CHF Considering Euthanizing Advise

[WishboneSF]

Our 18 year Parson Jack Russell Terrier was diagnosed with CHF on the right side with ascites, he has been suffering from Mitral Valve disease and likely also has CHF on the left side, as his health is deteriorating we decided to be conservative about medical checkup to avoid further stress for him.

Our dog was ill but doing relatively well up to about a week ago when we noticed his belly was enlarged, we had that drained got his CHF diagnosed, was put on Lasix to eliminate water from his body/lungs. We had one relatively good day with him two days ago however it seems we where just lucky.

I was hoping he would pass away peacefully in his sleep but understand that is really the case with CHF and we decided that we will therefor euthanize him at home when the time is right and we are concerned to wait until he gets into pain, right now he is in now pain.

His condition below and my question I ask myself and would like to put out there is this a good time to say goodbye with him before it gets worse. We where thinking to have a veterinarian come home to us tomorrow:

He does not want to eat, even the best ribeye steak, lamb or anything. He had one or two bites of steak yesterday which I chewed for him first. Two days ago on his good day he ate cat a bit.

He drinks some water but it seems he drinks and pees less now then when we first started the Lasix. He has very large problems walking, at times a little bette rand at times he can hardly stand up, I carry him outside, put him on the grass, he may try to walk slightly or just stand there.

He is extremely lethargic, he never used to sleep in my arms but i can now hold him for long periods and he will sleep, I am not sure it gives him comfort or he is too tired to really notice. We are trying to pet him and hold him as much as we can at this stage.

After he was drained from water and on Lasix his coughing has actually disappeared, before that his coughing was constantly there. It seems his respiratory rate is 18 more or less what it has been for the last 6 months, I feel that it may be slightly slower then before.

He had two episodes with throwing up a yellow watery substance yesterday, he hardly poops, he is constantly leaking a watery diarrhea which I wash of him and had one episode yesterday around noon where hi had spurting diarrhea.

Obviously he is not playing, not going for walks, he sleeps, he waged his tail once yesterday when his Daddy came home and sleeps next to us on his pillow wrapped in a blanket in the evening and in our bed at night.

I would like some advise and if anyone has had dogs in similar situations where there is no pain or panting or strained breathing and what is a good course of action.

[Margot49]

So sorry but, agree, you are making the right decision as he seems to have no real quality of life and must feel very ill.
Bless you.

[LoveMyBostons]

I think you're making the right decision for him. You'd hate yourself if you waited too long and were left with only memories of bad/hard days. Just be there for him as he passes on. It's the last thing you can do for your little guy. Thinking of you today.

[WishboneSF]

Thank you for the very supportive response, we have made an appointment to have him put to sleep at home tomorrow.

He is still in no pain and as long as he is asleep he is okay, every time he tries to move I have to help him now and also holding his back legs up when he tires to drink water, which is as close to never and he seem to also puke that up.

I feel we have made the right decision for him although it is extremely hard we rather that he passes away peacefully with as little pain as possible rather then prolong it and run the risk of him being in pain.

[LoveMyBostons]

Aww I'm sorry you're going through this. It sounds like he's had a wonderfully long life with you. Is he also taking Pepcid or something for his stomach? I believe ulcers are common in dogs with CHF.

I had a dog with CHF also. One day I just got to a point where I realized I was keeping him alive for me, not for him. Every day was a struggle for both of us. It was hard physically taking care of his needs and emotionally worrying about him every minute of the day.

If he won't eat then I agree that it's probably time. You're fortunate that you have a vet that makes house calls for euthanasia. I'm sure it's much less stressful on the animal to be at home. I wish you all the best.