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14 year old sheltie with concurrent kidney disease and multiple heart issues euthansia question

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Hi - My dogs name is Misha and he is just over 14 years old. He was recently diagnosed with degenerative mitral valve and tricuspid valve disease, pulmonary hypertension and suspected congestive heart failure (MMVD stage D )- who was placed on multiple cardiac meds and this past wednesday started vomitting and not wanting to eat so I took him to vet and they said it was his kidneys. He was dehydrated and his kidneys were failing - likely caused by the heart meds in part (althought he did have chronic kidney failiure prior to taking these meds) so essentially going into acute kidney failure - there wasn't alot they could do because they can't give him fluids or his heart will fail - so they told me to give him some meds for three days to stop the vomitting and increase his appetite and see if he could start eating. They also took him off most of his heart meds except for the ones he can't live without. They want me to check his blood work in a week. So I took him home and did what they said - this is now day four and he does look better - he is eating but not his regular food and not as much as he should eat - he has no problem drinking and drinks like a fiend of course and pees and pees. The theory is that if he drinks and eats and they remove the source of the toxins (ie the medications) that he will get better because his kidneys will start filtering better.

As the backdrop to this, he had been doing well prior to this incident - his cardiac meds worked well and didn't appear to cause him any outward difficulties until this.

I have him seen him slowly look better each day - but the first two days were very difficult with trying to find anything he would actually eat. He is still very challenged that way at present.

I had arranged to have him euthanized today - but he looked so much better I cancelled it. I realize that what is making this so difficult is that I am not ready to say goodbye and feel like I never will be. But he is a very sick dog realistically - I have an appointment tomorrow for in home euthanasia. Am I doing the right thing? Should I give him more time to clear? Feeling lost a bit and unsure if I am selling my dog short. Any thoughts?
Thanks
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I'll be blunt, because you asked. Under the circumstances, the kindest and least selfish thing you could do for your dog would be to let him go. If you delay, recognize that you're doing it for yourself - not for your dog.

I'm truly sorry you're going through this. I've been through it six times and I've always been sad but never sorry.
I had a similar situation with my elderly girl two years ago, where she was terminal but was doing okay in the days before her scheduled euthanasia. I decided to go ahead with it and I don't regret it. She got to spend her last day playing in the snow and eating whipped cream, not suffering, and now I have those memories of our last time together. Humans can use one more week or month to get their affairs in order, make their peace, say goodbye...dogs live in the moment, so they don't need that. I think it's better to help them have a good death than to drag it out.

You and your dog will be in my thoughts as you deal with this, whatever you decide.
I'll be blunt, because you asked. Under the circumstances, the kindest and least selfish thing you could do for your dog would be to let him go. If you delay, recognize that you're doing it for yourself - not for your dog.

I'm truly sorry you're going through this. I've been through it six times and I've always been sad but never sorry.
Thank you for your reply. Since I wrote, he has been showing more signs of difficulty like tremors and weakness and more rapid breathing. As I said, he is very sick and I know in my heart that no matter that no matter what I do he is dying. I have decided to keep my appointment for tomorrow. I will help him go because I love him so much. Thanks.
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I had a similar situation with my elderly girl two years ago, where she was terminal but was doing okay in the days before her scheduled euthanasia. I decided to go ahead with it and I don't regret it. She got to spend her last day playing in the snow and eating whipped cream, not suffering, and now I have those memories of our last time together. Humans can use one more week or month to get their affairs in order, make their peace, say goodbye...dogs live in the moment, so they don't need that. I think it's better to help them have a good death than to drag it out.

You and your dog will be in my thoughts as you deal with this, whatever you decide.
Thank you for your kind thoughts. I will cherish the beautiful day we had together today and know that it is okay and right to let him go. I don't want him to suffer, and even though he doesn't show signs of horrible suffering right now, I know that his life is not what it was - when a dog is nauseated and doesn't want to eat even the best treats you can give him, it can't feel good. Dogs do live in the moment - I think that truth will help me get through this. Thanks again.
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The bravest thing we do is letting them go before we are ready. We do this because we love them because we put them first , we do whats best for them.
It is not an act of betrayal it is the ultimate act of love.

Be with him let your voice be the last he hears telling him he is loved let your hands be the last touch he feels . Let him go with all the love you have. Then cherish your memories...
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