Canine Geriatrics
When we buy a dog, we simply must accept the fact that its life cycle is 7-10 times shorter than ours. I’ve suddenly become aware that Jake is surpassing me in age and it scares me.
A month or so ago I watched him stumble coming up the stairs. He doesn’t hear us when we come home sometimes. He can’t always see me throw his Kong and must find it by smell.
His big brown eyes seem to have a glaze over them. I suspect he has cataracts. Surgery to remove them would be prohibitively expensive.
I face this sort of situation every time something goes wrong with my 24-year-old duct-taped Volvo wagon. But I continue to decide to invest in its future because it is so low maintenance and it never leaves me stranded, although losing it will not be an emotional loss when it happens.
So do I make a similar decision for an 11-year-old dog? He’s not in any pain, but his vision is really compromised. Cataract surgery in dogs is not without risk and the cost is unquestionably high. I guess the question is whether or not it will significantly improve his quality of life during his remaining years.
Any advice?
posted by Barbara at 1:48 PM
11 Comments:
I think this is one of those questions where a vet's guidance would be invaluable. I'm not sure what else to say, except that 11 really isn't TOO old for a dog...but I don't know labs very well.
Steve -- We have an appt for August 4 with a vet who knows a lot about dogs' eyes. Maybe she will tell us he doesn't have cataracts at all, who knows?
I've had the pleasure of the company of several kitties who have lived until old age and a couple that had extreme health situations. I also have relatives that have made big sacrifices in their lives for their kitties.
Although I love my kitties like they are a human, I am very aware of the fact that they are not. I am also aware of the fact that there are many, many animals out in the world to love. Does this mean that by setting a cost cap on what I will pay means that I love that cat any less? NO. As I explained to the vet who was treating one of kitties, I have to be responsible to the financial well-being of my family, as well as the health of the kitty. So, in my lifetime, I have borrowed 500.00 to have the hip replaced on my relatively young siamese cat that I had when I was in college (dear Koko). I put a thousand dollar cap on the amount I was willing to spend to keep Sammieh alive, eventually choosing a painless release in my arms. I have turned down kidney replacement for Koko in his old age and a lifetime of kitty-steriods and procedures for my beloved eighteen-year-old Zak. All were hard decisions. All were hard choices, but had to be made in the end.
Reading stories of people hiking through the Appalachian Trail, I picked up a new accronym: HYOH which means Hike Your Own Hike, which means you have to travel the way that you want, not the way that anyone else decides. You have to figure out what's right for you!
As for Jake, he such a love! I know we would be really good friends if the continent didn't separate us. His picture was what initially attracted me to your site. Bless him!
Kellyann -- I'm sure you and Jake would be great pals if you were just a little closer!
Aww, he looks so handsome sitting there! I think with cataracts, the loss of vision happens rather gradually and is painless, and as long as he knows his way around or is willing to let you help, he'll probably be fine. Sometimes operations on older pets are not worth the discomfort they cause to the pet, not to mention the expense.
no advice I'm afraid. but what a hard dilemma
My old Lab Dingo died several years ago at 11. His decline was slow and the vet told me to leave him be until he was suffering.
I hop that people will grant me that courtesy when I'm old(er).
I'm glad you have the app't with the vet. I'm hoping that your decision will feel clearer when you have the pertinent info. I know that "quality of life" is an important value in general to you. I never had to face the cataracts question with the two previous dogs I co-owned, so have no specific advice...Love to you and Jake!
F.
Just don't use duct tape on the dog!
MC -- I'll reserve the duct tape for the Volvo, but today it failed me as I tried to shore up the sagging glove compartment.
No advice but plenty of sympathy and a willingness to listen if you want to talk through anything.
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