My beloved little terrier went off his food late autumn last year and wasn't himself - he's usually very lively, loves playing and going for walks, even though he's 16. He has the typical 'big' personality that terriers usually have.
The vet diagnosed him with end stage kidney disease, predicted he'd have days left and advised me to have him PTS to save him from the distressing (her words) end that the disease typically causes. I took him home and he ate that day for the first time in a couple of days and gradually perked up, starting to become more himself, going on long walks, playing and being his cheeky self again. Although he ate more, and daily, his appetite isn't generally what it was. I was told by the vet he'd be having lots of seizures - he's had 5 since his diagnosis almost 6 months ago (including one while out on a walk last week).
We're now at the stage, over this last couple of weeks and this week especially, he's lethargic, not eating, wobbly on his legs and sleeping a lot. He still enjoys a very short walk and still loves sniffing while he's out but seems in discomfort after a walk. I've now got him a pushchair, which he enjoys going out in and I put him on the grass so he can have a sniff about for a bit while we're out.
I'm worried whether mostly sleeping is a good enough quality of life for him. He's frail now, and is skinny due to not eating (he's eaten bits this week, pretty much nothing yesterday). I know from researching that kidney disease causes nausea, so that will put him off eating but I don't want to lose any time with him, or to take steps to end his life unnecessarily early.
I've emailed (I can't talk about it without tears) the vet to ask about home euthenasia (he hates the vets and always has a seizure from stress the last couple of times he's had to go). I thought I'd made a decision, based on how miserable he's looked this week and booked for a home appointment next week but then, last night, he got up and walked in the kitchen to see a visitor who'd come round. He even barked at the window cleaner.
I just don't know what to do. Am I being selfish or am I making a decision too soon?
The vet diagnosed him with end stage kidney disease, predicted he'd have days left and advised me to have him PTS to save him from the distressing (her words) end that the disease typically causes. I took him home and he ate that day for the first time in a couple of days and gradually perked up, starting to become more himself, going on long walks, playing and being his cheeky self again. Although he ate more, and daily, his appetite isn't generally what it was. I was told by the vet he'd be having lots of seizures - he's had 5 since his diagnosis almost 6 months ago (including one while out on a walk last week).
We're now at the stage, over this last couple of weeks and this week especially, he's lethargic, not eating, wobbly on his legs and sleeping a lot. He still enjoys a very short walk and still loves sniffing while he's out but seems in discomfort after a walk. I've now got him a pushchair, which he enjoys going out in and I put him on the grass so he can have a sniff about for a bit while we're out.
I'm worried whether mostly sleeping is a good enough quality of life for him. He's frail now, and is skinny due to not eating (he's eaten bits this week, pretty much nothing yesterday). I know from researching that kidney disease causes nausea, so that will put him off eating but I don't want to lose any time with him, or to take steps to end his life unnecessarily early.
I've emailed (I can't talk about it without tears) the vet to ask about home euthenasia (he hates the vets and always has a seizure from stress the last couple of times he's had to go). I thought I'd made a decision, based on how miserable he's looked this week and booked for a home appointment next week but then, last night, he got up and walked in the kitchen to see a visitor who'd come round. He even barked at the window cleaner.
I just don't know what to do. Am I being selfish or am I making a decision too soon?
I’m keeping them in the casket, I couldn’t bear to scatter them.