HELP!!! Need opinions about putting my mom's dog to sleep!!?

Question

This has to the hardest decision in the world to make. Let me explain the problem: In March 2006, "Buffy" (the dog) was sick with diarrhea. I take Buffy for her walks all the time, since my mom is up in age. I noticed that when she would squat to urinate, it wouldn't come out. We took her to the vet. The vet kept her for 3 days to observe her and do tests. She said the dog was leaking urine, therefore her bladder was never full. She "thought" it was bladder cancer, but test results came back negative. At that time, the vet suggested putting Buffy to sleep. We didn't. We brought her home. We now got a second opinion....and that vet told us that Buffy's kidneys were failing. But....for the last couple of nights, Buffy has been whining all night. She still has diarrhea and my mom is forever cleaning her "behind". This mom called this morning and said that Buffy even urinated on the bed last night. The problem is....the dog is still eating and has lots of "spunk". Help!

Mike...you are like an angel sent from heaven! Tell Coleen I will be getting in touch with her!!!

Missy....we don't know if the dog is in pain all the time...she only whines at night. The second vet we took her to told us that dogs don't whine when they're in pain....they only want something. She doesn't whine at all in the day!!

DeeGee...YES, Buffy has had x-rays. She also had some kind of test that, when the vet did it, she told us that she couldn't get the catheter all the way up! Any suggestions?

momma dog....yes, the dog has had blood work done. Negative! After extensive blood work for the second vet, she said it was the kidneys. She has had x-rays. Negative! She is a very fussy eater, and sometimes won't eat for 2-3 days. This still doesn't help!

MIKE....I sent your wife an email today, but got no reply. I seriously need to know what she thinks.

Answer 1

I think you should enjoy your dog as long as possible as long as Buffy is not in pain. I think it is more cruel to the owner to see their loved one in pain than it is to put the animal down and have it at peace and you will feel better knowing that you stopped it's pain

Answer 2

It is a very hard decision to make. If the dog is in pain (it sounds like it) all of the time and it is something that the dog will not recover from, then it is the best and kindest thing that you can do. It is HARD to do but it is best for the dog. Kidney failure is very painful. If you or your mom has ever had a kidney infection then you know it hurts. And failure pain does not stop or get better. I am so sorry that you have to make this tuff decision but you must make the choice that is best for the dog, not you. I had to put a dog to sleep and it was harder on me than her.

Question: Are you sure that it is not kidney stones? They can do an x-ray. You can also try changing her diet. Science Diet as a dog food that is made especially for kidney problem. You can try that first and see if it helps. There are also Holistic Veterinary Vets, Sometimes they can help in ways that traditional Vets don't or won't. If it doesn't help then you can make the choice, knowing that you tried everything that you could. Good luck and I hope something works.

Answer 3

Kidney failure in a dog is very hard to watch. I had to put my Molly to sleep in December 2005, before Christmas. She too was still spunky but she wouldn't eat. I went through everything to get her to eat, she just kept losing weight. I had special food, I made homemade food, beef/rice and chicken/rice. The vet said that she was probably sick to her stomach all the time and that's why she didn't want to eat.

Finally it came time for me to realize there was nothing I could do to improve her quality of life, she would just waste away. It was right before Christmas and the vet said we could do this and that and she would live through the next year. I said no, why prolong her suffering. Dogs really don't have a way to tell you how they feel. It a very hard decision and I have had to do it many times as a life-long pet ownership.

Molly was 13 1/2 years old. A friend found her and her sister on the side of the road and brought them home. She kept her sister, Belle, and I had Molly. She was one of the best dogs I ever had. Everyone loved her. She had a great life for a puppy dumped on the side of the road.

Belle is still going, 15 years old, but she's like a little old lady. I am afraid my friend will have to make that decision soon, she knows it too. Look at the quality of the dogs life. Even though they are spunky and can get around, what quality of life do they have? How much are they suffering and can't tell you?

Sometimes the best thing you can do for someone you love is to let them go.

Answer 4

Sorry, dogs do whine when they are in pain. I know this from experience.

What tests did the second vet do in order to determine kidney failure? Or was this an opinion?

Age of the dog is important here, muscles weaken as any animal (people too) age. Older dogs can leak urine, especially at night.

The diarrhea concerns me. Did either of the vets suggest withholding food for 24 hours to let the stomach calm down? What about a fecal exam, was this done to see if there is parasites or bacterical overgrowth? What about blood work? You need to know what tests have been done on this dog and why they are telling you kidney failure.

I wouldn't jump into any decision concerning the dog with out more information. Kidney failure is bad as a dog can't live without functioning kidneys. Get more information, and if you must find another vet that will explore this situation more fully and explain their findings to you.

Answer 5

It sounds like some type of urniary infection or something. I would insist that the vet check into that end of it before making a decision. The fact that the vet couldn't get the catheter all the way in makes me wonder what is going on there. I hope all works out. It isn't an easy decision, but once you know the dog is in pain and there isn't anything the vet can do to cure what is wrong, don't let it suffer. I would just find out what the problem is before making a decision. Try a university in your area. I live by MSU and they specialize in animals so that's where a lot of people bring their pets in unusual circumstances.

Answer 6

Sadly, if Buffy's kidneys are failing it's only a matter of time. I am a dialysis tech and know that all living things need the function of thier kidneys to cleanse blood, remove excess fluid, and induce production of new redd blood cells. However if Buffy appers not to be in pain and is still feeling good, I'd say no, let her live out her life. It all depends on how tired Mom is getting of cleaning up behind her.

Answer 7

When the dog originally peed on the floor someone yelled at him. He freaked out. Someone yelled at him. He pees because he is highly stressed, find out why. Would you put a child down because at 4 years old he started wetting the bed? Then why would you do this to an animal who loves and trusts you and depends on you for his life just like a child. Take him to a school for dogs that can train him and in doing so find out what went wrong. If you can't afford it or don't want to just put him on craigs list and let someone who has the time and devotion take care of him.

Answer 8

my little Dusti is about 11 years old in people years. She's been haveing urinary problems where blood seeps into he bladder. The vet didnt really tell me what shes been doing but she gave us some pills for her to take twice a day. Dusti is looking so much better and could go back to eatting regular dog food.

Has your dog been urinateing blood. Ask your vet if she could take some pills.

Answer 9

There are always going to be people in every profession that are in it for the wrong reasons. It sounds like the vet is trying to milk as much money as he can out of your mother. He will continue to do this as long as you allow it. If the dog's kidneys are failing, then the dog is dying and most likely suffering. Find another vet.

Answer 10

My dog peed the bed last week, and has a urinary tract infection, and is now on Amoxicillin. Are you sure that it is something that is untreatable? Maybe you could try some meds to keep her comfy first. If she is really suffering, in pain or having trouble getting around-then you may have to make the decision. I had to do it last April, and I still freak out. It was the hardest thing I ever did, but I knew in my heart it was what had to be done. Good luck-God Bless.