Deciding When It's Time To Euthanize A Dog

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Deciding when it's time to euthanize a dog

post reply Forum Index » Pets 1 2 3 4 5 ► Go Go to page... 06/24/2012 15:12 Subject: Deciding when it's time to euthanize a dog quote Anonymous

We have an 11.5 year old Lab, that has just been diagnosed with laryngeal paralysis, a progressive disorder that will eventually result in her not being able to breathe. We were told they can attempt a surgery (that will cost several thousand dollars) that should improve her ability to breathe, but increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia for the rest of her life. She would also be unable to swim or be submerged in water after the surgery. Her symptoms now include greatly inceased panting, decreased appetite and anxiety. The vet said the symptoms to her probably feel like having a bad asthma attack and being unable to catch her breath. We are so torn on what to do. If we decide not to do the surgery, how do we know when it is time to euthanize her? I feel so upset about all of this - neither DH or I had dogs as children, and this is our first time being faced with this.

report 06/24/2012 15:47 Subject: Re:Deciding when it's time to euthanize a dog quote Anonymous

I had to put a dog down 7 yrs ago and the vet told me that my dog would let me know. I thought they were full of crap. She had been diagnosed with a tumor in her lung and the cancer had spread. For several days I worried that I would make the wrong decision or rob my husband and I of precious days she had remaining. In the meantime, prednisone made her comfortable. One evening I returned from work. She hadn't eaten all day but had managed to vomit in parts of the hide she never goes to. She refused to come to my husband to be petted, refused to go outside, anything. I immediately knew she was ready to go. I hugged her and sat with her on my lap for a while then we decided to leave. I do not kid when I say in all the years of owning her, she fought going in to the vet every single time. This time, she went willingly.

report 06/24/2012 15:58 Subject: Deciding when it's time to euthanize a dog quote Anonymous

I'm sorry you're going through this. My advice is to try to do what's best for the dog (and what you can afford). I have seen too many people let their animals linger on in suffering simply because they didn't want to let them go. It is a difficult decision, but as the PP wrote, you usually just know when it's the right time.

report 06/24/2012 15:58 Subject: Deciding when it's time to euthanize a dog quote Anonymous

Oh, OP, I was just thinking earlier today about the beautiful black Lab my parents had to put down when I was growing up. That's a painful, awful decision to have to make. You have my sympathy. Our dog had been having difficulty controlling her bowel movements for months (she was 15+ when we finally put her down), but it wasn't until she lost her appetite and most of her mobility that they made the decision. I think there were signs that she was in some pain, too. When they are suffering and they've lost interest in the basics of life, that's the time to put them down. So sorry you're going through this. I know how hard it is!

report 06/24/2012 15:59 Subject: Re:Deciding when it's time to euthanize a dog quote Anonymous

I am so sorry you are dealing with this. I know how very difficult it is to determine when to put a pet to sleep. From how your vet described it however, I think you should consider doing it sooner rather than later (unless you plan to attempt the surgery). I do not know if you have ever had an asthma attack, but they aren't pleasant. If your dog is going to feel like she is having trouble breathing and will have lots of anxiety associated with it I personally think the kindest thing you can do for the dog is let her go before she is really suffering. And while in a way I agree with the PP who said they will let you know, sometimes, by the time they let you know they are truly suffering and have been for some time. I waited on a cat to let me know and looking back, I waited way too long. Good luck, I know it is hard.

report 06/24/2012 17:04 Subject: Deciding when it's time to euthanize a dog quote Anonymous

Sorry to hear, OP. All of the above advice is good. As my vet told me, you will just know when it's time. Had a dear cat who lived until 19 with multiple health problems. At the end she was blind and slept a lot. I remember warming a soft blanket in the dryer. She slept on it for hours on her side on the kitchen floor. We sat with her, petted her and talked to her. We just knew then there was no hope and it was time.

report 06/24/2012 17:36 Subject: Deciding when it's time to euthanize a dog quote Anonymous

Whenever you decide it is time, consider using one of the vets that come to your home to do it. There are several in the area. It was heartbreaking, but I know our dog was much more comfortable, laying on his favorite chair in the sun by the window. He hated going to the vet, and I didn't want his last moments to be like that.

report 06/24/2012 17:48 Subject: Deciding when it's time to euthanize a dog quote Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:Oh, OP, I was just thinking earlier today about the beautiful black Lab my parents had to put down when I was growing up. That's a painful, awful decision to have to make. You have my sympathy. Our dog had been having difficulty controlling her bowel movements for months (she was 15+ when we finally put her down), but it wasn't until she lost her appetite and most of her mobility that they made the decision. I think there were signs that she was in some pain, too. When they are suffering and they've lost interest in the basics of life, that's the time to put them down. So sorry you're going through this. I know how hard it is! This, OP. You can tell. If your dog gets no joy out of things they previously did; if they seem indifferent to anything such as you or your DH petting her (or, even more heartbreaking, if you can tell she doesn't care yet she still makes a half-hearted effort to thump her tail once or twice for your benefit), eating, toys, their bed. If they are in pain. More extreme, if they begin urinating or defecating on themselves, that is a for sure sign, but your dog does not sound that far gone yet. Keep an eye on her. I agree with a PP whose vet said they will tell you. My mother put down our family dog last fall. She retreated to her bed and didn't move for days- didn't eat or drink even when my mother brought the dishes to her and tried to give her people food treats. We knew. And as that PP said, the dog gently laid down on the vet's table and didn't fight it. They will know when it's time to go, and you will too, if you trust your dog. I'm sorry, OP. It's hard.

report 06/24/2012 18:11 Subject: Deciding when it's time to euthanize a dog quote Anonymous

Op. I have asthma. Having an asthma attack is misery. Having one for day's on end would make me unbearable to all around me, unbelievably tense, and too anxious to think straight. If you arent going to do the surgery, The time is soon. I agree with the other poster that it will probably be obvious When the time has come.

report 06/24/2012 18:19 Subject: Deciding when it's time to euthanize a dog quote Anonymous

OP, I would not pay for surgery, but I would let the dog die on its own.

report 06/24/2012 18:23 Subject: Deciding when it's time to euthanize a dog quote Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would not pay for surgery, but I would let the dog die on its own. Please, don't, OP. Euthanasia exists for animals because they cannot tell us what hurts and where and how bad. Please don't let the animal linger longer than necessary in a painful existence.

report 06/24/2012 18:30 Subject: Deciding when it's time to euthanize a dog quote Anonymous

OP, I am so sorry you are going through this. I agree with PP 15:47: they let you know when it is time. I had to euthanize my beautiful black lab two and a half years ago. It was the right thing to do because the pain and suffering she was enduring had reached a point where she could not handle it any longer. She let me know when it was time, and she went to the vet with dignity. I only hope I had given her a good life worth living, and that she was glad that mine was the last face she saw.

report 06/24/2012 20:00 Subject: Re:Deciding when it's time to euthanize a dog quote Anonymous

I'm so sorry OP. At the risk of outing myself to friends on DCUM, we have had to euthanize 3 dogs in the past 3yrs. DH and I each had dogs when we married so we ended up with three elderly animals at the same time. Each one of them made it very clear when they'd had enough. In each case, they passed away painlessly in our laps, knowing they were loved. It's hard to explain, but you'll know it when you see it. One was getting close, and we came home from work one day and the difference in her from 9hrs earlier was tremendous. She was a totally different dog, we couldn't bear to even wait until morning that's how bad she'd gotten in one day. Another started to go downhill on a Sunday. We had known he had cancer, but he was a sweet boy and hadn't seemed to be in any pain. Monday morning he refused to go out. We laid a handful of treats by his bed and went to work. We called the vet and made an appt for that evening, since we had a feeling this was it. When we came home, the pile of treats was still there and he hadn't moved from his bed. Took him to the vet, apparently the tumor had ruptured and he was bleeding to death. Would have died by the next day. Put him to sleep laying in our laps. Making the decision to take another life is the hardest thing I've ever done. At the same time, I know that the love and mercy I showed them was the same thing I hope for when the end of my life comes near.

report 06/24/2012 20:40 Subject: Deciding when it's time to euthanize a dog quote Anonymous

I had to do this this weekend for the first time. I know how incredibly difficult and painful it is. It's hard because pet deaths are different than people deaths, in many different ways. You'll know when the time has come. Ours didn't eat or stand for about 24 hours before we put her to sleep, and was having multiple seizures.

report 06/24/2012 21:28 Subject: Deciding when it's time to euthanize a dog quote Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would not pay for surgery, but I would let the dog die on its own. This is terrible advice. We waited too long with our beloved 18+ yr old cat several yrs ago. The last night I debated going to the emergency vet to have him euthanized but we decided to wait til the next day. I knew in my heart he wouldn't make it but he was my wife's cat from before our marriage so I deferred to her (I shouldn't have). He died overnight, not peacefully IMO, and my poor wife found him at 6 am the next morning, already dead in the room we had set up for him. I took it from there. Don't wait too long. Don't listen to bad advice like letting nature take its course. Be humane and sensitive to your pet's needs even when/if it means letting go yourself in deeply painful ways. I still am near tears 9 yrs. later with regret that we let our beloved friend go a day or so too long and that he didn't go peacefully with us there. In contrast, a few weeks later we had to say goodbye to our other cat, nearly 19 yr old Maine Coon (who had been mind prior to our marriage). Once I knew the Dx (tumor in the roof of her mouth, inoperable/painful), I got 2 days worth of pain meds from the vet, took 2 days off from work to be with her, and we said a peaceful goodbye to her on a Friday morning at the vet's (who also loved her). Let your friend go peacefully and be sensitive to knowing when it's time and not trying to reach for that extra day or 2 when you can tell he/she's suffering.

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