A vet here. If an old animal doesnt move and eat, its basically a matter of weeks.
I havent seen a single one properly perk up for more than a day with meds. Owners usually want to keep trying and I get it, so I give those who need ot 2-3 more days to get friendly with the idea. After this time Im usually called to come and put the dog down.
With these cases you skip the blood tests and diagnostics for those who can't afford. As it's fair- you wouldn't give the dog anything different than what you pump them up with when you see them at this stage.
OPs family gave the creature awesome long life. Not many get this lucky. Condolences to the OP
Edit: of course there are some conditions what will cause your pet to not want to eat or drink and move and they are 100% curable (like someone mentioned, obstructions, simple pain in cats) but I generalised as there is a difference between those, and an age related chronic diseases that also cause the organism to slowly fade. Weight loss alongside drastic muscle loss is another simple indicator it might be time. But all of these are not specific symptoms for a certain diagnosis over a phone, so remember to always consult a specialist.
So sorry. Please someone go in with him and stay with him until the end! One of my biggest regrets in life is not staying with my dog while he was put to sleep (similar issue, he stopped eating, slept constantly, it was his time..) at the time I just couldn’t bring myself to watch him go, but gosh I wish I was there for him like he was always there for me.
ArkhamBrothers on January 2nd, 2020 at 20:26 UTC »
I’m so sorry. He’s adorable, he clearly had a happy life. I’m sorry OP
boiled_fat_pasta on January 2nd, 2020 at 21:26 UTC »
A vet here. If an old animal doesnt move and eat, its basically a matter of weeks.
I havent seen a single one properly perk up for more than a day with meds. Owners usually want to keep trying and I get it, so I give those who need ot 2-3 more days to get friendly with the idea. After this time Im usually called to come and put the dog down.
With these cases you skip the blood tests and diagnostics for those who can't afford. As it's fair- you wouldn't give the dog anything different than what you pump them up with when you see them at this stage.
OPs family gave the creature awesome long life. Not many get this lucky. Condolences to the OP
Edit: of course there are some conditions what will cause your pet to not want to eat or drink and move and they are 100% curable (like someone mentioned, obstructions, simple pain in cats) but I generalised as there is a difference between those, and an age related chronic diseases that also cause the organism to slowly fade. Weight loss alongside drastic muscle loss is another simple indicator it might be time. But all of these are not specific symptoms for a certain diagnosis over a phone, so remember to always consult a specialist.
Thank you for the awards!
Meli55uh on January 2nd, 2020 at 22:14 UTC »
So sorry. Please someone go in with him and stay with him until the end! One of my biggest regrets in life is not staying with my dog while he was put to sleep (similar issue, he stopped eating, slept constantly, it was his time..) at the time I just couldn’t bring myself to watch him go, but gosh I wish I was there for him like he was always there for me.