our 13 year old akita

Question
Our akita was 13 in september.  She is hard of hearing, poor eyesight.  She has lost control of her bowels, now had blood after a bowel movement,  usually releases her bowels when she is laying down.  Has trouble walking and sometimes falls down and we have to help her up.  Cannot climb stairs, She is not eating well.  We are thinking of putting her to sleep.  Do you think she is in pain?  and do you think that is the right decision.  We don't want to put her to sleep if we dont have too.

Answer
Hi Karen,

I know that this is a very hard decision,but based on what you tell me here, it is the right one to make. You have to think of the quality of her life.

She knows the end is near, that is why she is not eating well. The kindest gift you can give her is to end the confusion she probably experiences when she cannot make her legs do what she wants. Losing bowel control is an embarrassment for a dog just as it is for us. They are housetrained and they know it's wrong,so they feel bad inside.

She is most likely not in any pain, unless she has really bad arthritis in her hips and knees.

You are doing the right thing, hard as it is. Your comfort will come from knowing that she is no longer suffering and is at peace.

Bless you both.