poorly14year old westie

[dudleyskyrme]

our westie has lost the use of his back legs in the last two years but has otherwise been ok and full of fun. recently he seems to have gone quite weak and off his food and not at all lively. if i take him to the vet i know they will want to put him down due to his age and incapacity. what do you think is best.

Dudley

[Clanad]

I'm sorry to say that you are only postponing the inevitable and in the process causing unwarranted suffering for your pet.  Our German Shorthair was in the same situation.  She had hip displacia, common in lots of breeds.  After the veterinarian showed us the x-rays and explained how much pain she was in and would experience later, the humane, albeit difficult, decision was to mercifully end her suffering...

[FP]

Dudley.  Your Westie needs to see a vet whatever the outcome.  Vets will not necessarily put him down because of his age if his incapacity can be helped.  Whatever the outcome, please do not delay in taking him as he probably is in real pain.  It is awful when pets get old but you must do what is best for him and not what is best for you.

Best wishes.

[Eels]

Dudley.  No vet will ever force you to put your animal down - that's YOUR decision to make, not theirs.  All they can do is give you information and let you make that difficult decision. 

If a vet does advise you to put your dog to sleep, then it will be because they genuinely believe that your dog is in pain or has no quality of life.  In either case, for you to ignore this advice would be cruel and selfish.

Dogs give us everything - the least we can do is give them a bit of peace and dignity when the end comes.  It doesn't seem like a big ask.