Need Advice On 11 Year Old Cross Patterdale

[Fennster16 29]

Hi I need some advice whether any of you have experienced muscle wastage and some loss of use in hind legs in terriers?

Bryn is 11 years old patterdale, Lakeland, border cross, has been healthy up until this year. Great ratter and in brush and has never had any trouble. He contracted giardia which has now been cleared, but now he is experiencing loss of use in his hind legs and total muscle wastage which has happened over the last month. His front legs are still muscled and strong. We are now at the stage whether he should be put to sleep. But I wanted to ask if any of you have had experience of this and what it was. I want to make sure I have tried what I can for him, without putting in through any more unnecessary procedures.

 

The vet does not have any idea what it could be, his spine, hips X-rays have come back fine, although he does have an unknown lump near the intestinal wall, that they assure me would not cause this. I would appreciate serious answers, I am already upset enough as it is about how fast he has deteriorated, and whether the decision to put him to sleep is right?

[paulus 26]

grasping at straws will only prolong the inevitable and it will do you or the dog no good, harsh i know but do right by the dog and yourself,

[Fennster16 29]

grasping at straws will only prolong the inevitable and it will do you or the dog no good, harsh i know but do right by the dog and yourself,

 

I know, he's been a great little dog, just wanted to ask. But think I need to just face up to it

[aaron01 739]

It's sad to watch and harsh to do but why prolong a dogs suffering it they give there all for you the least you can do is do right by them

[Fennster16 29]

It's sad to watch and harsh to do but why prolong a dogs suffering it they give there all for you the least you can do is do right by them

He's due back the vets in 2 weeks. They said to give him time to recover from the giardia. But I think maybe enoughs enough. It's happened so quickly he was really healthy before he got that

[Bryan 1,362]

take him to a greyhound muscleman,, if it's anything spinal or a trapped nerve that can be treated they'd be able to sort it. If not it's an easier decision for you

http://www.thehuntinglife.com/forums/topic/304012-useful-numbersvets-muscle-men/

[skycat 6,174]

Whatever the reason he has lost the use of his hind legs, do the right thing and end his suffering. I know that many dogs do live longer than 11 years old, but it is a good age all the same. The dog has nothing to gain by being kept alive, and I'm afraid to say some owners just can't face bearing the responsibility of having their dog put down, but that is part and parcel of owning dogs: we owe it to them to end their lives before there is too much pointless suffering. Different if it is a young dog with its life before it, but an old one who has served us well deserves the final act of respect and responsibility. Just the way I see things.

[Fennster16 29]

The vet has asked us to give him til friday for his new pain medication to work i have said i am not happy about this. But he is my dads dog as well, if there is no change he will be put to sleep friday. They now think due to the speed of the deterioration it could be either neurological of degenerative myelopathy