Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2007 9:40 pm Post subject: Dont know what to do for best
I have a 10 year old golden labrador, Buster,who i have had since 8 wks old. Over the last three months he has become ill. I have had to have him see the vets almost weekly because he finds it difficult to breath, his tongue & gums turn blue and he often coughs up blood. The vet said he has an enlarged heart ,a heart murmer and a leaky heart valve. He is currently being treated with vetmedin 5mg, furosemide 40mg and prednisolone 5mg tablets. These seem to help him but twice in the last 10 days he has had vomiting and diorreah. He is due to go back to vets in 10 days. My question is would it be kinder to have him put to sleep? The vet has said he would just be feeling some discomfort rather than pain, but on days when he is really bad and his gums & tongue are turning blue because he cant breath and is gasping for breath, i feel really really cruel and feel like im making him suffer. Myself and my four children all love him very much but dont want him to suffer because we cant let go of him.
The other problem i have is since the end of June vets fees and medications,xrays,blood test etc has cost me nearly £700, dont get me wrong, Buster is worth every penny and im prepared to pay what is needed for him, but im a single mum on benefits with four children to consider and i just dont know what to do for the best. Financially its crippling me but emotionally its killing me, because i dont want to have to have him put to sleep but on the other hand i dont want him to suffer.
My head is so messed up with this im really stuck. Any thoughts would be gratefully received.
Sorry to hear that Buster is not too well...........only you know how much quality of life he is getting at the moment.....................does the Vet give any hope for improvement in health? It's a hard decision, but one that only you can make, with guidance from your Vet....
Very hard decision to have to make, as Izzy_Molly says its one only you can make, but the fact that you`ve come to LF and asked the question tells me that in your heart you know what would be best for Buster, if he has a heart problem I would imagine its doubtful it will get better and possibly will mean an increase in mediacation as it progresses.
Whatever you decide you will get support from the members here at LF
awh the wee soul. You are in a horrible situation. He has heart failure... it won't get better.... if it was me... I think I would have to help the old boy out. Not a nice place to be... best wishes in making your decision.
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So sorry to hear this, but only you will know when the time is right. If you are questioning it, then the time is not quie right, but most certainly nearing.
Additionally, I just wanted you to know, as it does not sound like you have insurance, you can apply to the PDSA for help with vet bills. They are a charity I often give to, and they help people who need it.
They will pay a percentage for you - there is no specified amount, but it may just help you. Here is there website:
Sue ,
I ve just got in and your have to excuse any slurred words ...so sorry first ..... Buster sounds exaclty like my Pepsi ... she is 4 and a half and is in congested heart failure which is all Busters systoms plus a few more ... the medication Pepsi is keep her as comfortable as I and the vets can ...
Its sounds that Buster is at the very end if heart failue and its a very hard choice but you can only do what you feel is fairer to him .... its won t get any better as I know with Pepsi it won t and the coughing up blood bit is the blood escaping from the heart as it to enlarged to pump efficelty .... 10 years is a super age and your lucky to have just a truely wonderful boy ...
in my opinion if it was pepsi going through what buster is now I would let him go to his forever bed .... I know that dogs cant realy tell us they in pain but its the stress and discomfort of the heart trying to work but cant ....
your vet will say the same really and in every one eyes will should keep our furbies forever but it doesn t worl that way i m afraid ... in human years he is a 70 year man ...with lots of ill heath ...
I m in tears tpying this as I will have to through this myself when my Pepsi is suffering more through her condition ....
If you can to make it a easy passing your can put to his ever bed at home its less stress for him and for you and he will pass in his comfort of his home ..
I m so sorry your going through this and please
thought s are with you at this time ....
Buster boy ... sorry your heart is poorly realy am
Take care and hope to chat to you soon ..
Shani and Pepsi xxxxxx
Last edited by Shani on Sun Aug 26, 2007 6:52 pm; edited 1 time in total
I'm so sorry to hear about Buster - what a heart-breaking decision you have ahead of you, but whatever decision you make, you'll be making it out of love for Buster.
Someone (I think it was Di?) wrote on here a while ago that she thought it was better to let a dog go a day to soon rather than a day too late. I'm sure that the time will never feel right, but I think you'll know when Buster has had enough.
Another way of knowing is to list the 3 thinkgs that Buster gets most pleasure from in life, and as those 3 things start to be lost to him, then maybe its time to call it a day.
It sounds like he has been a wonderful friend and family member. Treasure any time you have left with him and then cherish those memories.
Lastly, if you can, try to think ahead to what you'd like to happen at the end and write it down so that you can give it to your vet so he knows your wishes for Buster. That way, you wont be having to make decisions about what you would like done with Busters body etc when the time arrives.
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Not a nice place to be... best wishes in making your decision. 
