Struggling with putting dog down
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Anonymous
| We have a 14 year-old dog who has had worsening arthritis for a few years now. She is unable to take anti-inflammatory drugs due to potential liver issues. I also tried laser therapy which did not help. We have her on two different medications but she still seems to have trouble walking or getting up from her bed. Recently, my kids found her whining because she had slipped and couldn't get up from the floor. She can still do a few a few steps back inside the house but she usually requires assistance and is very unstable. She is has been having accidents (BM) inside the house because I think that she can no longer sense that she needs to go. She stopped eating but we started mixing boiled chicken back in her food and her appetite is better. She can't go on much of a walk anymore. She has trouble digesting treats so we can't give them anymore. She has good days and bad days but mostly a lot of just okay days. We worry now about leaving her alone and her getting stuck on the floor. After doing some reading online, I'm thinking that maybe it is time to let her go. I'd rather do it now in the comfort of her home than wait until it becomes and emergency situation but I am really struggling with this. All of my other dogs had medical issues where it was very obvious that they needed to be put down. Has anyone been in this situation? |
Anonymous
| OP you really need to think about the dog and not yourself. Do you really think she is happy and not in pain? I just don’t understand this mentality. I put my OLD animals down as soon as they start peeing and pooping in the house, struggling to get up etc. I know they are not happy living like this. |
Anonymous
| It’s time, op. I’m sorry. |
Anonymous
|
OP, first, I am so sorry. I went through this with my elderly dog last fall. She was much like your dog is now. I knew the time was coming and had a sense of when we should let her go. Then one day we’ll before my intended time she took a dramatic turn for the worse and there was no question we had to do it right away. The last couple of days were so hard on her and us. I wish I had not waited until it was absolutely clear. It was too much.
Once she was gone, it was peaceful and I had a sense of overwhelming relief. I wonder if you may feel that way too. I don’t know if this is helpful. I hope so. My best to you. |
Anonymous
|
It’s time op. Better a day early than a day late. All vets ask about their quality of life. Is your dog doing things they enjoy? Chasing ball? Walks? No. It’s beyond time, especially the whimpering in pain and can’t get up.
I’m so sorry. It’s never easy. |
Anonymous
| It’s never easy. My old Lab was similar. And I realized I was only hanging on because of my pain and it was selfish. I took him late night to the vet and I held him and they let me hold him until he was gone. It was so painful. But it really is a gift to let your dog go when they need to. They had a good life. Don’t worry. |
Anonymous
I'm sorry, OP. I've been there and it's so hard -- especially when it's not as clear cut as the vet saying "there's cancer spread throughout his body, he's in pain, you should let him go." I went through this with my 16-year-old beloved dog and spent days, maybe weeks, ahead of time beating myself up about it thinking "how can I do this? How can I basically tell them to kill him? How do I know if he could have had more life?" and waiting for him to "tell me" or "give me a sign" that he was ready, which didn't really come. In the end, my love for him won out over my heartbreak. I cried a LOT. But after it was done, I didn't feel guilty, or blame myself, or think "what have I done?" the way I'd feared I would. I felt relief, for me and for him. Staying with them at the end with a loving hand on them is the most loving act you can do. I wish I had not waited so long, which I know I did for me and not for him. When my sister was facing the same situation and asking herself the same questions, I told her my experience and ultimately she had the same experience too -- sadness, love and relief. I know it feels counterintuitive, but it's the final act of love you can do for your best friend -- to refuse to let her suffer. Be strong. Thinking of you. |
Anonymous
| OP think like a dog and not a person. Let him go. |
Anonymous
| Dogs don’t really show pain unless it’s excruciating. She is trying to please you even though it hurts her. Keep it in mind. |
Anonymous
| It's time, OP. My heart goes out to you. |
Anonymous
| OP I had my first dog put down at home as well. It was awful either way but much better for the dog to be home than at the vet. I now have a 2nd and 3rd dog and will do the same for them. Hugs. |
Anonymous
| I waited until a super bad day (30+ seizures and squealing) and even then wondered if something else could have been done (seizure meds?). Just saying that it’s very very hard to know when. And death isn’t pretty. I’ve only had one dog who was just dead in her sleep of old age. The rest had bad final days and were put to sleep. |
Anonymous
I put my dog down at the vets (Emergency) and it wasn’t any worse than if the vet came to us. We still got to say goodbye and hold the dog as she died. And we also took her home to bury her. |
Anonymous
| When you're ready, OP, I recommend Lap of Love. They come to your home and are very patient and compassionate. |
Anonymous
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I was in your position 6 months ago and recently ran across this video. I hope it helps The emotional costs of euthanasia | Sarah Hoggan DVM | TEDxTemecula
Sorry you and your dog are going through this. It is tough. |