My best friend Misi might have to be put to sleep very soon.

She is suffering from Vestibular syndrome. She has had it in the past and came back from it. This time though it seems to be really knocking her about. She has not moved from her bed since Friday. She has not eaten since last thursday but she is drinking.

Because she cant move she is going to the toilet on her bed. I am having to clean this and her but its becoming very hard. She is quite snappy and does not like being moved at all. I have to use a muzzle and be quick.

I have started to give her Lactol to try and replace vitamins and help her. I used a towel to lift her today and I needed to clean her but she still shows no sign off walking. Just sleeping alot, going toilet and drinking although she is lapping up the Lactol (I have to use a syringe to feed her)

She does not seem to be suffering but dogs can hide it. All the sites I read have mentioned they make a recovery but its been a week now. I wish she would eat on her own and stand up. I was so optimistic she would.

If she got cremated if I did go down that route where does she go? I cant afford to have the ashes back home. Would she go to a pet cemetery and be at peace. I am scared they would just chuck them away.

I dont know what to do. At the mo she is sleeping soundly and snoring.

I dont know what to do. I am at my wits end with worry and so upset.

You don't say what your vet recommends ? Also sorry but your dog is suffering, starving and in pain from what you say.

It doesn't sound good hun

What does the vet say? Would travel sickness medication make her feel better? Is he sure it isn't a stroke? Does he think she is likely to recover?

I really would be guided by your vet here. They can also recommend pet funereal services. If you can not afford an individual cremations, some will offer shared cremations where the ashes are buried together. This also obviously incurs a cost but would be much lower.

This is such a hard decision for you.

Had to make this decision ourselves last November and hard as it was we know we did the right thing because we couldn't see our baby suffer.

Yes, sometimes we doubt ourselves, especially when you read articles on the internet and you think "oh perhaps it was this or that and we should have waited", but then when we take 5mins to gather our thoughts we know our vet was right.

We were fortunate enough to have a private cremation so she was back home with us the same day. Like StressMonkey says your vet will be able to give you other options.

I, personally, would be speaking to my vet because like Mollie says it seems like your baby is suffering.

I hope you can be strong and do what is best for her.

I am sending hugs to you both. xx

Vestibular syndrome is a horrible horrible thing. My old girl suffered with this and it didnt get any better, I wish I had made a decision sooner to have her PTS because in my opinion she was suffering.

Your dog will be snappy because she's not very happy.

How old is the dog?

I think deep down you know the right thing to do. Be brave and repay her the love she has showed you.

xx

Oh Central Cake.... (((hugs)))

I feel for you so much. We all hope that when the time comes, our fuzzy/feathered/scaley friends will slip away in their sleep, but sadly, this isn't often the case.

Misi isn't right in herself. I think you know this, or you wouldn't have posted. I think you already know the answer to your question, but just want people to tell you that you are making the right choice. I don't know the condition or your dog, but you as Misi's best friend, does. From what you describe, you are making the right choice, and it will be ok. This is a very hard decision, but spend time with Misi, talk to her, and stroke her softly, and you will know what to do.

Helping our animal friends depart is the kindest, and most honourable thing that we can do for them, even if it's the most heart breaking thing for us to actually say yes to. All I can tell you is, that everytime I've had to say (in floods of tears, and with a very squeaky voice from hours of crying) "yes, it's time.", when the final event has happened, usually with my friend cradled in my arms, with me nose to nose with them, whispering comforting words, and bestowing a last kiss as they slowly drift away, I have felt glad that I found the strength, to stop my friend's pain, or discomfort from their illness.

The tears continue for a while, and spring up at silly times, but the pain of missing them becomes easier to bare....and I take comfort in the memories of brighter days, and also in the fact that I chose to help them find peace, when they needed it most.

My thoughts, hugs, and wishes of strength are with you at this difficult time.

Keep us updated.

All the best
Jinny

All this and more. Thoughts are with you.

How beautifully written. I think knowing that so many others have been through this awful awful time really does help.

I think I am going against the grain, but I would wait to do such a drastic thing.
That is because I believe there is always hope. I would talk to the vet first and see if the vet thinks she can eventually recover. If he says it's not likely to happen, then I wouldn't blame you for wanting to end your poor friend's misery.
I am sorry, I really hope she can make it x

Any news CC?

I was told by the vet that my dog would get better, all he did was give her steroids which gave a false effect of her getting better. She was an old dog, so didnt have time or youth on her side.

I wish I had made the decision earlier, I even discussed it with the vet and his words "Oh I have seen dogs much worse than this" imagine my guilt However she was not the same dog, one night we let her out in the garden to do a wee before bed and after 5 mins she didnt come in, my dad got the torch and found her staring at a bush.

Vestibular syndrome in older dogs can bring on dementia. I really wish I hadnt made my girl suffer those extra 4ish months or so pumped full of steroids and losing the plot.

You did what you thought was best at the time - I think most pet owners have been there at some point. I certainly should have let my cat go a lot sooner than I did - I even put him through a dental (on the vet's advice) when in reality he was dying of renal and liver failure So please don't beat yourself up about it - you had the best intentions. And, like me, you have learned from it xx

Thank you StressMonkey. Its one of those things that haunts me. We did learn from it, which is why we did what was best for our boy almost 2 weeks ago xx

But this is the thing, and Ive been through it myself, you are guilty if you do and guilty if you dont..............you just love them so much that you want the best for them.

My MIL spent thousands of pounds a few years ago having operations on her elderly labrador simply because the vet encouraged her and she didnt want to "let her friend down".

I knew in my heart of hearts he was 17 and it just wasnt fair or right, I have never taken any of my animals to this vet or recommended him to anyone, putting a dog of 17 through numerous operations (you could see he was in pain and unhappy after the first two)..................we tried to talk to her but of course she felt that if she didnt take the vet's advice she was letting him down.

99.99% of vets are fantastic but this one, in my opinion didnt have the dog's best interest at heart.

Hoping you make the right decision for "you". Its not easy when you love your animals so much.

Please let us know how you are getting on. xxx

Nothing yet. She is still taking the Lactol and seems happy in her sort of way. Wags her tail when she sees us. 50/50 just living in hope I think

What does the vet say?

In my time I have had to put down three beloved house rabbits
They were relatively young rabbits- one had a spinal condition that paralysed his back legs so he couldn't move, one had torticullis that didn't respond to treatment and one had a heart problem and I had to inject her twice a day, she started losing her fur and sort of "gave up" on life stopping eating and rarely moving

My heart broke each time and I felt very guilty- each time it took ages to get over

My childhood Labradors were put to sleep at different times- they were brothers and had been together all their lives. One had throat cancer and was put down when he was unable to breath properly, the other had a muscle wasting condition, he died six months after his brother and I suspect missing him played a part in the deterioration in his health

It is always a hideous, painful and guilt ridden experience. Each time I have spent the night before trying to "spoil" my animals to give them a perfect life for their last night.

I have three five year old cats now and would dread anything happening and having to make that decision and I know my son would be utterly devastated.

To me it's the same grief as losing a person. However with animals there is the choice to put them down for their sake- to stop suffering and misery. Misi obviously means the world to you and I'm sure you mean the world to her. Maybe have a phone call with your vet about her condition to avoid stressing her out by taking her to the vets?

You have my total sympathy. In some ways the ability to have the choice to do this for animals unlike humans is a massive burden. Because of the way you write about Misi I am sure you will make the right choice for your best friend

Take care lovey.

We have made the decision to have her put down on Tuesday. It hurts so much. I look at her and it hurts.

Sorry it wasn't better news

For her sake, might it be better to let her go on Monday? Or tonight/tomorrow?

I've asked a couple or times now, but you seem to be avoiding answering - but have you actually taken her to a vet yet? She hasn't been able to walk or eat for over a week now. If you haven't seen a vet I am a little at a loss to understand why you would prolong her suffering another three days.

Sorry. We had a vet come out. He diagnosed her as having a stroke. He said she could make a recovery but they can never tell.

The reason is we cant get an appointment until Tuesday as we are both at work until then. She is not suffering as such and is drinking and eating a food supplement. To get the vet out on a weekend would cost £134 alone and I just cant afford that. But she is being made very comfortable.

Thanks for the update. Very sad I did wonder if it was a stroke

As long as she's comfortable I'm sure she'll be OK 'til tuesday - the vet would have advised you against waiting otherwise. Just make the best of the time you have & be kind to yourself - you are doing her the greatest kindness you can xx

But if he said she could make a recovery, then surely there is still hope? And if she is not suffering, are you sure you have made the right decision?

Beautifully put. I hope she remains comfortable and passes peacefully on Tuesday. Thinking of you and yours.

I dont think she has any energy left like she has given up

Plus I think she has lost the use of one of her back legs. Not responding at all if you touch it and it does not seem to move. I know a stroke can cause this.