Is it time?

[slvrwhispr]

Tyler's 15... his hips are bad... my parents have had him to the vet a bunch of times and a bunch of arthritis treatments, but you can't turn back the clock. Long story short, he's chewed a spot on the back of both of his hips raw. The skin isn't broken, but it doesn't take a degree to know he's chewing because they hurt. He still seems happy, begging for treats, seeking affection, wanting to be near the family. But if he's in enough pain to chew himself raw... well, do we get him back to the vet to try and treat these spots? Or do we let him go? I can't make the decision because he's still so affectionate, ready with lots of kisses and smiles for everyone. I can't tell if we should treat this or just let him go... give me an outside opinion. People keep telling me that we'll know when he's ready to go, but this is my first dog. I have no idea what I'm looking for. I don't want to keep him around just for me... he's been a great dog, and if it's time to let him rest, then... I can do it. I just want to make the right decision.

[Traci]

First things first. Chewing and hot spots aren't always due to internal pain, so I would at least get the hot spots addressed by your vet. Also, a skin allergy or sensitivity to something in the environment may be causing the hot spots.

You said your parents have tried various arthritis treatments, but what were they and were any of them specifically for pain management? If supplements, they may only slightly reduce cartilage swelling (if at all), so sometimes it is necessary to consider a separate pain control management.

If he is still enjoying his surroundings (as specifically as you describe), he may not be ready to leave you. Go with mom and dad and thoroughly discuss the options with the vet. Make sure the vet is actually committed to alleviating any pain potential before chalking this up to "old age", or considering rash decisions too early. If you're not confident in the current vet, it might be worth it to see another one for a second opinion. If a newly initiated pain control management doesn't give Tyler relief or if he seems to be worsening after an expected amount of time on pain control, or withdraws, is depressed, stops eating, etc, then you and your parents may have to reconsider.

I'm sure you've seen this a thousand times, but may be worth looking at again: When Is It Time.

[slvrwhispr]

I asked dad last night to take him to the vet to have the spots looked at. He didn't say anything, but he did sit on the floor with Tyler for a long time. That's just his way. I'll ask again tonight.

The thing that makes me think it's pain-related chewing is because the spots are identical, on the back of his hips, on both sides.

The vet is great; he's got Tyler on something specifically for arthritis and something else for pain (my parents put the pills in one of those weekly pill things and tossed the bottles, so I don't know EXACTLY what it is... sigh!). I'll encourage my dad to really have a talk with the vet. But this is the same vet that's taken care of Tyler his whole life, so he knows this dog quite well and can tell how he's feeling. He's the one who says that we'll know when he's ready... but I know I'm too emotional about it to really be able to tell what's what.

Oh, it's hard watching them get old...

[Marty]

I can't offer much help because the same thoughts have been running through my mind about Biscotti. But you do have my sympathy...it is not an easy decision to have to make. It seems like it's not quite time...but it hurts to see your pet in pain. The meds help, but they don't take it all away.

Hugs...

[Traci]

It is true, for the most part, when people say "you will know". It's generally because you know your pet better than anyone and you will know when the illness or pain is too great, in seeing how it affects the quality of the pet's life.

With Tyler being your first dog, however, this can lend to more confusion than "knowing". Because he's your best buddy, it is harder to separate all the emotions involved and makes decisions that much more difficult.

The "criteria" in the link is what your vet tries to gauge, both upon examination, and your depiction of how you see Tyler manage his life on a daily basis. Your vet knows this is emotional for you, it is for him too.

For me, ultimately, as long as the pet is still showing signs of content, still enjoying their surroundings, is aware and not withdrawn or depressed, is able to eat/drink and eliminate without pain, and still enjoys your company, attention, bonding, (even if activity is reduced), it is probably not their time yet. I look for clues such as withdrawal, depression, increased sleeping activity, lack of interest in food, lack of interest in attention, obvious signs of pain or continued discomfort such as wimping, crying out, growling, fixed position and lack of energy or willingness to move about, etc. You know that Tyler might be hurting, but I always suggest to owners to first rule out things that can be alleviated with medications, and to take it from there and continue observing for any progressive signs that may indicate it may be time to make a decision.

[slvrwhispr]

*hugs* Marty... they're such good buddies, aren't they?

Traci, I talked with my mom. My parents are old-fashioned in that they don't like discussing what they feel is "personal" information, which understandably includes their own health, but that has somehow translated to the dog's health as well. So I had to kind of pry the information out of my mom. Drives me nuts, but they are who they are.

I had no idea, but apparently they had taken Tyler in to the vet a month ago (just before we arrived) and the vet took him off whatever arthritis medication he was taking because in her opinion, it wasn't helping him. She gave him what my mom believes to be a cortizone shot in his hips (not sure if it was one or both; mom didn't know) and that perked him up considerably. I guess the vet wasn't sure at that time whether or not he was going to make it past the following few days, but nobody told me because they didn't want me to worry while I was moving.

(Little do they know, I have a 6th sense about these things, and had been praying for God to not take my dog before I got home to say goodbye... but that's a different story.)

Anyway, I pushed her about the hot spots and she says he gets them all the time (news to me) and the vet tech (not the vet) said to just put Neosporin on them, and they go away with that treatment. I was skeptical, and wanted to take him back to the vet, but they put their foot down and said no. I have absolutely zero money right now, but... I have a credit card with a good limit, and if I have to, I'll take him in when they're not around. I'll let them try their Neosporin bit for a day or two, but if I see it getting any worse... he's going in.

So, this is a totally different story than they gave me a couple of days ago. Sigh. The vet also told them to give him aspirin if he's showing signs of being in more pain than usual on any given day. But at least he got the cortizone shot... I've had those before for joint problems, and they made a difference for me... and he's lasted a month longer than the vet thought he would... so that's a good sign. Lemme know what you think about the Neosporin bit... sounds sketchy to me, but I honestly don't know any better.

As for whether or not he's still happy, that stinker managed to scam a 'cookie' (treat) out of me earlier. He still knows alllllll my buttons... haha. I can't resist those puppy eyes... and he knows it!

[Traci]

As long as it's regular neosporin, it probably won't hurt. But, in order for the hot spot to dissappear entirely, it's best to use e-collar while treating (so the dog doesn't lick at it constantly, nor lick the topical off), as well as having properly identified the cause of the hotspot (for some dogs, boredom, for others, flea allergy, skin allergy, surface sensitivity, seasonal allergy, food allergy, prior non-healing wound, etc)

I'm glad to hear Tyler still has a spark for life, it sounds like he is doing better than what you were originally told. Be careful with the aspirin, I'm sure mom and dad probably know, but don't let them get lax about calling the vet IF and at ANY TIME they feel Tyler might need it, since it must be dosed very cautiously, and only on advice from the vet.