My poor little Ollie

[welshlibranr]

So sad tonight, my poor little dog, who is 14, and has been diabetic for nearly 4 years now, is now blind and hard of hearing, and quite confused, he has always been so clean, never having any 'accidents indoors' since he was house trained, he's now just weeing, I don't think he knows it's happening, he still looks forward to his walks every day, but is obsessed with food, and barks and barks for more at feeding times, the rest of the time he sleeps, I just don't know what to do!!! I know that the time is near, but I just don't know when or how to make this decision, please try to advise me if you can, I'll be so grateful!! TIA.............................welsh

[seekeerz]

I'm very sorry to have to say this, welsh, but I think you know as well as I do that Ollie's time with you is rapidly coming to an end - and it's you who is going to have to be very brave and take the next step.

Sometimes we have a time of warning when a beloved pet is slowing down as Ollie is, sometimes we get no time at all to prepare and it's simply a case of what is best for your friend.

Do you have a vet who would come out to you and help with arrangements for afterwards or do you have a partner who could drive you and Ollie to a vet ?

I don't know if you work but try to pick a time when you have some free time and have someone with you after he's gone.

This is truly one of the worst decisions we as pet owners and pet lovers have to make, because we can't bear to see our pets in pain and we can't bear the thought of our own pain when they are gone - I had a chinchilla cat who left me some 5 years ago now and I still can't believe how the world didn't come to an end that day for me. I now have two westies - I know, talk about a complete 180, but each morning in my mind, I see Fooey walk round the bedroom door, look at me enquiringly and ask if I'm ok, with the tiniest meow you've ever heard, so you can see he's never really left me and Ollie won't either.

You'll have lots of support from the pet lovers here - there's never a time when there's nobody around, I'm in Australia, I'm guessing from your nickname, you're in Wales [ though I could be quite wrong !!] and probably safely in bed by now, but I'll be back later to catch up with you - take care S

[jules77]

You will know when it is time and Ollie doesnt have a good quality of life. If he is looking forward to his walks and eating he sounds like he still has something to look forward to at the moment.

As for him having accidents, this could be a simple water infection, and it may be worth taking a sample to the vets.

[wendilla]

My heart goes out to you. I had to make this decision about 2 months ago with my Labrador. I like you did all I could was on tablets for his legs and started the water problem. You have done all you can it is hard very very hard but just think that you have done all you can and it is the kindest thing to do as I could not watch him go downhill and suffer as he had had a lovely life.I used to hope and pray he would have gone in his sleep but no .I just got my children and talked it through. Don't think you are being cruel to let him go .I loved mine so much that I sense he is still here with me. I light a candle beside his photo every evening..This is about all I can say it is so hard just remember we all know what you are going through.

[paddywak]

As everybody has said, this is the worst position any pet lover can be in, and all you can do is try to make what time he has left with you as happy as you can, as Margaret, the vet I used when I was in this position with Che my first GSD,would say any pet lover knows in their heart when the time has come to let them go and as Lankeela has said many times better a day early then a nminute too late, So please what ever happens dont let your friend suffer and remember there are lets of friends on here who know just what you are going through

[lankeela]

Such a difficult decision but one we are in a position to make for our pets if not our human family. If he has always been clean and now seems to be confused, he is probably worried about making a mess. I always think that one of the criteria for quality of life is being able to go out to the toilet when they need to. Its really a case of whether you are able to work through the weeing, if he is ok in himself and still able to eat and get around then maybe he will be with you a little longer. In all honesty you will know when the time has come.
Think of him and not your own sadness, are you really doing the best for him or for you?

[carmalee]

I've just had my beloved 18 and a half year old Collie put to sleep - one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. What made it a little easier was the thought of her being in extreme distress during the last few hours of her life and the fact that I was in a position to spare her from that. Elderly animals can deteriorate so, so rapidly, it unbelieveable. So, keeping in mind the fact that the decision was not about me but about what was best for her , I booked my vet for a home visit at lunch time then spent the morning with Daisy, fussing and giving her treats. Not so much that she knew something was amiss but enough to make the morning special. When he arrived, everything was very, very calm, she was eating her favourite make of cheese and being stroked by me - she didn't even feel the needle go in and just quietly dropped her head and it was all over. So much better for her. I know what your going through but don't leave it until its too late. Go well

[welshlibranr]

Thank you all so much for your replies, Ollie seems a little better today, he's been out for his walk, and in the garden to toilet, no accidents so far today, spoke to my vet, who is really wonderful, and has known Ollie for a long time now, he agrees that Ollie does get a little confused at times, but thinks that this may be partly a result of the fact that his complete loss of sight is recent, we have realised that the weeing inside only happens when the door is open, and he's near to it, so he probably thinks that he's already outside when it happens,(thankfully once out in the garden he knows his way around perfectly) we have decided to carry on a wee bit longer, as our vet feels that he does still have a fair quality of life at present, but we will stay in close contact with him, and monitor the situation regularly, we will make sure that he doesn't suffer. Again I must thank you all so much for your support! I will keep you informed.....................................
.......welsh

[Meg]

Glad to hear Ollie has been a bit better today. I have a 14 year old border collie, she has tumours in her mammary glands which aren't causing her any discomfort at present. I had to have her litter sister put to sleep in May (she had a brain tumour, it all happened very quickly). I think you know when the time has come to take that awful decision on your pet's behalf.A terrible situation to be in but love him and pamper him for as long as it lasts, that's what I'm doing. Thinking of you, Wendyxx

[welshlibranr]

Thank you Wendy, we are just giving him all the love and pampering we can until the time comes, we know that the time is short now, vut we'll try our best to take the best care of him that we can, thank you so much for your support, will keep you informed.......................welsh

[oldmaggie]

My little dog is a 12year old blind diabetic. she has started messing in the house as well so I know how you feel. She doesn't like the cold and rain so I think she prefers indoors. Funnily enough she barks for food all the time so I give her tripe sticks to keep her busy. I feed her Hills WD well watered down to fill her tum. My vet has put her onto vivitonin tablets they are supposed to put more oxygen to the brain. You will know when the time comes........thinking of you...

[welshlibranr]

Ollie's, quite well again today! Been for our walk, and no accidents again, Thanks for the reply oldmaggie, the tripe sticks are a good idea, thanks for that, I was giving Ollie small pieces of low fat chews, or biscuits, which last for literally a second, and then he's off again! So I'm going to try those, thanks for the tip! amd again, thank you all for your support............................welsh

[ruthann58]

have you tried a plastic kong (i think thats what they are called) you fill them with food and the dog licks it out when our gsd became weak bladdered over night i made her a nappy type thing based on the pant things that you can buy for dogs in season and used cheap sanitary towels from the supermarket in them worked a treat

[dothawkes31]

This is how Max came to the end last month, it wasn't his diabetes after all, it was liver cancer and his lover had stopped coping with the tumor. The decision was made for me and for Max by the vet being practical and professional, it makes you realise how humane we can be , and the last thing we want to happen, is the best thing for them,

[dothawkes31]

sorry, *liver. You need to get your vet to explain the long term issues and you should then realise, like I did, that there is only one thing to do.

[lankeela]

Crawl back under your stone and think about how inhumane you are being to someone who is obviously trying their best for their pet. You have no way of knowing what this dog is feeling - you are not there are owners do know their own animals. As has been said so many times, you know when the time is right.

[kita1]

I am sure the vet and the owner are the best placed to decide on 'quality of life'.

I don't see how anyone is "prolonging" this dogs life (or agony - where is it mentioned the dog is in agony?). The dog is still eating, looking forward to walks and going to the toilet on its own. He is not in any pain. He is still sleeping peacefully (and presumably enjoying dreaming of doing all the things he used to when young!). The owner is aware that time is limited - but the dog is loved, well cared for and above all is secure.

OK so he has some 'accidents' (weeing is not "messing all over"!) - that can be excused when anything gets so old.

I really hope that they don't bring in euthanasia for people - we would be killing off everyone over the age of 50!

welshlibranr:

Keep in good contact with your vet, if he has known Ollie for so long and you obviously trust him, he will guide you for when the time is right to let him go. The vet can be impartial and professional about things and they are the best people to give advice.

[society]

So sad for you and Ollie, and to hear about Ollie's illness. Hope you have lots of photos of you and Ollie. x