How very sad, I'm sorry. Illness and infirmities of pets are among the worst things in life we have to deal with.

As for what to do, I'd ask the vet what they would do if it were their dog and follow the advice.

For aging, humans and pets, to me it seems like a quality of life issue. Some of us and them die quickly, some have long and slow descents.

An oldster in my extended family died last year. The good news was that her age reached triple digits. The bad news was, her quality of life bottomed out 10 years ago. She wasn't happy, she wasn't comfortable, she didn't spend her days in pleasant activities. In and out of the hospital several times a year. Had she been a pet, her family would have had another option besides just dealing with problem after problem.

Good luck.

If she is eating well, she's okay. The vet will always say "It's up to you." Always. I always look for a drop in appetite as a big signal, especially in an animal who has always loved her food. The only time we deviated from this was when we had a dog who was blind, dottering and diabetic. She started chewing electrical cords, and almost started a fire. We knew it was time for her.

Elmer's suggestion "I'd ask the vet what they would do if it were their dog and follow the advice," is good advice. I've had a time or two where I've done that, when I sort of already knew the answer, and the vet confirmed it. It was helpful in making that decision.

I well know what you’re going through. I agree with Elmer and sushipup. Quality of life is key. The fact she’s eating well and seemingly free of pain are good. See what the vet can tell you about timing considering her condition right now.

I found this link thinking it might be helpful. Let us know how it goes with Nala.💕

How to Know

I’m on the same page as Elmer. I do believe that quality of life is the most important measurement to use for helping us make the hardest decision about when to say goodbye to our beloved pets. The gauge I have used for my last 4 dogs and will use for the little dog I have now was given to me years ago by an animal lover. That is the ”3 F’s” of life for them. Food / Fun / Follow.

Food - is the pet still eating?

Fun - is the pet still doing something that qualifies as fun for them - perking up at a squeaky toy? Alerting to a squirrel or bird? Rolling over for a belly rub? Fun is any behavior that demonstrates they are still enjoying life.

Follow - does the pet follow their person around in an effort to be with them? Is the pet greeting you when you come home? Even an aloof cat will follow their person around the house. A horse will greet their person - etc.

The other practice I used to help me was to keep a daily diary of eating, potty results, behavior of note. The reason I did that is because we see good days and bad days for our aging pets. Keeping notes gave me clarity about the status of what was really happening when I struggled to remember when was the last time my pet ate with enthusiasm etc.

It’s great that you’re taking your dog in for a wellness check. It sounds like she’s still enjoying her days. Failing sight is an old age problem so don’t move the furniture & she’ll navigate pretty well. Her back legs could be weak due to spinal deterioration & there are medicines that can help. It’s important to check her back toe nails to see if they’re wearing due to not being able to pick her legs up completely. Bladder issues are as common for aging female dogs - especially spayed females - as they are for women. There are things to help that too if it becomes an unmanageable problem.

A vet once told us that animals only know the quality of life. Quantity of life--when humans prolong their life when the quality is poor--doesn't do them any favors.

Our kitty Gracie had surgery for cancer last June. We knew we were only giving her six months more of life but we did so because she was still enjoying life. That changed three months later when she wanted to stay under the bed and wasn't eating much. My biggest fear was that she'd have an emergency in the middle of the night where we'd have to rush her in pain to the hospital. I didn't want her to go through a seizure or any of the things like your dogs experienced. We took her to her vet for his opinion. After evaluating her, he said he thought she had about two weeks left. We didn't take her home. I didn't want her to suffer just so we could have more time with her, so we said goodbye.

Oh, what a heartbreak it is to face this decision. I guess I would look at what exactly would have to happen for you do decide it was without a doubt time. Sometimes that becomes an unfortunate crisis for the pet and for us.

I've been so lucky to have found a wonderful vet for the series of 4 very long lived cats, who came to our home when it was 'time.' That made it a bit easier on us and definitely easier on the cats, as I got to hold each one on my lap as he administered the medicine. He was also very willing to advise what he would do if it were his pet, and why.

Wishing you peace with whatever decision you make.

Thanks everone. I agree, quality of life is important. When all my previous dogs lost interest in eating, I knew it was time. Nala is a chow hound! None of them were blind or deaf. So don't know how important that is.

Yes, it is fine to ask the vet. However, it is really your choice because this is such a personal decision that most people make based on emotions. One person's emotional threshold is different than another.

If she is eating, drinking, going to the bathroom, free of pain, and doesn't have anxiety, then I presume she is still living a decent quality of life.

With our last dog we were overly cautious and made a decision quickly, and in hind sight I think we put our dog down sooner than we needed to. But is that such a bad thing?

Dogs don't know the difference between being dead or alive. Their death is all about us and our experience of being attached to them, the pain of letting them go vs our best guess at their quality of life. I would never want my dog to needlessly suffer and I know that he did not.

My guess is you will keep coming back to this question a few times over the next months or more and eventually realize that you have asked it enough times and sadly, the answer will be obvious to you.

Sorry you are in this phase of life. I hope you are enjoying the cuddles and naps along side them.

" it is really your choice because this is such a personal decision that most people make based on emotions. One person's emotional threshold is different than another. "

I disagree, this seems to move the focus from what's best for the animal to what's best for the human.

That was why I suggested following the vet's advice - it's objective and not emotional. If the vet bounces the question back and says something like "Do what you think is best", s/he is ducking the question and the opportunity to REALLY help out.

I have never had my vet tell me that it was time to let go. I have known my vet for 27 years and she has been with me through numerous pets. She always gave me the facts of the current condition but never once implied I should put the animal down. For me, it becomes a matter of answering the question "am I keeping my pet alive for me and not really seeing the animal's true condition". I understand not wanting to let go, but to me, that is selfish. Better to let them go too soon than to prolong their suffering whether that suffering is obvious or not. Quality of life is everything. Often in older pets there are medical temporary fixes but then again you have to ask if you are doing it because you can't let go. It's a hard decision. I hope you can find peace.

With the exception of my little cord-chewer, I have always said that, with every single dog, that I waited one day too long. I'd made up my mind to call the vet tomorrow, and then we had a terrible night with the dog in great distress. Every single time.

When I brought one of my dogs in to be put to sleep, she began acting differently in the room. It was as if she had more energy -and our vet saw the look of doubt in my eyes re: whether it was time. He actually reassured me that I had made the right decision for her - she had tumors and wasn't eating well. He said that it was highly likely that she was in pain. So, we held her and said our good-byes.

I lost my dog, Sam, almost four years ago - and it still is difficult for me. He was the best dog - and I had the closest relationship with him compared to any of my other dogs (I was there when he was born). It would have been very difficult for me to have to make that decision for him.

I didn't have to - he died in my arms on the way to the vet ER. He was fine that day - and then suddenly he wasn't. It was so unexpected. If Sam was still enjoying food, and if my vet didn't think he was in pain, I wouldn't decide to put him to sleep. I know that my current vet (who is the son of my previous vet) would tell me if he thought it was time.

My SO had a golden retriever who was blind/deaf - and still enjoyed little things (food/treats + cuddles/rubs + going out every morning to find the newspaper). It wasn't until a few years later that he and his vet agreed that it was time to say good-bye.

I hope that your vet will provide you with some guidance. 💕

I have owned many many dogs and have helped others make the decision on when it's time.

I have also dealt with veterinarians who were willing to tell me when it was time and what to watch for so that I could make a good decision, most veterinarians are reluctant to provide that level of personal decision making advice and then there are the vets who get a 15 year old dog with organ failure and suggest tests and heroic efforts to save the dogs life and leave the owner with a dog that didn't make it through surgery, but racked up $1500+ in bills in their final hours of life. This happens far more often than many people realize.

I have always felt that our pets let us know when it is time. They get a look in their eyes that says "Mom, I'm tired of this, it is too hard."

I have had 2 dogs that went blind and deaf. The one got an ulcerated lining of the bladder, which is caused by stress. He was 15. He had blood in his urine and started to drip blood through the house and lost considerable amounts of blood when he urinated, sometimes causing him to faint. This was when I was younger and didn't have enough life experience. The vets suggested meds and tests and surgeries and and and . . . and we followed their advice. Over the last 4 months of his life we spent $5k and allowed him to continue to suffer. When I made the decision that I couldn't let him continue to suffer - he didn't understand what happened when he fainted, he seemed depressed and unhappy - the vet still pushed me to keep trying to save him. The vet convinced my husband, but I stood my ground and insisted on euthanasia. It was the first time I experienced a vet that put the almighty dollar over the welfare of the animal. I felt terribly guilty afterwards that I had put my pet through surgeries and left him suffer and be scared rather than just let him go.

The second dog didn't have any issues with being blind and deaf except if I moved any of the furniture. Obviously he didn't come when called - he couldn't hear me, but he still walked around wagging his tail, snuggled with the cats, laid on the kids and licked their faces while pinning them to the sofa (he was 120 lbs). He eventually also lost his sense of smell. That was the end. When he couldn't see, hear or smell he got insecure. He would lay next to me and had to be touching me. At night I would walk him to his bed and he would lay down. In the morning I had to go to the bed and he would get up and lean his body against my leg and stay attached to me throughout the day. If we got separated he would shake and whine. It was scarry for him. I couldn't put him through this. I snuggled up next to him and looked in his eyes and knew it was time for me to let go. I didn't ask a vet for their opinion, I called a friend who was an Animal Control officer and had her come to the house and put him to sleep.

I am a strong believer in at home euthanasia. Many of the vets who provide this service also provide or have staff that provides counseling that supports the decision making process. I have not seen the push for expensive tests and treatments or guilting that happens in some other practices with at home euthanasia services.

When our sweet lab didn't even give a tail thump at the sound of her name....although this doesn't work with a dog who is deaf.

Caflowerlover, you are obviously a caring and attentive owner. I would wait to hear what the vet says, not only about any decision, but about any possible upcoming issues the vet might find that might figure into Nala's future enjoyment and comfort.

make a list of the 4 or 5 things that nala always enjoyed doing. car rides, pup cups, a slow walk to smell all the good things, visits from family/friends. when you have to start crossing those events off because she is no longer able to enjoy them, think very hard about her quality of life.

i have always said that i'd rather do it a week too soon than a day too late. there have been a couple of times that i waited too long because the thought of losing them was just so unbearable. to this day, i have beat myself up because i was too selfish to see it was time for them even though it wasn't time for me.

i want my pets to to be able to slip their earthly bonds before they ever feel an ounce of pain. if that means letting go a few days too soon, i can live with myself. this is especially true for me when my pet is terminally ill with no hope of recovery or they reach the age where i know it's coming soon.

i'm sorry you're facing this, it's always such a hard decision.

When she does her numbers and hops up the porch steps. Then she wags her tail and looks up at my face (even though can't see) waiting for a treat. She still lives for treats and so not yet. If she stopped doing that and shows no interest then it is time to say goodbye.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experences.

Indeed.

And I was just thinking that being both blind and deaf didn't stop Helen Keller from enjoying life...

”Wags her tail & looks up at you (she can see your outline & smell you so she’s fine) for a treat. She is definitely still finding joy in her life. I’d like to say that I don’t think it’s unusual to be wondering about whether or not it’s time to let her go. When we start to acknowledge to ourselves that our beloved furry friend is aging, we start thinking about it. IMO we are preparing ourselves to have the courage to do the best thing when the time comes.

Both my dogs were elderly at 15 and 17, and both were blind and deaf at the end. However, Ziggy went to the AT one last time, and I could see that the joy was gone from his life. It might have been cancer or his body was giving out, but we took him in the next day, and I held him as he left this world. I still tear up every time I think of him. Having pets is both a joyous time and at the end, very sad.

My golden died in her sleep at 15 1/2. Her appetite started to fade and her back legs started to go. We were thinking about it but nature decided for us.

Next dog, our pit/ mix. respitory issues and he started loosing his hair. Took him to emergency care and he had a cancerous tumor growing around his heart. . The intake vet said she would put him down right then. But, he went on to see the carfiologist there and they gave him a serious of medication. They started the meds right then and this dog flew out if there that day like nothing was wrong with him.

Eight months later we knew it was time when he began coughing again, loosing control of his bladder Meds were no longer helping.

That night we took him in to be euthanized at 131/2.

Our primary vet simply told us, we will know, and we did.

You have been through before this but yet each time can feel unique and different. Follow the vet’s advise of course but also follow your heart.

(Hugs)

What does she enjoy? If you can't tell, then maybe it's time to let her go. Just cause she is hanging on, doesnt mean keep her going. Onmy dogs I always thought after it was all over, I should have done it about 2 weeks sooner. ((( )))

I'm sorry, it's so tough when our pets near the end. Two different vets over the years have referred me to this quality of life scale. Maybe it will be helpful.

ohio_state_university_quality_of_life_scale.pdf

Bluebell - thank you for the article and list. I have not gone through it but will read it later.

Vet said she is doing good, even with the things wrong with her. She has calcium deposits along with cataracts that is causing her blindness. She did react to lights being flashed in her eyes and sudden movement. Her joints are age related and moves pretty good for a 14 year old.

The only thing that was a surprise was a slight heart murmur, but the vet said it was nothing to worry about. So over all she could go another year or even more. The vet didn't push the final shot or any other medcine. She still has quality of life, has a great enjoyment eating, happy when we are around. So we will just go along as before.

caflowerluyver, that is great news!!! I know you must be happy to hear that.

My neighbor has a 10 year old yellow lab that has gone blind now. He still takes her for her regular walks, rides in the car, camping, all things they both love. As long as he doesn't move anything around in the house, she gets along well.

I wish you more good years with her. Sounds like she is doing as well as she can. Yay for that!

Oh, good news for sure! Give her a big hug from all of us here!💗 And hugs to you for being such a great, caring dog mom!💕

That's good news @caflowerluver. You can enjoy her a little longer.

We just went through ths agonizing decision a week ago. Oski had dementia but was eating and drinking well. The vet told us eating, drinking, pooping, peeing was not evidence of a good quality of life.

The vet asked us to name 5 things Oski enjoys (even simple ones), three of which he should enjoy 4 days a week (allowing for good and bad days). We could not name one, sadly. We gave him the last act of kindness but are brokenhearted.

Oski's breed (Westie) was recommended to me by @chisue 16.5 years ago, and our immediate and extended family have treasured this dear pup all that time.

" The vet told us eating, drinking, pooping, peeing was not evidence of a good quality of life.......

The vet asked us to name 5 things Oski enjoys (even simple ones), three of which he should enjoy 4 days a week "

This vet sounds like they're really engaged and on top of their game. This was a substantive and objective assessment. I think you got the best possible advice. I'm sorry, I know you did the right thing for your pup and that that was your objective.

@socks, please accept my most sincere condolences for the loss of your little Oski. I hope knowing that you made the best choice for him gives you some peace while you are adjusting to days without Oski. It sounds like you have a wise and kind Veterinarian who genuinely cares about his patients.

It occurred to me as I read your news that I haven’t seen any posts from you for awhile. Your icon picture of Oski is one I saw often. I haven’t been in the garden threads for awhile so maybe that’s it?

Oh, Socks, so sorry to hear about Oski. It is never an easy decision to make and I'm sorry you had to. Westies are the cutest!

And that's good news for you and your pup Caflowerluver. Enjoy every moment.

Socks - Sorry you had to say good bye to Oski so soon.

I don't know if you could count sleeping as a thing she enjoys. She has never been an overly active dog when we got her at 8 or 9 years old. She has never liked the great outdoors or the beach or playing with toys.The only thing she really enjoys is eating. She goes nuts for food. We knew when we got her and she was diagnosed with Cushions disease that we would not have her for very long. I hope she enjoyed her stay, even though it was brief.

Oski!!! I remember him from The Meeting House posts from long ago. I'm so sorry for your loss. But I know you take comfort in knowing the great life you gave him and the love he gave you. Hugs.

so glad to know that your vet is working with you to make nala's time enjoyable! i hope you will be able to make lots and lots of new memories with your sweet girl.

socks, i'm so sorry to hear about oski. he was such an adorable little fella, i always loved seeing photos of him. sending you comforting hugs! ❤️

Socks, my condolences on Oski. You did the right thing.

I'm so sorry about you losing Oski. But what a good vet you have. That was excellent advice for any of us with elderly pets.

I wouldn't put down your dog. I had a Shih Tzu who went totally blind at 13 years of age and people told us to put him down. He could find his way around nicely, eat, go outside and spend an hour each time sniffing around before coming back to the deck, but we had to carry him up and down the stairs because he couldn't see them anymore. As a shih Tzu he never listened anyway so it was like he was deaf. five years later his heart gave out and died of natural causes, and during that time he did lots of sleeping. Up to a week before he died he was still finding my feet and start playfully attacking them, so I'd wrestle him with a hand and half the time he could sense my hand coming and dodge it!

A year after he died my 12 year old boxer's hip went out, and at 80 pounds I struggled bringing her in up the stairs. She got to a point where she couldn't keep food and water down and when I took her out she would roam away to find secluded spots to lay down and I had to go out and find her, we have 5 acres. We both knew it was time to say goodbye.

Oh, man - this is one of the worst decisions to make in life, at least for me. My dogs are my furry children. I will do anything possible to keep them happy and healthy, and watching them age and then trying to decide how to best react to declining health is heart wrenching, for me.

I guess the tiny silver lining there is that it's not heart wrenching for them, you know? Dogs just live in the moment. If they're happy, they're happy. They don't worry about what tomorrow might bring.

In order to decide when it's time, you have to know yourself. Do you trust yourself to make calm, level-headed decisions based on actual facts?

I've always known when it was time. I have never liked knowing when it was time, but whether one likes or dislikes facts, it doesn't change the answer. If you know your dog, and you know yourself, it usually becomes apparent - and it always goes to quality of their life, for me.

As so many upthread have shared, it the dog is still fundamentally happy, showing engagement in things which they have always enjoyed then declining sight or hearing is of no real concern to me. It doesn't bother them, why should it bother me? (Well. Of course it bothers me, because it's just a sad affirmation that they are aging. But beyond that, most dogs seem to just roll with it, and so I follow their lead on acceptance.)

Bless you for caring enough to ask the question, and for being willing to make your way through these brutally emotionally draining decisions. So glad to hear it's not time for Nala and love her while you've got her.

Socks, my absolutely heart-felt condolences on Oski. Again, bless you for giving him such a wonderful loved home, and for taking care of him right up through the end.

(((caflower)))

(((socks)))

My heart goes out to you.