Hi I just read your post and it sounds very similar to my old dog Jethro. He was a collie/border collie cross and his back legs also started to deteriate slowly at first over but got steadily worse, he also started to suffer from incontinance and could only tolerate dried food. At the time I was lucky to have a wonderful vet who prepared me for the idea of letting go and when the incontinence got to the point where he fell in it I made the decision to have him PTS. I was lucky I guess I had him for 13yrs and he travelled everywhere with me including moving from Australia to the UK but I still miss him.

Haven't owned another dog since and not sure I ever will.

Goodluck with whatever you decide.

just a quick update, she has arthritis in her front legs, back legs and hips. shes had blood taken and is being tested for diabetes and cushings disease. will get the results tomorrow sometime.

Good luck for whatever transpires from the blood test Kelly. It's very sad to watch our furry members of the family struggling... and with the vets help, we always try and make the right decision and I hope there will be a course of treatment for Jess.

We had a similar 'joints' thing a few years back with one of our old dogs but she went on quite well for almost another three years, but only wanted shortish walks, which was fine as long as she was happy.

Well if it's arthritis , there's a chance they can treat her with medication, ditto her other diseases.

Good luck with the results.

the vet just called. all clear for diabetes and cushings. she does have a low white blood cell count and high protein in her blood though. she said its nothing to worry about right now as the levels arent too far out. i think i got that the right way round anyway. so shes wanting to have a urine sample (which hubby has taken in to them) and put her on anti-inflamitories for her joints.

now we come to the difficult part, as we have both said we dont want to start filling her with drugs. she is already on glucosamine supplements which the vet said is the best you can give, so we are now having to have a chat about what to do next. do we start dosing her up for the rest of her days, or carry on with the supplements and let her go earlier its a hard decision, but i think we will refuse the drugs and make her as comfortable as possible until we feel the time is right.

at least we now know she isnt suffering anymore than the discomfort of her arthritis when shes on a bad day as internally shes fine. we were also told that the faecal incontinence isnt really treatable. will have to see how things go from day to day and make the decision if she gets any worse.

just a quick update, Jessica has gotten worse. she is now leaking urine as she sleeps, and has sore legs even on the supplements and cant crouch properly to poop now. she is booked in for her final vet visit tomorrow afternoon before she gets more uncomfortable and only knows bad days

My heart goes out to you You replied in my thread about my dog, also a Jessica or Jess...and she is going to the vets at 5.50pm, most likely to be PTS I'm sure we will both miss our Jess's and never forget them.

My Jessica is in at 6pm,shes actually booked in to be pts this time, such a strange coincidence with both dogs on the same day.

we have been putting it off since about 2 weeks before christmas when she really went downhill fast. its so difficult having to make the life or death decision, i feel like im killing her before her time, but i know its for the best as id rather she went before the pain got too much and she had no more fun happy days. shes on a fairly good day today but she hasnt been walked since last week, i know when i take her out in a while she will come home limping, stiffen up and il be lifting her to her feet for the rest of the day. she will struggle to squat to do her business which means more mess in the house no doubt. i cant let her go without 1 more walk though, she loves going, and tries so hard to bounce around like she used to

today will be one of the hardest days of my life.

i hope all goes smoothly with your Jess, if it does come to that final act of love for you too. My thoughts are with you and your family

A sad thread

Sorry to hear your bad news but ultimately I think you have been kind in your thinking.

TL

Thinking of both of you today.

what a sad conclusion and wow what a coincidence. Its a brave choice you've made yet the kindest. Your heart will break as they slip away but don't feel any guilt. Jessica and jess will run free at rainbows bridge together.

Tears are tripping down my face reading this thread

Im so so sorry for you, you have been wonderful with your pets, I am giving my two fur babies extra cuddles right now, infact they are licking my tears away, they are 10 in July, I dread to think when that day comes for me

Thinking of you
Kate xxxx

Thank you kelly82 and everyone who replied

My Jess seems to be OK today, so I feel even more guilty now
Went out for an hour and when I came back she was wagging her tail and I even got a play bow out of her, but she wouldn't play when I tried and went back in her bed....
God, this is so hard! I think sometimes, like today, she is OK, but the good days have become rare now.
It sounds awful but if she were having an off day today it wouldn't feel quite as hard...obviously I don't want her to be ill and should be happy she is happy today, but I know it won't last
Still, she had been on the sofa whilst I was out (she knows she is not allowed!) and sunbathing, all the cushions were on the floor when I got home and dog hairs on the throw
So perhaps it was more of a guilty tail wagging when I got home
Well, I'll see what the vet reckons and I'll be back here later to let you all know how things went.
My thoughts are with you kelly82, we will both see our Jess's again someday I'm sure x

My Jess is on a very good day today, shes been out for a walk and shes not even limping, first time in months. i think in some ways its lovely shes in very little pain today, but on the other hand its making everything so much harder. the last thing i want is for her to have a last day full of aches and pains. shes being spoilt rotten, big breakfast, lots of treats, now shes fast asleep at my feet. its been such a lovely sunny day too, our walk (i left my westie at home so we had some alone tiem out on a walk) was so nice, she walked by my side and kept licking my hand.i hate that i know in just a few more hours she will be gone forever

just a quick post to say Jessica was put to sleep and slipped away quietly at 6.30 this evening.

RIP my beautiful girl, 10 short years together, my best friend through thick and thin. will always love you xxxxxxxxxx

R.I.P Jessica. God bless xxx

Thinking of you Kelly at this awfully sad time.

Love to you, your hubby and girls.

She was a beautiful dog and was so very loved.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

RIP Jessica.

My Jessica went to sleep at 6pm tonight. She seemed to know what was going to happen and went peacefully. I miss her so much and will never forget her, hugs to you to Kelly, we will see them again one day x

Hugs to you Boolaa. R.I.P Jessica xxx

R I P too both Jessica's. Thinking of both you two and all your familys.

Boolaa & Kelly, I am so sorry about your girls, my heart goes out to you both.xxxx

I've just read this thread and now I'm in tears.

RIP beautiful Jessica and Jess. You were both loved.

I'm the same - lots of us have been there and we all know how much it hurts - just remember the good times - hugs to you both x