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

[blackveltbowhunter]

Based on your description, it sounds close but IMO you reading your guy spot on. Physical ailments are just part of the process of getting old. Not fun for him but likely not painful, and he still wants to be home and with you.  My triggers are A) Bathroom. If accidents are happening in home, or kennel. It's time. That was likely one of the first things they learned would please you and keeping dignity intact is our job. B) The spark . Sometimes it's just gone. And when it does it's time. I can't define the symptoms, but it has always been unmistakable to me. 

[bornhunter]

 

Man! Reading this thread made me get down on the floor & give my old boy some love. I fear the day I have to make that decision or lose him. .  I feel for those of you that are facing it now.

[h2ofowlr]

I didn't know when or what I should expect before putting my lab down.  Mine was 12 years old. and had lost a ton of weight, but would still come over with his tail wagging to greet me.  His day came when my girls were outside playing with him and he just fell over and couldn't move again.  His eye's were still open, but completely unresponsive.  That was the day that we had to put him down.  He was a great dog and a hard situation for the family.

[stlusn30-06]

This is the toughest choice in life for me. I read a book once that had what I thought was a solid breakdown of what to ask myself before making that choice, or letting my dogs go on their own time. It is by no means definitive, but I found myself thinking I'll be asking myself these next time around.

Is the condition prolonged, recurring, or getting worse?
Is the condition no longer responding to therapy?
Is your dog in pain or otherwise physically suffering?
Is it no longer possible to alleviate that pain or suffering?
If your dog should recover, is he/she likely to be chronically ill, an invalid, or unable to care for himself as a healthy pet?
If your dog recovers, is he/she likely no longer to be able to enjoy life, or will he/she have severe personality changes?

If the answer is “yes” to ALL questions than your consider euthanasia as the best option for your pet. If the answer is “no” to three or four of the questions than you can consider for your pet’s life to end naturally. However, one must answer three more questions:

Can you provide the necessary care?
Will such care so interfere with your own life as to create serious problems with you or your family?
Will the cost involved become unbearably expensive?

[DOUBLELUNG]

Someone once told me:

"Their last day does not need to be their worst day"

That guidance has helped me make the call in the past.

"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."

We are in this mode with both of our dogs.  The male is 12, and has an aggressive fast-growing abdominal tumor that makes him look pregnant, likely hemangiosarcoma.  He still wants to eat, go for walks and be petted.  The female is 14 and generally healthy, but mostly blind, mostly deaf, and has weak hips.  So far the only concessions we have to make are picking them up and down and carrying up and down stairs, and the female prefers to be let in and out and is very reluctant to use the dog door (but does when we aren't home, either that or she holds it, no accidents in the house).  Right now they enjoy life, when that changes for each one we will euthanize them, cry, and remember the many good years we had with them.  It never gets easier.

[Westside88]

Well today was the day, it came too soon, but I’m at peace with the decision. I think the advice the the last day doesn’t have to be the worst is true. I’m sitting by the river thinking of the good times and know it was the right thing. I appreciate the kind words I received here. RIP Sam, you were a good dog

[Blacktail Sniper]

Sorry for your loss.

[Skillet]

My condolences.

RIP Sam.

[Westside88]

Thanks guys

[huntnfmly]

I'm very sorry for your loss.

[opdinkslayer]

Hardest thing in the world! Sorry for your loss man!😢

[jackelope]

Very sorry for your loss. I also had a lab named Sam when I was a kid. Tough day. Very sorry again.

[hunthard]

Sad times, I had to put my lab down 10 months ago and it still hurts, it will get better though, remember the good times.

[WapitiTalk1]

I have no doubt Sam had a great life for his years on earth, and, you and your family are responsible for that. Sams gonna have a blast chasing every kind of critter and barking his heart out in his new life, up there in pup heaven. He’s thinking of you as much as you are of him, well in between chasing and barking   .

[bornhunter]

Wow. Brings it all back when I had to put my two labs down 3 months apart. Still hurts and miss them like it was yesterday. Sorry for your loss. He was a good lookin boy.