[Kristjan]

My dog was diagnosed with a debilitating spinal disease a few weeks ago. The vet said he should slowly deteriorate over the course of a few years. This was two weeks ago I am now in a position where he has severe weakness in all four limbs and can barely walk, barely eats and has stopped playing. I am coming to the point where I have to make the decision to have him humanely euthanized. I have had to euthanize 3 of my dogs in the past due to cancer, brain tumor and swelling of the brain(hydrocephalus) but nothing was ever as sudden as this.

Here is my question, what should I do to make the last few days I have with my little boy special? Of course I will be spending every waking hour with him (I am prepared to take all the time off college I could possibly need) but I really want to do something special for him. He knows I love him but I want to remember the last days and hours we had together and make the most of them as I possibly can.

Thank you for your patience, help and understanding.

 

[spotted nikes]

Is he on some pain killers? For severe pain, Prednisone and Tramadol worked for my dog. You can check with your vet about what would be best for him. I'd make sure his pain is managed.

If he likes to be groomed, spend time brushing him. Give him his favorite treats/food. If he likes car rides, and he isn't too painful, take him for rides. Take him to a new place (grassy park, etc) and let him sniff/people watch. When my old guy could no longer go on the walks that he used to love, I'd just sit out front with him in the grass, so he could watch people go by. He loved that.

I'm sorry you are dealing w/this. It's so hard to contemplate having to end the lives of our pets.

 

[Kristjan]

He barely has any pain its mainly just discomfort when he is trying to sleep. I have been to the vet there isn't anything they can do short of surgery on his spinal cord which would leave him paralyzed and has only a 5-10% survival rate I am not going to put him through that. I want him to go peacefully with me.

As for the walks through the parks & outside activities there is still 4 feet of snow here so it has to be something we can do together in doors. The only games he enjoyed were fighting and fetching and he can't do either anymore.

 

[LeRoymydog]

I'd take him McDonalds and give him a cheeseburger and fries and a small sundae. That's what I did with Max when I knew I only had a short time left with him. I took him everywhere with me. The last place he went was to the groomers because he loved her. We all cried together, and Max loved being loved on by all of us.

 

[DJsMom]

oh my gosh ... I'm so sorry.
I know I'll be going thru pretty much the same thing with my dog in the not too far distance, tho different circumstances altogether, & I've thought about how his last days will be too.
I guess just do whatever in the world will make him happy whatever he enjoys doing.
And Lord knows it would be hard, but try to keep your distress masked around him.
You'll both be in my thoughts.