When to put dog to sleep ? Updated.

poorly_scammo

Just to echo other posters, when you know you know. They lose a light in their eyes that they have even when they're old but are still 'alive' IYKWIM.

Scamp lost that look. His eyes were dead. I knew it was time.

jayII

hethmar wrote: »

This isnt a very old dog though is it Can you ask for a second opinion on meds to help her? My lab/rottie was nearly 16 when she went bless her and she had got to the point where she would turn round to come home when we were on walks and sleep or lay down panting all the time. Breaks my heart to think of it as she was still wagging her tail even when the vet came to pts. I think we paid about £150 as it was a sunday and at home. But I wouldnt want to take my dog to the vet surgery for that last injection.

She's not very old, but her joints have been deteriorating since she was about 7. She's been on medication since then, and has seen a few of the vets at our practice. It's just one of those things.

As I mentioned above, we've decided to wait a while anyway, as she still enjoys life, and generally looks happy enough.

Thanks for your help everyone.

WolfSong2000

hhhmm...if it's *just* the arthritis causing the problems, it may be worth trying some other meds...my family have a retriever, now almost 15 who had problems with his cruciate ligament as a youngster...we were told by the time he was 3 he'd be crippled with arthritis. My mother put himon a number of products inlcuding Cortaflex (absolute miracle of a product!) for glucosamine, green lipped mussel and rosehip tea among other things, and he only started to show problems when he hit about 10. Nowadays he is in a fair amount of pain, and is nearing the end I reckon, but there's no doubt that the right treatment did extend his life and made him a lot happier.

With regards to knowing when it's time...dogs are usually very good at letting us know. As others have said, the light goes out of their eyes, they lose interest in life, food, etc and generally "give up" on life. If this happens the odd day, but then have a week or two's good run, then there may be a little time left (this is what happened with an old dog we recently had PTS), but when the bad days start outweighing the good, then it's time.

I'd also say that if it's at all possible, have the vet make a home visit to put your dog to sleep. I'd imagine it's much nicer for them to gently go off to sleep at home, in a familiar environment surrounded by the people they love than at a veterinary clinic, which is a place most dogs have negative connotations with.

zaksmum

What a lovely thought wolfsong. I really wish I could've done that with my dog...but I will certainly try to in the future.

hethmar

zaksmum wrote: »

I don't think anyone wants to do that. But you have to put your own feelings second and give your dog that last reassuring cuddle...for the dog's sake.

zaksmum, I meant that I have always had the vet out to us for that.

MrsTinks

The vets should if they are a good vet come out to you and put the animal to sleep - they don't like doing the deed either and would rather the animal was feeling safe and contented and secure and loved when it went. No decent vet wants an animal to be in fear at any point in it's life - not even the last few moments...

Kimitatsu

Have to say there is all excellent advice on here - we had our Irish Water Spaniel PTS last week - she was 12 so had had a good innings, but she suddenly started to fit, and we knew then that ir was her time to go.

Our lab we had put down when he couldnt get himself up off the floor, that was the point when his life had no quality, he was still eating and drinking but he was tired and he was becoming distressed so that is the point when being a responsible owner you decide to let them go.

Conversely my akita who was 16 when he went used to go to the vets every year for an MOT, and I would say didnt think he was going to make it through the winter kept on going. He didnt go out for a walk much, was happy to potter around the garden and nudge the youngsters around to play but he was happy, he was at home with those he loved and he was not in any pain. He died one day under the desk where he went to sleep when I was out.

Only you can make the decision, for me if they are not in pain, are eating and drinking and are content then keep her here, if she is in pain, or starting to suffer then you need to let her go (and quickly). I realise the kids will be upset (ours always have been) but IME it has given us the chance to discuss what being a responsible owner is all about and why it is kinder to let them go. With my IWS my DS1 understood and just wanted to say goodbye to her before the vet came (think that broke my heart almost as much!)

Its never an easy decision but trust your instincts.

zaksmum

hethmar wrote: »

zaksmum, I meant that I have always had the vet out to us for that.

Sorry Hethmar. I thought you meant it's too upsetting to be with your dog when the time comes.

The vet gave me the choice to be with my dog or just leave him there and they'd do it when I'd gone. I wanted to run a million miles away but knew I had to stay with him and cuddle him. Even though by then he was very ill, he wagged his tail when I put my arms around him, so he knew I was there and that was the only shred of comfort on such a terrible day.

It's almost three years ago now but I still choke up when I think about what I had to do for my poor old dog that day.

undaunted

It may be worth a second opinion elsewhere - vets (especially at the same practice) sometimes seem reluctant to say another is wrong even though they are all human & can make mistakes

A review of the medication, trial of others may be an option for example. Hydrotherapy, canine massage, accupuncture, magnetic bed / collar may be other options. Examples below

http://www.canine-hydrotherapy.org/
http://www.caninetherapy.co.uk/
http://www.discoverymagnets.co.uk/bioflow.htm?gclid=CIyXsrWf8KQCFdv92Aod8H2c1g

I'm glad you've decided to wait as I think you will know when the time does come, not be in doubt. Good luck!

Suzanne_Louise

This post has made me cry! Our beloved doggie was put to sleep about 12 years ago and it still breaks my heart. He was a golden lab and quite honestly the best dog in the world ever. Sadly, his back end went, and once he was down, he couldn't get up. Unbeknown to either of us at the time, my mama and I were both going out to see him, and telling him it was ok to leave us and we'd be ok. In the end though, we had to call the vet, as he no longer had any sort of quality of life. God, it's heartbreaking