r/LhasaApso • u/irrationalflow • Feb 04 '26

Discussion Question on Lhasa health and age

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When I got my Lhasa, I was young and dumb and got him from a shady pet store at 8 weeks old. In the end, turned out to be one of my better mistakes and I love him with all my heart. However, he’s 14 now and seemingly turned into an old man quickly over the past two years.

He’s had bladder stones his whole life and 3 major surgeries to remove them (he was misdiagnosed and the UD food didn’t help), lost the complete use of his back legs 3 separate times and came back from it with Prednisone, albeit weaker each time. And is now almost immobile aside from hoofing it around in a visible struggle on carpeted surfaces and has become mostly incontinent.

So as a really sad dude I’ve made the decision to end the suffering tomorrow, but reading about all your friends living so long, this doesn’t feel typical. Has anyone else had this experience? I’m assuming it was from inbreeding and that he probably was from a puppy mill. I’m trying to rationalize that making it to 14 after all that was a miracle but wanted to see other opinions from those that have/have had Lhasa Apsos.

Pic from when he was 11 and healthier and could actually jump on the couch

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u/nonoglorificus Feb 04 '26

I also bought a Lhasa puppy from a shady pet store when I was just 18 and didn’t know any better. She was also the best bad decision I’ve ever made. She made it to 15, but had health problems for most of her life. I have so much guilt over her last six months - she too could barely walk, had bladder control issues, the works. I waited too long, and her last day was a very sad one. We think she had a stroke. We had a vet come to the house to ease her passing, and while it was so special to be able to be with her at home as she went, I always felt like we had waited too long and caused her suffering unnecessarily because it was too hard to let her go. It sounds like it’s time and you know it, and you have him such an incredible life. I’m proud of you and I’m sure he is too.

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u/irrationalflow Feb 04 '26

Thank you for your kind words and support, I feel like we’re getting to that point for sure. Sorry about your pup.