10yr old Trooper

[elginhaus]

Trooper is a rescue that we've had for 5 years. Always in terrible shape either physically, emotionally, mentally, we knew we could never adopt him out. He has mellowed out so well the last 2 years that he's become a majestic senior. I really didn't think he would make it the past 2 winters. It started the winter of 2006. Spring and Summer helped him recover. I told myself that I would not make him endure the pain another winter. Last winter was more mild and I did not see the pain, stiffness, limping that he's had.

This year he's been miserable. He has no muscle tone in his hips. He can't get up by himself. If you try to help him stand, he becomes self conscious and immediately lays down and won't budge. He'll go 15-20 hours without going outside to relieve himself. That means he's not drinking water and not eating much. If we can get him up to eat, then we have a pretty good shot at getting him outside.

He goes through Rimadyl like candy if we let him. The Vet we have is a small town "village" vet. We talked with her in the late Summer early Fall because Trooper colapsed and couldn't get up for 3 days. She sold us Rimadyl and Dasuquin. $150. She would not discuss putting him down. Flat out refused. Told us that we could be charged with cruelty.

The only vet within 30 miles.

Trooper has only a couple of teeth. He has chewed them to his jaw line. His hips are dissolving. He's in constant pain. He won't move for days at a time. Now the vet says the Rimadyl should be replaced with regular aspirin. Cheaper and less harsh on his liver.

My husband doesn't want to consider losing Trooper. Trooper is his last boy.

Trooper can barely walk the backyard when he is out. Trying to squat for a bowel movement, his hips and back legs are spread apart as far as he can to try and balance himself. The last few days he's been tipping over and falling to his side.

I am all about pride and dignity. My husband is about holding on.

What would you do?

[BowWowMeow]

This is really heartbreaking. I have been through this with my own dogs and with friends' dogs. It is very difficult to let go and I think when you live with a dog and watch their gradual decline it is easy to get accustomed to each progressive infirmity.

If this were my dog I would give him the gift of humane euthanization. The fact that he cannot get up and will not allow assistance and is therefore waiting so long to go to the bathroom, eat, drink, etc. says volumes about his quality of life.

I hope you DH will read this: as hard as it is to let them go, when they are suffering it is our duty to do so. We cannot hold onto them for ourselves; we must respect their right to a good life and a good death.

I wish you strength and peace in this difficult decision making process. And I hope you can find a vet who truly cares about animals who isn't too far away.

[middleofnowhere]

It's hard. But one thing I would have done a while back would be to find another vet. (I spent several years in Wyoming. 30 miles is a piece of cake.)
Here are a few things I have found helpful for my soon to be 14 yo & soon to be 11 yo --
Accupuncture & chiropractic
Bigeloil sprayed on where it hurts (horse linament that contains caspium (pepper) and menthol or eucalyptus) which stiumulates the circulation & helps with muscle tone.
Massage (circulation & muscle tone)
Derramaxx
a sling

Would I euthanize him? Hard to say. We don't consider that with humans that are in pain. Is there still something that lights up his life - an activity that he loves? That's one of my gauges. My present two love company and love visiting the barn.

I did put my 15 yo down 11 years ago. She had quit eating, paced, and had a vacant look. Her kidneys were failing and nothing I offered worked. I pulled her off the equivalent of dialysis when I realized that it was very painful for her and wasn't really helping. She started refusing the home cooked food that had been perscribed.


One thing I would consider is talking to the dog - especially having your husband talk to the dog - I would tell him how much I enjoyed his company, what a good dog he had been. Then I would tell him that it was OK for him to leave. It may sound terribly corny but I've done it. This was a dog that I had jokingly had a pact with that she would be around until she was 18. Also the dog referred to in the previous paragraph.

[Keegan62]

I know how hard all of this is
You gave him something no one else could love and a good home to an older dog that no one would keep

Part of loving any animal is the terrible part of letting them go when it's their time it is so devastating but when they have no quality of life it is time........

The vet that said you could be charged with cruelty is CRUEl herself what a terrible vet NOT YOU and I would never go to them....

I was a respiratory tech for 20 years and I watched all these people come to see loved ones on machines basically vegtables.... and say oh how great they look etc etc.... Just guilty people that cannot let go.... Love is doing the best for the animal not what is best for the owner..... and that should always be the key..... He cannot be happy falling when he goes potty
You are right about dignity right now he is losing it and what are you holding on to watching him suffer....
If it were me I would do the kind thing and put to sleep...

[elginhaus]

Trooper was sent to the Bridge today. My husband made the appointment and would not wait until I could be there. He is angry, resentful, hurt that his boy is gone. Its not my fault that Troop's body failed him.

Yet its my fault because I did not want Trooper to remain in constant pain, unable to get up for a drink of water. Not able to walk the distance to the door. Not wanting to hear him cry in pain for hours a night. Terrible, heartless, cruel mom. I should be shot.

Love you big boy.

[WiscTiger]

bon, I am sorry for your pain. Some times it takes men a bit longer to come to terms with things. I know I am the mental tough one in the house, DH can't handle to be there to say good bye to one of the dogs. That doesn't mean he doesn't love them, he just doesn't know how to deal with the saying good bye part.

RIP sweet Trooper.

Val

[elginhaus]

My husband is so angry with me. He feels as though I pushed to have Trooper put down. That I didn't love him. I listened to Troop cry all yesterday evening. I watched him try for 3 hours to get to the back door. Once back in, I watched him collapse 2 steps in and not move. I looked into his eyes as I laid next to him, talking to him, rubbing him and telling him that I understood, telling him what a good boy he is and how much momma loves him.

My husband called today "it's done, I hope you're happy." Then he hung up.

How do you get past that?

[WiscTiger]

Bon, these are just some of my thoughts.

A lot of men do not think like women. He is hurting and lashing out. He can't see past his pain to realize that you are hurting also and most men suck at expressing their feelings. Also I think as we maybe more so with men as we age we feel more frail and closer to the end and seeing life cycles end it might scare some people.

When you see him I think I would ask if we could sit down and have a talk. Explain how it tore your heart out watching your (bon & dh) regal Trooper struggling with just being able to move and crying in pain all the time. Tell him I feel you are blaming me for wanting to end the suffering of Trooper and that you didn't love him. Tell him the only thing that gave you the strength to let Trooper go was your love for him and not wanting to see him in such pain.

If that all fails then suggest one of you take a vacation, temporary or permanent because there is a major lack of understanding there.

[LisaT]

I think that's very well said Wisc.Tiger

Bon, thank you for putting Trooper first.

Trooper

[BowWowMeow]

Bon,

I'm so sorry about Trooper. And I'm also sorry that your DH acted in the way that he did. You must be hurting so badly now. I can't explain his behavior except to say that it wasn't about you and that Trooper knew how very much you loved him.

Take good care of yourself,