Need some input/ideas.

We have today heard from the vets regarding Jess' blood work, Her Kidney values are above normal, so the pain killing meds may have to stop. She is supposed to be having a dose suitable for a 20kg dog, but at the moment she's on mostly a dose for 30kg dog. As soon as we drop it down the leg flares up and she's in a lot of pain. We have to have more blood work done next Wednesday. We have been told about another option Acupuncture, may work, may not. Could have months in between sessions, but may need them weekly, very expensive (which although has to be thought about, isn't really a major problem) This may or may not help her at all.

Now before I ask my question, I have to say I have been thinking about this all day the pros and cons of it all and we have come up with a lot of questions, but have also come to a decision of sorts.

Please believe me I'm not asking you to make up my mind for me, what I'm after is input ideas. How would you be thinking?

What if this were your dog, 16.5 years old, might/might not be in pain, have to have needles stuck in her maybe on a weekly basis. What questions would you ask yourself, and what do you think you might do. As I said we have a week to decide, Maybe you'll think of some questions that I haven't thought of that I can add to my growing list of questions.

I'm really not asking you to make up my mind for me, that decision has to be mine I would just like some ideas. Please. Thank you so much. :07:

I was hoping for a different outcome to this but its what we have been dealt with, and I have to do the best for my Ancient Gal.

i am sorry for your problem,

i feel that if my pets are in pain and there is really no other option that i need to do the right thing. i just had to put down my dog a year ago that was 15. it got to the point that he was blind, deaf, and had athritus really bad. it was even hard for him to go outside to pee. i really miss him alot but seeing him in the pain day in and day out i really could not keep him going just so i could hold him. it is one of the hardest things i think that pet owners have to do. but odie "my dog" is in a better place and i know that he is waiting for me at the gates with that huge tongue to give me a kiss. i dont know if this was what you are looking for but i cant let my animals live a life with pain. my prayers go out to you and family and of course jess.

If you can afford it, Peta, then definitely try the accupuncture, and also you may want to look into any natural bird-friendly pain treatments ... perhaps we can all look and see what we can find. I mean if eating something or putting something into her water or what have you will help, even a little, its worth a try right? Why is her leg swollen anyways (sorry if it's been said, I've not seen it)? If her leg isn't too sore to gently touch then perhaps a light massage would help? a Warm bath? Are there anti-inflamatory medications (advil for us) that she can have?

Well, I will post more if / when I think of more. Hope she is alright and please keep your chin up. (((P)))

Thank you, I'm looking for anything. In Theory this Acupuncture sounds brilliant, but I keep asking myself if I have the right to allow her to be in pain if it doesn't work like the meds do. Also on my list is at her age do I want to put her through all that? These are some of the things that I'm thinking hard about, and hard as it is especially at the moment,I have to think carefully of these things. As hard as it is, especially at this moment I have to think of her and not our feelings.

I really do thank you. I know its not easy to answer these kinds of questions, but it helps me to see things from all angles. Thank you again.

Why is her leg swollen anyways (sorry if it's been said, I've not seen it)? If her leg isn't too sore to gently touch then perhaps a light massage would help? a Warm bath? Are there anti-inflamatory medications (advil for us) that she can have?

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Sorry not sure if I ever did say, but I'll say again anyway, She has very bad arthritus, her leg muscle has wasted away and now bone crunches on bone. She is on Metacam at the moment but it doesn't look like she can stay on that because of the liver values being too high, which is not a good thing. In time the meds will only make her worse than she is at the moment. When he leg is playing up, its too painful for her to get up the stairs, or move anywhere, Its too painful for us to even give it a light massage. I asked the vet about other pain meds for her, but they would all have the same effect on her kidneys so she can't have them. In a younger dog they could operate to help her out, but because she is so old they can't do that. She would never survive the anisthetic. We are thinking seriously about all options even the acupuncture, but I don't like the total uncertainty of it all. We have all been busy making our list of questions and wot not, and the top one of them all is "We are not ready for her to be old" After that we get our serious heads on and then we sit down and decide what is best for her. There are pros and cons to every solution.

Have you called any naturopathic vets? I had one out in Nova Scotia, but I know they are rare but all over, if that makes sense. This guy (I will post his information if I find it) is really good and he does consults tc over the phone etc (he has patients allll over the place). He got my furries very very healthy and I have food recipes from him as well. Ok, I will look for his information, and pass it on if/when I do. In the meantime it might be an idea to search for one online. I mean they ahve some powerful treatments that wont harm them. They also have "remedies" for helping their little bodies expel the toxins from the standard medications without changing the medications effectiveness.

A bath in epsom salts and warm water might help. If you have a deep bath or something then try that. Fill it up and then either have her float, or hold her up. I mean it should hurt to try. May help aleviate some of the pain, and if nothing else it will feel good for a bit. If she can't stand like that and isn't floaty, then maybe go in too and lay her on your lap. I'm just thinking about what I'd do.

I had a cat that died quite suddenly of kidney failure and a dog that had to be put down because of severe hip displasia (he could not go to the washroom at that point, nor could he move without being moved). I completely know the emotional agony you must be feeling right now. If there is anything at all I can do to help, please let me know.

Thanks for that Indigo, I'll do a search now to see if I can find anything out. I'm up for looking into everything at the moment and getting as much info as I can on it all. Thankyou.

Anytime ... and I mean that ... If I can help I will, even if "just" a suggestion. I will look for that stuff when I get back from my appointment (which I am presently in the middle of dressing to go to - man, I sound like a nudist or something lol - wreck beach, here I come! ^jokes^). I will also post any information I find on this topic on here - possibly as it's own thread, but I will link to it if I do that.

{{{{{{{{{{Peta's Pooch}}}}}}}}}} (and a healthy treat)

all I can say is I'm sorry no matter what happens with her when the end comes you and your family will hurt. In a way I was lucky to have my dog get a really bad infection and be gone in a weekend. However, my aunts dog just layed in the living room for 2 weeks before they made their decision. All I can say is I'm sorry I know it hurts.

Peta I use a homeopathic vet in Cornwall called James Newns. If u are interested u can find him on linw or I can get you his number. Its Vetmix in Gunnislake

Thanks Kelli and Karen.

We've been talking all night about this and have come up with so many different angles, the main one being we need a fountain of youth for the old gal. I think when we have to make our minds up we will know what is best for her, but its great to have other options to look at and take into consideration.

Thanks Karen, I'll have a look on line for him. If I can't find him I'll give you a shout, for his number if I may.

Dear Peta ... I'm just checking in briefly and came upon your post. I'm a bit over heated, brain dead at the moment and don't think I am useful for much until I catch my second wind.

My thoughts and prayers have been with Jess for a while now. The only "thing" that comes to mind when hard decisions must be confronted head on is "Quality of Life".

I'm sorry, again, I'm too brain-fried to expound, but will try to add more later.

I needn't say that Jess is in my heart (you all are). :smile015:

These are always hard decisions, and I do not envy you in the least having to make something like this ... yes, the acupuncture might get Jess weeks between pain and inflamation. But then again you have to take into consideration her age. What will that Q.O.L. be without the symptoms from her artheritis.

On the other hand, before I had to make the toughest decision of all for a loving memeber of the family I would want to know that I tried EVERYTHING POSSIBLE to keep that individual as part of the family for as long as possible. I would never want to second guess that final decision ...

Peta, I don't envy you in the least, but no matter what you need from us, we will always be here for you!

~ Tex

Tex has been quite eloquent on this matter. I agree and defer. :smile015:

TexDot33 said:

These are always hard decisions, and I do not envy you in the least having to make something like this ... yes, the acupuncture might get Jess weeks between pain and inflamation. But then again you have to take into consideration her age. What will that Q.O.L. be without the symptoms from her artheritis.

On the other hand, before I had to make the toughest decision of all for a loving memeber of the family I would want to know that I tried EVERYTHING POSSIBLE to keep that individual as part of the family for as long as possible. I would never want to second guess that final decision ...

Peta, I don't envy you in the least, but no matter what you need from us, we will always be here for you!

~ Tex

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*taking a bow* I don't know what has gotten into me lately ... I have been very deep, and very thoughtful ... not sure that I like this "new me" that is evolving ... maybe I should start to be meaner ... nah, not in this thread ...

Thank you all so much, you have given me some info that I hadn't even thought off.

The top of my list is ALWAYS QOL, the vet who is seeing her at the moment is really good, and is telling us like it is. When this all started I asked her my usual question what is her QOL, and she just said "we'll have to see how she gets on with this and the blood work" so I'll ask her again next wednesday and do a lot of thinking between now and then.

All of her life Jess has looked after us, protected us, and loved us, Now its out turn to look, protect her. It goes without saying that we all love her and want whats best for her.

Peta, I don't envy you in the least, but no matter what you need from us, we will always be here for you!

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Thanks so much it means a lot it really does.

I don't know what has gotten into me lately ... I have been very deep, and very thoughtful ... not sure that I like this "new me" that is evolving ... maybe I should start to be meaner

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Ya know Tex, I could be wrong, but I don't think you have it in you to be mean and thats what we all love about ya. CHRISTY we need inside info here.