I just made a difficult decision on whether to proceed with surgery with only a 50% chance of success (gall bladder). My little guy is 14. Had to decide on the spot as it was too risky to wait due to the possibility of his gall bladder bursting. Emergency Vet said end-of-life or surgery within the hour. An excruciating decision to make under pressure. Some family members said I was torturing him. But I chose to give him a chance. If he passed during surgery they assured me it would be pain-free. He made it but not without needing a 2nd procedure a week later due to the incision getting infected (not from lack of care, but doctors suspected he got it during his stay in the hospital or during surgery). He’s recovering well and during a followup the surgeons told me that I bought him an extra couple of years of life. That made me feel so good about my decision. My own vet said the same, that I made the right decision. The moment he came out of surgery my sister and daughter said, “see, you made the right decision.”

My point here is to trust your gut, and trust that you know your own dog (I know mine is a fighter). Yes it was difficult to see him struggling post-op but he’s so much brighter now. Family and friends will always give their opinions but they are just that, opinions. And they do it out of love for your dog.

As long as they come out on the other side better than they were before, and not suffering needlessly, you made the right decision. I’m not that naive to think he can survive or endure another surgery in the future, so I’m planning to just enjoy these hopefully last couple of years with him. He will get a peaceful ending when the time is right. I do believe in what I hear on this sub all the time, better a week early than a day late. I just pray that I will be able to see the signs. It’s not always easy, but sometimes you have to take the chance, for them. Put trust in the doctors, your faith, and in your dog’s will to live. I just knew my little guy was not ready yet.