How do you decide to let your dog go?

[chisnpeke]

I recently had to make the decision back in February to put to sleep my dalmatian. I knew it was right but I still suffered with it. When the vet came to the house Pepper just put her head down after I gave her a kiss and I knew that she knew it was time to go.

I'm so sorry OP. If you are still questioning it I would give it more time. I just pretty much knew that it was time for her as she was losing control of her bowels and didn't seem to have much life left in her at all. If your pup still has life of some sort I wouldn't do it.

 

[DawnCt1]

When Jude refused to eat or drink we knew it was time.

 

[Disney Doll]

Your dog sounds close but not there yet.

I think a medication discussion is a good idea, as well as putting down some throw rugs. If your DH wants to build him a ramp to make in & out of the house easier, that would probaly be great too. Just make sure the ramp is covered with something non-slippery...an old piece of carpeting or even an inexpensive carpet runner form Home Depot or whatever.

When Ted's time was drawing near, everyone told me we'd know. And they were right. We did all of the above...joint medicine, runners on the stairs, runners on his path throughout the house, assiting him up & down the back stairs outside (stupid us never thought of a doggie ramp...duh!), making special food to encourage him to eat...the whole 9 yards. He was going along OK for a while, still seemed to be enjoying life and so forth. Then one day we came home and he was stuck on the floor...couldn't get his legs under himself. That same week he got "stuck" under our TV armoire...he liked to lay down with his head under something (ie- a coffee table or something) got himself under the TV thing and couldn't figure out how to get out. When I guided him out, he looked at me as if to say "Please stop this". That was on a Friday. I called the vet and she told me to bring him in Monday morning and we did. It was the right thing to do. Broke our hearts. It was the 2nd worst day of my life.

Try some interventions such as you suggested and see if that doesn't keep him happy a while longer. The biggest thing is pain. The vet gave us a medicine called Ultram (Tramadol is the generic name) and that helped Ted without making him all groggy.

This is very hard.....

 

[JoiseyMom]

Hugs...I wish I had an answer to your question. I am going through that now. Ozzy is 14, he has always had bad hips/hind legs. We have had him on rimadyl forever. Over the past year he started having accidents in the house, so I have him in the kitchen (big kitchen). He has been having issues with the steps off the deck, so has started going on our deck. My DH has been ready for awhile..I have been the holdout. I was hoping to wait for DS to be home in 3 weeks for our toehr DS's wedding. After yesterday we can't wait anymore.

I came home and Oz couldn't stand, when he did he was walking kind drunk like or dragging himself . DD14 was in tears, so was I later. I called DS and said we can't wait anylonger. Right now my DS is driving home from OH, on his motorcycle , so I have another thing to worry stress about. Yesterday was such a bad day for Oz, he wouldn't lie down and was just draggin himself all over the house. DH finally gave him a tranquillizer (perscription for OZ). Today is a good day...but it is so unfair, he is in pain.

It is a very hard, and heart breaking decsion to make, it really is. We had to do this 4 years ago with our 6 year old Golden, he had cancer. Its gonna be a rough couple of days.

 

[Chelley00]

Ugh. I have to stare at our 10 year old boxer as I type this. Poor Duke is going through the same thing. He can't stand up without a huge effort, can't do the stairs (he falls all the way down them some morning, so now he's not allowed up there) he can't hold himself up when he's going "out", slides on our floors etc. It's like he has no muscle control in his back quarters anymore. Our problems is he doesn't act like he's in pain, but he's doing nothing but laying around all day. He's also losing weight.

I know it's almost time. He's due for his yearly check up and I'm dreading taking him in because I know what they are going to say. But then I keep saying since he's not in pain, it can't be time. It's going to devestate DH and especially DD. How do you prepare an 8 year old for something like that? Blech.

 

[Christine]

DH has talked about building a little ramp for him. The things we do for our pets, right?

My in-laws had a Newfoundland that became arthritic around age 9. He had lots of trouble with stairs so, wherever possible, they put in ramps. The dog just died at age 12, so they can be put to good, long use.

 

[D&DDisney]

We had to make this choice for our 13 yr old dog earlier this year. Vet wanted us to put her down last fall saying we'd be "doing her a favor". We however didn't see it that way. She was still very full of life, begging for food, chasing bubbles in the yard, playing with the kids - albeit much slower than she used to. She still had a good quality of life.
Then one morning she woke up and didn't want to eat, drink or move much. Was also wimpering which was most unusual for her personality. We knew then that she was telling us it was time. It was the hardest thing we had to do.
Do everything you can to accommodate your dog and if you believe he still has a good quality of life then don't fret. He will tell you when its time.

Hugs to all those out there facing this issue with your dogs too.

 

[poohlover]

I asked a friend (who grew up raising dogs) the same question. Her response was simple -- he looks you in the eye and tells you, "I'm not having fun anymore."

I agree, our first dog was a Rottie that was diagnosed with bone cancer at age 9 1/2 years. We held onto her longer than I think we should have, but she was our baby. We had her before our children and she was a wonderful dog.

One day in Feb she fell outside in the snow and just gave me that look. I knew then that she was ready even if we were not. I have come to consider it the most humane thing one can do for a pet if they are in pain.

sounds like your dog isn't there yet, with no pain. I have heard good things about adding Vit E when dogs have hip, arthritis, issues. I give my now 8 yr old Newf about 1200 IU's each night especially during the winter due to arthritis from Lyme. Good luck!

 

[JoiseyMom]

Well, I'm glad to hear you all think he is still full of life- as we speak he has rolled around, and laying in some mud outside, so he is still up to his old tricks!
I think I will take him back to the vet and discuss rimadyl again, or maybe a different drug. Also, I do need to put some rugs in his path...He never falls in the bedrooms, which are carpeted. Only in the kitchen and living room, which are wood floors. I wish I could keep him off the 3 steps I mentioned, but we have three steps at three different doors leading outside, so no choice there, although DH has talked about building a little ramp for him. The things we do for our pets, right?

DH bought Oz a ramp....he wouldn't use it..

 

[Parkers_girl]

There are a lot of options out there for dogs with hip and mobility issues. I have found the most amazing product that has really helped my boy.

My 10 year old dog was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and even had back surgery for a herniated disc. A vet tech told me about this product called missing link PLUS. We started using it after he came out of the hospital and the doctors were amazed at how well he recovered and how fast. We didn't think the missing link was contributing to it so we just stopped giving it to him when the bag ran out. Within two days he could barely stand, his back legs would shake so bad and he would not take one step on tile or hardwood floors. We decided to put him back on the missing link and he has thrived ever since. It's a powder mix that you just add to their food. You can find it at petsmart or petco..there's also a regular missing link, but you need to make it sure it is the missing link PLUS, it has the glucosamine and chondritin in it. That stuff does miracles for dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, etc. I would really give it a try and see if that helps him out. It's about 25 bucks for a bag that lasts us about a month and half. I try and tell people about it when I hear that their dog is having mobility problems because I am so grateful that that vet tech told me about it.It has really improved the quality of life for my boy. He now runs, jumps and is as happy as can be. Hope this helps!!


I just remembered another product called DGP which is also supposed to be really great for helping older dogs with mobility issues. It has shark cartilage and some other ingriedients in there that are really supposed to help. But we have had better luck with the missing link plus.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I lost my 13 year old poodle in Nov. She had cushings and the treatment wasn't going well. She had other issues as well. Her last night with me, she was very uncomfortable and I sat up all night next to her waiting for the vet to open. When I brought her in she wasn't doing well, I just decided at that minute. I said to the vet,"I think I need to let her go." He said, ok. I stayed with her until she passed. I had tried everything possible to make her well and it just wasn't happening.

I am crying writing this.

 

[SandrA9810]

I had to put down my dog Kiani last year a few days before Christmas, she had a large tumor under her belly. All the advice I was given was "you'll know". Only you know your dog, and he'll let you know when it's time. It's tough as a pet mommy, as they can't always tell you how bad it is. But when it's time, you'll see it.
I woke up to see my dog sprawled on the kitchen floor and barely wanted to move when I called her name. We lived on the second floor apartment, so I had to carry her up and down the stairs, pick her up into the car.
I had many vets suggest to me to put her to sleep as she was probably already in pain. But I knew it wasn't time to let her go. When I did make that final trip to the vet, it was much easier to let her go than to see her in pain. I miss her terribly, and felt her life was too short. I only had her for 6 years, since she was about 3 when I adopted. She was the best dog for me, and every one, even my aunt who hates animals, loved her and thought she was a great dog. You can never replace them, but there's always another dog out there waiting to give it's love to some one.

 

[SevenSeasLagoon5]

Well, I'm glad to hear you all think he is still full of life- as we speak he has rolled around, and laying in some mud outside, so he is still up to his old tricks!
I think I will take him back to the vet and discuss rimadyl again, or maybe a different drug. Also, I do need to put some rugs in his path...He never falls in the bedrooms, which are carpeted. Only in the kitchen and living room, which are wood floors. I wish I could keep him off the 3 steps I mentioned, but we have three steps at three different doors leading outside, so no choice there, although DH has talked about building a little ramp for him. The things we do for our pets, right?

Sounds so much like our over 10 year old dog. We tried the ramp route but he wouldn't walk it......even if persuaded by a treat at the end of the ramp! We found a non-steroidal anti-inflamatory drug called METACAM almost a year ago. Let me tell you, he is a different dog, DH husband calls it the "doggy upper"! He stills sleeps most of the day, but when he goes outside, he is jumping and not limping anymore. It has far fewer risks than Rimadyl. Maybe you should look into it? I feel for you. I worry about our old boy everyday.....

 

[MosMom]

Our old guy had severe cognitive failure. He became extremely agressive, lost control of his urinary functions completely, and in the end bit my daughter. This was a gradual thing that got to the point where the vet agreed it was time. We only had him put down about a month ago. It still bothers me to the point of tears when I think about it or talk about it. I stayed in the room when they put him to sleep.

I don't know if you've ever had to do it but it isn't as bad as I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong, I sobbed through the process but it was peaceful and by the end when he was gone, I just continued to pet him until I felt like I could let him go. The vet told me to take my time.

Only you know your dog but when the time comes, I think you'll be able to actually do it. We had talked about it for awhile but I couldn't do it. I was able to make the call when I knew it was time. On one had it totally sucks beyond belief, but on the other hand it brings relief to know you can give peace to your best bud.

 

[pixie dust 112]

I asked a friend (who grew up raising dogs) the same question. Her response was simple -- he looks you in the eye and tells you, "I'm not having fun anymore."

I'm so sorry.

I had my dog put to sleep yesterday. He was only 8, but had cancer that was not treatable. The vet said he had 1-2 months to live about 2 months ago. When I asked how I would know when it was time, she said "you'll know". She also said that the look in his eyes would let me know when he was ready to go. He has gotten more lethargic in the past 2 weeks and his eyes have dulled. Tuesday he looked at me with a look that made me know it was time. Wednesday I called the vet and made an appointment for yesterday. I think this is the hardest thing I have ever gone through! It won't be easy... but you'll know. Boy do I miss my sweet puppy!

 

[sunnyday123]

to everyone who's had to make this decision.

OP, check into the Rimadyl again, my lab was on it for years and it made a huge difference for her. They do have to have their liver count tested every 6 months, and it does have the potential to cause bad side effects, but I beleive they are minimal. Are his nails short? I can't remember if GS's have hair between the paw pads. If so, keep it trimmed short. I agree with the throw rugs, that will help it tremendously.

It'll be two years in September that I lost my lab, and I miss her every day. She had dysplasia, Cushings, Larengeal Paralysis and God knows what else. The LP finally got the best of her. She was 13, and we found out about her dysplasia when she was around 4. We managed it with Glucosimine/Chondrotin and then moved on to the Rimadyl. Swimming or water therapy might help his also.

 

[MouseJunkie]

I asked a friend (who grew up raising dogs) the same question. Her response was simple -- he looks you in the eye and tells you, "I'm not having fun anymore."

I'm so sorry.

Okay, making me cry tonight... I've seen that look and I know exactly what you mean. I just put that little guy over there in my avatar down last week. He'd been suffering from bladder cancer for the last 10 months and started falling down, quit eating. It was very hard to watch him go through that.

They do tell you when it's time, don't they? I just made my last night with him special. We had popsicles together and watched the sunset. I couldn't ask for much more from my sick 13 year old boy.

Op, you'll know. From the sounds of it...I think you've still got time. Cherish every last moment you have and spoil them rotten.

I miss him like crazy, but he's romping around at rainbow bridge probably playing frisbee with my Grandpa.

 

[mrsstats]

It is such a hard call. When you know they are not enjoying life anymore. Our last 2 we had - the 1st one we waited to long. Selfish on our parts, she was skin & bones. The 2nd, when we had to take him every few days to the vet to have his belly drained of fluid. Unfair to keep putting him thru that. I wish you the best. It hurts.

 

[MouseJunkie]

I don't know if you've ever had to do it but it isn't as bad as I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong, I sobbed through the process but it was peaceful and by the end when he was gone, I just continued to pet him until I felt like I could let him go.

I agree with you on this. I thought it'd be harder, but I think it was more comforting to see him at peace and knowing I could be right there next to him as he took that last breath.

Okay, I haven't cried for a week. You all are killing me tonight. I think I just had my first big cry since that day. Still a little fresh for me...

 

[StarLight StarBright]

to everyone who's had to make this decision.

OP, check into the Rimadyl again, my lab was on it for years and it made a huge difference for her. They do have to have their liver count tested every 6 months, and it does have the potential to cause bad side effects, but I beleive they are minimal. Are his nails short? I can't remember if GS's have hair between the paw pads. If so, keep it trimmed short. I agree with the throw rugs, that will help it tremendously.

It'll be two years in September that I lost my lab, and I miss her every day. She had dysplasia, Cushings, Larengeal Paralysis and God knows what else. The LP finally got the best of her. She was 13, and we found out about her dysplasia when she was around 4. We managed it with Glucosimine/Chondrotin and then moved on to the Rimadyl. Swimming or water therapy might help his also.

We do keep his nails short, but ya know, I never thought about the hair between his paws pads. He does have it, so I will trim it and see if it helps, great idea So sorry about your Lab,btw.