14 Year Old Cocker Spaniel

I'm so sorry S.! Having a lifelong companion like that is very hard when you have to do the things you need to do to take care of them. My grandfather raised and bred Beagles. He showed me that your love for your animals goes beyond just food and normal care. You must show your love by not letting your animal suffer. They don't need to be in anymore pain than should be. He taught me that after a dog has lived a very good life, it is time to help it pass on. He also talked about surgery and how sometimes surgery will only put them in more pain and prolong the agony they are suffering now. It sounds to me that since your little puppy has so many things going on, that her pain will not be alleviated by gall bladder surgery. I'm so sorry that you have to deal with this. It is so hard on us humans to have this happen to us. My grandfather's advice has helped me so many times when my pets have become ill. My grandfather passed away last year and was living with my aunt. He had alzheimer's and didn't even remember our names or who we were but close to his death, my aunt's cat became ill and she had to put the cat to sleep. She came home so upset and of course, my grandfather (her father) asked her what was wrong. She told him and during that moment he was her father again, because he couldn't remember anything about her but can remember his beagles and he told her the same advice I just gave you. It was amazing that during her time of needing comfort, God gave my grandfather lucidity to help her through that time.

I know this won't be an easy decision. You can always get the Yorkie a new playmate to help alleviate her and yours pain if you choose that route. I hope I helped you some. My grandfather helped me several times with that advice, I hope it helps you too.

I had a cockapoo, 1/2 cocker, 1/2 poodle. She lives till 15 and we had to put her down. I would recommend putting the dog down even though it is going to be REALLY hard. You have to think of the life that this dog has now. I am sure it is in pain and just walking around might be hard. You also have to consider if you put this dog through this surgery and pay the cost of it, it really may be a waste of money as it may pass afterward. I still cry over putting my childhood dog down after 15 yrs but know that it was best for her. As far as her friend/soulmate....you can show that dog a lot of attn after the fact to try and alleviate the pain and loneliness...maybe even consider a new puppy...although wait a bit b/c the 7 yr old may feel left out, slighted, or even afraid he will be the one to go next! Good luck, I know this will be very hard.

Hi, you are at a very hard stage in you dogs life. I had a dog that we lost a few years ago. She was 15. We had to make a tuff disistion when she was 12 , to treat heart worms or not. We treated and thank god we had 3 more years. When the time came that she got in such bad shape. Heart deasease and ling cancer, i shent the night on the floor with her and we talked a long time. Me and my dog. I told her she didn't have to hang on any more. I new how bad she felt all the time. A few days later i got home from church and let her out and she couldn't get back in by herself. I brought her back in and we sat on the floor for the next few hours with half of her in my lap. She was a big dog. I rug, massaged her and spoke to her the whole time. She went in my lap with the whole family with her. Let her go. Gods waiting. Look on the net and find the poem rainbow bridges. It might help. Bless you and your baby. R.

She sounds in bad shape. Be kind, and let her go. Then, go to animal rescue, and have them find you an adult dog who would fit with the Yorkie. She has had a good life, and there are so many who need your love and a decent home and a playmate. God Bless, I have buried many pets and grieved them all, but know that life is a cycle, and another pet is waiting for a good home.

We just put down our almost 10 lab mix. He had a large fat tumor (had many smaller ones too) that was near his hind leg. As it grew bigger, it affected the way he walked, layed, and also his squatting for bowel movements. It mainly grew out, but was starting to press on his gall bladder. We were told surgery was not an option because it was highly risky and more so for him because his tumor had grown between the muscle layers.

The vet we saw told us that he had had a good life, but was probably starting to suffer. (fat tumors move internally after awhile) They made our decision easier and we decided to let him go. For us the the suffering, not to mention money, he would have to go through did not justify us wanting to keep him. Its a painful choice either way. I do know that the older the dog, the more difficult operations are.

I am so sorry. I am here to talk if you need to. I have a lot of experience with this as a pet owner and former vet office assistant. I own four dogs and a cat. I have had to have two cats euthanized due to illness and it is a very hard decision. Your dog has had a long life at 14 and the questions to ask now are how long is the recovery from surgery and how long is your dogs expected life span afterwards. If she spends 3 months recovering and in pain and only lives to 14 1/2 she spent half of the last 6 months of her life uncomfortable. I would only have surgery with and excellent prognosis. Otherwise love her and make her comfortable as long as you can and when the time comes know that she had a wonderful end and that you spent lots of quality time with her enjoying those last months or years. For your other dog I think he will be upset and if he has a hard time afterwards consider adopting an adult dog or puppy from a shelter after careful consideration of his personality and find a dog that will be his best friend. He will grieve like any dog but in a few months he will be fine with lots of love from you. I wish you peace in whatever decision you make.

I had two cocker spaniels (siblings) and they began to have health problems at age 10. Both became blind with glaucoma (we had surgery done on one and it didn't help) and then one became deaf and the other had heart problems. They continued to live well for about 4 more years. At some point in this 4 years, I decided to not have anymore invasive procedures or surgery done. I did change their diets to a better source. (Happy dog food) When they became too ill to eat, I had them euthanized. One became sicker first and the other 6 mos later. Making the decison was terribly hard, but I am not sorry. Your yorkie will do ok when the cocker dies. Dogs do grieve, but get through it better than people. I think it would be a mistake to do the surgery on a cocker who is old and has many health problems. You might end up with a lot of expense and a sicker dog. I think it is doubtful that doing the gall bladder surgery will extend or better her life much longer. Making these kinds of decisions are very difficult. If your dog were younger, didn't have the blood sugar issue, and had a normal blood count, maybe gall bladder surgery would be indicated. But, she is 14, has hypothyroidsm, tumors that affect her walking, blood sugar problems, liver problems, etc. Even if th gall bladder surgery was successful, she'd more than likely still have health issues. Hope this helps.

S.,
I am in a very similar situation with an elderly dog. My dog will be 15 May 2010...I have had her since she was 1. She is mix of Austrailian Shepherd and Golden Retriever - and her life expectancy is 8-12 years. Needless to say she is on borrowed time. She has been declining for a few years and in the past month or so has become very weak. Last week she was "down" for almost 24 hours...yelping, hurting, not able to stand on her own, but not allowing us to help her up. We had a vet visit and she is on 3 meds now, but pretty much the vet said that it is our choice, but it is getting close to time. The meds worked great for a day or so and she seemed to "rebound" and I thought keeping her on the meds would extend her....in the past day or so, the meds do not seem to be as effective. SO it is appearing to me that the time is coming to make the decision.

It is a hard decision to make, and I have to come to terms with it, much like you will. People I have talked to (my sister included who had to make the decision for her 15 year old Lab) tell me that the anticipation and anxiety about the decision is the worst part....but you have to be at peace with your decision.

I guess what I am saying is this....you know your dog, and you love your dog more than anyone else on this discussion board...so follow your instinct. The only thing you should consinder is the same thing I am working through "How long will I keep my beloved pet in pain b/c I cannot bring myself to let her go?"

Good Luck and Hoping for peace for you as you make this decision.

T.
BTW - I will likely make the decision by the end of this week. The only reason I haven't made it since the vet's visit is b/c we have out of town guests at the house.

Oh, honey, I'm so very sorry! Our pets become so much like our children, sometimes worse because they need us forever! I really only have my personal opinion and that is she needs to be put to sleep. I know this is difficult, I had a pet that was so terribly sick from parvo that after $750.00 in vet bills, I was forced to put him to sleep because of his misery. She's lived an amazing life from the sounds of it and even if the surgery is a success, will have more problems to be dealt with. As for the Yorkie, how do you tell a friend they are losing their best friend??? It's never an easy task and she will be lost for a few weeks, just give her extra tender love and care and she'll manage just like we do. It will help both of you to grieve and heal by being together. I hope this helps and will keep y'all in my thoughts and prayers.

Hi S.,
I recently had to let my dog Lucy go to "puppy heaven", and though it was one of the hardest things I've ever done, I am so glad that we ended her suffering. She was about 16 years old (we'd had her 13 years, and she was '2-3' according to the vet when we got her), and had severe arthritis that caused her a lot of pain for the past 5 years or so. On her bad days, she wouldn't get off of her doggie bed for anything- not even food or bathroom, and when carried to one or the other she would barely make the effort to eat. But, rarely, she would have a "good" day, playing in the yard with our 3 y/o dog, and acting just like she did when I was a little girl. At these times I would feel SOO horrible for having considered putting her to sleep. But over the last two years, the good days got further and further apart, the bad days got worse, and eventually she lost all control of her bladder. She was in constant pain, and my husband and I (with the permission of my siblings) decided it was time. I cried all day long, but the day after she was gone, I felt nothing but relief. I no longer am tortured by the thought of her suffering, and I find solace in the fact that she is now with my mother in heaven. I know that they are both happier now. I don't know where you are at in this process with your dear doggie, but in case you need someone to say it to you, IT IS OKAY TO LET HER GO.
Best wishes,
Kim

i think it's time to let her go home. She sounds miserable and surgery is just going to prolong that misery. Is that really a "successful" surgery?

Animals do feel loss and if she goes to "puppy heaven" the Yorkie will be upset and probably very depressed and inactive. pay a lot of attention to her and love her and talk to her. She will come around. But don't let the Spaniel suffer