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Old Lab struggling/ how to know when it’s time

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Westside88:
My Lab sure has had a tough 6 months. I thought he was all done this winter when he started falling/collapsing. When I took him to the Vet, she felt it was neurological based (one ear is lower and cocking his head to the side) she talked about seeing a dog neurologist, but at almost 13 it didn’t seem like the right choice. It was decided to switch him from Carprofen to Prednisone. She warned me the switch could be hard on his stomach with a fear of ulcers. Things got pretty ugly for a couple weeks, but he pulled through. It seemed like he was done for and I think he was sending that too. That was in February and he seemed pretty good until a couple weeks ago, even the droopy face seemed better. Now his droop is back and his eyes a little goofy. I’ve got him on the prednisone and CBD oil. My feeling is at his age as long as he’s happy and still wants to play, eats well and is going to the bathroom well then we’ll maintain. I don’t think extraordinary treatments are appropriate (specialists etc) but I want him to have some quality of life. I’m ok with making a tough choice, but don’t want to give up on him too soon. It’s tough to know the right thing to do when they are aging so quickly. Where do you or have you drawn the line? I want to make sure the choices made are right for him not me. Thanks for reading this

Samloffler:
That's never a fun situation. We've got a chessy that is probably 8-10 months away too. With the last lab, he made it obvious. Like, they look bad now, but when its time they let you know. He kept staggering off and curling up to hide and die, basically. That's when we knew.

h20hunter:
I am of course making an assumption here with my next statement. If you are asking it is very likely time. Only you know the pup. I do believe sometimes a bit sooner than you are ok with is possibly what's best for the dog. Tough deal man, very tough.

Wanderer:
As H20 said, only you know him.  when he's not happy/playing/eating or struggling with any of them you'll know. 

Very tough decision - have made it a few times and it's never any easier.   there's always a second guessing going on.   

brew:
in the past 6 months my 11 year old chocolate has gone deaf.  we use hand signals now to give him directions.  we let him out at night and flick the lights on and off for a signal for him to come to the house .  I know the end is near but he is still part of the family .  will keep him around until I feel he's suffering and then I will end it myself here on the homestead.  my last lab lived a little over 10 years until he got cancer and took him to the vet to put him down.  don't think that was doing him justice taking him off the homestead where he wasn't comfortable at the end.   it's a shi**y deal but that's what you sign up for raising dogs.  You know when its time to do what you have to do.  When I go I would rather it be on a piece of ground that i'm familiar with rather than taking me to the doctor

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