Please help; Major Crisis!

[indiekisses652]

I know this is long but please read it- I need help!!!!

Oh god, my dog, Sophie is NOT doing good. First of all, she's got major arthritus in her legs and a brain tumor which makes it extra difficult for her to walk. So we have her on pills that were proscribed by the vet and she's been on them for atleast a few months. She has been peeing and pooping[mostly peeing] EVERYWHERE! At first we didn't know which dog was doing it but then we caught her twice. She peed three times in three days. I mean that's ridiculas. If it was like once in two weeks, I wouldn't be worried. So my dad brings up the old crate and puts it together and we lock her in it for like a half an hour. Then we let her run around until nighttime in which we leave her in it all night.

Here is where the crisis starts....

When my mom woke up, Sophie was fiddling around the crate with her bed. My mom opened the door to let her out for the day and she didn't even know which way was out. Then she got out and just collapsed on the kitchen floor. There was foam all over her mouth and the bed but we know she doesn't have rabies cuz she got her shot not too long ago. When my dad went to pet her, she went CRAZY. She flipped her body up and started attacking his hand! My dad backed off and Sophie fell down again and then just started growling. Now, she is a bulldog so we don't want to mess with her but she has NEVER EVER been like this! She couldn't get up [her legs] so we left her there. My dad kept on interacting with her and she kept trying to bite us. Do you think the brain tumor has left her unable to recognize us? Finally she calmed down and didn't bite anymore. She was having some trouble breathing, though. My dad is really thinking of euthinising her..do you think it's her time? Trust me, this is a major flip, she has never done this before. I mean she was attacking with all her heart.

[indiekisses652]

...bump...please, anyone.

BTW- she just like turned around. Now she is trying to be all loving and caring and say hello to everyone. What do you think happened to her?!?!

[lou3]

It sounds like the brain tumour is having an effect on her behaviour centres. I think it is certainly time to consider that last act of kindness for her. Once they reach a stage where their behaviour is uot of their control their quality of life is really not very high.
I'm sorry your family have to make this decision and i wish you all the best.
Lou

[Dax]

I'm with Lou3 that it is likely time for her last rest. Foaming and the behavior you decribe could be seizures which might only get worse. Your family needs to decide if this is how you want to remember her and if this is how you want her to spend her last days.

I believe in ending thier lives on a good day. Her favorite meal, doing her favorite things then ending all pain.

I'm so sorry for you in this time. Please pass on my sincerest wishes to your family. Let us know what you decide.

[weezyNollie]

Yes.. I definitely agree that was a seizure!!! When dogs seizure they have no control over what they are doing and many dogs (almost ALL) will bite while doing this. It's very likely the brain tumor is related to the seizure activity.

Euthanasia is a very hard decision, and it's a decision that is hard for all of us because in human medicine and society we do not have this choice.

I feel the best way to look at it, is what is her spirit like? Is her life still good quality at this point?

As for her medical conditions, there is plenty that you can do -- but it all boils down the big question. -- for her seizures there is medication (depending on what the seizures are caused by), her urinary incontinence there is medication and/or diapers, for the arthritis glucosamine or other anti-inflammatory drugs. But do you really want her on all those drugs? Which all have potential side effects of their own!

How old is your dog and what breed? (just for my own curiosity for all these issues.. if it could be breed related)

Hope this helps.. and hope you can make the best decision for Sophie.

[jhawk17]

Sopies behavor and foaming at the mouth is being caused by her tumor. she is having seizures. She also probably can not help relieving herself in the house. chances are she has very little control over her bowels and bladder. I know euthinasia is a very hard thing to do. I have had to make that desision a few times and it is never easy. What you have to consider is , is she going to get better or just continue to get worse?, What is her quality of life right now and will it improve.

[southern_girl09]

I think you should do whats best for her and put her down. She sounds like a great dog, but I think her time has come.

[indiekisses652]

Oh god, I got home from school and I asked my mom how the vet went. She said that they euthenised her. I'm so upset. I'm so bummed out. The vet said that she would continue having sezuires like that and we would be back in a week or so if we kept her. He said shes getting worse and it's better if it stopped for her now. My mom said that her and my dad stood by her in her last moments. Those were her two fav people- im sure she felt comfortable.

I didn't even get to say goodbye....


Thanks for everyone who replied. I guess we all know it was her time to go.

For whoever asked, she was a brendle bulldog. That's why it's really bad when she went vicious for that moment. God, I was scared of her. but now she has wings.

[erdog3]

Comes a time in every dogs life when we have to consider their quality of life as to what we would wish for ourselves.

Putting your best loved family mate to sleep can be heartwrenching, laced with feelings of guilt.

You have to consider though, put yourself in your pets place for just a moment, would you like to have to drag on when there is an alternative.
To end a dogs misery is a blessing, not a form of punishment, and the kinder person is the one that makes the decision and lets their pet go in peace, the one that hangs on for their own needs is the guilty one.

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time, big hugs coming your way.

[Dax]

My condolences for your loss. It sounds like she was well loved and cared for. She will never truly be gone as long as she is remembered.