Just wanted to share this: My Peek a Boo has coughed for years... CT was not found unless it is where the trachea first goes into the lungs (does not show on xray if it's there). Anyway, when he got pneumonia two years ago, I noticed a great improvement in his breathing after the course of Antibiotics he was given for the pneumonia. He always has moist breath sounds, no fluid in his lungs (after the pneumonia cleared), but the Doxycycline really helped him and lessened his coughing.

I asked the vet if this is something we could do every so often when his coughing gets bad, and he said that would be fine to do for him. I also have another drug for him to use as needed... the cough suppressant, but he hasn't needed that since taking the AB's.

Hoping your vet can help you both... prayers and Best Wishes....

It is so awfully hard to go through this I am praying for your peace of mind right now. When little Lolo was bad she would look at me with those sad sad little eyes like please help me,
but then she didnt want to be held because I guess it hurt her to much. I kept thinking I knew it wasnt fair for her to have to suffer and I was going to have to do something but I also kept praying thinking there had to be a chance for her to get better. She finally took that decision away from me and passed in my arms one day. It broke my heart to lose her but watching her suffer was excrusiating. I pray that when the time is right you will know. God bless you and my prayers are with you and your little one.

to beachdog, My heart goes out to you. It is awful to have to decide when. It truly is about suffering and love. I think you have gotten some very good advice. Like the others that responded, I have had to go through this too, with loved ones, parents, my husband and loved dogs. I think there is so much more than the here and now. It is that belief, that brings comfort. I think animals and people can deal with sickness and pain if they know they will recover and be well again. When they understand that is not going to happen, the suffering becomes an unbearable burden, and the waiting for relief, turns their world inward. I have seen this happen with very ill and elderly people. They accept dieing and just wait for it. Animals mostly live in the moment and when they can not live life, they need us to be compassionate and help them end the waiting. God Bless You, and prayers for you and yours.

Paris
 

I just lost my Maltese Monique...just today...she seemed fine, then she started coughing and was gone...one never knows...she had been on meds for her heart, but was active and ate well..she was 13 Yrs. & 7 mos...I lost my Lucky at 13 1/2 in 2008...we are never prepared for the grief...ask your vet what is best...Lucky999:(

I'm sorry you're going through this. I've been where you are and know it's not easy. When it becomes obvious that Paris is having more bad days than good ones it's time. I agree with some other posters that you'll just know in your heart when the time has come.

so sorry for your loss :(

I had to have my Black Lab mix and my Spitz put down at 15 1/2 and 16 years old. For me it was knowing that the quality of life was gone.
i didn't want to hold on for myself.
it was still so very hard, but I knew in my heart, it was the right thing to do.

All these personal stories of loss and how you all dealt with it are so comforting, thank you all. Paris had a very good day yesterday, my Christmas gift from him. He actually wagged his tail when he heard my older sons voice. He hadn't wagged that little tail in days! He also played with his squeaky sock for a few moments. It was so touching when my older son left when he bent down and kissed Paris and told him how he was such a good dog. Paris was a gift from my son 11 years ago.
Last night was not too good he woke up several times hacking and coughing. He is still asleep right now. Thank you all again for the gift of hope and understanding.

This is so sad, sorry for your loss.

I'm sorry for your loss of Monique. It's especially difficult when everyone is celebrating the holidays and you are in the midst of heartbreak. I hope you will be able to receive consolation from the years she gave you. I guess one of the really sad parts of loving and living with these creatures is the fact that their life spans end in what seems to be such a short time span. However, I find that there is always another life in need of someone to love and care for it. Life helps cancel out loss.

I have followed Paris for a long time now. You have done such a wonderful job with the things you have both faced together. I wouldn't question any decision you make. Sending prayers for Paris.

Thank you for being there for Paris also! He is having a pretty good day so far. He is worse at night for some reason.

I have always believed it is better to help by furry loved ones over the rainbow bridge before they are scared and possibly suffering.

Example:
My Lucky passed at 13- 11/13/2010 from liver cancer that spread to his spleen causing it to rupture. I did not even know he was sick. No weight loss or gain. No changes in behavior or activity level. He was playing ball the previous evening. He just was slow getting up in the morning which was not like him and his belly was hard. The emergency vet did surgery because an x-ray showed blood in his abdomen. She told me after opening him up his spleen had ruptured so she removed it and no further bleeding was present. However she did find a football sized tumor on his liver and it was probably the primary cancer site. She said she wanted to let me know and they were in the process of stitching him up to then move to recovery. I told her not to wake him up. I know liver cancer that has spread to other areas of the body has a very poor prognosis. I did not want him to suffer in anyway. Why put him through so much pain to only have a few months at most more with him? If he did not have the giant tumor I would have nursed him back to health but this was an active dog who loved to eat and play ball and swim. He would have never got to play ball or swim again. That would have been torture for all involved.

All my yorkies all retrieved indoors and outdoors all day because he taught them. Every time the retrieve a toy now I have Lucky to thank. I just rescued a golden who does not know how to retrieve but I love him because Lucky would want another golden to have the same life he had.

I could not agree with you more. I live with regret now that I was unable to end my baby's suffering sooner. Of course sometimes we are too close to a situation to see it objectively. Family members were seeing things I had chosen not to. I guess we live and learn. I will never allow another one of my furry friends to suffer because of my inability to face parting with them again. You did a wise and courageous thing for your Lucky. I also admire the fact that your loss did not prevent you from rescuing another life in need of help. There is no better way to honor the life of your loved one.

I am so sorry to hear this....We had to have our 19 yr old Maine Coon boy put down the Monday before Thanksgiving....We knew this day was coming and tried to prepare ourselves for it....there is NOTHING you can do to make the horrible decision any easier..This is the first time I have ever had to do this (my x husband used to bring them)...It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life...but it was the right thing to do for McKenzi. He couldn't go up and down stairs anymore, he was making a funny sound when eating and 2 days before we made the decision he had a hard time walking and a HUGE lump at the base of his tail...We cried all night as we knew the day had finally come...We gave him TONS of attention and told him how much we would miss him....He would just look up at us with those big green eyes and we knew we were making the right decision...he looked at us as if to say...please do what you have to do so i'm not in anymore pain....didn't make our decision any easier but, he isn't in pain anymore and romping up on Rainbow Bridge with all his brothers and sisters...
My heart goes out to you.

I think people feel worse at night, too, when we are sick.

That may be, but I have scheduled an appointment for my own peace of mind tomorrow at 5:20. I'll let you know what the doc says.

When we knew it was getting to be that "time", i set up an appointment. Because hubby works out of town, and wanted to be there, i had to make it for a week out. That week was the hardest i ever had to live through. Libby actually seemed to be having a good week and we flipped flopped back and forth the whole time, but by the weekend, her appiontment was for monday, we just knew, to the point that at first we thought it wasn't time, but by Saturday we thought she couldn't wait til monday. Her appintment was for Monday at 9 a.m.....i woke up at 7 am that seemed to be the longest two hours i have ever had to live through. Like i said in the earlier post, after it was all said and done, hubby and i felt total relief for her. My Vet was amazing and cried along with us, explained everything she was going to do amd explained to us what we would see and what we should expect. It was done in a very quiet enviroment and we were able to take as long as we needed with Libby before and after.

Bobbi

My prayers will be with you tomorrow. The vet will help you decide and tell you what he/she thinks.

I`m so sorry and know how hard this decision is. I believe that how we come to know when the " right" time is, is different for each person, and furbaby. Once we can let go of our guilt and our need to keep them with us, and look only realistically at what their quality of life is, that is when we will know what we should do. You really do know in your heart when it is time, but we often agonize over that realization. Talking with your vet is a good idea
Sending you virtual hugs and understanding, and know that whatever decision you make is in the best interest of your loving little companion.

I just need a check on his breathing and lungs to make sure that he isn't suffering. I was just there 3 weeks ago but I need to know before I go back to work on the 3rd.

Ok here's the report. No change in breathing or heart. I told the vet about the extra wheezing, especially at night and he decided to try an antibiotic called Convenia. Wow that was pricey for a shot!

He also suggested that the wheezing could be the position he slept in. So I let him sleep in the circle bed instead of the big comfy one in the bedroom and he slept almost all night!

Check out the blog for more info and photos!

sounds like a really good report on sweet Paris. Very happy for you

Thanks, I am releived for now. I have really appreciated all the comments on end of life, as I know Paris is getting closer to this day I dread. The vet also said that Prednesone would be the logical next step, but with Paris's heart murmur, it would probably hasten death rather than help him. THe Prednesone makes the body retain salt and so also fluid, which Paris doesn't need with the heart problem. So this is a last chance effort for him.

ooohhhh I LOVE Paris! I feel like I know you & him because I read your blog! Your blog gives me hope that I can and will be a kind, considerate and caring yorkie mom when my boys become senior or sick. Your love for Paris is amazing! I am so sorry you are facing this inevitable 'end'. :( I know you are going to do what is right and best for Paris as you have done for his whole life. My thoughts and prayers are with you & Paris. (((HUGS)))

Oh thank you for reading Paris' blog! If we can help a few people with our little troubles it is all worth it.

Well Paris is a beautiful boy, brave! :) And you are inspiring! All you do for him, how creative you are with helping make his life easier, making sure he's safe. You touch my heart with your kindness to Paris, I'm sure animals in general. With all the terrible stuff you hear all the time, how abusive people can be towards animals, your blog shows me how KIND people can be also. I love your blog.

Thanks you are so kind.

You and Paris remain in my thoughts and prayers. He's such a sweetie.

Thanks we need all the prayers you have. The sweet boy is sleeping right beside me now after the excitment of my son's 17th birthday party!