HELP I NEED ADVICE!!!

Question:
 My dog is a 6 year old black lab, Cracker Jack, and he is my baby 100%! However the last 3 years he has developed arthritis and is on 2 medications for it. (Which aren't the cheapest in the world) He also has had skin allergies since he was 3, which is my main concern because every year his skin condition seems to be getting worse. He gets open boo-boo's and I have to constantly be cleaning them. There are a few other minor conditions he has, but they are kind of irrelevant to the situation. Last year I came close to putting him to sleep because I felt he was suffering. However I convinced myself and significant other that if I gave him an antibiotic it would go away. And it did ... for a week. My vet told me though that I shouldnt keep him on the antibiotic 24-7 because it could cause other more serious problems. To be honest all it does anyway is cover up the skin problem for a small amount of time. I tend to get stressed when this time of the year comes because of how he gets, which isnt good because last year I made myself sick over it. I didn't put him down last year because I couldn't bring myself to not feel guilty about it. My family and friends say I shouldn't feel guilty about it because I need to do what's best for him. So I guess what I would like to have everyone's opinion on is what might you do in my situation? Any kind of advice would help.
Answer:
 This is always a hard choice to make when it comes to our animal babies and I am sorry you are going to have to make this choice. If the medicine helps his pain and keeps him fron suffering use it. However on the skin condition if you get warning signs like itching before he makes the wounds. Take him to the vet and see if they have an allergy shot the can give him to prevent this. Our boston has allergies and at the first sign of itching or hives she takes a half of a benadryl. Hears something to concired on your choice. Are these issues affecting your pups quality of life. Is he suffering tramendisly, if so is keeping him here fair to him. If he is living a life that is comfortable even with these problems let him live out his life comfortably and happy with you his family. If he is suffering daily and always in pain with open soars do to his condition then the rainbow bridge waiting there for him to cross. I had to make this choice a few years back with our cocker terrior when I took her in to have her put to sleep i was a complete emotional mess. My vet took pitty on my emotions and did a check up on Prinny for me and told me that the choice I had made was in Prinny's best intrest she was very old and and she was suffering in her old age. We lost her that day but I took comfort in knowing she was in Gods loving arms the happy puppy she use to be here and now always would be. Good luck with making the very hard choice.
Answer:
 Dear Puppy Luv, I'm sorry to hear about the problems that your Cracker Jack is having. If it were me, I would not even THINK about putting him down though just because of arthritis and allergies. I just went through 4 years of Hell with my beloved best friend, Presley, who had Degenerative disc disease. He ended up being almost totally paralized but I never ONCE gave up on him. As long as I knew that I could keep him happy and comfortable, I did whatever I could for him. I gave up my personal life, my friends, vacations, etc. (which I'm not saying is right but it's that he was my #1 PRIORITY). Anyway, there must be some other medical or holistic treatments out there for his problems. How about prednizone? I know it's not a good, life extending drug but, if you are looking at putting him down, I would consider any other alternative. I gave my dog Prednizone (which is a pain and anti-inflammatory drug) for his degenerative disease and I truly believe it keep him as painfree as possible. I have also heard it's good for allergies. Besides, I think there is a chance he could outgrow his allergies, isn't there? Like I said, if it were me, there is NO WAY I would consider putting him down for these reasons. I hope this helps you in making the right decision for your baby. Good luck and please keep us posted.