Expert: Jana Connell RVT, CVT - 1/18/2011

Question
my husband watched his dog be born 13 years ago and is having some difficulty coping with some of the things going on with Roger lately (the dog) I have had suspicions about his hips for months sometime they seem to hurt him. Also Roger has been wanting to lay close to us all the time and he goes into fits of shaking uncontrollably almost like he is freezing. He also wanders around the house alot not wanting to lay down he seems agitated. last night he was laying by the couch and urinated on himself. this is the third time in two weeks that he has urinated in the house with out giving us a clue he needed to potty. It takes all of my effort to keep my husband from going off the deep end because I know that Roger is old. However it is getting scary and I am worried that these are all signs that Roger will be passing soon. Am I wrong?

Answer
I would like to say that yes you are wrong but the fact is that Roger is very old and is probably having some major issues with his kidneys or some other organ failure going on.
Most dogs don't live long past 13 yrs old so Roger is definitely having age related problems. Being cold and wanting to be near you are signs that Roger is in pain, most likely from his hips degenerating, or from other issues he is having.

Urinary incontinence is common in older dogs and sometimes it can be helped and other times it cannot.Overall, I would say that Roger needs a check up at the vets. Your husband's feelings are perfectly normal and understandable faced with losing a beloved friend like Roger. But ultimately, he needs to know that having Roger be in pain and miserable is not a way to show him our love.

We as humans tend to be very selfish when faced with the impending loss of our best friend. I know,I have felt this way and I am a vet tech! But the truth is Cyndi, that we need to realize that our beloved pets deserve more from us- they deserve the last gift we can give them- the gift of ending their suffering.

Have your husband take Roger in to see the vet and be with him while he examines Roger. That way he will know exactly what is going on with Roger, even if it's not the news he wants to hear. This way he can make an informed decision when the time comes and while it will still be a painful one to make, he will know that he is giving Roger a loving gift.

My heart goes out to him and you both.