When to put down your dog?

[Wyatt Burp]

I mentioned our dog before here but now it's getting pretty close for him to walk the green mile. We've put three dogs down in the last twenty years but this time it's different. The bad news: over sized gall bladder bigger than the vet ever seen that puts pressure on his wind pipe so he hacks for a long time trying to breath after the slightest exertion. only 3 legs totally work, and bad vision. the good news: when he's NOT hacking he's still in a great mood and loves to play. He can still chase the cat in spite of that bum leg.
We don't want him to suffer, but we just can't tell if he's still OK enough to hang on a while. He still has a lot of spirit but groans constantly from constant pain from all that internal pressure and that's the reason why we are thinking it's almost time. We think when he loses his appetite it would be the signal it's time, but he still has one. We are only thinking of him, not how we feel. Lots of folks here have gone through this. What did you do when it was touch and go like this? We are sad for the little dude, but not all despondent, excepting the reality of all this.

 

[Arik]

Me personally....I would first exhaust all other options. Medicine, surgery....if possible. If neither are possible AND the dog is still happy go lucky with energy and enthusiasm and appetite I'd let him be. It not bothering him enough to severely affect his quality of life.

That being said, this is what I would do based on your explanation of his issues. Only you truly know your dog and what he's like and how he normally behaves

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[Ranger17]

I'm with Arik on this, and been through those decisions a couple time in the past as well (always tough).

For us, as long as we can do what we can AND our dog still has a decent quality of life we keep on enjoying as much time together as we can. And when the time comes that the dog is suffering too much, then we let them go.

 

[mtgianni]

When it begins to affect the quality of life. I would rather put down a dog that was not miserable but hurting enough constantly to show it. My last one was put down because she couldn't pee, had tumors that would not be reduced medically and you knew she was both embarrassed and hurting from uremic poisoning. Vet said an operation was 50-50 and at her age might extend her life 6 months and might not. It was tough but the right thing to do.

 

[Jimmyjones]

I don't envy your situation, been there too many times.
Mine have let me know when it was time. The last few, I've had a vet come to the house. I was in the same position last year at this time.

I truly believe you'll know when it's time.

 

[steamloco76]

We had to make the final decision for Lexxa Marie, our 14 or so year old Chow-Springer mix last spring. She was a very proud old girl suffering from severe nerve damage in her hind legs due to Lyme Disease, deafness and arthritis. She had great trouble standing for about a year. We used a lift harness to help her. Finally, she started to drink less and less water because she didn't want to go out to urinate more than once or twice per day.

One day, Lexxa gave my wife "the look" while my wife was holding her up as best she could, so our old girl could pee. The look said "I've had enough." She was embarrassed and tired. So, we took here to the vet the next day- she knew exactly what was going on too. Never whined, never tried to get away. She went quietly, with dignity, her head in my hands with my wife stroking her back.

 

[Kanewpadle]

You'll know when it's time.

Our little dog had a few problems before we put her down. We gave her a pain reliever prescribed by the vet which seemed to work for a couple months. Then she really slowed down not wanting to eat on a regular basis or leave her bed. We knew it was time. A week later she was gone.

Feel for ya buddy. Cute little guy he is.

 

[PatriotX]

So sorry to hear about your friend and family member; these are more than pets.


I've had a tough run lately, losing three cats and one dog over the last half-year.


I'm a believer in better a day too early, than a day too late.

 

[amazingflapjack]

Proverbs 3: 5-6 is what we apply. Simple, but not easy.

 

[phantomcycle]

As long as quality of life can be maintained I'll let my dog live with me but I'm not going to let them suffer from pain or a disabling function
My last dog to go was a blue tic hound she came to me to be petted and died in my arms up to that point I gave her a aspirin every day so her arthritis would allow her to get up she could walk down stairs but needed help coming up stairs
When my dog is suffering so am I I feel their pain and I will not allow that to happen to my best friend

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[federali]

Painful Decision

We had our beloved golden retriever, Rubin, euthanized seven years ago and it was an exceedingly painful decision. I grieved more for my dog than I did for my parents, and I loved my parents.

You need to weigh the dog's remaining quality of life and if suffering is the better part of its existence, then perhaps it is time.
At this point, I don't think there's a right or wrong decision and no matter what you do, you'll be second-guessing yourself, as we did.

 

[hsmith9491]

He will let you know when it's time.

 

[Toyman]

Went through this last week. We have a brother and sister Yorkshire terriers and in December vet found Duchess had a tumor under her left front and another in her belly. We gave her pain meds and she slowly quit eating then could hardly walk. Took her to vet on Monday last week. The rest of the week was tuff for my wife and I but we did the right thing her quality of life was gone and she was suffering.

 

[Jessie]

There is no easy answer to give. Definitely, no suffering should happen. Your suffering in this is secondary to theirs. It's the price we bear for being their friend and care giver.
A second opinion from another vet may not be out of order. You never know, and the cost should be secondary, too.
It's too bad that they can't voice their needs, again, that's our responsibility.
I hesitated with my last one for a few days because I just wasn't sure.
That was partly for my benefit because the vet told us we could bring her in that same day she gave us the news that things wouldn't get better.
We just weren't ready and our girl was doing alright then.
After a
Couple of days, we decided and did what had to be done and I have to say, it hurts to even type this.
My thoughts and prayers for all of you and His will be done.

 

[vonn]

Tough decision you will have to make and I do not envy you but I think you will know when it is time. All of mine have let me know when the time came. My vet gave them a comfortable spot and they were gone in what seemed a painless manner. Letting them suffer was not an option. I still remember them all and miss them.

 

[dusty3030]

Worst day of my life and I haven't been able to get a dog since.
Chocolate lab I had for 14 years, his name was Dusty.
Doc Rountree cried with me when he put him down, but what assured me then was when he told me they have dignity and I certainly respected his. His hips had given smack out, he couldn't get up to go and started peeing himself. He had the most ashamed look and wouldn't look you in the eye. He was putting himself in pain not to disappoint us, I couldn't let him do that.

 

[e3mrk]

I have had to have a couple of Pets put down and it's not a easy decision to make but you have to think of the animal and how it's feeling. The darn things are one of the family.

 

[phantomcycle]

It's very hard for a pet owner to put his pet down due to our guilty feelings that we have just killed a friend that's the hardest part for me even tho I know it's best for my best friend I still feel very guilty about having this power of life or death and it causes me many sleepless nights

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[hoosierone]

My boxer let me know. He was in severe pain from arthritis and could not tolerate the meds. His last few days he was unable to get up without help. It was one of the toughest things I've ever done. I held him in my arms as the vet did his thing. For quite a while after I would just burst out crying. Have a great wife who helped with hugs. Didn't get another dog because I am not prepared to go through that again.

 

[Jessie]

I too, have thought I wouldn't go through it again but realize that not adopting another one later, may deprive one from a good life and loving home.
The good years make up for the terrible day.
I wish it got easier.