How do you know when to say goodbye? (pts)

happy35

Hi everyone, just wondered if anyone could give some advice on when to say goodbye.
My little dog is now 14 and 1/2 and seems to have aged dramatically since he was last at the vet in October for his vaccinations, I am thinking we are at/nearly at the stage to say goodbye but don't want to do it too soon.
He has a lung condition and his breathing is increasingly becoming horrendous, his rib cage seems to expand to about 3 times the size, he sleeps most of the day and his back legs are weak, shaky and has fallen over a number of times but gets straight back up. We have also had a number of accidents in the house which is unlike him.
As I said I think we are at the stage to say goodbye as much as it will break all our hearts as he is like our baby, children grown up and left home now.
I don't want to end his life too soon as he doesn't seem distressed but I want him to have quality life over quantity, I am just wondering how you knew time was right?
Sorry for the long post, thanks for reading.

unforeseen

I feel for you

I don't think it's something that can be quantified. In each of our cases we just knew deep down that the time had arrived. I also think the dogs knew it as well and it was the only times that they never fought the vet when it came to injections.

GwylimT

Putting an animal to sleep is far kinder than waiting until the animal has suffered.

When our dog started losing the use of his legs we put him to sleep, we weren't willing to let him suffer.

If breathing is horrendous he obviously is in distress, no animal who struggles to breath is free of suffering.

happy35

I did ask the vet about his horrendous breathing, she said it was a lung condition but he wasn't suffering, this has always concerned me though.

Thanks everyone for your responses, it has confirmed what I already knew and that it is time, we are going to ring the vet on Tuesday.

This is the first dog I have had so just wasn't sure if my thoughts were right.

Paradigm

Something I read somewhere regarding having a pet PTS...


It's better a week too early than a day too late!

motivated

Hi Happy

I feel for you too. You will know when the times right. We had our beloved boy put to sleep in May of this year. He was 9 1/2 and had a tumour in his chest. He started to wee in doors, sleep all day, was getting weaker and generally not himself. After a lengthy chat with the vet we decided the best thing was to let him go rather than maybe find him passed away at home. We wouldn’tve wanted that

We were all with him at the time and to be honest it was nice to be able to say our goodbyes and be there like he had been there for us for nearly 10 years.

Even now it’s upsetting writing this, absolutely heartbroken but I know we did what was right for him and not us.
X

Soot2006

((big hugs))

The hardest part of loving an animal. But also the most important responsibility.

I always say that if the person who loves that animal the most in the world starts to wonder if the time is near, then that means the time is here. After all, we're the ones left behind in tears xx

Katiehound

Sorry, I'm in the week too early camp.
Sadly been there. done it , bought the T shirt....almost too many times to remember.

We have the gift of being able to let our pets go whilst they are still relatively healthy and not struggling: that's the way to go.You wouldn't want your best friend to suffer

Be sure to take your dog right into the vet, stay with him, hold him, cuddle him until he just falls asleep. If he seems at all stressed you can ask for a sedative too.

Thinking of you, it's a really sad time

Soot2006

Many vets have a home service as well, for dogs that gets stressed or confused by travelling/vet visits in their old age. If you have other pets or family members who'd want/need to say goodbye, then I think that's worth considering. And also makes you feel like things are happening on your time and under your control. (+ no driving afterwards which is for me important as I am in pieces afterwards)

Apoorwoman

Please Happy, when you have made your decision, get the vet to come to your home, it is so much kinder to your pet as well as yourself. Lay their favourite blanket out for them to curl up on and the vet will just come in quietly and help them on their way. You can also request beforehand that the vet then just wraps them in their blanket and takes them away for cremation should this be your choice.

Great big (((hugs))) to you my dear.

sheramber

Decide what you want to happen.

Vet coming to house? You need to arrange this in advance with the vet. Not all vets do it. My friend's vet did not do it.
If the vet comes to the house ask him to tell you what will happen so you are prepared.

If going to the surgery ask for the last appointment or your vet may have a separate time when there are no other patients waiting.

Cremation or burial on the garden?

If cremation , individual and get ashes back or communal cremation. Obviously you can't get ashes back for a communal cremation where several animals are cremated at once.

Some people snip off a bit of hair to keep.

It i a lot to think about but thinking things out beforehand is much easier.