Diesel my Dog Update

The Cleo Collector

The Cleo Collector

Oh My Ra!
Joined
Oct 6, 2013
Messages
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Diesel is my 11 year old Great Dane dog. He just turned 11 in August. I have had him for five years. This last year he has become slower and I can tell even with his joint pills and a softer set of bedding he is hurting some.
He been having number 2 accidents for a year now. We cut out all human food and chew bones which has helped but he is still having accidents.

He is getting to where he drags his back legs and falls a lot then the next min he is ok. He cant stay out side as long as he used to. His falling has me worried. The Vet just said its the Wobbles and it happens in big dogs. My vet has 3 Danes himself and lost one to wobbles. It for what I can tell nerve related and it effects their back ends and legs. He also has hip problems but he had those before I adopted him they were nothing bad but now they seem to make it worse.

He is eating, Drinking, and going to potty number 1 outside pretty good. The wobble comes and goes I have had to cut a bit of his food out as he was getting sick from tiring to over eat his and the other dogs food. All are dog are on a single brand of food for older dogs with the glucosamine in it. Our outside dog Jesse-Girl has only three good leg so the food really helps her the other two inside dog are jack Russell and they are not young but they are not what I would call long in the tooth.

I am really not ready to let my dog go across the rainbow bridge just yet. I know if he is hurting worse or I don't want to think what else that putting him down is the best thing.
I just don't feel that its time yet.
Call it whatever you believe in God, spirit guides, angels, whatever but my little voice just tells me he not ready to go and I really get that from him. I hope I can at lest have my birthday in 2 months with him if it is not time for him to go.

Gods I am crying typing this out sorry I just needed to get this off my chest. I really really and tore up and just want to cry more. I hug him ever day and kiss his head. I try to make sure he has water and food and clean blankets and we go out side for short walks. But when we come in and I she him panting and his back end sagging or him falling I just can help but want to yell at the fates that its not fair to do this to a good dog that has help me so much.

Thanks for listening.
 
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Oh no. :'(

He's an old boy and he's had an extraordinarily long life for such a big breed.

Sinjin got that way shortly before we had to say goodbye.

All I can offer is hugs and an ear if you need it. I'm so sorry ology. It is hard to see your loved ones suffer this way. He'll let you know when hes ready and hes lucky to have such a loving pet parent.
 
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Oh no I feel your pain. My dog is 11 and he is falling, going blind and can't hear. He is staying with me though as I don't see a sign yet he is ready for wings. I totally understand where you are coming from there. Hugs
 
Hugs <3 I am sure you know when the right time is. When he knows it, you will too know it. My dog was put down due accident so I really didn't have time to say goodbye :(. I suggest you to cherish the moments you still have with him but be prepared to give him wings when he is ready for that.
 
Oh noes! Hope he gets better. Snowball is blind and sick, yet he is only 3 years old. Im so sad, for you and Diesel. Sending you hugs
 
I'm so sorry. If it's any comfort, 11 is very very old for such a breed. I've worked in the animal industry my whole life and have only come across a couple that have made it past ten - this means you must have done a fabulous job with him, I'm sure he appreciates you so much!

As someone who had to actually be the one to send animals over the rainbow bridge many times at the Humane Society I worked at, please know I am very experienced and comfortable talking to you about the process if you have any questions or concerns. If he isn't ready, you will know it. Once he is, you'll know it. An owner always knows their animals best. Usually, you are not ready, but he is. It is the classic heart break of living longer than our precious fur babies, and hurts every time.

Feel free to message me if you'd like to talk. <3 Just give him a bunch of love and spoil him rotten in this final stretch, tell him how much you love him.
 
Thanks everyone he has been doing ok for the last two days but these come and go so I am just taking it day by day.

Been having nightmares and waking up crying at night.
 
It sounds like you are giving Diesel the best of love & care for his twilight. I can understand you not being ready to let him go. I didn't want any of my babies to go either (There have been 3 so far) It's always hard & heartbreaking but everyone is right you'll know when he is ready for the rainbow bridge.

All the same I hope you get more time with Diesel
 
tulagirl said:
How is precious dog Diesel today?
Click to expand...
He has not been up much he currently is laying on a new blanket that little more plush then the others which are washing. He keeps having accidents. I gave him some itchy medicine and brushed him that seem to help some. He has not had a wobble attack sense Thursday which is good. Going to feed him something in a bit my aunt told me chicken broth might help his tummy. Her older large dog that has passed used to eat it with his food and it kinda gave him more energy.

Thanks for asking. I say today was a 8/10 for him not bad but not the best. Vet just said to watch him and well that about all I can do other then love him and keep him happy for now.
 
Yea I give my pets chicken and rice when they are sick. So chicken broth is a great idea too. I am having to use chicken baby food to get Chloe' to take her medication. She is on pain meds and antibiotics. Chicken helps the medicine go down...da da ddddaaaaa
 
It's good to hear Diesel's comfortable. The wobbles sounds like how my Dad's old hunting dog Barney was. He lost co-ordination in his hind end as he got older, it was wear & tear causing arthritis which lead to compression in his spine that effected his back leg. After the vet x-rayed him I got him on glucosamine. It was not a cure but it gave him an extended retirement.
 
I may have to come to a decision soon. D is able to eat but just watching him stand with his end going down as he cant his back end up for long. I was. Watching him today he seems happy but I just don't know how much longer before he can't get to the point of standing.

He had a bad accident today and there was some blood on his bedding not in the poop. I can't tell where it's from. He is eating but I swear today I looked at him and he seems like he is losing weight even if he is eating really well.

I don't know what to do. I give anything for my best friend to be here. I was with her when her old dog ginger was put down. I know it's painless and she went peacefully but it just broke her down.

I also fear that if I do take him to the vet and he is put down my parents will ask the doctor to disposes of the body. I rather him be layed to rest near my old pit bull BJ and my horses Buddy.
I don't think I could afford cremation. I would not mind doing that if he was not so big.

Am I being selfish not letting him go? Iono what to do.
 
If he seems happy still, you're not being selfish.
But for me, once they are having a really hard time with pottying and standing or laying down without pain, it's about time and you should start calling around to figure out where you'd like to go. The blood in the urine/wherever its coming from is not a good sign I'm afraid. :(
Any place you go should let you take his body home to bury yourself somewhere you want. They should only charge you if they are disposing of the body themselves, or having him cremated. It doesn't cost them anything if you simply take his mortal shell home with you after he is gone.
Cremation can be very expensive, yes.
I'd recommend having someone drive you to and from the vet, even if they aren't going to be in the room with you when it happens - you don't want to break down or cry while you are driving.
All you can do now is give him love and treats, and figure out where you want to go, so that if he suddenly crashes over night you have a plan of where to go and know what to expect as far as prices and stuff, so that you're not fumbling over that while he is in pain.
 
He is going to the vet Thursday to be checked out. I'll have to decide somthing after the vet.
 
I'm so sorry to read this Ology. I know this is something you've feared for a long time. He's done so well for a giant. None of my Danes lasted like he has. You have done him right, and I know you will make whatever decision is best for him. I wish they could live forever. When he makes his Next Step, maybe he'll end up in a Dane Heaven with my four babies, where he can wait for you.
 
D had a good day today first in a while. My aunt is paying for him to go to the vet for a check up. It will help me know how bad he is and if something could be done with meds or something before putting him down. I am hoping to the higher powers he can be saved and maybe gods willing stay with me for 1 more year. If he gets bad during this year I will not let him suffer.
He's got me about crying again.
There is room next to mine and a sliding door between them its a guest room. Mine is my very very small childhood bed room. I set the guest room up with is warmer blankets and a heater on low to help it stay warm but not too hot. He has water food and can seen in to my room. I figured he be happier out of the tiny room I am in to stretch out and all. Its also warmer in there. But the old boy want stay in his nice warm nest in the room. He will only sleep if the bedding is in my room and I cover him up with two blankets. my room is very cold both windows are up and I have two fans. The house is around 71 degree over all mine is in the 50-60 I hate hot rooms.
So he does not like me leaving too long either. I love this dog so much I don't know what I will do when he is gone.
 
Awww you are such a good dog momma, @Ology. Its so nice of you to be doing all you can for him. I will be hoping for you guys to have your one more year or maybe even two "wink."
 
Thanks everyone he goes tomorrow at 3 pm for his check up. My aunt who I can't thank enough is paying not only for his exams but any Medication that could help him.

This series tips more one a more positive note then I had. With me disable and still tring to get my SSI money is tight.
At least I don't have to worry about medical bills. I am hoping he'll be ok . I also thank goodness have help lifting him in an out of my truck bonus as he is very heavy.
Here he is hoping ya'll cross your fingers for him tomorrow.

 
What a sweet boy. I'll be waiting to hear what the vet says tomorrow with crossed fingers!
 
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