When to put a dog down?

[Rob Shauger]

OUr dog Sophie is about 15years old. SHe is a Golden Chow mix. We have had some issues with her before, but nothing major. She was injured when she was young and suffered some damage to her hip.

Over the last 4 years or so, the vet says she has had issues with her Thyroid for which he gave her some medicine. She gets a lot of Hot Spots on and off. Lately she has just been licking and her saliva turns her fur a reddish color. She has a harder time getting up and down the stairs and her eyesight and hearing are not what they used to be. All of this has not been a big deal to handle.

As of late she seems to be losing control of her bodily functions. Messin all over the rugs and stuff. Again the vet gave her some meds, but we wonder what kind of life is ahead for her and dont want her to suffer. We dont want to put her down just because she keeps going to the bathroom all over the place, but we dont want to have to confine her to an area where clean up is easiest.

What should we do?

 

[EliNHunter]

Oh, Rob... it sounds like your poor Sophie is nearing the end and kind of falling apart? You need to keep in mind her quality of life. I had a golden growing up that was 15 and pretty much lost all ability to do anything yet his heart was still beating. In hindsight, we should have put him down humanely before he was so uncomfortable. We did finely put him down when he could no longer get up on his own. I would suggest not waiting that long. The most humane thing you can do for your old friend is end her suffering before she's REALLY suffering and in pain. When life is no longer fun for the dog... I'm so sorry, but it sounds like Sophie's had a rich life and is very loved...

 

[EliNHunter]

A Dog's Plea...

A Dog’s Plea
Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick, for although I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will quickly teach me the things you would have me learn.

Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footsteps falls upon my waiting ear.

Please take me inside when it is cold and wet, for I am a domesticated animal, no longer accustomed to bitter elements. I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst.

Feed me clean food that I may stay well, to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side and stand ready, willing and able to protect you with my life, should your life be in danger.

And, my friend, when I am very old, and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight, do not make heroic efforts to keep me going. I am not having any fun. Please see that my trusting life is taken gently. I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.

Author Unknown

 

[Irish]

Rob,
My heart breaks for you, this is the saddest of times. I believe you will know in your heart when its time to say goodbye (you already know that time is drawing near). When its time, I think you will find that you've already done a lot of your mourning, though it will be extremely hard, it can also be a sweet time to say goodbye to your beloved, to hold his/her paw as they pass from this life, to see them to the very end. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[bubbatd]

Rob ...the dog EliN was refering to was our dog. I did wait too long selfishly . I just couldn't face it. That was 25 years ago... since then I've had the courage to do the best for them and be with them until the end. I too will be thinking of you, and please feel free to pour your heart out here. It's a bitter/ sweet time.

 

[doberkim]

its always a hard decision to decide when to humanely euthanize a dog.

the best advice that i have ever heard (and i've even heard it repeated on animal planet's emergency vets!) is this:

pick three things that have always made your dog happy - things like playing ball, eating, cuddling in bed, doing tricks, chasing his tail, riding in the car, going for walks, you name it -

when those three things no longer bring your dog any joy or he cannot do them anymore, then perhaps his time has come. if the three things in their life are no longer pleasurable, then it is possible the suffering and pain are now outweighing the good in their lives.

whatever you decide, i am sorry that you are going through this, but your dog is very lucky to have a caring and compassionate owner like you.

 

[MyDogsLoveMe]

Rob I was faced with pretty much the same that you are now. We had a 12 yr old boxer Dakota, due to an accident with he was about 5 he developed seizures. He went blind and towards the end was having at least 1 seizure a day and lost he bladder functions. I actually had thought about having him put down the yr before but I to did not want to for selfish reasons. He was my brothers dog who took his own life in 2002. Dakota was the only thing left (well with the exception of my nephew) that I had with me all the time so I decided to take him. Dakotah when he was around 5 jumped from the back of my brothers pickup (little ranger) on the freeway but jumped off the freeway onto traffic below. He had plates in all 4 of his legs with screws, his hips were broke. He was a mess but lived a long and fullfilling life. I didnt want to loose that last part of my brother I had left but the time finally came where I couldnt put him through it. He was suffering though he wouldnt show you, all he could do is look at you with those beautiful eyes,wag his stumpy tail (boxer mom knows what I am talking about) and lay his head on your lap. It was the hardest decision I had to make, but he isnt suffering anymore and has moved over the rainbow bridge and is probably causing all sorts of comotion Do whats in your heart for you and your dog.

 

[bubbatd]

Sniff !! on the last and as to quality of life... my goldens love to go with me to feed our horses two county roads down.....two of our dogs ( a few years apart ) just wagged their tails when I said " car car to feed horsies " aand couldn't get up ... I knew it was time.

 

[juliefurry]

I just recently put down our husky. She was only two and was dealing with cancer. I knew it was time for her to go because she looked so tired. Even after the vet had her for the day and I went to visit her she just gave me a look and I knew I had to do it. It was hard but was best for her, rather than me being selfish and allowing her to suffer so I could have one more day or one more hour with her.

 

[hsnepp]

this is a very serious, personal decision.. one not to take likely. you need to do what you need to do in your situation. our companions don't speak, therefore, we must speak for them. speak from your heart and do what's best
.

 

[bubbatd]

Bless our friends as they take their walk to the Rainbow Bridge to wait for us, and us who send them on their way.

 

[amymarley]

Sorry whoever posted this... this makes us all sad and makes our hearts hurt very badly. Bless you and your companion..

 

[GSDMom]

it is so hard to say good bye, but I do think is time

God Bless
Bon

 

[Rob Shauger]

Everyone case seems to have been much worse than mine. I guess for now we will just have to keep cleaning up after her. She is on Proin 50 for Urinary Incontinece. Right now that seems to be our biggest issue.

 

[EliNHunter]

Sounds good, Rob. Just be open in your heart when you think she's not enjoying life anymore. Many of us on this board can agree that we probably waited longer than our animal friend would have wanted us to...