Has Anyone Got Or Owned A Rough Collie.?? My Dear Old Boy....

[lilacben]

Ben who is now nearly 14 has had trouble with his eyes. For a while now he has had an ulcer type lump on his eye lid and cataract in that eye. But now the other eye has started to sink back. The vet has given me two lots of drops to put in. But said this eye is going back into the area by the nose and is disappearing. That eye is only half open now and he said he will have tunnelled vision. My question is how do they cope like this as I wouldn't want him to be distressed. That isn't his only problem as he has arthritis in his back legs so he tends to fall down a lot. We are having to build an extra paving slab up on the conservatory door...in and out now as he cannot get his legs over the door frame. I really don't know what to do.? I don't want to lose him but nor do I want him to not be happy. Xx

[Sqad]

Lilac.......no I haven't had a Rough Collie........But......
Aged 14yrs, arthritis and almost certainly blind in both eyes..........now is the time to ......let go.

[woofgang]

I agree with sqad...its the final kindness we do for our beloved pets.

[lilacben]

Dear sqad...you are always there for me when I have a problem. I can hear what you are saying but Ben seems to be ok in himself ..still eating well and I wonder if that would just be giving up on him too soon.? Brenda x

[Sqad]

My darling.........your call.

[woofgang]

he's going blind and falls down a lot....you know what to do....really you do.

[kvalidir]

We had a very large and very elderly dog who went blind, was also a bit doddery, but like Ben was well in himself. We felt, and our vet felt that he had a nice quality of life, snoozing on the sofa or in the garden, enjoying his food, not in pain and not frightened. On that basis we decided to let him continue and that went well until he had a vestibular attack which caused him to lose his balance very badly- and then he was distressed for a short time. Fortunately they don't last very long but we made the decisions if they started to reccur we would have him out to sleep. What eventually happened was he climbed on the sofa and and died very peacefully there entirely of his own accord- which we were all very grateful of. None of us regretted letting him wind down himself as he didn't suffer, and if your dog is well in himself then I'd wait a while yet personally, I'm sure you'll know yourself when the time is right. xxx

[jules77]

As you know I have Rough Collies, I havnt experienced eye problems like this, but have had them tumbling over and wobbly on their legs when they get to 14 plus. You will know when the time is right, if he is eating and is happy to see you, I would say that he is not in pain and personally I wouldnt give up on him yet. Ask your vet for advice if you are not sure. Good luck.

[ladybirder]

When he doesn't even bother to get up to greet you in the morning, not interested in his food, and his tail stops wagging, or he's in pain, then you must do the final kindness. And hold him tight while it's done. X

[pixie373]

I would do whatever i could for him for the moment. You know whether he is happy in himself. If and when it seems he isn't, then is the time to rethink. Best wishes xx

[lilacben]

Thankyou all of you so so much. I have had tears in my eyes reading your replies. And remembering my other rough collie Amber who I lost the day we got back from a hoilday. That was three years ago and she was only 12 1/2/. She just died in her sleep in her bed....but sadly at the kennels. I have always wished I had been the last one she saw before she feel asleep. With Ben he is so much bigger than Amber and I thought, or was hoping he would go the same.. I will take it a day at a time I think..and you are all right I will know when it is time. Thankyou all very much again. Brenda x

[divegirl]

I too would let him be for now. Can you make a ramp to the door, a length of wood covered in carpet?

Don't move any furniture in the house so he knows his way round and if you haven't already get him on some fish oils for his joints.

Lisa x

[woofgang]

I have just started one of my dogs on Yumove tablets. He's only 6 and a half but has had a minor shoulder problem all his life. Its seems to be helping him and the tablets, which smell of seaweed and shellfish, go down like dog treats. Less messy than fish oil as well.

[paddywak]

It's that terrible time that all pet owners face,but as long as he's not suffering in any way enjoy his company for as long as you can.Please don't let him suffer though,I'm sure as an animal lover you'll know in your when it's time to let him go.

[Sqad]

" For a while now he has had an ulcer type lump on his eye lid and cataract in that eye. But now the other eye has started to sink back"

"That eye is only half open now and he said he will have tunnelled vision."

"as he has arthritis in his back legs so he tends to fall down a lot."

You don't think that the above description could be described as "suffering?"

[lilacben]

Hi all,
The eye condition he has is Enophthalmos.
Have tried him with a ramp...even took a door of and covered it with carpet..he wouldnt even step on it.
He is on Yumove .. 4 tablets a day plus the tablets from the vets for his arthritis.
I think you have all been so helpful and kind. Sqad I understand what you are saying..but if this was a person we wouldnt give up on them. As I said Ben is ok in himself...doesnt seem depressed and still eats well.
Many thanks to you all Brenda xx

[corylus]

Having had to experience a similar situation not long ago with an old (but still frisky) much loved little dog I know just how you feel, but please don't let him suffer.

[woofgang]

Brenda, if this was a person we wouldn't be allowed to help them on their way, true; but I DO NOT view that as giving up on a beloved pet. You said something important "I don't want to lose him" but this is not about you, its about him.
Giving a beloved pet a gentle end is not giving up, its being a loving caring owner.

[lilacben]

Very true ..I have to phone the vets tomorrow to let him know if his eye is any better...I must say it does seem slightly better but will see what he says.
I truly value all your feedback. Thankyou. Brenda xx

[ladybirder]

Any more news on Ben lilac? Is he any better?

[lilacben]

Well thankyou for asking. his eye seems to be open wider ...he is still on his drops...and he isnt crying anymore...the step out of the conservatory door we have put slabs down in tiny steps and covered it with a long carpet but he still will not do it on his own..but with his lead on he happily walks up them and come in....I am not hopeful this is a long thing but will phone the vets again when drops have finished and see what he says. Brendax