Hello. I am the proud owner of a 16 year old dog, Guava. He is a border collie/ lab mix, 65 lbs.. He turned 16 this February 
Guava's been having many accidents in the home since December 2015 – I often find him laying in his mess now. He’s severely arthritic and his vet felt that his spine’s degeneration, due to age, was possibly creating pain for him to eliminate. We put him on gabapentin to see if it helps him feel the need to do his "business" outside. It worked for a few weeks but this weekend we've had 3 days of him avoiding his walk in the yard to eliminate resulting in accidents in the house. Friday I came home after dinner and found him in his mess - he had no idea he did it. Last night he was pacing and panting all evening – later when we were sleeping he eliminated extreme amounts in 2 places. Today he lost control again during a daytime nap. He has also been dribbling pee all over the home. We find 100’s of spots on the hardwood and tile floors weekly.
Generally he seems happy but I don't really know the signs if he's suffering at all. He still has an appetite yet he struggles while eating (hard to swallow, tough to stand up to eat, laboured breathing). Guava is quiet stoic like many dogs can be. He shows some confusion – does he even know he's falling apart? He’s 16!
His shaky legs and loss of muscle is worrisome. He is near deaf, can only hear a loud clap to grab his attention. His vision is also very impaired - in the bright sun he can't see me in front of him so he'll walk right into me. He mainly relies on smell to find family members in the house. Once he finds one of us he nudges us with his nose. We can see his curved, bumpy spine through his fur and today I noticed his back hip bones are starting to stick out. When he lies down his tail is tucked in under his body, the reverse to how it used to flare upwards.
Guava and I are together every day. He will sit with me while I work at my desk. I can’t tell you how much I have read on the internet trying to understand signs of when its time to let your pet pass away. I just keep saying to myself that he’s old and hopefully he will let me know. But lately I am not so sure he will in fact let me know...
I have a trip with my kids this coming March Break. My home caregiver for my dog had to cancel so I am faced with taking him to a new person’s home for 10 days. He’s never stayed at a strangers place for that long. Even though I plan to ween him into the caregivers home with many visits I worry I will bring on much stress and confusion for him. My biggest fear is he’ll die while I am not there. I just feel we are on borrowed time as it is...
My current vet clinic has been very helpful in providing what Guava needs to stay comfortable. But in the end they say its either going to be my pet or my decision when to let go. This step is very emotional and stressful. I realize dogs are not like humans. Humans overthink and are very emotional. Dogs are devoted and hide pain too often. I want to be sure I am making a clear, educated decision with letting him go. He has made it 16 years with me. I feel I owe him the respect to avoid suffering and pain. I want to be with him when its time to say good bye as well.
If there is any sound advice out there I would like to receive it.
Thank you
Leanne
Guava's been having many accidents in the home since December 2015 – I often find him laying in his mess now. He’s severely arthritic and his vet felt that his spine’s degeneration, due to age, was possibly creating pain for him to eliminate. We put him on gabapentin to see if it helps him feel the need to do his "business" outside. It worked for a few weeks but this weekend we've had 3 days of him avoiding his walk in the yard to eliminate resulting in accidents in the house. Friday I came home after dinner and found him in his mess - he had no idea he did it. Last night he was pacing and panting all evening – later when we were sleeping he eliminated extreme amounts in 2 places. Today he lost control again during a daytime nap. He has also been dribbling pee all over the home. We find 100’s of spots on the hardwood and tile floors weekly.
Generally he seems happy but I don't really know the signs if he's suffering at all. He still has an appetite yet he struggles while eating (hard to swallow, tough to stand up to eat, laboured breathing). Guava is quiet stoic like many dogs can be. He shows some confusion – does he even know he's falling apart? He’s 16!
His shaky legs and loss of muscle is worrisome. He is near deaf, can only hear a loud clap to grab his attention. His vision is also very impaired - in the bright sun he can't see me in front of him so he'll walk right into me. He mainly relies on smell to find family members in the house. Once he finds one of us he nudges us with his nose. We can see his curved, bumpy spine through his fur and today I noticed his back hip bones are starting to stick out. When he lies down his tail is tucked in under his body, the reverse to how it used to flare upwards.
Guava and I are together every day. He will sit with me while I work at my desk. I can’t tell you how much I have read on the internet trying to understand signs of when its time to let your pet pass away. I just keep saying to myself that he’s old and hopefully he will let me know. But lately I am not so sure he will in fact let me know...
I have a trip with my kids this coming March Break. My home caregiver for my dog had to cancel so I am faced with taking him to a new person’s home for 10 days. He’s never stayed at a strangers place for that long. Even though I plan to ween him into the caregivers home with many visits I worry I will bring on much stress and confusion for him. My biggest fear is he’ll die while I am not there. I just feel we are on borrowed time as it is...
My current vet clinic has been very helpful in providing what Guava needs to stay comfortable. But in the end they say its either going to be my pet or my decision when to let go. This step is very emotional and stressful. I realize dogs are not like humans. Humans overthink and are very emotional. Dogs are devoted and hide pain too often. I want to be sure I am making a clear, educated decision with letting him go. He has made it 16 years with me. I feel I owe him the respect to avoid suffering and pain. I want to be with him when its time to say good bye as well.
If there is any sound advice out there I would like to receive it.
Thank you
Leanne
