Ditto that, and sending prayers for Tina and you.

We are back from the vet. Thank goodness my vet is only about 3 or 4 min. away. She basically told me what she did on the phone. There was a small hole in Tina's ear that we can put ointment, but, she is not up to no surgery. In fact, I could tell she really thought I should make the discission to let her go. She was upset too because she has took care of my dogs and Tina since she was a baby. She has lost another 2lbs. She is at 7lbs. The little thing was upset and I just could not make that call right now. I know dh is going to be upset because I told her, he thinks as long as TIna is eating and she eats like a little pig, she will be okay for right now. She has no quality of life staying in her playpen. Its big and she can walk around but she has no life except what we do for her. I know now its just a matter of time and it kills me. Please just remember us in your prayers.

Im sorry! I agree with your husband though I would give it more time if she ever gets to where she is in pain or further decline then you will need to give serious consideration if its her time to go

Sending up prayers for your family, I know this has to be so hard.

I do understand about sweet Tina. Prayers and hugs for you and her.

I'm so sorry. I hope your little girl heals quickly and that you can rest easier. I know how much you love Tina and why your heart is breaking so much. I am certain that Tina can still feel your love. You continue to be in my prayers.

I went through something like this a couple of years ago. My little guy was 15 years old. He could still walk pretty well and he ate but he was not himself. He stopped doing the things he used to do and slept a lot. He just didn't seem like the same dog. Didn't interact like he had before. It is confusing trying to figure out what is best for the dog. I finally realized I was doing him no favors by letting him go on like that. He was not enjoying life anymore. I had to have two of my kids take him to the vet because I was wreck just thinking about it. I guess I thought it would be easier to know the right time but it's not as clear cut as we would like it to be. I pray both of you will know the right thing to do and when.

I don't know either, but I know it can...and sometimes does.

I had foot surgery years ago and had 'pins' through my toes and feet (both feet and large toes) out though the skin inside the bandages. I got a pin track infection in my left big toe which was treated and healed, leaving a tiny 'scar' marking. Two years later I noticed something on the toe in the former pin track infection area and went to an orthopedic surgeon who confirmed that it was another pin track infection in the location of the first. He also determined that the bone had not healed and was talking bone graft. Interestingly, two weeks later, the bone WAS healed! :rolleyes::p

I am so sorry what is happening to your baby and hope it can be remedied quickly for her comfort and to spare you additional concerns during this difficult time. :hands:

I can empathize with you. I'm so sorry and I'm keeping you and Tina in my thoughts and prayers.

Talked to my husband tonite and he feels like she is going down fast too. I think he finally agrees that it would be better to let her go. Now just to know the right time and not rush into anything, we love her so much. I think we will know the right time. We did with Max and Mandy and I feel like we will with her.

Did she have this ear problem before the dementia started? Ears have a lot to do with balance... and infection can cause weight loss. Did the vet give her any oral meds for the ear?

Yes, I have ointment to put in her ear. There is a tiny hole that, thank goodness we can put it into. She hurt her ear because of the dementia. No one realizes how hard it is until your baby suffers from that. They forget where to go potty, they run into things, they get hung up in places you would not believe. Thats why for her protection she has to stay in her playpen. The minute she is put down, she goes right into something. She cut her ear bad on something, we have no idea. Thats when we were giving her alittle bit more leaway and she has been hurt twice. We think it was on the garage door because that is where she will go and stand. When their little eyes are just empty and they don't seem to recognize you, it hurts so much. Tina was always so full of life. Its hard to see her deterorating right before I eyes. Like I have said, the scar tissue in her ear would be major surgery. If she was younger and in good health we would not hesitate to have it done. But, she is 14 and half and has congestive heart failure, which she is on meds for plus all her other problems and I would not consider putting her through that. Besides, my vet would not do it. This is just killing us going through this but I am going to have to come to grips with it, for her. The weight loss comes from the CHF. There is nothing that can be done there. Like I said, just pray for us and our baby. We do all we can for our babies without hesitation, but, there comes a time when we can't fix it.

Aw! I'm so sorry...I did not intend to come off sounding insensitive... I have seen pups before...mine used to insist on getting under the dining room chairs, inbetween all the chair rungs and then get all tripped up, where I couldn't get to her fast enough before she would fall. Never went there before in her life. Also working at the Pet ER exposed me to alot of things most folks never see, nor could imagine.

I just thought if her ear cleared up, maybe she could regain something, but you are right, I don't believe there is enough time to see any benefit from it. She has lived a good, long life, being loved by good people, her time to rest will come soon. Bless you for loving her as much as you do. I don't think she could ask for anything more.

No, no, I understand what you are saying. Its just when they get dementia, it is a whole new ballgame. She can't be left a minute. Back when she hurt her ear, we were still letting her roam around some and just moving things she might get hurt on. I wish everything was fixable, we are going to miss that little girl ALOT.