Suggestions Please

[Nikita4ever]

Hi,

I am new to this board and I have been reading through the posts and found it very helpful. I want to apologize ahead of time in case I am doing this incorrectly and for the length of my post.

 

I have a 12 year old Border Collie Mix who has a brain tumor and was give a life expectancy of two months and that was in April. Nikita went blind in Oct. 2008, I took her to an eye specialist who said it was probably just age.

 

She adjusted to being blind with no problems, we still went on our daily walks, played tennis ball, squeaky toys and she was a happy girl. Then at the beginning of April she suffered her first seizure that lasted 10 minutes. I took her to the ER vet they kept her over night for observation and no more seizures. However they did find her BUN level was 52, so she is on a special diet for that. Then a week later she suffered another seizure 10 minutes in length too. My vet gave me PB (sorry not sure how to spell it) so I started her on that. She suffered a few more seizures one 30 min in length and another trip to the ER vet. They said it takes a few weeks for the PB to get into her system. My vet found the right dose after trial and error and added another seizure medication and steroid to her list of medications and her major seizures stopped. I took her in for an MRI to see what was going on fearing it was a brain tumor and that was the dianosis. The doctor said due to the location surgery was not an option and she would not survive radiation, plus it is expensive and I do not have pet insurance. My heart broke. I do not have kids and this little girl has been my life, world for the past 12 years. She was the shy litle girl I wanted and the most precious thing to come into my life. Then when I heard the grim diagnosis I did not handle it well, but that is another story.

The doctor told me some signs to look for when I would know that unspeakable time had come.

 

Nikita is still very sharp mentally but her body is going. About a week ago Nikita lost the use of her hind legs so I walk her with a harness for potty time. She is very good about letting me know she has to go when I am home. But my husband and I work full time and each of us have about a 1 hour commute each way so she is home by herself for awhile. We have another dog who is very good with Nikita but she stays upstairs while Nikita stays downstairs during the day. Less chance she will get hurt since half of the downstairs is not furnished.

 

I lined the downstairs with a tarp, old sheets and towels but the poor baby still has accidents. Most nights when I get home I take her outside and give her a bath because she poos and pees and tries to drag herself out of it but ends up dragging it with her. Does anyone have any ideas what I can do to help her while I am at work. I thought of doggie diapers but I hate to have her stay in those all day. At least now she can try and get out of it.

 

Also has anyone had a dog who had a brain tumor at the bottom of the brain? If so do you know signs I should watch for. I don't want her to suffer. As much as I want to keep her as long as I can, it is not fair to make her suffer and be in pain because of my selfish needs wanting to keep her as long as I can. I want to do what is best for Nikita.

 

I know I probably forgot stuff but I think this is the basic information.

Thank you!

[RoseAmy]

Boy this is a hard one. My heart goes out to you.

 

I wish I had a magical answer for you. But I think you have a very hard discision to make. And that is what quality of life your dog has. It sounds like your dog for 12 years has had a wonderful happy loving life with you. She was truly blessed to have you..how many dogs go to shelters never to find a family?

 

As hard as it is sometimes to say goodbye sometimes we have to do what is best for our beloved friend.

 

I am so very sorry to say this..I know it is not what you want to hear. And believe me I have been in your shoes too many times. The bottom line is it hurts and it hurts bad.

[Ninso]

No suggestions here. Just wanted to say that I'm sorry you're going through this right now. I don't envy you the decisions you will likely need to make soon. Even though that day is hopefully far off for both my young dogs, it already hurts to think about it.

[NorthfieldNick]

We recently went through a similar time with our old dog Stinky (yes, that was her name). No tumor, but she was at least 16, and while her mind was still sharp, her body just gave out on her. We lived with the incontinence for a year or so; it got to be commonplace to suddenly have someone holler, "Pooping!" in the middle of conversation and then have to direct Stinky out the door. When her hips finally gave out, we decided it was time. For a working dog to not be able to move just seemed unfair.

 

The biggest thing that helped us make the decision to let Stinky go was the repeated regret from people after they'd put their dogs down: So many people said they wished they'd done it sooner, that they hadn't realised how much their dog had aged until they went back and looked at old photos.

 

It's been very quiet without Stinky fussing around here, but it's also very peaceful. It hurts so much to look at your old friend in pain. Now that she's gone, we've been remembering the fun and crazy times with Stinky, not the old, blind, deaf, arthritic dog she'd become.

 

KrisK posted this quote on the memorial board, from a book called If Bones Could Rain From the Sky: "There is a cycle of love and death that shapes the lives of those who chose to travel in the company of animals. It is a cycle unlike any other. To those who have never lived through its turnings or walked its rocky path, our willingness to give our hearts with full knowledge that they will be broken seems incomprehensible. Only we know how small a price we pay for what we receive; our grief, no matter how powerful it may be, is an insufficient measure of the joy we have been given."

 

I hope you can find peace with whatever your decision. Enjoy what time you have left, pamper Nikita, and remember that her memories will long outlive the grief you feel when she goes.

[Nikita4ever]

I want to say thank you for the kind and thoughtful words. It helps in this difficult time.

I know the time is coming soon to make that difficult decision but I need to do what is best for Nikita.

Right now I will just let that little girl know how special she is to me and how much I love her and always will. She will always be my princess.

[elegy]

I lost my old pit bull to what was probably a brain tumor last spring. I never did the CT scan, but his regular vet and the boarded neurologist agreed. His first symptom was drinking/peeing a lot, and then he started having seizures. We started him on Phenobarbital first, and he was good on that for awhile (though the drinking/peeing got worse and not better). He started having small break-through seizures again and we started him on Potassium Bromide in conjunction. Again, it worked for awhile. Eventually his seizures got worse (he started clustering again) and I put him to sleep. It was heartbreaking. I'd only had him for 14 months, and he was only 11 years old. He was the sweetest, most gentle dog and I miss him tremendously.

 

Harvey did wear a bellyband with as big a pad in it as I could buy since he just peed and peed and peed. He never seemed to mind it, and he never had any irritation or urine scalding since I made sure to clean him if I found him wet, and he didn't wear one when I was home.

 

I'm really sorry you're having to go through this. It sounds like you need to look at her quality of life and weigh the good against the bad.

 

Best wishes to you and to Nikita.

[Lewie'sMom]

Nikita4ever,

 

Everyone on this board has been where you are now and sympathizes with you deeply. When a beloved pet nears the end, we have to think with our heads more than our hearts. You’ll know when it’s time and from what you’ve shared with us, it may be time now. It’s our responsibility to do what is best for our beloveds even when it breaks our hearts.

 

When I knew it was time to put my 14-year old sweet Sam down, I’d been preparing myself mentally for months. As much as I wanted him to keep going, I knew his little body was beginning to struggle and I didn’t want him to suffer. I’m glad I didn’t make him wait for me. I made the decision for him, not for myself.

 

My one piece of advice for you is, stay with Nikita when it’s time. Allow your essence to comfort her. You'll never regret it.

 

A big hug to you and Nikita from Lewie and me.

[Cody & Duchess]

Nikita4ever - I got tears as I read your post. My throat is closed now. It is never easy - I understand your connection, it is real and it is deep. My father told me I was more upset about the passing of my sheltie Jake than I was of most people dying. I told him that Jake never gave me a day of grief his entire life and only gave me unconditional love. Jake passed away a 15 months ago, it still hurts a lot. I don't know how to make it easier.... just to confirm that Nikita is lucky to have you as you are to have her. Unfortunately the cycle of life goes on, even when we scream at it to slow down. Best wishes to you all.

[hsnrs]

Sorry to hear about your dog. My hubby had a old hunting dog he just let die of natural causes. That was his choice but when it came time for me to put my 2 beloved cats to sleep there was no decision really. They were suffering and we didn't want that to happen. We went to the vet and came home with a shoe box. We burried our cats in the garden under the rose bush. It was comforting to know the pets were all around us. Good luck with your decision whatever it and whenever it will be. N

[2 Devils]

Sorry to hear about your dog. I know it is hard.

 

One thing you could try is finding a dogwalker that could come by and let her out. If her hind end has gone out, I would create or buy a sling that can help lift her backend to make walking easier on everyone. A good dogwalker will be able to help with midday walks and do what needs to be done with clean up. They are definitely worth the money.

[esox]

My heart is breaking as I read what you are going through. They make "wheelchairs" for dogs to support their hind legs. Don't know if something like that will help.

 

You and Nikita will be in our thoughts and prayers.

 

Esox & Alex

[juliepoudrier]

I second Kim's suggestion of a mid-day dog walker. I have it on good authority that human diapers are so efficient and absorbent now that you don't really have to worry about irritation from Nikita staying wet. I don't know how'd she'd feel about a poopy diaper though.

 

Like the others have said, you need to put Nikita's quality of life above all else now. It's the hardest thing to do to make the decision to euthanize, but try to imagine what it's like for her blind, unable to get out of her own mess, and depending on you to clean her up every day. She sounds like she has a great will to live and that she's been a great companion for you. Now you need to be there for her and to make the decision to ease the end of her life was well.

 

Best wishes.

 

Julie

[Izzysdad]

Oh my, my heart goes out to you. I agree with everyone here and it's such a tough choice. I know when I put down my last golden retriever she was happy till the end and one day she just wasn't right and I knew it was time. One of the hardest things I've ever done. I still carry a picture of her in my car. My only advice is make sure you do it when she's ready and don't prolong any of her suffering, she'll be grateful and down the line you will be too. Keep her comfortable and don't worry, she knows you think the world of her!!!!

 

Tim

[nancy]

My husband wants to know why we can't do the same for our loved humans as we can do for out pets.

 

A human can even state the wish clearly.

[Izzysdad]

^^^That may be a larger topic for another day.

[MicheleS.]

My heart aches for you and the tears are flowing. Hits close to home as I have a 13 year old GSD whose body is beginning to fail him. He's been "my boy" since he was 7 weeks old. He is very sharp mentally and he's one tough guy as he can barely stand but still wants and does get in the mix and run after the ball as painful as it must be for him. He is in total bliss when he gets to play ball. I always said that when he can't play ball anymore, I will have to let him go.

Take care of your little princess.

Hugs from Michele &

Hughie &

Gypsy &

Chase

[poligar]

My deepest thoughts and consideratios for you and your Nikita. Even though we all know that day will sooner or later come for our beloved, we can never be prepared to assume it and face it.

Cherish the wonderful moments you gave to each other, that's all we can ask for...

 

Warmest regards from Me and my Francisca

[JBlaylock]

My heart goes out to you, it's a tough thing for sure. I think you probably know what the best thing to do is, whether it's to keep her alive and do your best to keep her happy, or to take the other route, only you really know the situation, and I hope you find peace with your decision.

[RuthBelle]

Oh dear, my heart goes out to you. (((((Hugs to you and your dear Nikita))))).

[Sue R]

What a difficult time you two and your grand old Nikita are experiencing, and what a weighty decision you have to make sometime soon.

 

When our old Rocket and our old Mac were 15 and failing, we knew it was time when we saw the light go out of their eyes. Until then, discomfort, blindness, deafness, and other issues may have been present but a joy and interest in life and their favorite things was still visible in their eyes. But for both of them, the day came when they lost that light and interest in those things that had made them glad to be alive, and that's when we knew it was time.

 

I am as guilty as anyone, or more so, in holding on too long and I certainly regret when I have done so. For that reason, we need to make the decision based on the dog's benefit and not our own inability to part for the time being. I have not always been strong for my animals and done the right thing in a timely manner for their benefit.

 

I'm sure you will realize when it is time to gently and kindly ease her out of her discomforts. Very best wishes at this sad and challenging time for you all.

[Nikita4ever]

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I am going to look into all of them and see what one is best for Nikita.

Hearing from all of you has really helped me deal with Nikita's brain tumor and the fact that one day I am going to have to let my best friend go. Thank you.

[Tommy Coyote]

Ah shoot. I lost two of my dogs to brain problems - both were most likely tumors. It was very difficult. I'm so sorry.