Need help! Advice about 12 year old Corgi who can't walk

Hello all-

I joined this site to try and help my 12 year old Pembroke, Maggie Mae. About 4 months ago, she could no longer use her right rear leg. She is suffering from a chronic UTI that we can't seem to get rid of. I purchased a sling from Doggon Wheels and this helps me more than it does her. My vet has been kindly encouraging me to let go. She says Maggie has no quality of life. I think it's true as maggie has always been an independent little girl and the boss of our two other dogs. She can't do anything without our help. Maggie gets around the house by pulling herself to the water bowl and to get food. Her main joy in life is eating. A true Corgi! I welcome any input any of you may have.

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on April 15, 2011 at 9:28am

Hi Kim, how about corgis on wheels?

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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on April 15, 2011 at 9:46am

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Permalink Reply by Bev Levy on April 15, 2011 at 9:48am

We used a stroller for our Buffy for the last year of her life and she loved walks in it. How long you go with this is an individual choice and I am sure whatever you decide will be in the best interest of Maggie Mae. So sorry you are faced with this.

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Permalink Reply by Cindi & Twinkie on April 15, 2011 at 10:36am

I'm sorry I can't offer advice but maybe knowing that people share your concern for Maggie Mae will help. I'll be thinking of you and your family while you search for answers.

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Permalink Reply by Beth on April 15, 2011 at 10:42am

How long you wait is such a personal decision. I think I went a few days too long with my cat and when she tried to hop off the bed and fell down and then just laid there, afraid to even try to move, it broke my heart.

Try to take a deep breath and look at the big picture. Does she get any joy from anyting, or is she just hanging on? If she has a chronic infection she probably has some level of pain/discomfort. Is there a realistic chance of beating the infection if you go on with treatment, or not? We waited because our cat had chemo and it made her worse and we hoped against hope that when the chemo cleared her system she would perk back up. It was not to be.

Best of luck with your choice. My heart goes out to you.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Markley on April 15, 2011 at 10:48am

This is such a hard decision. My corgi mix Dillon got to the point where he could barely walk, and I'm pretty sure he had degenrative myelopathy, with a doggie version of alzheimers. He wandered aimlessly, didn't recognize anyone, and once I came home and he had pooped-- and fallen in it and laid there all day. I realize now I held on way longer than I should have.

My newfoundland had to be put down a year ago. His was different. His mind was perfectly intact, but his body was arthritic and failing. He could no longer get up without help, and sometimes would strain so hard that he'd poop trying to get up, even with us helping him. We took him food and water. The day he fell on his face while we tried to get him up was my breaking point. I thought of how it would suck to be thirsty and not be able to get a drink of water. From humans, they say being thirsty is the worse. That was when I decided it was time. We had a system, if he wanted up/a drink/food, he'd woof at us and we'd do it for him. But thinking of being thirsty, and then falling on his face, was my final point. He no longer could do the things he loved, even though he loved being with us. Letting him and Dillon go was the hardest thing in the world, and I still cry over them, even years later--but it was the ulitimate show of love that i could give them. I am so sorry for you....please take care....