There are many factors that I didn't even discuss. With congestive heart failure already and all of his other problems, I don't think he would have a really long life span, but there is no way of knowing.

We were trying to hold off surgery because the vet had explained that there was a chance that after the surgery he could have urethral stricture ~ scar tissue that forms and essentially having the same consequenses as the kidney stone ~ blockage. Then what? More surgery? We didn't even get that far.

He took Lasix for his CHF. For years we have worked our schedule around him being able to take his pill and us being home to let him outside. It is difficult to plan to go anywhere for any length of time because pet sitters/boarders are not able to stay with him and let him in and out constantly for 3 -4 hours.

No one wanted to see him put to sleep. We have to believe that we made the best decision for his future and medical care.