Hello all. My boy Duck (Tucker, but no one calls him that 🤣) was diagnosed with Cushings a little over a year ago. Medications seemed to be helping certain symptoms until very recently. He also has arthritis, and takes gabapentin and amantadine for pain management.
Its been hard lately. For all of us. Last night was hard, and we're currently waiting for an appointment to see his usual vet this afternoon. He was up all night vomiting, and is refusing to eat or drink. He can't seem to get comfortable. Constantly up and down (which is difficult for him), turning, panting. We've been here before (kind of), but he always ended up eating and drinking the previous times.
I've never done this before. Sure, we had childhood pets that passed, but Duck has been my constant everything since I was 24 years old. He's my best friend. How do I know when to say goodbye? How do I know he isn't just having a bad day? How long do I let this go on for? I realize that the answers to some of these questions can't really, truly be answered...but I'm just looking for some kind of guidance. How can I possibly know and plan for my best friend's death?
His fur is in a constant shedding state. His eyes are cloudy. His nose is perpetually dry. He's starting to develop small sores on his snout. Nights are hard. It's almost like he's sundowning. Can't seem to get comfortable. Confused seeming. He has several beds, including my own, but insists on sleeping on the hard floor most of the time. He loves walks, but they're brief.
I'm sure plenty of you have experienced this...and I'm sorry that you have. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I just feel...lost. Heartbroken. Confused.