When to say goodbye

I have a 10 year old Brittany (Jake) that has been diagnosed with Congestive heart failure, he is retaining fluid in his belly (is on twice daily lasix) and has irregular breathing / coughing plus the squeak in his throat when he breaths, he is on another daily heart pill (can't remember what it is called) and a 4 times a day pill for his cough. This has been going on for almost 3 months now, vet said all we can do is keep him comfortable and ride it out. I asked about bumping up the lasix to reduce the fluid but he said the dose he is on is what he needs.
The past few nights have been rough, he is restless and sits up every hour or so and coughs / hacks and looks like he has to point his head upward to get air (he sleeps on a pillow next to our bed). Only thing that will get him to settle is let him get a drink and he will lay back down for another hour or so. I know he is miserable because of the belly and having trouble breathing but he is still alert, eats pretty good (not last night), doesn't have any trouble going out to potty, etc. I don't know what to do, if he has no quality of life, it is not fair to him to keep him alive just because I don't want to lose him, I am considering taking him this Saturday if he doesn't improve. I can't stand the thought of losing him but I can't stand the site of seeing him miserable either. I really wanted him to make it to bird season so he could point one last covey, but I'm not sure right now if he will make it. Maybe he is just having a bad couple of days. This ones gonna be hard.

It's coming for sure, but don't jump the gun. Jake will tell you when it's time.

Dang I hate typing this type of stuff.

That breaks my heart! Most of us have been down that road, I have no words.. I agree with Cast, don't jump the gun - I have no doubt you'll know when that time comes.. Spoil him even more while you have him..

If I was in a lot of pain and the pain would exponentially increase the longer I lived with the end result being certain death, then let me go now. Keeping me alive would be misery.

My last dog had cancer and was able to cope with the pain for the most part, but when it got to where he didn't want to get out of his bed and started skipping meals, my mind was made and I was at peace. Maybe he had a few more weeks or even months to live, I don't know, but in my heart I know that I never want a dog of mine to suffer. Once they get to that point its all down hill and only gets worse and I cant bring myself to put them through that. Again, maybe its premature, but its a personal decision that only an owner can make and you have to be comfortable enough with that decision to know that what you did was best.

If it was you in his place, what would you want done?

Only you can decide.

Just talked to my wife. She comes home for lunch. She said he seems to be getting worse. Probably not going to be long for my little knucklehead. Man I am going to have a hard time with this.

When children and/or dogs get sick, I feel so utterly useless. Stay strong. I don't envy you. Makes my eyes leak just typing this.

We put two labs down within 4 months of each other about 4 years ago. Each dog had their own issues.

Ace was my hunting buddy but continually had his intestines healing to themselves after a stomach surgery. After the second surgery to un bind the intestines, we knew it was going to be a chronic problem and he wouldn't make a full recovery. We put him down when he quit eating and wouldn't drink at 5 years old.

His mom, Molly was 13 and had bad hips for the last three years. We started talking about 'the time coming' when she REALLY started to struggle to stand up. A few months later we went in for her annual check and the vet said she had early signs of kidney failure. Within a day or two she stopped eating, drinking and wouldn't even try to get up for the bathroom. We couldn't stand it any more and took her back to the doc for the last time.

I miss both those dogs. It's unfortunate they can't tell us verbally when they are ready - its our price to pay for the joy they bring us.

I feel terrible that you are at that point in your pet's life. It is tough and it hurts - alot. Your heart will tell you when it is time. My condolences.

All the sympathy in the world too you, it is just an awful time. Your guy will let you know.

When they have more bad days than good, its time to let them go.

He will appreciate you taking the next step for him, as he cannot do it himself. If he ever needed you, it's now. Have done it twice, never easy, but it's right.

Charlie

I probably would have left here at lunch and taken him but my vet is out today. My wife didn't want to put him back in his crate & leave him at lunch but she had to go back to work. She said he wasn't doing good at all. Wouldn't even eat a piece of ice and ice is one of his favorites. Said he wouldn't come up the steps on the porch, she had to carry him. I'm worried he will be dead when we get home (and my wife will beat me home so that wont be good). I wish I would have just taken off of work today and had him put down. It's killing my wife. I guess we will see how this evening and tonight go.


Him as a pup.


Him in his prime.

Prayers for you brotha, it's never an easy thing to do. Been about two years since we made the decision to put down our 17 year old blue heeler and I just can't talk myself into getting a new one because I know the new one isn't going to fill her shoes.

Hate to hear that bud, never an easy decision. You will make the right decision bud. Prayers sent.

We went through the same thing with out Mini Dachshund for about 8 months. Cancer but had the same symtoms your dog has. Cast said it, don't jump the gun. Dogs can hang in there. You will know when its time. Our prayers go with you, its a though decision to make.

Really sorry to hear this and always a difficult decision to make. We've been thru it 3 times, and will again a 4th, as our Lab is now 11.

Dog's are our best friends and have an uncanny way of communicating without words. Let him know how much he's loved and watch his eye's.

You'll get a particular "look" from Jake when he's ready to cross the bridge.

Thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Every time someone goes through this I think of this poem. He wonders why we do it but I just can't stop doing it.
Hate hear this CC


There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.
When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But...you've given your heart for a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!);
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart for the dog to tear.

We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long--
So why in Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?


Rudyard Kipling

Thank y'all. He's hanging on so far. Got him to eat a half a peanut butter sammich this evening. Pretty weak though.

Kevin, this is the hardest thing I ever did. Ol' Red was a goodun. She made it to 14 years old. I bawled like a big ol' baby when I had her put down. Don't know why I just went and got 2 new pups but it had been 7 years. I love my pups but dread doing that again. You and the family and of course the dog are in our prayers.

He actually had a good night. He slept like a baby all night. Breathing was alot more relaxed and this morning he drank some water, pee'd and pooped. My wife and I have decided that as long as he can still do those and doesn't appear to be in any pain, we will not put him down. We know that our time with him is limited, but like many of y'all said, we aren't going to do it before it's time. I will know when it's time, I'm confident in that.

Good looking Britt. He's marked almost just like my newest mutt.

Cute pup. Is it a French Brittany?

Yes. My third one. I really love the breed. Sorry to hear about your old dog. That's always tough.

Greatest breed out there IMO. Love em.

Had to stop by this thread and see how it's going. Hate it for you. Glad he had a good night last night.

Had another good night. He pooped twice yesterday and even ate a small amount of his food with chicken broth on it then another half a peanut butter sammich too. And he slept good last night. Guess he's not ready to go just yet. Thanks for the support y'all

Awesome news! He's gonna get to go hunting again!

Good boy Jake!

I don't know about that Bobby but I will probably let him mess with a pigeon or two this weekend if I think he is up for it. Thanks everyone

I agree 1000% Im wanting a second one for buddy for my Brittany/bestpal Rebel!

Hope he pulls through for you CC. 10 yrs is not long enuff!

He's still hanging in there. Had a pretty good weekend. He mostly just rested but that's what he needs to do.

It saddens me to say but Jake passed away last night about midnight. R.I.P. little knucklehead.

Good hunting Jake.

Condolences.

From me also

Add mine

And mine,

Sorry to read that...really am!

that's hard to take, I feel for you.

Sorry for your loss

Condolences. Love Brits. Had a liver /roan out of one of Iron Mikes first litters. Lived 14.5 yrs. Feel for you.