Not hunting dogs, these are my children.

I throw myself at the mercy of the crazy dog people for advice. [emoji22]

I/ we have a great dane/ black lab cross and a border collie/ black lab cross.

The great dane cross is 12 nearly 13
The border collie is 14 nearly 15.

Both dogs have serious back wheel problems.

The border collie cross still has energy when taken for a walk but can see it hurts him to move.

The great dane appears fine but looses all control of his back wheels with any exercise.

Both will stumble and trip repeatedly on a walk round the block which is about 600m.

the wife took them to the vet a few days ago and got given some special food and meds.

This is the food at 170 dollars plus the meds at a hundred odd.

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...20830c552b.jpg

I understand any dietary change will take a while to take effect and they do seem to be improving slightly but not much .


Where to from here?

I am preparing myself for the worst.

Have at me dog geeks.


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Id stop taking them for walks, just let them off around the section. Once I saw them in pain around the section I'd be off to the vets. They have both lived long lives, especially the Great Dane.

Yep that's a good run. I think you've got your moneys worth. Monthly steroid shot and inside on the couch for both :D

Its a bloody hard thing mate. I am the same as you, my dog can do my duck hunting, but for the rest of the year he is a great comforting family dog. My 15.5 yr old Lab was the same. The reality is that they have to go at some point. You need to weigh up having them around in pain for your comfort, or letting them go. I remember the day my old lab couldnt walk across the wooden floor at home or get out of his basket properly. When their quality of life is heading down, let them go.
In the mean time i would give this food/meds a go. Let them be lazy dogs together and enjoy their own and your company. If they cant do the walk anymore dont push it, it will just be stressing them out and making you upset.

Unfortunately it's getting near the time where you are going to have to say Good Bye to a couple of old mates.

It's a bloody hard decision but you will know when it's time to make it.

Do what you can for as long as you can but don't let them suffer.

Cheers
Pete

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Originally Posted by stug

Id stop taking them for walks, just let them off around the section. Once I saw them in pain around the section I'd be off to the vets. They have both lived long lives, especially the Great Dane.

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Unfortunaly that is the first walk they have had in months....my god they were keen to get out of the back section.

The food and meds have made them able to do about half a walk around the block IMHO before they start to struggle.

Otherwise they have free rein of about 20mx4m.

I doubt they will survive another winter outside......I have already caved from pressure of her indoors to let them sleep inside even tho I am a staunch dogs outside man :(

Im weeping just typing this and especially when the big softy Zac is nuzzling me for a pat.


I know what is coming....I just dont know when is the best time for them. :TT TT::TT TT:

I'm a staunch outside dog man too but you can let the old timers in, they've earned it :)

As for knowing when is best, you will know. Good luck mate and our thoughts are with you

When the time is right you will know.

Life sucks sometimes, especially when some of our best mates can't live the same length of time as us humans. Been there, know what you are going through. I can't offer any advice other than enjoy the time now.

Not saying this will work as it is a bit late but fish oil works really well on dogs as well.
I will try and remember the product my mate who is a vet recommended. I reckon it was a huge reason my dog made it to 16.

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Originally Posted by R93

Not saying this will work as it is a bit late but fish oil works really well on dogs as well.
I will try and remember the product my mate who is a vet recommended. I reckon it was a huge reason my dog made it to 16.

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Cheers Dave , they have already been getting fish oil on their tucker for about 2 years.

@veitnamcam, your Great Dane's longevity is testament to his care...they are noted as having a life expectancy of six to eight years...you have done him proud and will continue to do so until you know the time has come...

No matter how or when, it is going to be hard on you and your family...we will all be with you on that one...

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Originally Posted by EeeBees

@veitnamcam, your Great Dane's longevity is testament to his care...they are noted as having a life expectancy of six to eight years...you have done him proud and will continue to do so until you know the time has come...

No matter how or when, it is going to be hard on you and your family...we will all be with you on that one...

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Thanks Eeebs.

Veitnamcam sorry to hear!

Thinking of you guys Cam. It is bloody hard for sure.

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Originally Posted by Pengy

Thinking of you guys Cam. It is bloody hard for sure.

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Had a bit of a blub then Mikee came round and took my mind off it for a while.:)

I seem to be a pre griever if there is such a thing.

All the best with this Mate

I still remember when I took my dog Roxy for her last walk/hunt, still upsets me had her for 15 odd years 9 of those she was at work with me everyday.

My second wife got her for me so I wouldn't be lonely when she buggered off on me...didn't quite work that way....

I remember the day very well & know where I buried her on the family farm,,,, tears right down into my beard right now :(

I had had my first SH 02 Monaro for two weeks, black interior & white dog hair don't go together extremely well :XD:

I had that Monaro for 6 months before I got my current one new in March 05...so that's around 16.25 years ago...

I still miss her & every now & again I find some of her hair....still haven't got another dog :(

Very sorry to hear that Vietnamcam, i have had dogs for 42 years, all english foxies.

Its hard seeing them slow down, and Incredibly tough saying goodbye and a genuine loss when they go.

Thinking of you mate

Its a hard thing, and as you say they are your children. When the time comes get a vet to do a house call, dont take them somwehere strange let them go in familiar surroundings.

Yep shit I had to take my daughters 19 yr old cat to have put down when she was in the UK. It jumped of the table and buggered its back legs. Had to hold the poor old trusting thing while the vet injected it, couldnt control the eyes as it slipped away. The positive was there was no struggle or pain, it just relaxed and the heart stopped.
One day my kids will do it to me!! Its just lifes cycle, but very sad, but out of your control:oh noes:

Buddy, I would say that it's probably time to let them go. even thou it's really hard now, it's only fair to them they don't suffer any more that they need to. Take them to the vet, hold them, tell them how much you loved them while they are put to sleep, howl as much as you like, but wait till after they have gone. You will only add extra stress to them. Then take them to their special place, you will know and lay them to rest. You have done so much for them and have given them a loving and fantastic environment to grow up in, their long levity is a testament to this. Then go and chose another one, not a similar breed because you will always compare. You owe to your family to get another mate for yourself and the kids. Fukin hard I know but the next one will find a place in your heart and the Old ones will always be apart of your life.

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Originally Posted by Gapped axe

Buddy, I would say that it's probably time to let them go. even thou it's really hard now, it's only fair to them they don't suffer any more that they need to. Take them to the vet, hold them, tell them how much you loved them while they are put to sleep, howl as much as you like, but wait till after they have gone. You will only add extra stress to them. Then take them to their special place, you will know and lay them to rest. You have done so much for them and have given them a loving and fantastic environment to grow up in, their long levity is a testament to this. Then go and chose another one, not a similar breed because you will always compare. You owe to your family to get another mate for yourself and the kids. Fukin hard I know but the next one will find a place in your heart and the Old ones will always be apart of your life.

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While I tend to agree with the above having met them both the other night, I dont think either one is quite at that point yet.

They are/ were both happy dogs and if it were me I would be comfortable leaving things as they are for now. Old dogs are just like us when we get old.

I do feel you pain though VC, our dogs are the same as yours and "that time" comes way way way too soon and it hurts and I am man enough to admit I too shed many many tears each time we lost one of ours (including one way way too soon).

Mate you just made me remember every dog I have had to make that call for. Tough at the time but never easy VC. You will make the right call for sure.

Cheers everyone. They have improved with the tucker and meds a bit and I dont think they are unhappy as such yet but it is not much of a life not managing a walk around the block I think.

Will see how they go as the weather gets colder.

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Cheers everyone. They have improved with the tucker and meds a bit and I dont think they are unhappy as such yet but it is not much of a life not managing a walk around the block I think.

Will see how they go as the weather gets colder.

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They will be totally fine......................inside by the heat pump on hot or cold days :)

Sorry I didn't see this earlier VC
It's tough, there is no doubt .As you can see, a lot of us share your angst about what's possibly to come.

And when you decide that time has arrived we'll share your grief as well.

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Originally Posted by mikee

They will be totally fine......................inside by the FIRE on cold days :)

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Thats better no self respecting dog or cat has any faith in heat pumps.

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Originally Posted by Marty Henry

Thats better no self respecting dog or cat has any faith in heat pumps.

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That may be true but here in Richmond "Open Fires" and also log burners are essentially banned, in New (and old houses when they be sold to new owners).

So its heat pump or nothing

Bugger that!

Just do it VC, the time is now. No point in poring money into old dogs that have done their dash.....

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Originally Posted by mikee

That may be true but here in Richmond "Open Fires" and also log burners are essentially banned, in New (and old houses when they be sold to new owners).

So its heat pump or nothing

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That's cause you fools are the mainlands version of jafaland...

I'm an old dog and I really like the fire.

Keep them cosy as long as they can enjoy life VC. When the time is right, you'll know, and so will they.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by veitnamcam

Unfortunaly that is the first walk they have had in months....my god they were keen to get out of the back section.

The food and meds have made them able to do about half a walk around the block IMHO before they start to struggle.

Otherwise they have free rein of about 20mx4m.

I doubt they will survive another winter outside......I have already caved from pressure of her indoors to let them sleep inside even tho I am a staunch dogs outside man :(

Im weeping just typing this and especially when the big softy Zac is nuzzling me for a pat.


I know what is coming....I just dont know when is the best time for them. :TT TT::TT TT:

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There's no good time VC it's just gotta happen when it's gotta happen. I'm facing the same with a huntaway I've got. 13 yrs old still quite active but has cancer...one day he and I will go for a walk with a rifle n he won't come back....


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It's bloody hard, and I think you do know... it is time mate. They've had a great innings, you can;t restore them and nothing you feed or administer will repair them. It's their time. Thoughts are with you.

Don't let people who haven't met you or your dog's sway your decision dude.

YOU have spent the last 13 years with them. You really will know when the right time is.

We gave or 14 year old rotty velvet and fish oil and some meds and she was happy enough for another year living around the house with the occasional swim. Nights by the fire with unlimited pats. Those dog electric blankets work a treat over winter too.

Best of luck mate, sucks seeing any mate, human or otherwise, go.

I thought what a nice idea it would be to have a cup of tea on Friday afternoon and have a quick read of the dog section I don't normally visit....... Bloody hell, something got in my eye after reading about 5 replies in this thread :TT TT:

Mate, she's a hard call when to say goodbye, only you will know when it is the right time, as others have said; be strong tell em their a good boy/girl and cry afterwards.