Rocco
Had to go to the vet today. His rear has been getting worse and worse. He collapses and can't get up. When he does manage to get up a little his feet are curled under and he has a hard time getting them the right way. It's sad to see. So we went to the vet and he was put back on prednesone. The vet had to make it clear that the steroids doesn't always work. He is 13 years old and this may not work. Or it may work but then just stop working suddenly. At that point we have to determine his quality of life and how far to take it. This is horrible. I am basically facing the end of his life. It may not happen today or tomorrow, the steroids may work for months, but sadly it's a fact I have to face. I'm going to do all I can for him and try not to prolong his life for my own selfish reasons. I have to keep him in mind at all times and not extend his suffering just because I can't let go. I wish there was more I could do. At least I will enjoy him while he's still here.
Crossing my fingers that the treatment works.
*hugs*
I'm sorry to hear about your Rocco. Sadly, Prednisone is really not much of a treatment, but rather a temporary salve. I surely know how hard it is to let go. I think the best indicator of when it's time to let go is to honestly ask yourself if Rocco is having more bad days than good...more pain than pleasure... and you'll have your answer. Hugs to you and Rocco....
I feel so badly for you. You are facing the hardest time of pet ownership -one we all have to face at some point and it is never easy to let go. I agree with Julie's comment that if Rocco is having more bad days than good, you'll have the answer you are struggling with. My heart goes out to you.
chris
Oh poor Rocco..I'm so sorry you have to go through this. It's such a hard time when they are older. My boy Kip, at 14, died on his own in the back yard. I never could decided if it was time... he did it for me. :(
I was so sorry to read your post. It is the hardest of decisions to have to make. You will know when the time is right.
Hi,
I came over here as I was looking for more people to participate in my new blog and then read about Poor Rocco.
It made me very upset...
I don't actually own a dog now as my life is too mobile to give a dog the stable home it needs but I did have a dog that I was very fond off when I was a child.
My Dog, Candy, was 14 and she got an infection in her back. This led to her back legs collapsing and her ripping at her own skin. She did not respond to any treatment and my dad and the vet decided it was more humane to put her to sleep.
At the time (I was 14) I felt it was a selfish move and blamed my dad for not wanting to pay vet bills. In hindsight I am very grateful for the time I shared on this earth with such a wonderful pal for company. She lived a long, good life and even in her last days I think she realized that I was there by her side.
If you would like me to write about Rocco and show some of his best pics as part of the Bloggers Pets series I would be more than happy to do so.
I read your post after this saying that he was responding well to the treatment and I know it is not a fix but rather a way of making things easier for him.
I hope you are OK and have time to say your proper Goodbye to your dear friend. Thanks for writing about such a sensitive subject, sometimes I am sure it is very hard.
My animal blog is not a Google Blog so I will have to put the link in this comment. http://blogaboutanimals.com