So sorry to do another one of these end of life threads, but I need the opinions of other animal-lovers to help me decide what is right…
A little less than two years ago, we brought two senior dogs into our family. Addy is a dachshund and Samantha is a chihuahua-mix. They were not in great health when we got them (typical too many animals and not enough money situation), but after getting rid of the fleas, ticks and worms and getting the proper feeding details worked out, they blossomed! They became playful and full of life and vigor. And both can be big snuggle bugs (but Addy the Dachshund only wants to snuggle on her schedule; at those times, she demands it! Lol).
Well, all of that lasted a little more than a year, until Addy’s health started deteriorating. Although I’m not surprised per say (based on previous owner’s guess, she’d be about 15 at this point), I am having a lot of trouble figuring out when I should make the decision for her.
To give a timeline, she started losing weight and energy last September. A chest x-ray showed she has severe lung disease, and the vet also suspected she had a slipped disc in her neck because she has a slight limp in her left front leg (pinching a nerve, she thought). Prognosis was one of, “We’ll see if we can’t keep her comfy for a few weeks or months, but savor the moments you have left.”
She went on a course of antibiotics, daily steroids for the disc and another med (can’t recall anymore) to help her breath better, but that one was a temporary script. She beat the odds and became her old self again! But after about a month or so, the steroids were giving her bloody stool, so it was discontinued.
She was fabulous until March. She began coughing and gagging quite often, breathing heavily at times, so off to the vet again (different vet because we moved). This vet placed her on a bronchodilator pill, which again worked like a charm! Until about a week ago. It started as small coughing fits and has escalated quickly. And at the same time, she started intermittently dragging that left front leg. She’s had a gimpy moment here and there before, so I thought she’d pull out of that quickly, as usual. Unfortunately, she’s still doing it a week later. And the coughing escalated so quickly it caught me off guard.
As I sit here typing her current state, I feel like I’m torturing this poor dog by keeping her around. But she’s still so happy. She sees me and she lights up. She wags all the time. She demands cuddles and kisses (on her terms). She still wants to play, but can’t do it for very long…
I suppose I’m wondering whether I should walk into our next vet visit wanting to try more things, or whether it’s better that I walk in knowing I’ll let her go now, before she loses her sweetness and happiness? I’m very torn up over this poor, sweet little dog, and I need advice. Thank you so much in advance.
