Deciding when to put your dog down.

[T-Giv]

Well said, all too often we lose sight of what is best for our furry friends.

Agreed. Good luck to the OP.

[Fentonite]

Yeah, like Monky said, this isn't about you. I've been in your shoes more times than is healthy over the last few years, and it doesn't get any easier. See what the vet says. Most of my critters have told me when it's time, when the bad outweighs the good. You can see it. Trust your gut.

The worst regret I have, ever, is the one time I didn't listen and held on too long. Out of selfishness and grief, I made a loyal friend endure more suffering than necessary. I still feel that it was an ultimate betrayal. Don't make my mistake.

[crays]

All of the above. We had to ease the suffering of our two dogs within about 6 months of each other, within the last 2 years.

It was a VERY DIFFICULT decision, but it was the right decision. They both still visit me in my dreams, in positive ways. That helps (but stirs up the emotions too). They are always their healthy, vibrant selves when they appear, and that is a blessing in itself.
Take a good hard look at the entire situation. You will know when the time has come.
Sorry you are going through this, and best of luck.
A good dog is a special gift, and deserves to be treated as such.

Sent via Mobile Work Avoidance Device

[BPTactical]

Jethro's point on selfishness is the key.
None of us want to put a pet down, face it they are a member of our family.
We want to keep them forever.
But we can't.
I sure didn't want to put down my beloved Huey kitty who had been my very best pal for 18 years.
But when I could tell he couldn't see, was confused and more than anything scared, we knew it was time.
And as I held him as the vet did what she needed to he looked up at me as if to say "It's OK Daddy".
As much as it hurt to let him go, I knew it was the right thing.
To do anything else would have been cruel and selfish.


Gotta go now allergies are acting up and I need to go say hi to him.

[flogger]

Tough stuff to go through, tears me up. Dogs are the second best beings on earth, after girls and WAY before cats,... most cats,...OK some cats. Don't hesitate to take the step if needed, dogs tend to cover up their pain/suffering.

I really like dogs and have had to 'part' with several, it is never easy on the human. Enjoy the times you have and had!

[Ranger353]

We had to put down our Golden Retriever (Mokai) just before Christmas. It is almost as bad as losing a family member, because they are family members. Dogs do a fantastic job of masking their pain and suffering from us. They don't want to disappoint us. Mokai could barely stand and walk. She had large tumors that showed up on the x-rays. The vet didn't know if they were cancerous or not but she was bleeding internally and she looked sick. If she could survive the surgery, she would have been all cut up and in great pain. She was too good a dog, too good a friend to make her suffer through all that with no guaranty on the outcome. We did what was right for the dog. The decision was a no brainer. We held her and petted her as she fell asleep and then stayed with her for a little while to make sure she was knew she was not alone.

We sure miss her.

[newracer]

I just recently went through almost the exact same thing. My GSD also had perianal fistulas. We had been controlling it pretty well with special food and topical steroids.

A little over two months ago she didn't eat anything for a few days. At first this was not thought to be abnormal as she would frequently skip meals. After about a week of not eating much I had our friend (our vet) come over to look at her. The diagnosis was constipation. The weather had been extremely cold so it was thought she had not been getting enough exercise to keep things moving properly. Started giving her a liquid laxative, which seemed to help some. Other than not eating she was acting perfectly normal, good energy, playful, etc.

After about another week she was eating even less. Got to the point where I had to start force feeding her a high caloric food. Then she became incontinent and would pee every time she sat or laid down. The diagnosis was a bladder infection. This went on for about another week. At this time she was still acting normal, following my kids around the yard and vacant lot next to our house and playing fetch (her favorite thing to do),

Then one Saturday she rapidly to get worse. She would go outside to pee and wouldn't come back in even though it was very cold and snowing. She started to be lethargic and was just laying all the time and wouldn't even drink water. I tired to force some water and food into her and she threw up. After that I decided to take her to the emergency room at the vet teaching hospital at CSU. I had to lift her into my truck. She could barely walk into the hospital and she collapsed just inside the doors. I had to pick her up onto a gurney. At this time I was just thinking she was very dehydrated and they would get her on an IV and all would be OK. They took her back while I filled out the paper work. Part of the admission you have to choose what extent you want them to go to if your dog needs life saving efforts. I chose moderate effort, CPR, ventilation, etc. As soon as I completed the paper work the resident Dr came out and said Gretchen was declining rapidly and she may arrest. Maybe 10-15 minutes later she came out again and said she did arrest but they were able to bring her back. They took me back to see her and told me I had a decision to make, she was on a ventilator and had an IV. They said dogs that arrest have serious issues and only a 6%-8% chance of walking out of the hospital. It was also very likely she would arrest again before they could even figure out what was going on. There really wasn't even a decision to make, I would not let her suffer. They got her stable, removed the ventilator, and brought her into a room so I could say goodbye. They administered the drugs and I held her until she was gone.

I still miss her dearly everyday.

[rondog]

For God's sake, don't put your pet down yourself, you'll hate yourself forever! If you do and it doesn't bother you, there's something wrong with ya.

These kind of stories break my heart, because I know I can't keep my beloved Beagles forever.

[Monky]

I can barely see the screen to type and I'm glad I didn't type this out earlier... Stupid allergies.

A few years back my dear friends had to put down their husky. She was bad. I knew her from the day they brought her home till the day she went to sleep for good. Long story short and because I hate my allergies.. She wasn't doing good. I went to see her. She hadn't moved in three days.. Wouldn't eat or drink.. I sat down where she was and she barely able to move came and sat in my lap.. I lost it. I spent 2 hours just sitting there with her.. They couldn't decide if they should put her down or not.. I called the vet. I yelled at them and told them to quit being selfish. They listened when the vet got there.. It's not easy. It never will be..

My fur kids are my family.


Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.

[cstone]

It is a special trust that dogs give to us. They give us their lives and their unconditional love and they trust that when the time comes, we will do right by them.

Love your dog the way your dog has always loved you... Think of them first.

God bless you, give you wisdom and peace, and appreciation for the love that no human being will ever be able to give you.