ETF sorry about Peanut. When they stop eating, it’s usually time.
ETF - I’m sorry about Peanut. (Do you know, I have a mini named Peanut?) I agree, it sounds like Peanut’s telling you it’s time. And fie on dental unpleasantness. They should be able to make it less traumatic.
StG
Update after lunch: He barely sniffed at the food, then turned away. The euthanasia for Peanut is scheduled for Wednesday at 3:30. I’d have done it tomorrow but between the tooth extraction and a rush job I’m scheduled for I simply won’t have time. He’s mostly just sleeping now. I know animals can be stoic about pain, but I do believe Peanut isn’t too uncomfortable yet – weak, feeling dull, probably nauseated by offered food, but not actively suffering pain, and primarily sleeping; he’s still able to get into his favorite chair and in the afternoon was quietly snoring a few feet away from me.
He will be released, I do believe, while he still has the strength to be angry at the vet and threaten her life.
Later: In late afternoon Peanut disappeared from his usual napping spot in the living room. I found him curled up in my bedroom closet. He stayed there through supper, and other than shifting to a slightly different spot he hasn’t moved, that I can tell, since. There is a litter box on that floor, and a water dish, if he wants them.
I was just up to check on hm and give him some skritches. He didn’t respond much but neither did he pull away. He feels terribly bony. He’s fading fast and I’m not sure he will even live till Wednesday afternoon. If he makes it to tomorrow afternoon and I can possibly squeeze it in I will see if I can take him to the vet then. If he needs to die in my closet, so be it.
I’m sorry, ETF, it’s never easy. It’s said euthanasia is the final act of love you can show your pet; makes you feel good for about 2 minutes, if that. Be strong for Peanut.
There are worse things than curling up and dying at home, in a place he feels safe, I’d imagine. Only two of my pets have ever done it. All the others have always been miserable and suffering, and I’ve taken them to the vet. I’d worry only that he was in pain, which animals hide so well. Peace to you both.
Today’s updates:
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The tooth is out, with maximum pain control and minimum difficulty – the only painful part, in fact, was the Novocain injections. Turned out to be cracked on both sides but with little or no signs of infection. I’m currently coming down from my lizard-brain surge of adrenaline (“gonna hurt gonna hurt gonna hurt”) jitters, Novocain’s wearing off but the half a hydrocodone I took when I got home is taking care of any discomfort. So far, so good.
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Peanut survived the night, but threw up small amounts of bile-colored froth here and there. On one of my bathroom treks I found him by the water dish. This morning when I got up he was out in the bedroom, wandering slowly, finally lying down next to the deck slider to soak up the feeble sunlight.
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He came downstairs at lunchtime but just looked at the various food I offered him, didn’t even bother to sniff it. Now he’s gone back upstairs. He’s looking gaunt, clearly has lost a pound or two just in the last couple of days. I’m more comfortable now waiting till tomorrow to take him in given what I’ve observed last night and today.
Thinking about you and Peanut today, ETF.
StG
ETF Actually, I would disagree, based on what you’re saying. If he’s vomiting, but not eating, or drinking much, and moving around very lethargically, I would say he’s probably very miserable and you should take him in now. He’s suffering. (Based on my experience with multiple cats and many different diseases.)
Good luck.
As it turned out, Peanut got through last night and part of today primarily by sleeping. I took him in for the appointment at 3:30; had to collect him from the bedroom closet he was curled up in and carry him down two flights of stairs to the carrier for the car ride, which he didn’t protest. That right there showed how ready he was to let go, poor thing; usually that much carrying would annoy him into demonstrating his displeasure. But he still had enough of the old Peanut left in him to hiss at the vet before she gave him a sedative; then the final needle released him peacefully.
I would have taken him in a day earlier if circumstances had permitted it; unfortunately I simply couldn’t. At least he wasn’t vomiting any more last night or this morning; still able to walk about, go up and down stairs, if he wished to, but mostly just sleeping the remnants of his life away.
The vet and vet tech were saddened but agreed it was the right thing to do and that heroic measures were not appropriate. Despite how difficult a patient he was, they were sorry to see him go. As the vet tech put it, he forced you to use the top of your skills.
So now I am down to four: oldest to youngest, Squash, Sally, Schooner, Stanley. Squash is fifteen and in the early stages of renal failure, so we will see how much longer he has; the others are younger and should have plenty of good years ahead of them.
StG, how is Frank doing?
ETF - Frank’s recovering very well. I’ve found that when I can directly supervise him, he’s much, much happier on my bed than in the x pen, so that’s what we’re doing mostly. Fortunately, I mostly work from home and have my computer desk in the corner of my bedroom. He’s making great strides in navigating with three legs, but he’s mostly on leash-walk only at this point. Last night at 2:00 am, however, he got off the bed and went through the dog door before I had a chance to put a leash on him. I went out with him while he went to the bathroom and he came right back in.
StG
That’s excellent news on Frank! It sounds like he’s mending mentally as well as physically.
I’m sorry for your loss. He sounds like he was a big character and I’m sure it will leave an equally big hole in your heart.
Just an update on Frank. He got his stitches and staples out today, although he still has to wear the cone for another week. He’s happy and bouncy on his three legs. I haven’t decided what to do with him at this point. He’s getting along well with the other dogs, and is supervised outside. If not under my direct gaze, he’s in the 30’ kennel. The question is, can I keep that up indefinitely?
I worried at first that this had altered his personality, but the better he feels, the happier he is.
StG
That is excellent news! I hope you’ll find a solution to keep him, and that he’ll go on to a long, happy tripod life.
Ah! You said what I was thinking. I always wince when I see a misspelling in a thread title. For some mysterious reason a thread title is sacrosanct to me and must be pristine in form. Maybe it’s the “teacher” that still exists in me.
I always feel guilty about my feelings, though, so I never end up saying anything. LOL
What makes it even worse for me is that I make my living as a proofreader. :smack:
I proofed the heck out of the whole post… but forgot to recheck the dratted title, sigh. 
ETA: And it’s even more embarrassing that my goof-up would draw a mostly lurker among the '99s out of lurkmode to post. 
I’m sorry about Peanut. He’s probably at the Rainbow Bridge, hissing that he’ll cross the bridge when he’s damn good and ready, holding up traffic behind him.
Happy wishes for Frank.