[hepelena]

Hi, I don't know what to do.
We have an 13-14 year old dog (don't know exactly her age) She is Japanese akita Tia but a bit smaller then is usual. She spent all her life in house and garden, was taken for walk just sometimes as her owner (my boyfirend) is working 6-7 days per week 12 hours per day. I am Slovakien and lives with my boyfriend just half an year.
What is the problem, by 2 months ago Tia started to leak concry and sand and soil, then she was sick and didn't eat too much. We bought her charklow biscuits as well but it didn't help. She refused her "dog" food so we cook rice with mince meat for her but now she even doesn't eat that. But last 3 weeks she hadn't reguraly BO, doesn't eat just really a bit per day usually something "excititng" as ham a piece of cheese etc. she is very unsteady and lies all day, has lots of falls when jump when someone came in house, is shaking, when going out for pee has to lie down as too week and last couple of days can't manage to go out as we have lots of stairs.
I am just wondering, is it time for her to go?.
My boyfriend is very upset so me and my sons, but she lost weight and I can't watch how poor she is.
Could you give me advice what to do? Many thanks. Helena

[labman]

In some cases older dogs develop problems that can be cured easily. I would take her to a vet and let him examine her. If the vet doesn't think there is much that can be done, then everybody must except that it is time for her to go.

This is very difficult. My 13 year old Lab has had several problems the last year or 2, but the vet has her in very good shape now.

[chippers]

Tia could have an intestinal blockage that's preventing her fom eatting. If she's been in the garden there's no telling what she got hold of. Your best bet and for her health is to see a vet for x-rays and evaluation. The weakness could be from not eatting. As you say she doen't get excited over the favorites she liked before. She could also be dehydrated as well.
If she were my dog, I'd get her to the vet as soon as possible. Her condition warrents urgent attention.

good luck and God bless.

[Critsy]

Take your dog in straight away. If she has some type of problem maybe you should consider putting her down... A few years ago I had a German Shepherd. She was getting old and she was having problems with her insides. While I watched my poor dog die I was thinking of what to do. She was oviously in a lot of pain. When I put her down I was so sad. All I could think about was her. When I was leave in room I saw this adorable puppy. An Aussie! To make a long story short I took her home that night. I was happy to have a new best friend again. Even though Im still sad I never regreat getting Ace. Maybe you should think about getting another dog. There is no dog that can replace Windy but Ace sure helped me get threw it.