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Old April 22nd, 2009, 09:00 AM
ScottieDog ScottieDog is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 413
You are asking us questions that truly have no definite answers. I suggest that you discuss your fears and concern with your vet. Our vets heal and treat our pets, but they also minister and counsel us humans. For me I was forced to learn that it is quality of life that is important when my beloved dog went into irreversible kidney failure.

I had heard that you can pick your dog's 3 favorite things and use these as a guideline. When you are keeping a pet alive/breathing solely because YOU the person can't say goodbye, it is time.

I've heard people say that if the animal isn't suffering, able to do some normal activities and is still eating and drinking, it is not time. You can find quality of life scales online, but I'm including some links as well. It is a hard choice to make. Consider her quality of life. Discuss with your vet. Based on your description of her life, it sounds like she may still have some time left with you. I think it is seeing her cough that is troubling you so much. Senior pets have special needs. The extra care they require only makes our bond to them stronger. Enjoy and cherish the time you have together, whether it is counted in weeks, months, or years.

Quality of life scale:
http://www.veterinarypracticenews.co...ife-scale.aspx
For cancer patients, but still good information:
http://www.caninecancer.com/endoflife.html
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