When to put elderly dog to sleep?

[Anonymous]

He is almost 16 and hobbles so badly he often can’t get outside in time... but it seems cruel to put him to sleep just for his disability. What would a vet advise? Do they put elderly pets to sleep for such reasons? How can we tell if dog is really pain? He seems happy to see us and loves to get petted and see other dogs on his very short, very slow walks.

Thanks

[Anonymous]

It's time, OP. Your dog doesn't deserve this misery. Call the vet in the morning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:He is almost 16 and hobbles so badly he often can’t get outside in time... but it seems cruel to put him to sleep just for his disability. What would a vet advise? Do they put elderly pets to sleep for such reasons? How can we tell if dog is really pain? He seems happy to see us and loves to get petted and see other dogs on his very short, very slow walks.

Thanks

I think that you can be pretty sure that hobbling at that age, there's pain.

It's a really hard decision, I know, and there isn't often that one sign that confirms it for you. I kept waiting for my girl to stop eating, so many people had said that was "the" way to tell. But she was still eating and I held on too long waiting for that.

Our vet finally helped me with it, when I took her in for something, it had been about 4 months since he'd seen her last. When he saw her on that visit, he said yes, it's time. She'd deteriorated a lot over those months, but I hadn't seen it being with her every day. After the scheduled day had come and gone, I went home and looked at pictures of her. Seeing the last batch of pictures vs. ones from just a year before, besides physically just looking bad, I could see how the life had gone out of her.

[Anonymous]

When you know they are suffering it is time.
If he seems to be in pain and cant make it outside in time he is suffering.

[Anonymous]

Saying goodbye is difficult. Do you have a friend or trusted person to drive you to the Vet for the appointment?

[Anonymous]

Above PP again. I had my dog eunthanized at home. They vet came and did it. It was very calm and I would totally do it again. There is no cruelty or pain involved. It was the right thing to do.

[Anonymous]

I am actually so conflicted about this issue. We had two cats and put them down, one had feline panleukopenia, we did everything to save her, but she was maybe going to live few hours more. The other was bleeding everywhere... And now with my cat and dog, as I am older I am being ethically conflicted if we have that right. I don't even kill bugs, for the most part. I will pick a bug and take it outside, spiders too. I think the reason I am all weird about it, is that the vet who put the last cat down came home, and I held her, and it was awful. I think jerk didn't put enough medication in and she suffered terribly. So, all that made me mostly against euthanasia in pets. Anyway, sorry about me being all weird, and posting about my dilemma.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP, sometimes we're more worried about saying good-bye go and *our* feelings about it. Have you experienced putting a pet down before? It's hard on us emotionally, but in my experience it's a peaceful experience for the pet under these circumstances.

I haven't done it at home, but I know people who have it and they recommend it. But even at the vet's office, they're really good about it. Ours did it later in the evening after other patients had gone home, so it was quiet and the staff stayed late for us. The dr. gave us as much time as we needed, and explained each step and what was going on. I walked out sad, but very grateful for the peaceful ending. And that I could be there -- one of my fears was coming home from work and finding my dog had died while we were gone, alone.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for these kind, thoughtful replies. He is stuck in his bed right now, I can hear him struggling to get up. He does still love his meals though his old teeth are all worn down. Poor baby. He used to go on 25 mile trail runs and clear 8 foot fences back in the day. He would run from home to find my kids at preschool. A very special guy, loved by many. Yes we are probably delaying because we love him so much and the kids will be devastated; the end of a special era.

Thanks for sharing.

[Anonymous]

OP the saying with horses is ‘better months too early than a day too late.’ Hugs to you.

[Anonymous]

What a lucky guy he's been to have had 16 years with a great family!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am actually so conflicted about this issue. We had two cats and put them down, one had feline panleukopenia, we did everything to save her, but she was maybe going to live few hours more. The other was bleeding everywhere... And now with my cat and dog, as I am older I am being ethically conflicted if we have that right. I don't even kill bugs, for the most part. I will pick a bug and take it outside, spiders too. I think the reason I am all weird about it, is that the vet who put the last cat down came home, and I held her, and it was awful. I think jerk didn't put enough medication in and she suffered terribly. So, all that made me mostly against euthanasia in pets. Anyway, sorry about me being all weird, and posting about my dilemma.

NP , that sounds painful and I'm sorry you had to go through that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What a lucky guy he's been to have had 16 years with a great family!

+1 sounds like many joyful years for dog and family!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What a lucky guy he's been to have had 16 years with a great family!

+1 sounds like many joyful years for dog and family!

Yes he’s had a good run, and been our true love through many transitions and stresses of kids, moving, jobs, and all the usual. He’s a real dear, and we’ve tried to do the best for him. He’s had a wonderful vet, but I am sort of a freak to ask. But it’s a mystery to know how he feels, especially since he wags his tail, enjoys his walks, and eats his two meals per day. I wouldn’t want to be out to sleep just because my leg hurt!

[Anonymous]

We put our elderly dog to sleep this spring. It was heartbreaking. His legs kept giving out, he couldn't eat and he'd broken his leg again. He had a day of nonstop seizures and I scheduled it to put him to sleep. I know in my mind it was the right decision, but in my heart I miss him so much. I still wonder if it was the right time. I feel so lonely daily without a little dog.

Btw, you know it's too late when the dog can't enjoy their "last good day." We tried to have a last good day with my dog before he got put to sleep but he was too far gone. He didn't want a cheeseburger or peanut butter on a spoon. We just held him and he didn't know us. But I took pictures of it and love him. He looks so old and worn, but that's what a lifetime of being loved does to you. The more you're loved the more worn you look. Those pics are pretty dear to me.

Peace to you OP.