a few times over last months (a thing he has never done and would never do if he could help it). He has been reluctant to go out to relieve himself. Last couple of weeks we physically have had to lift him outside sometimes hes ok but sometimes he collapses and crawls with help back in. He is in pain, all the tablets have stopped working.

He only makes an effort to get up when my mum loses her head with him and shes never had to stoop to this ever, (i've always been the one to left to eduacate him) yet shes had to be very stern this past month.

She was away for 2 days this week, I could not pull, push, threaten, lift or carry him outside, he just would not go. Mum had been saying he was getting worse buit I didnt know how much worse he had been.

She came home today and he managed to clamber to the front door cause somehow he knew she was coming. My heart is broke. My mum cant see the pain he is in, (or chooses not to) even though she is the one who clears his accidents up and has to untangle his bony legs (this used to be once or twice a week). He puts on such a brave face for her, and she puts off or does not want to take action even though she sees his suffering, this has been situation for last few months). It just broke my heart today to see him actually pick himself up off the floor after watching him for so long. I know by the look on his face when mum isnt there that he is in pain, he tries to sleep all the time, he dosent move, his eyes are so sad.


What Do I do ? Mother has no intention of doing anything she has left it to me ? What do I do? He is in agony. she does go off during the day and when i get in i can see in his eyes he is in pain, he dosent have strength to lift his head, his eyes show pain.. Am I stupid? should I wait till he is screaming ? I know my dog.. has anyone else had to suffer this ? what should I do?

My heart is breaking I am crying I can't say in words how I feel. I dont want this dog to be put down, but I dont want him to have pain every moment, and he can at times be deceiving to my mum, it's not how is is, even the vet has tried to tell her. What do I do?

 

[mxpxchrist_chic]

hey.. maybe you should take him to another vet... get a second opinion. It's obvious you love this dog so i'd do everything in my power to keep him alive too. But maybe he is getting old. You did say he was 14. that's pretty old. But be thankful for the times you had with him. I'm not sure what i would do. I think that i'd definetly get a second opinion though IF all else fails then after you'v tried everything.. THEN put him down.

 

[Stormy]

I am really sorry to hear the pain that you are going through. I know how much it hurts, I have been there.

Dogs seem to be able to handle pain much better than they can disappointing their master. Please try to make his last days as comfortable as possible. Let him know that it does not really matter if he has an accident, tell him he is the best dog ever.

You will know when it is time to say goodbye.

I had to have my best friend put to sleep about three years ago. The tears are fresh again tonight. He fought a good battle against antifreeze poisoning. For a time it looked like he just might make it. But then it became apparent that some things just cannot be cured. He had irreversible liver damage and a few weeks later his life was reduced to pain. His eyes were sad... but still when I leaned close he would kiss away my tears. I took him to the vet and stayed with him . I told him I loved him. The last words he heard was my daughter telling him to "Go Home Max"

I feel your pain.

 

[SnowOwlMoon]

I am so sorry to hear about your dog's suffering. I have a German Shepherd, too, who has many health problems, and I have a special place in my heart for this breed. It is never an easy decision to make, when to give our companions release from pain. But in the end, it truly is the final act of love. When there is suffering and pain, and no hope for getting better, it is time. I don't know how old you are, if it is possible for you to make this decision on your own. Please talk with your mum, and try to help her see how he is suffering. Where I live, there are vets who make house calls, so that a pet can be put to sleep at home, surrounded by his loved ones.