Euthanasia of elderly dog

Margomar

I am thinking of you at this difficult time and send a virtual hug.( )

Thanks again for the very kind and thoughtful comments. We did see the vet a few days ago, he reassured me that the dog is probably not in pain , but also reminded us that he is a very old dog, and if we asked him, in view of the incontinence and other issues m to put him to sleep , that was entirely reasonable. It’s still a massive problem for my OH , but as so many have said on here, it’s a really difficult and heart rending process to go through - which we will- quite soon.

When my handsome black lab had what seemed to be s stroke the vets visited him at home, I knew it was time to say goodbye but it was soooo painful. The lovely vet made a huge fuss of my dog and chatted to him, saying to me that I had to love my friend enough to let him go. I have had many cats and it hurts terribly when they are pts but loving my pets carries a responsibilty of care, they all live in my memory and heart.

I was a coward when I had my last cat PTS I just couldn't be there. He was 17 and for the last week of his life I was syringing water and food into his mouth every two hours. Even the Vet said I think he's telling us he's had enough. I regret so much not having the courage to be by his side. I have another cat now, a rescue, she is 6 going on 7 I've had her almost 5 years now. I have learnt my lesson and no mater how few or how many more years we have together I will be there for her if and when the time comes. She might outlive me, you never know. That's been accounted for too.

I stayed up the last night of our last dog’s life with him as he was in so much pain. Went to the vet first thing the next morning and I’ll never forget the peace and relaxation that
came over his face as went into that final deep sleep.

Dogs unwittingly hide their pain from us and I really believe that it is our duty to do this final act of kindness for them.

Colls

Watermeadow,
"And when you do, have the courage to stay with him, preferably at home."

Yes! Yes!

Yes Margomar you and your husband will be so glad you did.

I've never hesitated when it comes to the decision of having a pet put down.
I just can't bear to see them suffering,make the decision and have it done as quickly as possible.
I grieve terribly , can't bear to look at photographs nor even talk about them.
Other family members haven't always agreed with me at the time.

I understand and agree with all that has been said about the privileges and responsibilities of owning a dog. We have been the owners of 4 and are now enjoying our 5th who is 10,a Jack Russell.

Our first 3 all died naturally after long and happy lives. Our 4th, a Parson Russell was becoming tired and suffering from arthritis badly. We valued the advice of the vet who had looked after her who said that,on examining her,she thought she could possibly live for up to another 3 weeks.

Our son came to visit to see her at the weekend when I was away. He saw a great change in her and on my return she was just too tired to show any enthusiasm in my return. It was this which helped us make the decision that life for her was not worth living even though she was still going for short walks and eating small meals.

We trusted the vet’s advice and she went to the vet’s before surgery started the next morning and came home to be buried with all our other pets in a special part of the garden. Y thoughts are with you Margomar as you face one of the hardest decisions we ever have to make.

I have not had dogs but had to have a beloved cat PTS two summers ago. She’d been slightly ill and off her food and I’d taken her to the vet to be checked. Vet said she thought she could feel a lump in her side and arranged a scan for next day , they found she had cancer and rang to say she shoudnt even go home as they thought her lungs were also involved and they didnt want her to not be able to breathe properly.

In less than 24 hours thinking she would get better with treatment I was given an appt to go to the local animal hosp for the injection. They were marvellous and I cuddled her and the vet waited until I was ready. It was so quick and I was completely devastated but I was with her ( my daughters too, we were all sobbing )and I couldn’t let her be in pain or not be able to breathe I loved her too much . You know what you need to do you must persuade your husband, it’s not all about him.

I know how awful it feels my heart goes out to you

I had our 19 year old cat put to sleep a few years ago, it was a hard decision but he could hardly walk and couldn't jump up onto the sofa any longer. He was getting very smelly because he didn't use the cat litter tray and couldn't get outside. Also he was no longer flexible enough to keep himself clean.
I felt terrible, but he'd had a lovely, long life and I stayed with him whilst the vet put him to sleep. He wasn't at all afraid and lay there smiling at me whilst he dozed off.

There is some very sound advice on here as so many of us have experienced this firsthand.

There is no easy way round this situation and no avoiding the misery and guilt. You just have to hang on to your memories of the good times that made having a dog so very much worth it.

Look up a dog quality of life checklist and score it with your husband (if you google this there are plenty to choose from). This will help him understand that your dog is suffering. I left it too late for my elderly dog and he did not have the peaceful end he deserved.

If you've had a pet for a number of years you know when it's time to let them go. You don't need advice from a vet who has no connection to them.

I'm 72 years old and have had dogs for most of my life so I have had to make the decision a number of times and in a few cases I have had to 'help them on their way'.

Always make sure that you make the decision that's best for the animal, not for you or family. Whenever possible have them euthanised at home in their own safe and quiet environment and have the strength to be with them at the point of death. I know it's upsetting for you and I have cried at every death of a faithful friend but it's a fact that they have a much shorter life-span than us and their loss to us is inevitable. If possible find a spot for them to buried, don't let a vet 'dispose' of the body. Failing that take them to a pet crematorium where the body will be treated with respect by people who understand and care about your loss. It may cost you £250 - £400 but it's still a small price to pay for years of companionship and service.

I am sitting here with a lump in my throat. I remember my doggy of 22 yrs ago. He had some incontinence during the night but one very hot night he could not breathe and I lay all night with him. The next day I made my mind up to go to the vets. There was only me to decide. The vet wanted to give him meds. He was 15 and I didn’t eat anymore suffering.
I still wonder did I make the right decision. But my stepfather told me I’d waited too long. It’s very hard and I sit next to my 10 year old companion ( a Westie) and I wonder how I’ll ever manage when the time comes. Love is hard. Your heart will tell you but it won’t be easy.

It’s so difficult I had exactly this with my husband who thought our poor dog was ‘rallying’ each time I mentioned euthanasia. Poor dog went on for a week longer than she should- it was cruel. I managed to persuade him and to be fair afterwards he could see it was wrong and it was more about him not being able to let her go than what was kinder for our poor dog.

My friends found it a really hard decision to make, so in the end they made a comfy bed inn the boot of the car and the vet came outside and did the deed. They took him home and buried him at the bottom of the garden. So he is still with them.

If he stops eating too, then he's likely telling you that it's time.
If he is still eating and getting pleasure from walks, then you could try doggie nappies?
My advice may be biased as I have the same problems as your dog plus diabetes too, and at 61 I hope to go on for a bit longer too!

Love your dog enough to let him go.

ViceVersa

Maybe some of those on the other thread about dogs should read this and realise just how much they mean to so many of us. Hand on heart, I've grieved more over the dogs I've lost than most humans.

Just because they are much loved and some people love them more than humans doesn't mean that dogs can't be a *&£$%^! nuisance. The same can be said of children.

Very distressing for you both including the dog. I had to have my 16 yr old PWD put to sleep last March its horrible no matter how you do it but the last thing you want is him not being able to breathe properly and not being able to get a vet out at whatever time to do the necessary, that level of distress in the dog is blooming horrible also so is the cost. I had plastic carpet protector everywhere and had to help her up etc and like you it wears you down and occassionaly I lost patience with her and shouted at her as I struggled to get her out on time for which I hate myself even now. We feel we know best and should only do it when its absolute necessary, but as a friend who had been through it said when they can't breath and are in such distress its more heartbreaking. Your husband obviously believes in giving him a bit longer because he eats or walks or glad to see you as this is what a dog in particular does. As a caring pet owner sadly its a horrible decision we have to make, I hope you are able to help your husband see its something he has to do.

Margomar - life seems to be full of these tough decisions as we get older and this is one of the worst so my heart goes out to you. As a priority, get the vet to your house. The vet will have the records of your dog's CKD and meds and will know the background, and will be able to assess whether he's in pain. If he answer is yes, he is in pain, you don't really have a choice - you have to let him go and that could happen there and then in the comfort and familiarity of his own home. Of course, there's the selfish choice (to keep him alive to give hubby longer with him) but I know you wouldn't make that.

If the vet says he's not in pain you simply put your cards on the table with your husband and tell him you need help to relieve you of your share of the cleaning up. That might mean he stops going out to do his own thing or that he employs a dog sitter with experience of old dogs and who's not squeamish. The dog urinates maybe once a day in the house, and defecates much less often in the house. If your husband steps up himself and also provides a substitute for you, everybody's happy. Incidentally, the dog will not like making a mess so he should have genuine attention and love whenever it happens. Also, the writing's on the wall and the decision will have to be faced eventually.

Maybe some of those on the other thread about dogs should read this and realise just how much they mean to so many of us. Hand on heart, I've grieved more over the dogs I've lost than most humans.

This resonates with me as one of our little dogs has cancer and only expected to live a few more months. At the moment she seems symptom free and is enjoying her life but I know the time will come. As Queen Elizabeth said, grief is the price we pay for love, so very true.

When my Rotty had to be put to sleep the vet cried with us, and after another sweet dog of ours years later got to the end I was hysterically crying. The vets gave me huge hugs and sympathy . Compassion goes a long way . The joy of having a dog inevitably leads to the heartache of losing them.