Sounds like my Dirtnap!
I adopted an Eskimo Spitz almost a year ago. He is about 12 years old, arthritic, has cataracts, mostly deaf, and has serious gum disease. I renamed him Dirtnap so I wouldn't get attached.
His mouth and breath is soo bad that he couldn't eat dry food and I could smell him when he entered a room!
I've taken him to 3 vets to put him to sleep but they ALL said "No, because he can eat and is still playful". He sleeps a majority of the time.
Well, as luck would have it, I've fallen for the little brat! I even call him "Smiley boy". He's slowly been improving since adoption. I had to water down the dry food for awhile so he could eat it. This helped with his teeth as he was gradually able to get the food harder and harder until now there is no water needed at all.
I also used dental wipes. They are like wet wipes but for the teeth. I'd recommend following the directions on the container which requires the dog facing AWAY from you when scrubbing. He's adjusted to that now.
I'd wait to put the dog down until you start geting consistant incontinance and other age related ailments without hope of improvement. I give my dog Brewer's yeast and Glaucostimine for his coat and his arthritis.
I haven't had Dirtnap as long as you have had your dog. However, I believe you will know the right time to put them down versus the Vet recommendation. I find it ironic in my case that I couldn't find one to do it!
Scooby, Shaggy the "Dogs", Ms. Thang the "Cat" and introducing Measley Weasle "The Ferret".
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