My dog is a 14-year-old male Lhasa apso/Pomeranian mix. He’s been declining quickly; he’s almost fully deaf and blind now, and a recent vet visit revealed early kidney disease. He drinks a lot, can’t control his bladder, and seems to be in pain. He sleeps all day but gets excited when company comes over. However, he’s also getting lost in the house and has become aggressive towards the other dogs. I’m really conflicted about whether it’s time to put him down. I’ve never had to do this before, so I’d love some advice. Thanks, everyone.
Look at the Lap of Love Quality of Life Scale or the HHHHHMM Quality of Life scale. They can really help you evaluate his quality of life.
I got a score of 18 on the Lap of Love scale. I just feel so conflicted. I will discuss it with his vet.
Oh, your sweet pup might have dementia. That could explain his confusion and aggression. It sounds like he’s declining quickly. Please talk to your vet.
When you start asking yourself if it’s time or looking for advice online, it might be a sign. For terminal illnesses, I set a date within a week or two of the diagnosis. With senior dogs, it’s about noticing their decline.
It’s such a tough decision. Your dog still shows excitement, which is great, but quality of life is super important too. Definitely consult your vet about all these changes.