Old Boxer, having a hard time making the decision.

[JustTheTicket]

I’m getting that you don’t want to put your dog through any tough treatments, and I totally get that, but would you consider checking to see if there is anything you could do, medicine wise, if he had more seizures?

If not, I don’t have much else to add that hasn’t been said. It’s hard when they get old, and it sucks that they can’t just tell you when they’re ready. I’m sure you’ll do what’s best for him, whatever that may be. Here’s hoping he’s still got a few more good days in him. Hugs to you.

[red_mares]

No advice, just that I know how it is. I put one 16 yro cat down earlier this year, and her 16 yro sister is an ongoing question.

It’s tougher & easier with mine as it’s almost impossible to medicate this cat outside of a food dish.

[vacation1]

My sympathy. I have a 17yo dog who had a seizure last week, and that was the most frightening thing I’ve ever had happen - it came out of the blue, and I thought she’d died when she went limp. I’m so sorry to hear it’s happening to you. I vote for a vet trip, if you haven’t already. True, they won’t be able to really diagnose whether its a brain tumor without an MRI, but they can prescribe medication to help prevent more seizures or at least delay them for a while. If it is a brain tumor, this would work for a short while, but it could give your dog a bit more good time. Many people choose not to put a dog through the MRI, so I don’t think the vet will be surprised or pushy if you don’t want to go that route. I didn’t - basically, knowing would not help my girl and the procedure would be as likely to harm her as not.

As an emergency situation, if the dog has a seizure which goes on longer than about 3 minutes, they can administer Valium via IV to stop it - the dangers of seizures being that they elevate the body temperature dangerously so any more than 1-3 minutes can trigger heatstroke/hyperthermia and organ damage.

Don’t quote me on any of this, I was quite upset when I heard it and frankly don’t want to google too much because I’m still upset. This is basically what I remember.

[Hidden_Oak]

facing the big decision here on my 15 YO best walking/hiking pal. Some minor and some about to major issues. I’m taking every day as a gift at this point. I did not think she would be coming home from last weeks appt.
Jingling for every one to make the best decision at the best time. This is harder the loosing my 24 YO homebred to colic last year.

[Cruisesmom]

Diesel had been having really great days. He was eating and playing and back to his normal self for the past week and a half. No episodes, no lethargy. The weather has been decent, so he has spent a lot of time outside annoying the neighbors dogs.

I called yesterday and made an appointment for next week to have another check up to evaluate how he was doing. He has been doing so well, that I didn’t even consider next week being that far out.

When I got home from work yesterday, he was great. Happy, running around, playing with his buddy. 2 hours later I went out and called them in for dinner. My boston terrier came running in, and Diesel was no where to be found. My heart sank. I did the walk around the backyard and found him. He was laying on his side like he never woke up from his nap in the shady spot under our big oak tree.

This morning I feel awful. I should have made a point to the vets office to have had him seen yesterday. I should have played ball with him, I should have brought the kids in the backyard yesterday so everyone could play. He shouldn’t have died alone in the backyard. I feel like a complete asshole. My poor boston is lost this morning. He has never been an only dog. My son is asking where Dee is. I hate this.

[Marshfield]

Please, please don’t beat yourself up. It sounds as though he lay down for a nap and passed in his sleep. My mom had a couple over the years who were hanging in, doing fine who lay down in a favorite spot and didn’t awake. I am sorry for your loss

[Amelia]

[QUOTE=Cruisesmom;8757131]
Diesel had been having really great days. He was eating and playing and back to his normal self for the past week and a half. No episodes, no lethargy. The weather has been decent, so he has spent a lot of time outside annoying the neighbors dogs.

I called yesterday and made an appointment for next week to have another check up to evaluate how he was doing. He has been doing so well, that I didn’t even consider next week being that far out.

When I got home from work yesterday, he was great. Happy, running around, playing with his buddy. 2 hours later I went out and called them in for dinner. My boston terrier came running in, and Diesel was no where to be found. My heart sank. I did the walk around the backyard and found him. He was laying on his side like he never woke up from his nap in the shady spot under our big oak tree.

This morning I feel awful. I should have made a point to the vets office to have had him seen yesterday. I should have played ball with him, I should have brought the kids in the backyard yesterday so everyone could play. He shouldn’t have died alone in the backyard. I feel like a complete asshole. My poor boston is lost this morning. He has never been an only dog. My son is asking where Dee is. I hate this.[/QUOTE]

You are not an asshole. He was happy, he was doing well, he just simply went to sleep. My golden will be 14 next month if he makes it (he is sick, but doesn’t feel quite time yet), but I pray he closes his eyes and drifts off peacefully when it’s his time. Please know you gave your baby a wonderful life and I know I wouldn’t have thought anything reading how he was doing when you got home. Hugs to you.

[sprite]

Hugs to you. You are NOT an asshole. He was happy and at home and peaceful. I honestly can’t think of better…

[Foxtrot_s]

Our Bull Terrier went on his way right by my chair as I was on the phone to my daughter - never heard a gasp, or a pant or anything. Just came in from a pee and went back into his bed for his nap. Best way to go, ever. Of course you miss him, but for him it was great and natural.

However, I couldn’t stand myself - pretty soon I had to get a new dog - a Boxer puppy, (our fourth) and that helped.

[Jodyml813]

Hugs! You did not do wrong for Diesel. He was loved and went without pain. I know it’s hard but it sounds like the last days were good ones. Hang in there and don’t beat yourself up.

[Callista17]

I’d like to die in a shady spot under a big oak tree. Just saying, there are a lot worse situations, and don’t be hard on yourself. He had a good life, it wasn’t TOO sudden, he wasn’t TOO young…It’s ok.

[SugarCubes]

I’m so very sorry. Please be kind to yourself, you gave him a wonderful life, and IMO he had a very peaceful, happy ending. No scary trip to the vet, just lounging in the yard with his buddy and drifted off to sleep.

I have two boxers as well, my third boxer also passed away in her sleep. She was 13, she had slowed down but didn’t really have any health issues. Tucked her in the night before, and when I woke up in the morning, she was still in her bed but she was gone

Hugs to you during this time, they really are family - grieve, cry, do whatever you need to do.

[StGermain]

Your dog had the kind of life, and death, that we all want to have. Don’t beat yourself up, don’t have regrets. Be thankful that he lived and was loved.

StG