My dog has me really really stressed out.

[Religiously_Unkind]

I guess he has brain damage or something from last year when he was poisoned and almost died; He doesn't let my mom and I sleep, he's a nervous wreck most of the time, and he keeps doing this jumping flinching thing that the vet can't even explain why. I love my dog with all my heart but sometimes I think it would be better for him, and my mom and I, if he was put to sleep. Vet won't do it, though, since he's technically not sick, just old and senile. I just don't know what to do, it seems there is no solution.

 

[GNTLGNT]

I can't "like" this, because this is a sad juncture in a pets journey through life...I wish you peace....

 

[Religiously_Unkind]

I can't "like" this, because this is a sad juncture in a pets journey through life...I wish you peace....

It's weird, when he was a young dog I never imagined his life and my life becoming this way. I've only had one other dog in my life and I didn't see her die, she just got old and wandered off somewhere to pass away, I never even saw the body.

 

[GNTLGNT]

It's weird, when he was a young dog I never imagined his life and my life becoming this way. I've only had one other dog in my life and I didn't see her die, she just got old and wandered off somewhere to pass away, I never even saw the body.

...being a pet owner is more than just belly rubs and butt scratches....it is our duty to attend to their final moments and help them pass in peace....I understand the Vet's unwillingness to put the dog down, but don't applaud it....

 

[Paddy C]

We have two dogs, one quite old, as well as a pretty aged cat who has gone blind. Don't envy your situation, my friend, because I know that everything's eventual and when the time comes it'll be a gut-wrencher

 

[Religiously_Unkind]

...being a pet owner is more than just belly rubs and butt scratches....it is our duty to attend to their final moments and help them pass in peace....I understand the Vet's unwillingness to put the dog down, but don't applaud it....

I think his back legs are giving out, he'll have to be put to sleep if that gets worse. I feel really bad for feeling this way but at this point I just want the stress and the worrying to stop, worrying about my dog constantly has put a mental strain on me. I'm sorry if that sounds selfish, I really don't mean it to be.

 

[GNTLGNT]

I think his back legs are giving out, he'll have to be put to sleep if that gets worse. I feel really bad for feeling this way but at this point I just want the stress and the worrying to stop, worrying about my dog constantly has put a mental strain on me. I'm sorry if that sounds selfish, I really don't mean it to be.

...it doesn't.....I understand......

 

[FlakeNoir]

I guess he has brain damage or something from last year when he was poisoned and almost died; He doesn't let my mom and I sleep, he's a nervous wreck most of the time, and he keeps doing this jumping flinching thing that the vet can't even explain why. I love my dog with all my heart but sometimes I think it would be better for him, and my mom and I, if he was put to sleep. Vet won't do it, though, since he's technically not sick, just old and senile. I just don't know what to do, it seems there is no solution.

(((you both)))

My parents dog is a nervous mess, she is on some kind of hormone tablets to try and settle her. You might want to talk to our friend Spideyman, she's great with animal advice. (there is a thing called a thunder-coat (or something like that) maybe putting this on him for short periods might give him some relief?)

 

[fljoe0]

I guess he has brain damage or something from last year when he was poisoned and almost died; He doesn't let my mom and I sleep, he's a nervous wreck most of the time, and he keeps doing this jumping flinching thing that the vet can't even explain why. I love my dog with all my heart but sometimes I think it would be better for him, and my mom and I, if he was put to sleep. Vet won't do it, though, since he's technically not sick, just old and senile. I just don't know what to do, it seems there is no solution.

Has the vet prescribed Valium? When Ozzy reached 13, he got very anxious at night. As soon as I would go to bed , he would start pacing and he would pace all night. It was killing me because I couldn't get any sleep. The vet prescribed valium and it worked very well. I didn't give it to him every night either. At first I gave him Valium 3 nights in a row and then stopped. Then he was good for the next 10 days or so. Then when he would start getting anxious again, I would give him Valium a couple nights in a row and then he'd be ok for a while. It seemed like once he was relaxed a couple nights in a row, he was ok for a while so I didn't have to give it to him all the time.

And if the Valium didn't work on Ozzy, then I was going to take it.

 

[chief4db]

That sucks man. Tough spot ur in. On one hand he is not sick. But the other hand he is old and senile. I would say if he is for the most part happy and eating ride it out. Just my opinion from the outside. Only u know ur dog and am sure will make the right decision.

My aunt had a dog and she loved it so much that it was sad what that dog had to endure. She was 18. Blind in one eye and over half the other. Had a stroke. Bad hip. Would literally walk into walls. It was in pain as well. Finally hadva family meet and convinced her it was time and finally shevwas put to rest.

 

[Neesy]

I guess he has brain damage or something from last year when he was poisoned and almost died; He doesn't let my mom and I sleep, he's a nervous wreck most of the time, and he keeps doing this jumping flinching thing that the vet can't even explain why. I love my dog with all my heart but sometimes I think it would be better for him, and my mom and I, if he was put to sleep. Vet won't do it, though, since he's technically not sick, just old and senile. I just don't know what to do, it seems there is no solution.

Get a second opinion from another vet, if necessary - it doesn't sound like your dog is enjoying life much. Is there some sort of sedating meds he could take? So sorry to hear this Religiously_Unkind

 

[Spideyman]

I think his back legs are giving out, he'll have to be put to sleep if that gets worse. I feel really bad for feeling this way but at this point I just want the stress and the worrying to stop, worrying about my dog constantly has put a mental strain on me. I'm sorry if that sounds selfish, I really don't mean it to be.

There is an all natural product called Rescue Remedy. It might help to calm your dog. As FlakeNoir stated the product Thunder Shirt can work wonders for a nervous dog.
Has your vet prescribed anything for weakness in the legs? Arthritis? Again there are natural products, as well as meds.
The aging process is part of life's cycle. It does add stress to your life, as well as that of the companion pet.
A suggestion... If you vet feels the dog still has quality of life, but you can no longer handle the situation... Is there a rescue who would take the dog in. Some of my rescues, known as special needs, were taken in for that type of situation.

 

[Religiously_Unkind]

Has the vet prescribed Valium? When Ozzy reached 13, he got very anxious at night. As soon as I would go to bed , he would start pacing and he would pace all night. It was killing me because I couldn't get any sleep. The vet prescribed valium and it worked very well. I didn't give it to him every night either. At first I gave him Valium 3 nights in a row and then stopped. Then he was good for the next 10 days or so. Then when he would start getting anxious again, I would give him Valium a couple nights in a row and then he'd be ok for a while. It seemed like once he was relaxed a couple nights in a row, he was ok for a while so I didn't have to give it to him all the time.

And if the Valium didn't work on Ozzy, then I was going to take it.

My mom was giving him Xanax to help him sleep but she started to worry that it wasn't good for him and stopped; So now we give him a Benadryl every night and he sleeps for a little while and then it wears off.

 

[HollyGolightly]

I guess he has brain damage or something from last year when he was poisoned and almost died; He doesn't let my mom and I sleep, he's a nervous wreck most of the time, and he keeps doing this jumping flinching thing that the vet can't even explain why. I love my dog with all my heart but sometimes I think it would be better for him, and my mom and I, if he was put to sleep. Vet won't do it, though, since he's technically not sick, just old and senile. I just don't know what to do, it seems there is no solution.

That's a tough situation. It's perfectly normal to feel like you do. I agree with fljoe - surely your vet would prescribe something to help him rest. The pattern will be erratic, but you all need your sleep. Sleep is very important for sanity.

My elderly dog, Trixie, is 14. She's diabetic, but that's pretty easy to take care of. Recently she started coughing almost constantly - unless she was asleep. Vet x-rayed her and discovered she's got a collapsing trachea. Not a fatal condition, but a chronic one. Seems to be aggravated by infections, allergens and the like. The vet put her on antibiotics and a cough tab, but she's up at midnight and 4am coughing - and still coughing a lot during the day. I get up , give her a pill, it takes about half an hour to work and then we sleep for 3 hours and then repeat. It's like having a newborn baby. Pretty much we've just got to wait it out. I've tried benedryl, but that doesn't work very well. Our younger dog likes her beauty sleep and she went on to bed at 8 tonight and left Trixie down here with me. I've thought of slipping her a benzo - just one night of sleep would do us all a world of good.

But I love her. I'm going to have a hard time when this one goes. She's been MY dog.

Has the vet prescribed Valium? When Ozzy reached 13, he got very anxious at night. As soon as I would go to bed , he would start pacing and he would pace all night. It was killing me because I couldn't get any sleep. The vet prescribed valium and it worked very well. I didn't give it to him every night either. At first I gave him Valium 3 nights in a row and then stopped. Then he was good for the next 10 days or so. Then when he would start getting anxious again, I would give him Valium a couple nights in a row and then he'd be ok for a while. It seemed like once he was relaxed a couple nights in a row, he was ok for a while so I didn't have to give it to him all the time.

And if the Valium didn't work on Ozzy, then I was going to take it.

Brilliant! I know a dog who freaks out at thunderstorms and she has a script of Valium. Good to know...

There is an all natural product called Rescue Remedy. It might help to calm your dog. As FlakeNoir stated the product Thunder Shirt can work wonders for a nervous dog.
Has your vet prescribed anything for weakness in the legs? Arthritis? Again there are natural products, as well as meds.
The aging process is part of life's cycle. It does add stress to your life, as well as that of the companion pet.
A suggestion... If you vet feels the dog still has quality of life, but you can no longer handle the situation... Is there a rescue who would take the dog in. Some of my rescues, known as special needs, were taken in for that type of situation.

You're an angel Spidey!

 

[JMR]

I work with dogs and cats. Thundervest can work really well has someone above has said. Sometimes having the bedroom door open so he can come in and see you works well. The jumpy thing may be just fear. When bad things happen to dogs or cats it can take them awhile to get over it. If he a older dog sometimes total darkness can freak them out having little light can help. Calming sprays and pills *hugs* I hope it all works out... I know how it feels putting a pet down. I had to put my 14 year old cat down last year. It really sad and sucks..Wish I could help more or help at all

 

[Anduan Pirate Princess]

I’m so sorry, Religiously_Unkind . As everyone else has said, being a loving pet owner is so hard when you have to make the tough decisions and figure out what path to chose when it comes to their health and well being. I will be keeping your sweet puppy and you in my thoughts.

...being a pet owner is more than just belly rubs and butt scratches....it is our duty to attend to their final moments and help them pass in peace....

I don’t mean to hijack the thread, but I just have to tell you that these words gave me the strength I needed this morning to make the call to the vet and let my cat go on her journey across the rainbow bridge.

 

[FlakeNoir]

I’m so sorry, Religiously_Unkind . As everyone else has said, being a loving pet owner is so hard when you have to make the tough decisions and figure out what path to chose when it comes to their health and well being. I will be keeping your sweet puppy and you in my thoughts.

I don’t mean to hijack the thread, but I just have to tell you that these words gave me the strength I needed this morning to make the call to the vet and let my cat go on her journey across the rainbow bridge.

((( Anduan Pirate Princess ))) I'm so sorry...

 

[GNTLGNT]

I’m so sorry, Religiously_Unkind . As everyone else has said, being a loving pet owner is so hard when you have to make the tough decisions and figure out what path to chose when it comes to their health and well being. I will be keeping your sweet puppy and you in my thoughts.

I don’t mean to hijack the thread, but I just have to tell you that these words gave me the strength I needed this morning to make the call to the vet and let my cat go on her journey across the rainbow bridge.

....bless her soul, and hugs to you......

 

[Spideyman]

Anduan Pirate Princess --- peace be with your kitty. Over the Rainbow Bridge happy and young again. Inner peace is sent your way.

 

[Srbo]

I hope it turns out for the best.
I still think quite often of my dog, a beautiful German Sheppard I had when I was a teenager, 27 years ago.
He, like so much else, vanished in the war...