Making the difficult decision to put your dog to sleep
Discussion
Hello all,
Looking for some advice which sometime you can only get from strangers on the internet.
Our old Lab is now the ripe old age of 15, he was always fit as a fiddle then I had a bit of an injury that left me unable to walk much for 6-9 months without crutches in which time his mobility really went downhill. My wife and I have known for sometime the end may be neigh, he doesn't get walked as he got to the point you were out on a walk and he'd just stop and refuse to budge. We'll take him to the beach and let him have a paddle and do what he wants without feeling he has to be pulled on a lead.
His days are spent sleeping, and going for a wander into the garden, still has his appetite, his hearing has gone, takes a steroid and pain killer to help with his joints. He had a lump develop on the side of his foot that burst, took him to the vet to treat it, but this has kind of been the catalyst to make us think putting him to sleep may be the most humane choice for him, his accidents are becoming more frequent in the house which will stress him out.
When you look at him he's still the same old dog, alert, wags his tail, still loves his grub. He's got a few lumps and bumps you can feel which the vet has said could be something more sinister but more likely just fatty mass but not worth investigating given his age.
As it is I've booked him in to be put to sleep at the end of the week, but as dogs will his foot is healing and he's getting about no better or worse than before, had no accidents so the doubts are creeping back in whether it's the best thing to do or not. So the options to me are to go ahead on the basis it's better to do this now and let him go with some dignity, or just forget about that decision and see how things go, he could have months left, am I robbing him of those? Really conflicted on what to do for the best I'd never want him to suffer so is it better to be too early with the decision than a minute too late?
Looking for some advice which sometime you can only get from strangers on the internet.
Our old Lab is now the ripe old age of 15, he was always fit as a fiddle then I had a bit of an injury that left me unable to walk much for 6-9 months without crutches in which time his mobility really went downhill. My wife and I have known for sometime the end may be neigh, he doesn't get walked as he got to the point you were out on a walk and he'd just stop and refuse to budge. We'll take him to the beach and let him have a paddle and do what he wants without feeling he has to be pulled on a lead.
His days are spent sleeping, and going for a wander into the garden, still has his appetite, his hearing has gone, takes a steroid and pain killer to help with his joints. He had a lump develop on the side of his foot that burst, took him to the vet to treat it, but this has kind of been the catalyst to make us think putting him to sleep may be the most humane choice for him, his accidents are becoming more frequent in the house which will stress him out.
When you look at him he's still the same old dog, alert, wags his tail, still loves his grub. He's got a few lumps and bumps you can feel which the vet has said could be something more sinister but more likely just fatty mass but not worth investigating given his age.
As it is I've booked him in to be put to sleep at the end of the week, but as dogs will his foot is healing and he's getting about no better or worse than before, had no accidents so the doubts are creeping back in whether it's the best thing to do or not. So the options to me are to go ahead on the basis it's better to do this now and let him go with some dignity, or just forget about that decision and see how things go, he could have months left, am I robbing him of those? Really conflicted on what to do for the best I'd never want him to suffer so is it better to be too early with the decision than a minute too late?
VictoriaYorks said:
Does he seem happy still? If he does then I wouldn't rush to do anything.
If he struggles with walking have you tried swimming?
That's the question isn't it? But how do we know a dog is happy? I think he has good and bad days, like I said I'll take him to the beach for a swim and let him walk and sniff around at his own pace.If he struggles with walking have you tried swimming?
We're having a similar thing with our cat, she's on daily drugs and the vet has found a couple of suspicious lumps, but again, she's too old for surgery to investigate.
At the moment she isn't showing any symptoms so we're holding off for now.
I suppose it's when they stop getting excited by things they used to, food, interation etc.
At the moment she isn't showing any symptoms so we're holding off for now.
I suppose it's when they stop getting excited by things they used to, food, interation etc.
VictoriaYorks said:
We're having a similar thing with our cat, she's on daily drugs and the vet has found a couple of suspicious lumps, but again, she's too old for surgery to investigate.
At the moment she isn't showing any symptoms so we're holding off for now.
I suppose it's when they stop getting excited by things they used to, food, interation etc.
You have my sympathies, I've tortured myself for a week now so know I need to decide for everyone's benefit, although I do feel like holding off for now is that more my benefit than his? It's certainly not a deciding factor but toilet related accidents at home put stress on my wife rather than me as she's on maternity leave and we've a three year old. For me the real trigger would be if he were off his food I'd know that was it.At the moment she isn't showing any symptoms so we're holding off for now.
I suppose it's when they stop getting excited by things they used to, food, interation etc.
Yes we've had a few of those! But I just think they take a few minutes to clear up and I'd rather have her around and put up with that.
I'm sure that after 15 years you will know when he's ready. It doesn't sound like it to me if he can still get around and eat and be happy to see you.
Lack of mobility would be a trigger for me I think, but if you're even having the slightest doubt I wouldn't go through with it now, has the vet given you any advice?
It's so hard to be impartial when you've been on both sides of it though.
I'm sure that after 15 years you will know when he's ready. It doesn't sound like it to me if he can still get around and eat and be happy to see you.
Lack of mobility would be a trigger for me I think, but if you're even having the slightest doubt I wouldn't go through with it now, has the vet given you any advice?
It's so hard to be impartial when you've been on both sides of it though.
I can see why you're struggling with the decision - and have been there myself, though in most cases with the dogs I've had to have PTS, there has actually been no scope for debate 
I have seen the following quoted and I think - although it is 'clinical' - it can be useful for those of us struggling to be objective about our pet's quality of life:
From the book "Absent Friend" by Laura and Martyn Lee - it is very sensible I think, and proposed by Andrew Edney, vet and past president of the British Small Animal Vet. Association:
Is the animal:
Free from pain, distress, or serious discomfort which cannot be effectively controlled
Able to walk and balance reasonably well
Able to eat and drink enough for normal maintenance without much difficulty and without vomiting
Free from tumours which cause pain or serious discomfort and are judged inoperable or otherwise untreatable
Able to breathe without difficulty
Able to urinate and defecate reasonably frequently and without serious difficulty or incontinence
and is the owner:
Able to cope physically and emotionally with any nursing or medication that may be required?
If the answer to any of these questions is "No" and treatment is unlikely to help, then euthanasia might be the preferred option.
Does your vet know you and your dog well? You could always phone them for an opinion. The principle to be applied should be 'better a week too early than a day too late' but I know myself how difficult the decision can be.
Good luck, and I will be thinking of you all.
I have seen the following quoted and I think - although it is 'clinical' - it can be useful for those of us struggling to be objective about our pet's quality of life:
From the book "Absent Friend" by Laura and Martyn Lee - it is very sensible I think, and proposed by Andrew Edney, vet and past president of the British Small Animal Vet. Association:
Is the animal:
Free from pain, distress, or serious discomfort which cannot be effectively controlled
Able to walk and balance reasonably well
Able to eat and drink enough for normal maintenance without much difficulty and without vomiting
Free from tumours which cause pain or serious discomfort and are judged inoperable or otherwise untreatable
Able to breathe without difficulty
Able to urinate and defecate reasonably frequently and without serious difficulty or incontinence
and is the owner:
Able to cope physically and emotionally with any nursing or medication that may be required?
If the answer to any of these questions is "No" and treatment is unlikely to help, then euthanasia might be the preferred option.
Does your vet know you and your dog well? You could always phone them for an opinion. The principle to be applied should be 'better a week too early than a day too late' but I know myself how difficult the decision can be.
Good luck, and I will be thinking of you all.
Ultimately you are going to have to go through the painful choice and I have had to do this several times.
"Luckily" for me when I've had to make the decision it seemed pretty obvious to me that time was up for my furry friends.
You know your dog and you should try to imagine what you would think if you were him.
I know if I got to 80 and could barley walk, was pissing / s
tting myself with no control I wouldn't want to carry on for the sake of a few more weeks/months.
We aren't allowed to help ourselves but we can help our pets.
Good luck
"Luckily" for me when I've had to make the decision it seemed pretty obvious to me that time was up for my furry friends.
You know your dog and you should try to imagine what you would think if you were him.
I know if I got to 80 and could barley walk, was pissing / s
tting myself with no control I wouldn't want to carry on for the sake of a few more weeks/months.We aren't allowed to help ourselves but we can help our pets.
Good luck
It's a double edged sword, on one hand we're privileged to be able to put an end to their suffering but on the other hand, there will always be a "what if" or "did I do the right thing?"
I've only had it with a cat (had animals all my life but none of them were "my" responsibility), my appointment was for a Tuesday (I think) and on Saturday I caught the cat really struggling to walk (very bad arthritis along with Diabetes) and quickly realised that it wasn't fair to keep him suffering so called the vet and got an appointment that day. It was the hardest thing I've had to do and I think that's because you are effectively playing "god" whereas normally these decisions are taken out of our hands.
Whatever you decide to do, you can rest easy that your intentions are totally honourable and it's the last thing you can do for your furry friend.
As silly as some people think it is, we had Ted cremated and scattered his ashes in a beauty spot in the peak district. A couple of weeks afterwards, we received a card from the crematorium thanking us for choosing them and included was a little clipping of his fur, it still makes me well up today writing this but it was a very nice and unexpected touch.
I've only had it with a cat (had animals all my life but none of them were "my" responsibility), my appointment was for a Tuesday (I think) and on Saturday I caught the cat really struggling to walk (very bad arthritis along with Diabetes) and quickly realised that it wasn't fair to keep him suffering so called the vet and got an appointment that day. It was the hardest thing I've had to do and I think that's because you are effectively playing "god" whereas normally these decisions are taken out of our hands.
Whatever you decide to do, you can rest easy that your intentions are totally honourable and it's the last thing you can do for your furry friend.
As silly as some people think it is, we had Ted cremated and scattered his ashes in a beauty spot in the peak district. A couple of weeks afterwards, we received a card from the crematorium thanking us for choosing them and included was a little clipping of his fur, it still makes me well up today writing this but it was a very nice and unexpected touch.
I've got the same decision to make after my dog was recently diagnosed with cancer in his nasal cavity.
I don't want him to suffer at all but at the same time don't want him PTS when he is still happy and managing well.
My concern is leaving it too long and him suffering a seizure etc but at the same time I don't want to do it prematurely :-(
As soon as his behaviour changes or he shows any signs of discomfort that can't be helped is when I will make the call I think
I don't want him to suffer at all but at the same time don't want him PTS when he is still happy and managing well.
My concern is leaving it too long and him suffering a seizure etc but at the same time I don't want to do it prematurely :-(
As soon as his behaviour changes or he shows any signs of discomfort that can't be helped is when I will make the call I think
VictoriaYorks said:
Does he seem happy still? If he does then I wouldn't rush to do anything.
If he struggles with walking have you tried swimming?
I agree with this. If he struggles with walking have you tried swimming?
I’ve put dogs to sleep and it’s awful. My last retriever was the same age and had a stroke though and couldn’t get up.
Yours just seems old.
Only you know though.
This is always a horrible decision to make.
With one of ours we made the decision to have him put to sleep, but by the time we got there he had perked. Lasted another month after that.
I feel the odd accident can be easily dealt with.
If your dog is not suffering then maybe it is not yet time.
As others have said, only you will really know. Good luck making the decision.
My thoughts are with you and your family.
With one of ours we made the decision to have him put to sleep, but by the time we got there he had perked. Lasted another month after that.
I feel the odd accident can be easily dealt with.
If your dog is not suffering then maybe it is not yet time.
As others have said, only you will really know. Good luck making the decision.
My thoughts are with you and your family.
We had to make this choice with our lab about 6 weeks ago. He had cancer of the paw that was not treatable. He managed for another 8 months before we could tell he had had enough.
You will know when he is suffering if you know your dog, you can tell. We always said when he starts to suffer thatch the time.
If you are already asking the question I think deep down you know the answer.
You will know when he is suffering if you know your dog, you can tell. We always said when he starts to suffer thatch the time.
If you are already asking the question I think deep down you know the answer.
Mine is only young, however so long as she's eating and not in obvious pain, I'll not be putting her down.
What's wrong with sleeping all day with occasional mooches and dinner, sounds like the perfect retirement....
I hate to be negative, however sounds like there's no reason to kill them yet?
What's wrong with sleeping all day with occasional mooches and dinner, sounds like the perfect retirement....
I hate to be negative, however sounds like there's no reason to kill them yet?
Maybe he walks less because of the previous lack of walks? I'd probably reduce his food intake and see if he becomes a bit more active. Labradors are well know to like food and in turn pile on the pounds. I wouldn't put him to sleep just yet as there seems to be life in the old dog.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Thanks for all the replies everyone. I think there is enough doubt in my mind to leave it for now. I went up to the vets to talk it through even down to them showing me the rear entrance so you don't have to go in and out of main waiting area. That sort of detail puts my mind at ease when the time comes i know what to expect.
The vets have always said the same really if he's eating and comftable that decesion is yours. I would always take their advice if it was clear 'its time'.....
Thanks again
The vets have always said the same really if he's eating and comftable that decesion is yours. I would always take their advice if it was clear 'its time'.....
Thanks again
We put our cat of 17 years to sleep a couple of months ago. Hardest decision I have made, but he reached a point where we thought it was time. The worse thing is if you leave it too late and then they are in pain or have fits etc as that sticks in your memory. Such a hard choice but you will know, but don't leave it too late,
Wish you the best.
Wish you the best.
eybic said:
As silly as some people think it is, we had Ted cremated and scattered his ashes in a beauty spot in the peak district. A couple of weeks afterwards, we received a card from the crematorium thanking us for choosing them and included was a little clipping of his fur, it still makes me well up today writing this but it was a very nice and unexpected touch.
I cut a piece of our cats fur and mounted it in a frame with a pencil drawing of a cat.Brings a smile to my face when I see it
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