dogs last night please help

[tuppy01]

I have a jack Russell who is 22 years old and unfortunately is at the end of her life. she keeps having fits every few hours and cant walk more than a meter or so before falling over and laying there and cries alot, I would like to make this last night for her as easy as possible, I have diazepam, lorazapam and alprazolam at my disposal should I give her a small amount of one of these to let her sleep until we can get her to the vet tomorrow to get put down or will it make it worse?

[tonyb286]

Hi Ross. You are very welcome. Dare I ask ... has 'the event' happened? If so, how are you? Please feel free to come here anytime, even if it's just to 'vent' or chat about her. There's always someone here that has gone through it themselves and fully understands. Tony

[tuppy01]

thankyou for your email it makes it easier to know your not alone
best wishes ross

[tonyb286]

Hello. I am so very sorry about your circumstances. At 22, you have clearly done an amazing job in caring for and loving your dog throughout her life. I had a dog live to be 19, and when the 'right time' came to help ease her suffering (she had gone deaf and blind and had bad arthritis by that stage), it was traumatic and heartbreaking. I can only imagine how you must be feeling.

I fully understand your desire to make the last night easier for her, but be aware that the use of human drugs (I am assuming these are) on dogs are the number one common reason why dogs get poisoned. Obviously, you do not want that situation to add to the circumstances you are in, so you have asked about them here, which is the right thing to do (second only to asking your vet - though I am assuming it is now out-of-hours).

Russells are small dogs with tiny neurological systems, so giving any of these drugs in the wrong amounts can have serious and painful consequences. There are times when ativan and diazepam can be given, and this may well be one of them, but you should not try to judge the dosage, which is critical. If you can get hold of your vet - or any vet - to ask the correct dosage, then do so.

If that is not an option - just be with her tonight, comfort her and let her know you are there. This in itself will be reassuring for her. The fits are another complication, because some of these medications normally treating anxiety may interfere with the seizures and make them considerably worse. Mention this to any vet you manage to speak to.

My heart goes out to you. I hope this time passes swiftly and without trauma. Give your brave girl a hug from me.

Tony