Old dog

Question
My dog is  a small mixed breed he is 18 years old and he is doing all his needs in the house. We have noticed he doesn't see well or smell,in other words he has lost his senses . Would this be the time to put him down ?

Answer
There is no one better than you to decide when it is time to help a family member out of this world and do not let anyone else tell you they know best. Quality of life is what is important. I have had clients with blind and deaf dogs who lived another 10 years very happily. I have also had wonderful owners who used diapers, restricted access or just cleaned up the messes for many years of quality life. If he enjoys life, petting, you talking to him, eating, sniffing the air when you take him outside, then he is still enjoying life.

You can work with an integrative veterinarian who is trained in many different approaches, including using conventional drugs only when absolutely needed. Working with one can increase the chance that your cherished companion can live a few more months or years of high quality life and may even not go in the house. There are good ones and great ones, and a few homeopathic veterinarians will consult by phone or email. Read my comments at the end on working with and selecting a holistic veterinarian.
You can go to the web sites for each type of holistic practice and use their referral list to find one near to you: there are quite a few in New Jersey.
1. Acupuncture and Chinese medicine: www.IVAS.org, www.avaa.org & www.TCVM.com
2. Homeopathic veterinarians (these can often help you by phone if no other holistic practitioners are nearby that you like): www.theAVH.org and www.DrPitcairn.com.
3. Chiropractor - www.animalchiropractic.org
4. Wide range of other treatments: www.AHVMA.org, American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and www.civtedu.org.