# Need Advice from Older Dog Owners **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 1, 2011, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-from-older-dog-owners/576748 "2011-04-01T10:12:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2011, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-from-older-dog-owners/576748/41 "2011-04-02T15:07:11Z")
Old friends… it’s so hard ☹ My mantra for these times is “Better a day, a week, even a month too early than a day too late.” That said, YES you need a vet consult or visit 1st. Ask your vet about giving him some Ace (Acepromazine, a tranq) for the trip if he stresses about car rides and vet visits. Many areas also have mobile vets who do house calls for mall animals. If you really think it’s time and don’t want to take him anywhere, look for a large animal vet. They may do a “farm call” for you and put him down at home. Keep in mind, he’s had a long wonderful life, and he knows he’s loved. It’s not going to get any easier for him, and quality is everything - dogs don’t have plans for what they’re going to do next week. They live pretty much in the moment. A kind death is never a bad thing. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2011, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-from-older-dog-owners/576748/42 "2011-04-02T15:10:26Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I was discussing this topic with my gf last night. She told me she had asked her veterinarian if she would do a house-call euthanasia if the need arose. The doctor told her that the drug used for euthanasia is a controlled substance regulated by the DEA. Her license was tied to her office address. Outside use, if it were discovered, could get her in trouble (fine, license loss). Very unlikely unless she were involved in a car accident en-route, or it was lost/stolen. Low risk, but still unacceptable. Interesting. I wonder then if there is separate licensing for vets with mobile units, like those that do large animal work? ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2011, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-from-older-dog-owners/576748/43 "2011-04-02T16:44:21Z")
> [@saje](#): > > Interesting. > > I wonder then if there is separate licensing for vets with mobile units, like those that do large animal work? Or it could be an issue of state law. A friend of mine uses a vet that does house calls to put pets to sleep, so it seems legal in NH at least. ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2011, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-from-older-dog-owners/576748/44 "2011-04-02T22:55:02Z")
Don’t wait until it gets worse. For the sake of you and your dog, neither of you need to go through how bad it will be later on. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2011, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-from-older-dog-owners/576748/45 "2011-04-03T02:50:24Z")
> [@Shecky](#): > > Have you also tried glucosamine supplements? They helped our dog at least live without joint pain. So he was able to get up and move around without howling. What breed is the dog? That c rap didn’t work for me. Look, were talking dog here. According to the doggie year conversion he’s over 100 years old. I just recently put down a 13 year old dog. It had started peeing and shitting all over the house . It would be on my lap and suddenly a pleasant warm sensation engulfed my private parts. I knew that wasn’t good. Midge had a good long life and I and my family enjoyed her, but it was time for her to go. Thankfully my vet told me not to feel bad, because it isn’t exactly a bad thing for a dog avoid the pains of extreme old age. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2011, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-from-older-dog-owners/576748/46 "2011-04-03T12:29:08Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > **Acid Lamp** , in one sentence you say “most dogs of any type” live 12-14 years, and then the very next thing you say is small dogs often live over 15-16 years. The average lifespan for a typical mid-size mutt is 12-14 years, that is certainly not “most dogs of any type.” For Og’s Sake. Here From Vet [Info.com](http://Info.com) : > [@](#): > > The average dog life span is not only determined by breed, but several other factors can contribute to your dog’s life expectancy. 12.8 years is the average life span of the average American or European dog. This number is a dramatic leap from the expected life in the past. In a large part, this is due to better medical care and diet we have now for our own dogs. Typically, the more stress a dog has in his life, the shorter his expectancy becomes. ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2011, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-from-older-dog-owners/576748/47 "2011-04-03T15:31:53Z")
> [@Acid\_Lamp](#): > > For Og’s Sake. > > Here From Vet [Info.com](http://Info.com) : Do you understand what an average life expectancy is? It appears not. Again, the average life expectancy for a human is 67 years. That doesn’t make a 65 year old human “very old.” Similarly, a 14 year old dog is “not very old by any breed standard.” Simply put, that statement is false. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2011, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-from-older-dog-owners/576748/48 "2011-04-03T15:40:19Z")
> [@Dogzilla](#): > > I’ve had a lot of experience with old dogs and so far, every time I think I’m about to turn the very last corner, I discover that there is a treatment and before I know it, she’s back to her old self. It’s very frustrating to read how easily people are willing to throw in the towel on a trusted, faithful friend. I’m glad I’m not friends with those people. They might abandon _me_ next time I get a headache. Please don’t assume that because I didn’t post a long, difficult history of what we went through with our dogs that I would “throw in the towel” without a second thought. Our Newfoundlands were vital, loved members of our family. Angus had hip dysplasia for much of his life, and tore his ACL a few years before he died. We were able to successfully manage his pain and mobility issues for almost 10 years with the help of an excellent vet. We found that glucosamine/condroitin only helped a bit at first- then he was on Tramadol which worked wonders for his pain. He was also kept very lean (maybe 155 lbs, and he was a big male Newf who once topped out at 196) to reduce the stress on his joints. He lived years beyond our original expectations, due to our attentive management of his various conditions. We went to extraordinary lengths to prolong both the length and quality of his life, the same as we did for Holly, our bitch Newf who was an abused rescue and had other issues. Unfortunately, Holly developed MRSA, which is deadly to dogs and transfers easily to humans. We attempted to treat it with ever-stronger antibiotics but our vet finally helped us decide that it was time. The added horror came when, two days after Holly was put down (laying with her head in my lap, and a favorite toy), Angus also tested positive for MRSA and had to be put down as well. It was wrenching. My children had never known a day on this earth without him. It was almost three years ago and the older one still cries some nights, missing him. My advice is close consultation with a vet, preferably over a dog’s entire life, so that she/he is familiar with your dear friend and can help make the right call when the time comes. I do not see dogs as investments, accessories, or objects. I see them as vital members of our pack, just as they see us as a vital part of theirs. Just wanted that to be clear. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2011, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-from-older-dog-owners/576748/49 "2011-04-03T16:02:02Z")
> [@](#): > > Look, were talking dog here. According to the doggie year conversion he’s over 100 years old. Everyone knows the “one doggy year = 7 people years” rule, but it’s not actually very good. A better rule is that the first year counts for 20, and each subsequent year is 4. Which would put a 14-year-old dog at the equivalent of 72. To the OP, it _might_ be time, and it’s certainly getting pretty close to time, but the vet can tell you better than we can. It may be that what he’s got right now is easily treatable, and you can get him another year or two of quality life. Or it might be that it isn’t. The vet is a professional at making these assessments. ---
**Author:** ![Bosh22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cc9497/32.png) [@Bosh22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosh22)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2011, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-from-older-dog-owners/576748/50 "2011-07-01T12:30:19Z")
My dog is also 14 with bad arthritis. She is on glucosimine and rim idyl supplements snd gets a cortisone shot about every 2 weeks. Although the cortisone shots don’t seem to be helping anymore. She had a stoke last month and has breathing problems and is on meds for both those things too and gets a shot for the breathing/ heart problems every 2 weeks. Every time I am at the vets I ask if it is time. He always says her quality of life is still good. She is not in pain. She is uncomftorable and we are doing what we can to make her more comftorable. He says if she is eating, gets out to do her business and is still ovoid she is still a valuable member of the family. Yesterday a friend said, if you had trouble sitting down would you want someone to put you down. That puts it in perspective. I would like to know how your dog is doing now. ---
**Author:** ![BottledBlondJeanie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/0ea827/32.png) [@BottledBlondJeanie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BottledBlondJeanie)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2011, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-from-older-dog-owners/576748/51 "2011-07-01T13:03:40Z")
Jinx, get him to the vet once. He deserves an evaluation. If your vet thinks it is worthwhile give your dog a chance. “Lost in space” isn’t a good indicator, but if you’re in a decent sized city chances are there’s a mobile euthanasia service. Check at boarding/daycare places unless you have a small vet office. Larger, more businessy vets sometimes won’t give you that info. ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2011, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-from-older-dog-owners/576748/52 "2011-07-01T13:24:00Z")
We had to make this decision recently with one of our Skipperkes, a sadder day I have never known. Here is a helpful link, although I don’t necessarily agree with their score evaluation that any dog who gathers over 8 points should be euthanized. Our Mattie would have scored a 27 on this test in her last days. She went downhill really quickly. Not saying you need to hold out for a high score, but not sure 8 is realistic either. [http://www.naturescornermagazine.com/help\_companions.html](http://www.naturescornermagazine.com/help_companions.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-advice-from-older-dog-owners/576748.md?page=2)