A
female
age
36-40,
anonymous
writes:Sorry if this is not the typical question for this site but I need advice. I have an 11 year old dog. I have had him since 8 weeks old. Recently he's been falling over a lot on walks and not picking his feet up properly so his nails would bleed. Also pooping in the house regularly. I took him to the vet and they said he has degerative spine disease. There is no cure and obviously will get worse. They said it's best to make him as comfortable as possible and enjoy the time we have as one day he will become paralysed. He no longer goes for walks (vets orders) when I took him it took 45 minutes to walk and it's 10 minutes from my house. I don't have a car and taxis here don't take dogs. Well now hes pooping around 4-6 times or more a week inside the house. Even if we get up in the middle of the night to let him out. I feel bad for him. People say to have him out down. But he's still eating and drinking fine. He's quite unsteady on his feet and falls over even in the house. We live in rented accommodation and it's ruining the carpets. I've tried putting down newspaper and puppy training pads which doesn't work because he just poops wherever. But if this is going to get worse I wonder if this is any quality of life. Has anyone else experienced this? Reply to this Question
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (20 May 2019): Sorry you have an old age dog, and all that extra taking care of involves. You list a lot of logical reasons why it could be best to take him to the vet (only you know what is right for you both ) and what you feel you can't cope with.
There could be a few options to consider.
first one, the quality of life for your dog and his age.
Is his incontinence permanent, would diapers help, would you be prepared to forget material things like carpets and buy a steamer to clean up. If his legs go would he be happy on wheels, many dogs live a good life still. Can you afford more vet bills.Will he have any pain. If his feet are bleeding now because of dragging maybe a friend could build a little wheeler for him and he can toilet properly outside on short frequent walks.
You say he is still eating and drinking ok, I think you know deep down what you think you have to do. Your choice if you feel you can let him go yet. incontinence is difficult but not something that can't be managed, the same as humans.
I have 2 dogs both 12 and I believe the dog tells us when they are ready to go.
I held our 14 year old king charles spaniel dog in my arms as the vet helped him off to sleep, endless tears for a long time but it was the right time, he had doubled his expected breed lifespan in age, and had organ failure so inevitable pain to come.
Your best friend and you know the truth of what to do.
A
male
reader, no nonsense Aidan +, writes (15 May 2019):
You are already wondering if your beloved dog has any quality of life. From what you say, it sounds highly doubtful that he does. If you’re suffering by constantly having to clean up, get up in the night and deal with all the anguish of his symptoms, imagine how much more he is suffering as the one going through this and not understanding why.
Your vet won’t tell you when it’s the right time to say goodbye. I’ve sat in the room with my dogs as they were put down, the last just a month ago (we’d had her 14 years). Even then they give you all the options, such as further tests, before they proceed. It is hard when reaching the decision and getting in to that room was unbelievably agonising in the first place. But they know very well it has to be your decision, and has to be a fully informed one.
Your dog may well be eating and drinking. We eat and drink to survive. If it can eat, it will. That doesn’t negate everything else. You know that things can only get worse for your beloved friend, and the question is how much worse do you want them to get? You have loved, cherished and cared for this wonderful creature all its life. Very rarely does a dog just lay down in the grass and quietly die peacefully and without pain. Most of the time, owners will have to confront the horrible truth that the last act of love they can perform for their dear friend is to give him a peaceful death.
I do not say this lightly because I know how horrible it will be for you, but read your question back and ask whether you really knew the answer already. Your vet may be able to provide assistance if there are practical difficulties getting the dog there, such as home euthanasia. Don’t let that put you off. Get informed about the euthanasia process. You at least have the consolation of knowing in advance that your dog is dying. Have a special last day together: go for a walk if he can, make him a delicious meal, or just spend lots of time talking to him and saying whatever you want to say.
Please don’t put this off until it’s too late and your dog dies the kind of death that will be traumatic for him and for you. I send you a huge hug in solidarity!
I wish you all the very best.
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A
female
reader, Honeypie  +, writes (14 May 2019):
 You have to consider if he is having a good life or not.
While you can get diapers/nappies the most important thing (for me at least) is quality of life. It is NOT easy to put down a beloved pet, I know. But there are times where it IS the right thing to do.
Talk to your vet.
Hugs
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A
female
reader, Ivyblue  +, writes (14 May 2019):
 Im sorry sorry your little mate is in such terrible health. Heart breaking! Have you tried nappies? Just a thought. If he is in pain maybe consider having him put to sleep, that would be a compassionate solution. However if he is able to live with having the disability maybe you could investigate getting a paraylized dog wheel chair. Not sure of the cost however maybe you could do some fundraising or see if you can rent them or something if cash is an issue. This site may be of help: https://dogswithdisabilities.com/spinal.htm
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (14 May 2019): I have but with two cats.They peed all over the house.I was carpet cleaning daily.They were old one was 26 and then later the 24 year old one.I was selfish to let them get that bad.I did not want to let them go.I let it go until they were in pain.Then I had to put them down one then the other nine months later.It was the hardest thing I ever had to do.I was very sad for a long time but now I am at the point when I Rember something about them I smile.It took a long time to get here.What you have to do is consider his pain level.If he is in a lot of pain you need to be brave and do what is best for your dog.Sometimes I think the vet strings you along to make more money off people at the poor animals expence.I know I paid a lot of money and was getting so much false hope. I hope this helps and I am so sorry for what you are going thru.I truly understand.
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A
female
reader, Andie's Thoughts +, writes (14 May 2019):
 You can get doggy diapers, but it can get expensive. I’m sorry you’re faced with this decision, but you need to go back to the vet and decide with them if his quality of life isn’t good enough.
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