Euthanasia of elderly dog

You were wise to visit the vet alone , in your situation I would have done exactly that. It is a distressing time for you and your husband, we pay a high price for loving our pets and that price is recognising when the time has come . I know you have done that and think your husband will soon come to the same conclusion. Thinking of you both.

Margomar, thank you for coming back, sending positive thoughts for the discussion with your husband and vet x

Really feel for you but it is the kindest thing you can do for your old dog now. We have been through this several times with our elderly dogs and it is never an easy decision. We also had to have our last horse PTS a couple of months ago and that was very sad.

My SIL loved her dogs but left them too long before having them PTS and they lived with constant dettol swabbing down on the tiles and the dogs were suffering.

Hope your husband finally understands.

I’m so grateful for the very thoughtful and caring comments here. I have spoken on my own to our vet, a few months ago , I saw one of the senior partners and had a discussion about when was the right time…he was not at all in favour of keeping a pet going if the owners were struggling. He said it was no good for the pet and no good for the owners.
I think I can persuade my husband to bring the dog tto the vets to have a very open discussion about all options.

Hugs for you as time is coming and it is so hard. We have said our current dog is to be our last each one we have had has broken our hearts just a little bit more. But the joy they bring is priceless.

Our beautiful Springer Spaniel was nearly 16, she had cataracts and we think she was deaf, but she gradually withdrew from us, preferring to go into our bedroom to sleep most days. We thought it was time to say goodbye but the decision was made for us when suddenly one day her back legs gave away. The vet came to the house. What I'm trying to say is I think that you know when the time has come, and I think sadly that your lovely dog has reached that time.

MayBee70

I’m not sure that a vet would give advice unless the dog is terminally ill and in pain. I always used to ask my vets ‘ what would you do if it was your dog’ but recently they don’t seem to be prepared to reply to that.

You’re so right, with our last dog I did take him to the vets to ask their advice and was told the decision to pts had to come from me! Not at all helpful, but I took me beautiful working cocker back the following week to have the awful deed done. He was 14, deaf, almost blind, had a heart condition, doggy dementia and was incontinent.

I too always believe better a few weeks too soon than leave it til your poor pet is really suffering.

Your dear dog is a good age, seems to have had a great life and you’re not being at all selfish.

It always breaks my heart to have my dogs pts, and I always choose to go to our vet and stay with them. Then in the car bawl my eyes out and always miss them all terribly

I’m not sure that a vet would give advice unless the dog is terminally ill and in pain. I always used to ask my vets ‘ what would you do if it was your dog’ but recently they don’t seem to be prepared to reply to that.

I think the idea of you both going to the vet is a good one.
would DH come with you? Have you a nice vet you can explain the problem with in advance and ask for an honest assessment -is your dog in pain, what is the prognosis, and so on?

I have been in this heartbreaking position several times and you have my sympathy. It seems to me that you already know what you need to do. It doesn't seem that life is much fun anymore for your dog, or for you and his best years are over.

I can understand your husband's reluctance only too well as it seems like killing a member of the family or an old friend but ultimately it is the kindest thing to do.

I wholeheartedly agree with MayBee70 better a day too soon than a day too late. You need to be able to remember him at his best and the many good years you had together.

Margomar, the best decision I made with my much loved six year old cockerpoo, who had an inoperable tumour, was to have my vet come to the house. I lay with my dog in my arms, singing and talking to him as the vet did the necessary. She was lovely with the dog who she’d cared for from eight weeks old. She was great with his people.

I do understand how hard it is x

What a terrible predicament to be in, but you can’t try to protect your husbands feelings by not discussing this, he needs to be on board with this very difficult decision. For am pretty sure from what you have said that your doggy family member has reached the time when you need put his quality of life and comfort first though of course the vet will advise on this.
It will be heartbreaking and am sending hugs 🤗

It's the hardest decision any pet owner has to make, and my heart goes out to you. Our vet has always said 'better a day too soon than a day too late'. I think you do know, deep down, when it is time - and hopefully your husband will see that too.

It seems as though your pet has reached his time and I fully understand how you feel. As others have suggested your vet should be consulted. I know this might be difficult for you but would it be possible for you to visit your vet alone and have that important consultation to discuss your best option. If your vet agrees that putting your dog to sleep is in his best interest, you could then make an appointment for your dog to have a ' check up ' at the vets. You and your husband take him and leave the talking into your vet! On your initial visit ask your vet to be discreet when you and your husband arrive with your dog for the next appointment. I know this sounds underhand but sometimes
' needs must' ! It is a hard decision and I don't envy you . Let your vet make the decision. Good luck , please keep us posted.

I do agree: better a week early than a day late. Your poor old dog is clearly struggling - and so are you from what you say.
If you have a good vet, he/she should be able to lay out the options clearly for you to consider: further treatment and its likely benefits, if any, versus letting nature take its course or the kindness of euthanasia now.
It's always a horrible decision but with love comes responsibility and we owe it to these lovely animals who have been at our sides through everything life throws at us to give them the kindest possible end.

vet can confirm if your dog is in pain.

Would your husband listen to a vet? The vet may possibly have other options but should be able to convince you either way. At the very least a ve

My darling dog saw me through a tough time in my life. So when it was time to say good-bye to her (she had cancer) , we had the vet come to the house. The kids and I sat with her - we were sobbing.
I’ll never forget the Vet actually joking with his assistant as they took her away. I’m not saying they were laughing at us, but it sure looked that way 🥵

Smileless2012

^better a week early than a day late^ this is how I feel too.

My heart goes out to you and your DH Margomar because this is always one of the toughest decisions we ever have to face but it is the kindest thing we can do for the animals we love .

Yes. It is a horrible decision to have to make isn’t it

better a week early than a day late this is how I feel too.

My heart goes out to you and your DH Margomar because this is always one of the toughest decisions we ever have to face but it is the kindest thing we can do for the animals we love .

I always say with pets better a day too soon than a day too late, having sadly done the latter with some pets and feel constant remorse because of it. Better to plan it and have it done at home instead of a mad rush to the vets. Having said that it’s easier said than done and I’ll probably end up getting it wrong with my current dog when the time comes. I’ve had two spaniels in the past that lived to a good age but were blind, senile and incontinent and I remember how exhausting it was. And I was much younger then. My vet prescribed Valium for one but pointed out as I was leaving that ‘ it’s for the dog…not you’ because he could see that I was at the end of my tether. If your dog is coughing a lot might it be suffering from heart failure, too?

Have you discussed the issue with your vet? It sounds as though your old boys body is struggling. Does he have joint problems, stiffness, difficulty getting to his feet

My vet suggested we were reaching that day when my old collie cross enjoyed gentle walks and sniffs but struggled to get up. The vet said dogs can’t tell us the pain they’re experiencing.
Fwiw I’ve always felt better a week early than a day late. Tough decisions