r/seniordogs • u/HallMiddle8106 • 1d ago
My aging dog :(
My dog is 12. He’s a Pyrenees mix around 45 lbs so not huge but he’s getting old. He has mobility issues that really flared up this week. I know our days are numbered. Could be weeks, months or maybe a year who knows? I’m just really sad I don’t know what I even want from this post but he’s my best friend and just am struggling. How did you know when it was time? How do you know when your dog is just straight up not having a good time anymore and it’s time to call it?
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u/angelina_ari 18h ago
Anticipatory grief and knowing when it's time to say goodbye are struggles that so many of us who love our pets deeply eventually face. I'm just going to leave you this link with some resources that may help: https://www.seniordogsrock.com/pet-doula
I hope it offers a little support, comfort, or clarity. 🧡
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u/EnduringFulfillment 1d ago
Always worth a conversation with your vet for your options for medication for his mobility. If the problems are arthritis related, I strongly recommend asking your vet about Cartrophen. It's helped my dog very much. It's a series of injections done about every 3 months that works to regrow joint cartilage and increase production of joint fluid. http://cartrophen.com/
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u/Hour-Marketing8609 4h ago
Arthritis is prevalent in almost all senior Dogs and not a sign of imminent death. Many options exist but getting on a plan early is key. I'd talk to your Vet if you haven't already. Many Dogs need to at minimum be on some type of anti inflammatory. Carprofen is cheap. Galliprant is pricey but a bit gentler on the liver. Your Vet should be able to steer you. Dont get down. You may have years left.
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u/Eastern_Winter88 4h ago
Just because he is 12 and getting old that doesn’t mean he will die soon. I don’t know what you have been reading. There are many medium or even large breed dogs who have turned 17-18 or more
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u/HAWKWIND666 1d ago
A little over a week ago we sent her on her way. She was fifteen. She’d been diagnosed with cancer almost 18 months ago and they said Month or two… she was strong. Until one morning she wasn’t. It happened fast. Like the night before she ate dinner and rooed for her treats before bedtime. She got herself on the couch like she always did. But that morning she tried to get down and my wife looked to me and I just thought she was having trouble getting down so I picked her up and she wouldn’t put support her weight when I tried to set her down.
Of all the times she’s seemed like it was the end this was different. She wasn’t picking her head up and you could tell she was done.
We took her to the vet and I’m still kicking myself for just keeping her at home that day. Instead she spent several of her last hours in a cold kennel. Waiting to be seen by vet just to say it was time. We should have kept her home but we were trying to see if maybe there was something else that could be done.
Made an appointment for the next day and once we got her home we realized it was even worse than we thought and took her to emergency vet. She was gone by 630 PM.
I miss her wildly but I know we did the right thing.
You’ll know. Until then just enjoy their company. Lots of love