The Old Dog Had a Stroke...

[gully_s_pilot]

…and the vet advised waiting a few days to see how he does before putting him down.

He’s nearly 15. He has congestive heart failure and has been on medication for that for over a year–it means he drinks and pees a lot, but he seems to have been feeling fine. He’s mostly deaf, but active and seems happy.

He sleeps crated and when I came down this morning he was lying in a mess of excrement, nearly unresponsive. (Vet says he probably had a stroke and a seizure) He stood on his own while I bathed him, but then laid down and seemed half-aware. Then he did get up and drink some water. When we got home from the vets he jumped onto his usual spot on the couch, but then vomited huge amounts of mostly water/bile, and when I picked him up lost control of his bowels too. Since then he’s been asleep in his crate. He usually does sleep a lot. He seems to be somewhat weak on both sides but can walk.

I trust my vet, who I’ve known for years, and who’s helped me put an older dog down before. But I don’t know what’s really right in this situation. Anybody with experience?

[tweeter]

Our pug had his stroke when he was 13. It started by him having seizures, two at home, then one at the vet clinic that was very difficult to stop. He ended up spending the weekend at the doggie urgent care, in ICU.

When I brought him home, he couldn’t walk. No control over his hind legs at all. I did a lot of therapy with him, and within a few days he could stand, and take a step or two. He did learn to walk again, not great, but he definitely got around just fine. He was also deaf and blind, but his nose worked great, and he could find his food with NO problems, LOL. He was 15 when he died quietly in his sleep.

[My_Two_Cents]

We also had one that had a stroke and seizure when he was 13ish. He couldn’t walk for a few days but wasn’t in pain. It took a couple days but he got up and going again. He lived for 2 more years. He also had heart issues , deaf, and had vision impairment. He loved to follow my husband around the farm and we knew the end was near when it became too much effort to do that. He lived well and was happy until the end. He passed away very quietly and peacefully. It sounds like maybe you have some decisions about quality of life issues. He is he really comfortable and happy? If in pain, is it short term pain or is this an always present kind of pain? Are there a few activities that he can do everyday that make him happy? If not then maybe it’s time. I am sure you will make appropriate life decisions. Hugs to you.

[gully_s_pilot]

So, he can walk around and he’s peeing when I take him out, but he’s mostly asleep, not eating, barely drinking. Thoughts? He doesn’t seem in pain, but I wouldn’t call this happy.

[cnvh]

You know the saying, better a week too soon than a minute too late. :sadsmile:

I think only you know your dog and what constitutes “happy” for him. If he’s not in pain (although I’m not sure how anyone can be certain of that, particularly if the dog isn’t eating/barely drinking/sleeping almost all of the time), it doesn’t sound urgent like you need to make a decision within the next 24 hours, BUT he could have another seizure/stroke, and then… ???

It’s so very hard to say; I don’t think you’re going to get one truly right answer on a BB. All I can say is, I lost a cat a couple years ago to a seizure; she was perfectly fine the night before, seemed to be acting NQR the next morning (I think in retrospect, she probably had had a stroke overnight), so I took her to the vet that morning… While I was waiting with her for lab results to come back, she had a seizure in the vet’s office, which was absolutely awful to witness. My vet also advised to “wait and see,” gave her a 50-50 chance of surviving for 24 hours, felt that if she made it that far she had a decent chance for a full recovery. So he sent me home with her… I got home at 9am, she ended up having another seizure shortly later, and she died in my arms before noon. It was not a very good day.

Looking back, I think the reason I even wanted to give it a chance was because she was NOT a particularly old cat-- only about 10-11 years old. After going through that esxperience, I don’t think I would play around with an elderly animal in a similar condition… Strokes and seizures are ugly, terrible things to witness, and I can only believe they must be terrifying for the animal as well.

FOR ME, if my pet was already elderly and experiencing that scenario, I would probably choose to humanely euth. But that is just me and from my own experience… Not saying everyone should feel the same.

In any case, jingles and hugs for you and your pup… It really is the hardest thing, isn’t it? :sadsmile:

[ezduzit]

I have always thought that when the question is asked, the puppy parent already “knows” in their heart.

I’m so sorry…terribly heartbreaking when our pets start to decline. Hugs.

[IndysMom]

This is a toughie, my heart goes out to you. I have one who is 12 1/2, blind and deaf and starting to decline as well. I wonder what quality of life she has too so I know just how you feel. No advice, just {hug}.

I hate this part of having a pet, but the years of joy are worth it.

[hastyreply]

For me, I use the " is this how I would want to live" scenario". Everyone has their own scale.

[gully_s_pilot]

We put him down a few hours ago. I finally just sat with him for awhile, asking him with my mind, and he told me.

[Deuce]

I feel your pain. My guy is going on 16 and had two episodes of old dog vestibular disease during the past year. He mostly overcame both episodes (still has some minor balance issues and no longer see’s that well) and in the past 6 months has gone totally deaf. He has arthritis which is very well controlled with his meds. His time is coming to an end - and I’m doing my best to see he’s enjoying what he has left.

I’m sorry about your guy. It’s such a difficult thing to go through, but it sounds as though you did the right thing at the right time.

hugs

[cnvh]

[QUOTE=gully’s pilot;7732219]
We put him down a few hours ago. I finally just sat with him for awhile, asking him with my mind, and he told me.[/QUOTE]

I’m so sorry for your loss…

[mroades]

hugs

[2tempe]

Gully - so sorry to hear this; many hugs from down south. Such a tough decision, but I think you did the right thing for the old guy.

[Laurierace]

Thank you for taking the time to ask the question and for being brave enough to listen to his answer. Godspeed.

[JanM]

Hugs to you, and R.I.P. to him.

[pinkpony321]

So sorry for your loss.

[shea_smom]

Awww. Poop. Hugs to you. You did a hard thing.

[oliverreed]

Very sorry. You did t he right thing for him.

[Bells]

I am so sorry.

[IndysMom]

Sorry to hear it. {hugs}