Hello everyone,
My first post to this friendly community. I am reaching out for an unbiased opinion as everyone around me loves my dog nearly as much as I do. He is an 11-year-old West Highland White Terrier who has lived a full and adventurous life, traveling around, spending copious amounts of time outdoors hiking, swimming, and doing what Westies do best: hunting. Last summer he could no longer hold his bladder at night, letting out such large amounts of urine that the 80lb dog was blamed. It was nearly a month before I finally discovered it was him as he would normally make sure to wake someone if he needed out at night which essentially never happened, certainly never just to urinate. After the diagnosis, he seemed to get along well until we returned home from our summer travels and his eyesight rapidly declined. Within about two months he went about blind other than seeing shapes and light. I assume this is what he can see anyway, as he follows his scent trails, knows the routines of people in the house, and touches you with his nose gently. When it comes to his scent trail, knowing the house he lives in, that will become a problem soon. I forget how blind he is sometimes until something is moved and he walks right into a huge object in broad daylight. We will be moving house soon and I fear the confusion, struggle, and anxiety it will bring him.
We are at the point of 1-3 trips to the vet a month, insulin amounts continue to rise, he has had a UTI that has not seemed to heal after two rounds of antibiotics (I already had a month-long trip away planned so I am relying on my mom to care for him, she is planning to take him to the vet again early next week to address the continuing incontinence). Then, of course, there is the mounting financial burden which I know shouldn't be a factor because he is my best friend but if I can't treat him in the exact time and manner he deserves then that causes an issue. I've just graduated college (after many years of attending, working, attending, etc.) and do not yet have a job due to my own medical issues which are another huge financial burden. I know finances are a bit taboo but it is a factor in both of our lives. Being a pure-breed he's always been expensive but I've done everything I could to make sure he is happy and healthy. I never knew diabetes was also a likelihood with his breed (of course its possible with all animals) and was not prepared for it, especially at a young age for his breed.
When it comes to the quality of life, he does still eat, he drinks far far too much water which is a sign that he doesn't feel well, he likes to run around outside and bark, he loves to grab his toys and carry them to you when you get home. As far as playing, there is no longer any chasing the ball (obviously) his previous favorite game, no real exercise as I am ill myself and while I possibly could take him for a walk around the property on a leash, I wilt after about 5 minutes in the severe heat and humidity in the state we currently reside in. Yes, I tried the treadmill as suggested by the veterinarian but he is scared as I'd imagine one would be when they see only the huge shape of something they are standing on then it begins to move. He will play tug of war for a bit but tires of it quickly. For the most part, he simply lays around. The most excitement for him in a day is when someone comes home. Going through all of the quality of life checklists, the biggest thing he has a problem with is incontinence. Otherwise, I can't tell if he is in pain or not, I know he doesn't feel good, I know he doesn't enjoy life as he used to and I want him to have quality, not quantity. I want him to be happy, not miserable. He can't tell me how he is feeling but he has been my constant companion for 11 years and I know he is not himself any longer. Personally, I have caught myself pulling away from him in anticipation of his loss (whenever that may be) and I don't want to lose that connection with him.
I'm sorry this post got longer than expected. If any of you have any advice, any stories you think may be relevant it would really help. Thank you so much at least for reading.
TL;DR My 11yr Westie has had diabetes for a year, his quality of life is declining but he is still able to eat. Now blind, no longer able to do things he enjoys but still loves his people and shows it. Lethargic, incontinent, heart of gold, my best friend. Debating end of life, better now or wait until the disease progresses?
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from Pets https://www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/cfm9p3/debating_the_future_of_my_diabetic_westie/
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