My 13 year old Boxer

Question
Hello, I'm trying not to cry while I type this but I do have a question.  My family and i have had Sophia (a female brindle boxer) since 1996.  She was given to us because the person who initially had her was not taking care of her well. I believe she is about 13 years old because when we got her she must have been about a year old.  She has been the most wonderfull dog but we are starting to see signs of her aging.  She has broken out with a few warts on her face and back and one on her hind leg.  They look like huge pimples but are open wound so we are constantly dabbing peroxide on them daily.  She is an indoor dog so I am not too concerned with them getting infected.  She is also not able to hold her bladder and we are constantly having to clean up after her.  (Thank goodness for hardwood floors!) Lastly, she is starting to limp a little on her right front leg. We have already taken her to the vet in regards to her warts but the vet said there is really nothing they can prescribe for her.  She just recently started with the limp so we are going to take her this weekend but my question would be, Do you think with all these signs, we should take her to be put down?  I do not want her to suffer, and this is the last thing i want to do, but it breaks my heart everytime i come home as she is so excited to see me and trys to make her way over to me.  What would you suggest i do?

Answer
Hi Monica,

Whether to have your dog euthanized is a very personal decision and one that I can't help you make.  

My female has had skin issues since she was about 4 years old.  I, too, am using peroxide but I also use antibiotic ointment.  I'm pretty sure whoever makes peroxide has put their children through college on the money I've given them.  ;)

If she can't hold her bladder due to incontinence, the vet may be able to prescribe Proin, a medication used for that purpose.  I would ask him about it...they may be reluctant to medicate her due to her age.

A limp can be the result of an injury or the beginnings of arthritis, neither of which would be cause for immediate euthanasia.

What I've done, and what I recommend you do, is sit down BEFORE you go to the vet and decide under what circumstances you'll have her pts (put to sleep).  Yes, it's an emotional decision, but it's far easier to be rational when you sit down and discuss a plan rather than try to decide whilst sitting in the vet's office.

What would the vet have to tell you for you to decide euthanasia was in order?  An inoperable tumor?  Cancer?  At what point will her diminished capacities cause you to have her pts?  When she can't walk?  When she no longer plays?

Only you and your family know her normal activity level.  Do you feel her quality of life is suffering to the point that she's miserable?  If you were her, would you want to be 'put out of your misery'?

Too often, people keep dogs alive for selfish reasons...I'll miss him/her, it's ok if he/she can't walk, I'll carry him/her, etc.  

My two oldest are nine right now.  I will not put them through chemotherapy to give them 6 extra months, however, I would not have them pts due to something that could be treated PROPERLY with meds (arthritis, incontinence, etc.).  If there is something wrong with them and surgery will extend their lives a good 3 or 4 years and the quality of that life will be good, I will do it.  If not, I won't.  

These are things I have thought about and am just tossing out there for you.  

In my mind, there is a difference between being incontinent and having a slight limp than urinating on herself because she can't get up and having to force herself to greet you when you come home.  Does that make sense?  A 2 year old dog can be incontinent and it's not a huge issue.  A 13 year old being incontinent isn't a giant issue either (it happens) unless she's urinating/defecating while lying down because she can't manage to rise.  Do you see what I'm saying?

I don't envy you your decision but I'm sure if you give it some serious, rational thought, you'll come to the one that is best for your dog.