Luke is probably 15-16 years old, give or take a year either way. For the past few years he's had severe arthritis in his hips and spine but otherwise was pretty healthy for his age. He had labs a month ago that didn't look bad for an old man.

About a week ago when I shaved his hair we found out he had decubitus ulcers. He doesn't walk well and spends most of his time lying on the floor. A couple days after that he stopping eating as much. He will still eat but just a few bites here and there. Today I took him to the vet for what I *thought* was bloody urine, and then discovered when I carried him in it wasn't urine but drainage from an abscess. One the ulcers got infected.

The vet said he could put a drain in it and give him some IV fluids but thinks the better option would be to put him down. Even before the infection, he didn't walk the best. Now he doesn't walk at all. But it's hard to decide to euthanize when an abscess is treatable. And just a week ago he was still wolfing down his food.

He's unlike all the other elderly dogs I've had. They developed kidney or heart problems or cancer and couldn't be fixed.

Luke can't exactly be fixed, but maybe the abscess can. Of course, he has other sore spots and then what if they abscess?? He also can't see or hear well anymore, but he sure enjoyed his food.

So I want opinions. If he was your dog, would you have the drain placed or put him down. I told the vet we'd make a decision by tomorrow.

I'm sorry that you're in this situation Wolfie :hug:
In my honest opinion, if he was my dog, i think i would let him go.
If he isn't even enjoying his food anymore - i think that's a bad sign.You said he can no longer walk & his arthritis is bad.I would say that the absess is like the last straw.If you treat him, what quality of life will he have?
It's a tough decision Wolfie, but i think you'll know deep down if he's ready to go.
Good luck with everything :hug:

If he were my dog, I'd treat him. But the decision is up to you.

I'm sorry that you're in this situation Wolfie :hug:
In my honest opinion, if he was my dog, i think i would let him go.
If he isn't even enjoying his food anymore - i think that's a bad sign.You said he can no longer walk & his arthritis is bad.I would say that the absess is like the last straw.If you treat him, what quality of life will he have?
It's a tough decision Wolfie, but i think you'll know deep down if he's ready to go.
Good luck with everything :hug:

I keep thinking the reason he won't eat as well is because of the infection which just became apparent today. He still eats when he's awake and you put it to his face but he gets tired after a few bites and sleeps again, when just recently he was devouring anything we put in front of him.

In a way I wish he'd just make the decision for himself tonight, but then I really don't want that either.

I would have him treated, and atleast give him a fighting chance. If he gets worse, then I would let him go. But give him a chance.
I am so sorry. :hug:

Placing a drain and antibiotics isn't really a big ordeal. They should be able to do it with a local anesthetic. I think you might feel better to give it a try and give him a few days on antibiotics and see if he perks up. Is he currently on any anti-inflammatories (asprin, rimadyl, deramaxx, metacam, etc..) for his arthritis/pain? If not, you could ask your vet about adding that in and see if it helps him at all. To me, it doesn't sound like you're ready to give up on him yet, and he has something that is treatable, and even if the treatment doesn't really improve his condition, at least you'd feel better having given him a shot.

Bloodwork came back normal? Did your vet check his Free T4?

As long as you think he still had the will to live, I'd say go for the treatment.

Is he currently on any medication? There are plenty of drugs out there to help with his arthritis: Rimadyl, Metacam, Deramaxx just to name the big sellers.

Skin issues can be cleared up with a course of antibiotics and frequent bathing in medicated shampoo. I'm suspicious about his thyroid level, which is why I asked about the Free T4 test. Older dogs with skin issues often have thyroid problems. There are plenty of meds for that to (Eltroxin, thyrotabs) that will get things back to status quo.

In the end, he's your dog. You know him better than anyone else. He'll tell you when it's time to go. Don't feel pressured by your vet.

ETA: if you do go for the drain option, ask your vet to send a culture of the pus to the lab to make sure the right type of antibiotic is prescribed.

lol, Rabidchild! we've got a bit of a mind meld going on there! :P

I keep thinking the reason he won't eat as well is because of the infection which just became apparent today. He still eats when he's awake and you put it to his face but he gets tired after a few bites and sleeps again, when just recently he was devouring anything we put in front of him.

In a way I wish he'd just make the decision for himself tonight, but then I really don't want that either.
It sounds as if you want him to have a peaceful passing (of course, who wouldn't) if this is the case, consider how peaceful it will be to have him put to sleep v treatment & a natural death.
It's hard to say without seeing your boy, but from what you've posted, i think he's tired, perhaps you could try him on treatment to see if his appetite picks up, then decide where to go from there.You know him best, i think you'll know instinctively weather or not he wants to fight.
I'm so sorry that you're having to make this decision Wolfie :hug:

Hard call Wolfie and I'm sorry you have to make it.


I would have blood work done and check for any other issues, I do not think drainage and antibiotics are to hard to do.

I would try treatment first then if there is no improvment then I would let him go if it were my dog but I would certainly have a go at attempting to help him first.

Also is he on good pain meds for the pain? Some are good but do not work like people you might have to change them a few times before you find what really works for your pooch.

:hug: I don't know what to say :hug:

Oh Wolfie :( I'm so sorry to hear about Luke. :hug:
God, that's got to be one of the hardest decision anyone could face.
I can't tell you what to do. My first instinct though is to agree with the vet.
:(

In my opinion, treat him. If he still has a chance, go with it. However, it's your dog and your decision.

I'm so sorry about this choice you must make. :hug:

I'm so sorry, Wolfie. :hug: If it were me, I'd need to know I had done everything within my power before making the decision to euthanize. Therefore, my vote is to have him treated and see how it goes.

I read somewhere that you should consider what your dog's 3 favorite activities are--and when he can no longer do/enjoy 2 of them, it may be time. I don't know if that helps, but it's helped me when I've had to make these decisions.

After I brought him home yesterday afternoon, he started acting more alert and hungry than he's been in a week. I think the oral antibiotic kicked in. So we took that as a sign he's saying hell no, I'm not done yet. Hopefully that's what it was, and not the second wind I've seen so many dogs get just before they go.

So he's having a drain placed later today, after some IV fluids because he's pretty dehydrated. I still think the vet thinks we're crazy, but I couldn't put a dog down that is still so interested in food and still howls for attention when he needs to go outside. (Not eating and not using the "bathroom" anymore are always signs to me the end is near, and Luke still does both.

So if anyone is in to sending prayers and good thoughts, he could certainly use them for this afternoon.

Even if it is time to let go, we don't want it to be at the vet's alone.

Thanks everyone.

I'll be keeping you all in my thoughts and hoping the next few days bode well!

I'm glad you went for the treatment Wolfie. That's what I would have done. I don't think you were getting clear signs from Luke that it was 'time.'

After I brought him home yesterday afternoon, he started acting more alert and hungry than he's been in a week. I think the oral antibiotic kicked in. ... (Not eating and not using the "bathroom" anymore are always signs to me the end is near, and Luke still does both.
That's quite a relief. I'm glad to hear. :) I'll keep him in my thoughts. I think you're right that he'll give you signs when he's ready to go. And it's good for you that you get time to make his final days/weeks/? peaceful and home where he belongs and is loved.

I am glad to hear he may be doing better, I hope he continues to do so!

I'm glad to hear Luke is feeling a little better.You're both in my thoughts :)

So if anyone is in to sending prayers and good thoughts, he could certainly use them for this afternoon.

You've got my prayers and good thoughts! Good luck.