have you ever had a pet that needed to be put to sleep?

Question

for the past few days, my gerbil's progress has been worsening. it started last friday i think, when he went limp and he can't walk on his left hind leg. but now, he just lies there with his left feet up, probably because it's too painful for him. what we do is we just feed him his favorite nuts (pumpkin seeds) and once in a while bring the water over him if he wants to drink. my sister and i are still hoping that the leg will heal and he'll be ok, but it seems like there is no progress at all. right now, he just lies in one spot. he can move his arms, but he could not get up and needs assistance and cannot eat on his own.

now my sister and i are debating... she still hopes he will get better, but i cannot bear to see his suffering and want to bring him to a vet to put him to sleep. have you ever had any pets that was put to sleep? did you have to pay for it? and how much did it cost? i feel sad -- i've always had a hard time dealing with change and loss, but we have do it

Answer 1

I had the most adorable dog named Bear. He was born with only three real legs and on his fourth leg he had no paw but he could still run really fast and was very playful. He was the sweetest dog. One day he started getting these really bad shakes and couldn't hold himself up when he'd walk. We took him to the vet and they ran all sorts of tests on him and found out that he had a neurological problem that couldn't be fixed. The vet said that he would never get better and Bear would only suffer more seizures. I couldn't bear the thought that my dog would only walk around have seizures all the time and would never get better. So, I did what I thought was the best thing to do. I took the vet's advice and had Bear put to sleep so he wouldn't suffer anymore. It hurt like hell but in the end I think it was the best thing I could have done for him. I still miss him.

Answer 2

We put my dog to sleep about 2 years ago. I know the most expensive part of that was the burial. Obviously a dog will cost more than a gerbil. You can bury him in your own yard though. I don't think it costs very much. I think the biggest thing is the vet has to be sure there isn't anything reasonable they can do to help him first. You should take him to the vet. They may have a solution for you that would make you both much happier. A vet visit for a small animal like that would be at most $50 I would think. You can always call the vet and ask them for a quote so to speak. Tell them you want the vet to check him out and make sure there isn't anything they can do to help him. Often times the vet will recommend putting the animal to sleep if they think that is the most humane thing for it. I'm so sorry. I know how terrible it was to come to this decision for me with my dog and I hope you get through this. You have the animal's best interest at heart, so I'm sure the vet will do what he can to help guide you.

Answer 3

I would say the first thing is to take it to a vet. Maybe he just has an infectin or something that can be treated. See what the vet says first -- then make your decision. I've had several animals put to sleep in my life, and it's never easy, but it's always been because it's the best thing for the animal. Yes, vets do charge for this service, and it's usually based on the weight of the animal.

Answer 4

Yes, last year we had to have our pet down. It was heart wrenching since we had her for 16 years. She was a strong part of our family. Both my husband and myself cried like babies. But in fact, it was quick and painless, compared to what she had been going thru. She too lost the use of her hind legs and kept falling down. The nite before she was extremely restless and looked into my eyes as much to say, please help me.
And the next morning when we took her to the vet, was the only time that she wasnt shaking in fear as she usually did. She was at peace. The vet and staff were tremendous. We brought her home, and placed her in our large back yard. And shortly thereafter, a fitting flower bouquet arrived from the vet and staff.
That dried bouquet with her framed picture presently sets on a shelf above my computer.
We were not charged for this humane service.

Answer 5

I understand exactly how you are feeling. Last July, I had to put my dog to sleep whom had been a member of the family for 8 years. The vet charged $50 and he even let me stay with my dog through the whole process. It is probably one of the most difficult decisions I've ever made, but ,looking back, it was the best decision because my dog was suffering.

Answer 6

Yes its very sad but you have the right idea!!Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Good luck!Just make his last days the best!

Answer 7

Yeh... I've had to put both dogs and cats to sleep and it hurts like the devil... (me, not the pets). But you need to be sure that the gerbil won't recover. *Let the vet decide*

I remember having that same argument with my sister more than 30 yrs ago, when one of our dogs was in an accident... I won the dog survived an lived for 12 years longer.

From what you said I know that your'e not one of these people: but too many people think pet animals are disposable and will put them down for really trivial reasons.
Yeah you pay, but it's like $40.00 in my country (Trinidad&Tobago) which is now like US $6 but this was for dogs

Answer 8

Have you even taken him to the vet for this? It is very difficult. I had to have two dogs put to sleep within 3 months of each other. One died two weeks after I found out the other had diabetes. We pulled the other out of kidney failure, but 2 1/2 months later, he went back into kidney failure and there was nothing I could do but have him put to sleep so he didn't suffer any more. Still grieves me to this day about them.

Answer 9

Yes... I had my doberman put to sleep, she had cancer and after surgery she only lived a few more months... it was a very difficult choice for me but I could see in her eyes that it seemed she was in too much pain. It does cost money. But I don't even remember how much it was because it was just such a traumatic experience. It was difficult but I still feel like I made the right choice.

Answer 10

I'm so sorry for you. I had a 14-year-old collie called Benjy that had arthritis and I put him down to put him out of his misery. I didn't pay anything.
I was heartbroken and wept for weeks.
Take your gerbil to the vet and find out what's wrong, if he can't be cured then I suggest put him down.
The best of luck to the both of you and I hope he survives.