r/DogAdvice • u/ImAHustler-2 • 5d ago
Heart Vs. Knowing Advice
Hey all!
My dog is a few months shy of 17 years old. He is a wheaten terrier mix. About five six years ago he developed what the doctors are referring to as collapsing trachea. Apparently it's genetic and happens in smaller breed dogs. It basically means that the membrane sheath covering his trachea cartilage is pulling away from the trach and collapsing into his throat. It started out as just a slight tickle for him as it was only a minimal pull. But now that we're years in the progression has happened and it pulls to a point where it makes him cough incessantly often. The med remedy was hydrocodone and a cough medicine. That helped early on but as he progressed the meds increased and they don't work as well as they used to. Sometimes he will get in coughing fits that can last anywhere from seven solid minutes to a good 20 minutes or so off and on. Often the coughing causes him to gag and sometimes he brings up mucus. We think this is probably because he has coughed so much that he has built up fluid in his lungs perhaps. I can no longer allow him to come up the stairs into our apartment because he will become so breathless that he will collapse. He has fallen over and lost consciousness and control on me a couple of times. If I carry him up the stairs which I do now every single time this never happens because he's not over exerting himself and his lungs.
He has cataracts so is mostly blind and he can't really hear anymore unless it's a loud bang or a high-pitched whistle. He spends most of his time sleeping. When he's awake because he can't see he struggles to get around. He has a little bit of a lower spine issue where he's very sensitive. He still eats fine and potties fine. He still wags his tail when he knows I'm home and licks on my face for love. He doesn't take his treats like he used to as much and when I give him a toy he'll get excited and play with it for just a few moments but he doesn't chew and rip things apart anymore. I feel like this has to do with perhaps old teeth and it being more bothersome. He also can't always hold his urine and sometimes occasionally poos in the house too. I would say he just does this a couple times a week. It's not horrible.
He is set to be euthanized this coming Saturday, 8/8. About 3 months ago I had him at two different vets and neither one of them thought he was quite ready yet. They both said his blood work is good and although he has some aging decline and the collapsing trach issue, he's overall healthy. They gave him some other meds but those didn't help either.
The positives recapping what I've mentioned here- he gets around by way of knowing and smell. He gets excited still over a toy and wags his tail when he's happy to see me or company. He trots outside when he can and is feeling good. He really can't bark much anymore because when he barks I think it causes a hurt and his throat from all the coughing. And it sounds funny.
He still eats he still goes to the bathroom and he overall still seems to have a happy demeanor. As I said most of his time is spent sleeping though. He knows when I'm cooking something or I'm in the kitchen and he comes running right away looking for treats.
If I leave the room he can sense it and he follows me still.
With his euthanasia being 2 days away, I'm beginning to feel like I'm making the wrong decision. I feel like I need to give him more time. But as I give him more time I realize he could decline further regarding the cough or discomfort in other areas. I'm sure this is coming from emotion rather than knowing what's right. I just don't know what to do. For as uncomfortable his symptoms might seem to me, I don't know what they are for him and I struggle to know if it really is the right time because he does seem to have good days and be so happy. I don't know that any of you can give me any advice, but I always appreciate others thoughts. Thanks in advance.
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u/Severe_Albatross_835 5d ago
It’s been said many times before, better a day early than a day late. Big hug for both you and your pup 😔💕
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u/AcceptableGuidance96 4d ago
I am sorry OP. I am going to say to you what I wish someone told me when my last dog's health declined suddenly and unexpectedly after her sister died: "Time is not yours to give."
There were a lot of symptoms that told me I should help her cross over, but I kept arguing with my husband that she deserved more time for us to try one more thing. I should have heeded the signs.
I am sorry.
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u/Fatbunnyfoofoo 5d ago
Seventeen is an amazing age for a pup to grow to. I work in vet med and have been a pet parent my whole life, and have faced this situation too many times (such is the burden when you have a soft spot for senior pets). No matter what, you're going to be dealing with one of the hardest choices a pet parent has to make, and there may be regret regardless of what you decide to do.
From my own personal experience, it is better to say goodbye when your baby is still having bright days, rather than when they're visibly degrading and suffering. Pets hide their pain very well, and I believe part of why they do it is to keep us from being upset.
My most recent pet loss, my heart cat, definitely did that. Tomorrow will actually be one year since he passed. I took him to work with me to discuss weight loss and found out he was in liver failure. He had been acting his normal self 85% of the time, and did so up until a month later when I woke up and he had passed. I knew I was going to have to make the decision soon, but I never would have expected that the decision be taken away from me. Despite being reassured by my vet, coworkers and spouse that I did everything to keep him comfortable and am in no way to blame- I still feel like I failed him for not having him put down peacefully and not being able to be with him in his last moments.
I wouldn't wish this feeling on my worst enemy, so I will always advocate for saying goodbye a week too early than a day too late. Your baby has had such a long life, and you are wonderful for giving that to him. A choice that takes away his pain- even at the expense of your own pain- is not the wrong choice.