Pet euthanasia

[Geoff]

When do you do it?
I've got a dog that I always swore I'd put down before his quality of life got bad but I've never, even as a kid, had a dog that got to the point where it was really a decision because all my previous pets died quickly or had injuries that obviously called out for it.
My black lab is 14 years old, has hip dysphasia and pretty bad arthritis in both front knees. (He's on the same arthritis meds as my father actually and they both take glucosomine, though my dad's isn't liver flavored.) Both those are his main problems and bother him quite a bit, especially right before his meds are due. He's also pretty much deaf and doesn't see as well as he used to though his sense of smell is still excellent and helps him get around. He's grumpier about changes in his routine and sometimes barks at my 4 year old son and his buds when they're running around the house being kids that age, and he sleeps most of the day away.
On the other side, he still greets me at the door every night when I get home with a wagging tail and a tongue to the face, (as long as I get home my usual time, otherwise he doesn't hear me come in.) he seems in pretty good spirits if things are "normal" in the house, and is very affectionate and protective still especially with my son.
I've talked to my son about it and I think he'll be more okay with putting the dog down than I will because he's been thru a couple of pet deaths already and Bubba is "dad's dog" anyway. He's never really made an owner connection to him, though he loves the dog dearly and used to sleep on him as a toddler. One of my favorite pictures of my son is of the two of them together.
My wife is all for doing everything possible to keep him alive until there's nothing else to do, but I watched her parents do the same with their dog and I really had a hard time watching it towards the end because the dog was so obviously miserable.
Blacky had a pretty good life but it was always active before. We ran 2-3 miles a day when I was in the military, chased rabbits together, I took him with me camping. etc. Now his life is pretty sedentary and he spends a lot more of it in pain or annoyed than he used to. I'm pretty sure what I need to do but I'm torn how he'd feel about it. Do you think a dog in his place would rather stick it out for a few more months?
Like I said, never had to make this decision for real before. Any advice?
:no:

[Rowi]

Would you if you walked on all fours? I know id try to stick it out. I had my dog put down years ago when i was a kid but he was in horrid shape couldnt walk nomore and greet me at the door.

Sounds like if he can come to the door then he wants to stay awhile bro!.

[AkMan]

I agree with Rowi. It's difficult making that decision, but based on what you posted I'd have to say it's not his time yet.

[Camri]

Like I've said in here before, I was raised on a farm.

The decisons about quality of life and death were always approached in an unemotional business like manner.

Anything that was suffering, was put down. Anything that was sick and unable to be used for it's purpose anymore, was put down. I was never ok with that.

Whenever it came time that my dad, or one of my brothers had to put an animal down, I always wondered how the animal would really feel about that if it was able to voice it's opinion.

We don't put people down, just because they're suffering. How many old people have stopped living a quality life and simply exist to be loved by somebody?

Then there's that moral question. Who's decison is that to make, really? If we were talking about a person, not too many people would disagree that this isn't a call we're qualified to make.

I know there's a big difference between people and animals, on the priority list. But you description you gave of this dog, sounds like he holds a position in your family.

If he still greets you at the door, he hasn't given up on you. I don't think you should give up on him. Love him and take care of him until he decides it's time for him to go.

Best wishes to you.

[theotherjohn]

Originally posted by Geoff

Do you think a dog in his place would rather stick it out for a few more months?


yes

[JustMe]

My dogs all got poisoned or hit by cars, but I say keep em. He's still there for you, so just love him and take care of him till he can't do the normal things he's doing. (greeting you at the door and such)

[HarmNone]

Oh, Geoff, my heart goes out to you. I know how very hard it is to make a decision like this.

I cannot see the dog, so I do not know how much he is suffering. Based on what you have told us, if he is still able to meet you when you come home, still able to wag his tail in greeting and kiss your face with doggy love, he is not yet ready to go on. He may be uncomfortable at times, as most old creatures are, but it is not yet to the point where there are no good days.

Hang in there with him, Geoff. When there are no more good days, you will know. You have the heart to know. For that, I salute you. :)

HarmNone

[Edited on 10-16-2003 by HarmNone]

[Bestatte]

It sounds to me that other than the arthritis pain and general sedentary behavior from old age, he's still doing alright. Make sure you have his liver/kidneys checked though, because an animal can experience misery that they can't express to their human companions. If his breath is especially bad - as in, if it smells like ammonia, it's one symptom of renal failure.

If there's no renal failure, and his behavior really is just general aging and arthritis, I'd continue to give him lots of love and comfort.

I waited too long for one of my cats. She was 17 years old, and I thought she just needed a teeth cleaning because her breath stunk to high heaven. She never left the vet's office; they told me she had complete and total renal failure and had probably been suffering horribly for months. But Isis had no way to tell me this, and I just thought she was behaving as old cats behave.

Knowing that I had kept her alive in her misery hurt me more than the anguish of having to put her to sleep. It still haunts me.

Please - make sure that your pet is just plain old, and not "shutting down."

[AnticorRifling]

As mean as this will sound. Take him hunting.

I love all my pets but when it's time it's time.

[Savanae]

I have many pets now, always have. 3 years ago I put my 22 year old cat down and it was the hardest thing I ever did, but in the end it was the right thing to do.

It is hard sometimes to know when the right time is but if your close to the animal you will know when its time. Right now its coming to that point for my husbands dog.

My sugestion, Take a three day weekend from work and go to the vet do a blood work up and find out how he is doing on that end of things then go camping. Spend the next 48 hours one on one with him and see how he does. If its time you will know. Animals have an amazing way of comunicating if you take the time to sit and listen.

Good luck and my heart goes out to you, either way it is not an easy decision to make.

Suzanne

[Jenisi]

Goodness this almost made me teary :( I don't think any of us can make this decison for you.. But, there is some really good advice in here. Definatly get him checked out to make sure he's doing ok other then normal aging symptoms.

[Wezas]

My dad made that decision just yesterday. He's had his pitbull for 14 years and it is the sweetest dog I've ever met. The dog has had it's share of health problems, thyroid and other. He started acting funny a week or two ago and stopped eating (they'd been feeding him people food for a few months since he stopped eating dog food). They took him to the vet this past weekend and the vet said his liver was down to 10% and other organs are starting to shut down. They gave him a few days to a few weeks. Yesterday they went to get a second opinion at a Vet that they knew was reputable. That Vet gave the dog 3 days at most (the dog wasn't eating at all). My dad convinced his wife that it would be best for the dog to put it down.

On the other side of things, my dog just turned 18 months and already has signs of hip dysphasia (Newfoundland, big dogs like her have it often). It breaks my heart when I hear her walk, every other step there's a clicking sound. We took her into a local place that has surgeons and vets and they said it had not progressed far enough and they wouldn't suggest surgery because she doesn't seem to have any pain.

It's a tough decision. My last dog (newfoundland as well) had her tail wagging while we were sitting with her as they put her down (heart problems, 10 years old). I feel it was the right thing to do. I don't think the dog or I would have wanted her to be around when her tail stops wagging.

[Faellyn]

We had a dog in similar shape when my girls were little. It was my ex's dog and he waited until the dog couldn't get up anymore, I think as long as the dog is still having good moments, then it may be worth it, but the most important thing is how it affects you and him. If everytime you see him you cringe inwardly, because he is distressed then it may be time, but if there are still a lot of good times, waiting could be worth it. If he is a bigger dog though, which hip dysplasia is common to, the day will come when he can't get up on his feet anymore, so decide now if you want to wait until then.

It's very sad to have to make these decsions, my ex couldn't even go in with him to the Vet, I had to do it.

[Edited on 10-16-2003 by Faellyn]

[Weedmage Princess]

Ugh..I don't know what to say except I'm sorry...I hope you figure out what you need to do, and are able to deal with whatever it may be.

[i remember halloween]

my family dog was put to sleep last summer when he couldn't really walk anymore. he had been getting slower and slower and really seeming to be tired all the time. at one point he was laying downstairs and didn't get up for a whole day, but he would just sit there and look around. he didn't want to eat any food and he couldn't get up by himself when we tried to get him to come out so at that point we knew he was ready to be put to sleep. it was a really tough thing as he was my only dog, but it was also pretty tough to see him in that helpless condition. honestly my best advice for you is the following: you will know when it's time to put your dog to sleep. if you have any doubts, its probably not time.

[Geoff]

Thanks all, that was what I was looking for.

I should have mentioned that I've had him to the vet for the usual "old dog" blood workup and tests and besides for some abnormal liver function we have to monitor on a regular basis, his guts are fine.

The problem I'm having is that he's only going to feel worse as time goes on and I don't really trust myself to recognize when he's past the point of it being worth it for him. As I said, I watched my inlaws keep their dog for way too long. It was still wagging it's tail, etc. but it was also obviously in pain all the time, could barely walk, and completely miserable. (Hip dysphasia can be extremely painful If my dog doesn't get his medicine on time, within a couple of hours he can't stand up. Even on the meds he sometimes needs help with stairs.) I don't want to fool myself about how happy the dog still is like they did.

This morning when we got up, he asked to go outside. I looked out the window a couple of minutes later to make sure he was okay and he was laying in my lawn in the rain with his nose up in the air just smelling the world go by. Even if the majority of you guys hadn't made good points about waiting a little longer, he bought himself some more time with that. When he quits caring about what's happening in the world, I think it'll probably be time though.

(We'll be going to the vet for a shot and not "hunting" though Anticor. I was in the AF remember? I can't shoot...)

[Rowi]

Good point about the Air Force!

To think being a marine i had atleast something smart to say.

<good luck bro>

[AnticorRifling]

I lost my dog when I went to boot camp. You know how much that letter from the family sucked? Recruit Pinkerton how are things at boot camp? blah blah blah your dog is dead.

If your dog is still enjoying life, let him enjoy it. When he doesn't get out of bed then it's time to do what you have to do.