When to put your dog down?

[swampdog]

I got a 13 yr.old beagle with enlarged heart beginning to have problems breathing, sits up most of time,but still eating. Not the dog she was two months ago. I'm very emotional about the thought of putting her down,and feel selfish with my thoughts instead of the dogs suffering and feelings. Anyone had this problem. Need advise.

[Agua]

I've struggled with this a few times over my life and, this is just me, but as long as the dog will eat, I wouldn't kill it.

I had one last year that was looking pretty bad about two months before I had to put her down, but she had several good spells before it was over. In fact, she had a rebound for close to a week that she was acting really energetic. It was really only the last couple of days that she got to where she didn't want to come in the house, just sat out in the yard kind of pointlessly. When I dished her up a bowl of chocolate ice cream for a last meal and she wouldn't eat it, I knew it was time.

So that's my take on it. They'll let you know when its time; you won't have to wonder.

[Magic Mallard]

If the dog is in pain, which the vet should be able to let you know, I would do what was best for my friend....sure it ain't easy, but you aren't the one suffering....had a dog put down that bit my daughter's ear in two.....was the most gentle death I ever saw....the dog just went to sleep....vet said they don't feel a thing...
St.

[JAMED]

i feel your pain, as my mother and mother inlaw have both lost their dogs of 12+ years in the past 3 months. i too feel they will let you know.
Hang in there... prayers sent.

[swampdog]

Thanks for your replies. I'll wait until she shows me signs she is ready.

[DeltaCotton12]

i had a golden, 13yrs, and he got really weak. got to the point where he would eat, but couldn't stand. then started using the bathroom while laying down. thats when we knew it was time. he would have his spells of good days, so we waited it out as long as possible. as i carried him to the vet, i've never seen his eyes so scared in my life. i cried for three days over that dog.. his kidneys were shot, and a couple other things were out as well.. we tried everything before we made the call... poor ole Sport...


sweetest dog i've ever met. i wish i had a pup from him... but my next dog will be another golden.. no doubt about it..

[Agua]

as i carried him to the vet, i've never seen his eyes so scared in my life.

Yeah, the dog I was talking about was always scared of vets to begin with. I just shot her in the head myself. Talk about hard.

[jacksbuddy]

They'll let you know when its time; you won't have to wonder.

This is so true. I feel your pain because we've all been there and done that, and it don't get any easier. Courage.

[Gumbo]

You'll know exactly when it's time... there won't be any question.

It's been about 4 years since I put my lab down, and had just decided I never didn't want another one, couldn't ever love another like the way I loved her....my wife said "I think you you loved that dog more than me" after the way I cried...truth be known, she was probably right.

[Agua]

Man, you guys are making me about to tear up over this.

I want to say this too. I am so glad I didn't put that dog down when the vet suggested it as an option two months earlier. Between then and her final moment, she had bad days, a lot of them, but again, it wasn't until the last 2 days that she just was oblivious to her surroundings.

I learned a lot from that little dog during those last two months pondering her death and her purpose on earth. She wasn't the prettiest dog in the world - age and wear took care of that. She wasn't the smartest dog in the world either, just the way she was born. But dear Lord, did she have a big heart and loved her family and fellow pets. There's a lot in there to learn about people too. Rest in Peace sweet pup.

Prayers to you my friend.

[2dogs]

Thia is one great dog.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22226183/

[Roach]

You will know when its time. In your heart, you will know what is best.
Now let me offer a suggestion. As someone mentioned earlier, they shot their dog....I had a lab, Rebel, that I spent time with everyday for 14 years. I had never had a dog "put down" so when I realized it was time, I stayed up all night with him and we left before sunrise one morning on went to one of our duck holes and watched the sun come up and the ducks flying over. This happend to be the week before the season opened that year.
I dug his grave as we waited on the sun and made him a bed. I took his life that morning, and I've never gotten over it. I don't know if it was what I did or if it was really my love for that dog/friend.
Now his partner, Dixie, when her time came, I called my vet and we talked about her condition and I realized that it was time. I ask the vet for a favor and that was, if I bring her up there, could they come out to my truck and do it and they agreed.
Now Dixie had been going to Animal Health Center in Madison for 14 years also and there couldn't have been a sweeter dog. Not the best hunting retreiver, but a loving pet.
Everyone in the office gathered around my truck with Dixie and my wife
and took a few minutes with us as she passed peasefully away.
If you can arrange something like this, I would strongly suggest it.
Remember Rainbow Bridge....this always helps.

[bluh]

Sounds like your dog may have congestive heart failure. Have you talked to your vet about some medications. I'm not sure but I think a little Lasix might help for a while. I don't know how expensive it is, but it shouldn't be to much.

[chevy01234]

Thia is one great dog.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22226183/

I was walking my Doberman on campus at Ole Miss one afternoon and a lady comes up and asks if she could pet him, well I of couse said sure and she went straight for his ears. We made some small talk and she asked where I was from, I told her greenwood/meridian. She said "meridian? I am from around there" We started talking about dogs and thats when she asked if I had heard of Dustin Lee, I responded I had heard of him but didn't get the pleasure of meeting him. It turned out that was her son. She told me all about Lex and the other dog they adopted and how her son loved those dogs. It was a humbling experience and she is a wonderful and strong lady. I felt like I had known her for years after our 25 minute talk.



About the putting a dog down, I agree with everyone who says you know when it is time. I put my first dog down after 6 years when he was suffering from cancer because I was scared to death he would be in pain. It is tough but remember it is all about quality of life. They are willing to give their all for you, why make them suffer unneccesarily?

[TODO]

Thats the problem with a dog is they dont live long enough. My black lab went to the pond in the sky in 2003, im still upset about it. Good luck to ya.