Vet has suggested Labrador to be put to sleep
Discussion
Our lab turned 10 in October.
Recently he has lost use of his left leg, an x-ray was suggested with an op as a possibility. A couple of years ago he had an ACL operation in the same leg.
Wife took him to the vets today as over the past few days he has been weeing and pooing in the house (has never done this in the past 10 years) and not eating his food nor ours.
Vet suggested he was to be put to sleep there and then, has an irregular heartbeat and is in a lot of pain which we paid £80 for the strongest medication to tide him over tonight before his appointment tomorrow morning. Also lumps in certain areas. He’s always had lumps that they’ve said maybe fatty cysts but they’ve got bigger since his last boosters.
Other options are to have tests at £x000 or intensive care with tests to stop him suffering and for other tests.
Has anybody else been in the same situation?
He’s 10 and I know Labrador’s have a 10-12 year life.
It’s not about the money but is it worth spending so much for him to be in pain having the tests only for him to pass away/ have more operations and have to recover from them?
He’s not himself and clearly not happy
Me and the wife have Been in bits all day.
Recently he has lost use of his left leg, an x-ray was suggested with an op as a possibility. A couple of years ago he had an ACL operation in the same leg.
Wife took him to the vets today as over the past few days he has been weeing and pooing in the house (has never done this in the past 10 years) and not eating his food nor ours.
Vet suggested he was to be put to sleep there and then, has an irregular heartbeat and is in a lot of pain which we paid £80 for the strongest medication to tide him over tonight before his appointment tomorrow morning. Also lumps in certain areas. He’s always had lumps that they’ve said maybe fatty cysts but they’ve got bigger since his last boosters.
Other options are to have tests at £x000 or intensive care with tests to stop him suffering and for other tests.
Has anybody else been in the same situation?
He’s 10 and I know Labrador’s have a 10-12 year life.
It’s not about the money but is it worth spending so much for him to be in pain having the tests only for him to pass away/ have more operations and have to recover from them?
He’s not himself and clearly not happy
Me and the wife have Been in bits all day.
I think you know the answer already 
It sucks, we had to have Lucy our Jack Russell PTS on our birthday 5 or so years ago and it was heart-breaking but ultimately the best decision for her at the time. Give him a good night tonight, let him sleep on the bed etc. We wish we had known Lucy was going the next day and we could have spoiled her a bit more one last time.
It sucks, we had to have Lucy our Jack Russell PTS on our birthday 5 or so years ago and it was heart-breaking but ultimately the best decision for her at the time. Give him a good night tonight, let him sleep on the bed etc. We wish we had known Lucy was going the next day and we could have spoiled her a bit more one last time.
This is the most difficult decision for any owner, whatever the age of the animal.
Your vet has given you a professional opinion and it is now down to you to either accept that or put the dog through more assessment/surgery which, after spending £1000's, may conclude that his quality of life will be compromised thereafter.
I have been here many times and it's not easy.
Say goodbye and remember the good times you had with him, is my only advice.
Your vet has given you a professional opinion and it is now down to you to either accept that or put the dog through more assessment/surgery which, after spending £1000's, may conclude that his quality of life will be compromised thereafter.
I have been here many times and it's not easy.
Say goodbye and remember the good times you had with him, is my only advice.
I'd try an remove emotion from the decision and go with whatever the vet says.
I've always thought that part of owning a dog is not only caring for its welfare, food, exercise, shelter etc whilst it's alive, but also being responsible around it's death.
Sad time for you, and its natural to want 'just a few more days' with him, but you have to do whats best for the dog.
I've always thought that part of owning a dog is not only caring for its welfare, food, exercise, shelter etc whilst it's alive, but also being responsible around it's death.
Sad time for you, and its natural to want 'just a few more days' with him, but you have to do whats best for the dog.
CharlieH89 said:
Our lab turned 10 in October.
Recently he has lost use of his left leg, an x-ray was suggested with an op as a possibility. A couple of years ago he had an ACL operation in the same leg.
Wife took him to the vets today as over the past few days he has been weeing and pooing in the house (has never done this in the past 10 years) and not eating his food nor ours.
Vet suggested he was to be put to sleep there and then, has an irregular heartbeat and is in a lot of pain which we paid £80 for the strongest medication to tide him over tonight before his appointment tomorrow morning. Also lumps in certain areas. He’s always had lumps that they’ve said maybe fatty cysts but they’ve got bigger since his last boosters.
Other options are to have tests at £x000 or intensive care with tests to stop him suffering and for other tests.
Has anybody else been in the same situation?
He’s 10 and I know Labrador’s have a 10-12 year life.
It’s not about the money but is it worth spending so much for him to be in pain having the tests only for him to pass away/ have more operations and have to recover from them?
He’s not himself and clearly not happy
Me and the wife have Been in bits all day.
Hi Charlie,Recently he has lost use of his left leg, an x-ray was suggested with an op as a possibility. A couple of years ago he had an ACL operation in the same leg.
Wife took him to the vets today as over the past few days he has been weeing and pooing in the house (has never done this in the past 10 years) and not eating his food nor ours.
Vet suggested he was to be put to sleep there and then, has an irregular heartbeat and is in a lot of pain which we paid £80 for the strongest medication to tide him over tonight before his appointment tomorrow morning. Also lumps in certain areas. He’s always had lumps that they’ve said maybe fatty cysts but they’ve got bigger since his last boosters.
Other options are to have tests at £x000 or intensive care with tests to stop him suffering and for other tests.
Has anybody else been in the same situation?
He’s 10 and I know Labrador’s have a 10-12 year life.
It’s not about the money but is it worth spending so much for him to be in pain having the tests only for him to pass away/ have more operations and have to recover from them?
He’s not himself and clearly not happy
Me and the wife have Been in bits all day.
First of all I'm sorry you and your wife are going through this. I'v got a lab who's 4 and I cant bare thinking of when the day comes. He's my everything and has got me out of some dark places in the past.
Have you had him since a pup? Ultimately you have to do what is best for him. If he's in alot of main and only managing because of the meds then this may be the right time for him. Carrying out additional tests / ops may be prolonging the suffering.
I'm so sorry Charlie i really am. Will he eat anything at all? 1 last meal where we can eat whatever he wants.. as i know how important food is to labs!
OP, take the Vet's advice, I'm sure someone will pop up to disagree, but they genuinely don't offer that advice lightly.
Terminator X said:
Our cat (who was 21!) had to be put to sleep as he couldn't easily walk, would fall over when he did, was weeing where he sat etc. Heartbreaking decision which I still think about 2.5 years later.
TX.
Had a similar issue with our cat, went from a lively 15 yr old, to a dazed and unstable shadow of her former self. She wouldn't get up to drink, let alone per. Hard decision, but the right one.TX.
moorx said:
Better a week too early than a day too late.
Advice which is easier to give than it is to follow
I really feel for you, it is the worst part of sharing our lives with an animal and giving them our heart.
I couldn’t agree with this more.Advice which is easier to give than it is to follow
I really feel for you, it is the worst part of sharing our lives with an animal and giving them our heart.
I feel for you as our previous dog was a Lab who had to be put down suddenly at age 11.
ClaphamGT3 said:
I’m sorry to say that it’s time to say goodbye. You really are doing the kindest thing you’ve ever done for him.
One practical point; whatever it costs, get the vet to come to you. Let him slip away at home, surrounded by the people he loves - and who love him - the most
Very sad and sorry to hear OP.One practical point; whatever it costs, get the vet to come to you. Let him slip away at home, surrounded by the people he loves - and who love him - the most
Not a great deal to add but the post above would be my thoughts
so sorry to hear this, my friend could have literally written your post word for word last year about her old lab (~12-14 years old) & several times were at the point of thinking it was 'that time'.
It was partially UTI related which reoccurred frequently but it also turned out he was having vestibular attacks, once that was found and tackled he had another couple of comfortable months before passing away naturally.
only you know what to do for him for the best & what they have already checked
It was partially UTI related which reoccurred frequently but it also turned out he was having vestibular attacks, once that was found and tackled he had another couple of comfortable months before passing away naturally.
only you know what to do for him for the best & what they have already checked
ClaphamGT3 said:
I’m sorry to say that it’s time to say goodbye. You really are doing the kindest thing you’ve ever done for him.
One practical point; whatever it costs, get the vet to come to you. Let him slip away at home, surrounded by the people he loves - and who love him - the most
This is very good advice. When we had our beloved Scottie put to sleep over 15 years ago now I recall leaving the vets room with her on the table and when I left the door she turned her head through 180 degrees and looked at me - that vision has haunted me ever since and still brings a tear to my eye.One practical point; whatever it costs, get the vet to come to you. Let him slip away at home, surrounded by the people he loves - and who love him - the most
When the time comes for our current terriers it will be a home visit for sure.
Charlie, I feel heartbroken for you reading your post. My lab is only six months and I never knew the love one could have for a dog. I think when the time comes I would listen to the vet, however heartbreaking it might be. I hope you’re coping okay. I’m just glad we have this forum where we can share the lives, however difficult the situation might be, of our beloved animals with other crazy car and pet lovers. Take care.
We took him in at 1530.
Lay with him for 20 minutes saying our goodbyes before the vet administered the liquid through the cannula. 1 minute later his heart stopped, he was relieved of his pain and we just lay there with him for what seemed forever, bawling our eyes out. In tears now writing this and was in tears speaking on the phone to my dad 45 minutes ago.
Hardest thing I’ve ever done at the age of 31 but I know I’ll have a lot more to come as I get older.
My username is his name, Charlie. RIP pup.
Lay with him for 20 minutes saying our goodbyes before the vet administered the liquid through the cannula. 1 minute later his heart stopped, he was relieved of his pain and we just lay there with him for what seemed forever, bawling our eyes out. In tears now writing this and was in tears speaking on the phone to my dad 45 minutes ago.
Hardest thing I’ve ever done at the age of 31 but I know I’ll have a lot more to come as I get older.
My username is his name, Charlie. RIP pup.
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