My shepard chow mix is almost 14 years old. SHe was born in my closet and as the runt I bottle fed her so we are EXTREMELY attached. SHe stopped eating a few days ago - I called the vet who said it is probably her time and that it was up to me if she does not appear to be suffering I could let her go in peace at home (she is deathly afraid of vet visits and absolutely panics - shakes and cries at each one) . Now she has stopped drinking and has not gone to the bathroom in over 12 hours - overnight she also lost the strength to stand.She is not crying and does not appear to be in any pain she seems content to just lay in her spot and have me pet/soothe her every so often.
I don't want her to suffer in any way but how long can she go on like this? I am pregnant so I can't lift her which will make getting her to a vet very difficult on both of us - would a vet make a house call for something like this? Or do I let her go when she is ready?
2006-09-13 03:47:27 · 31 answers · asked by skyeblue1971 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
UPDATE:12EST
I called every vet in the phoen book none will make house calls if we are not an established patient of theirs (her usual vet is approx 2 hrs away and won't travel this far) but there is one vet that only makes house calls so I left her a message
no change in her - she just wants to lie in her spot she is not even trying to get up anymore
I always knew I would be a mess when this day came (as is my son) it's just so hard
I'm not sure what else to do so I think I will just hold her and see if this vet calls back I don't want her to be scared or paniced in her last moments as I know she will be at the vet
THANK YOU all for your help, encouragement and prayers. This is one of the hardest days of my life
2006-09-13 05:12:54 · update #1
it's over - she passed at noon today 3 hours before the vet was coming
she was finally ready and while this has been an awful 2 days I am glad I was able to let her die in peace at home
Thank you all agian for your help
2006-09-14 08:36:30 · update #2
My thoughts are with you.
If you think there is a chance she may just be ill, you need to get a vet to look at her to get some fluids in her. A vet will make a house call, there are mobile vets available.
However, if your gut is telling you this is her time to go, then there's nothing you can do but love her in her final moments. Although noone wants to see her suffer, passing of natural causes is not suffering, but natural. If she is so terrified of the vet, it would cause her more trama to go to the vet. The real question is, how long do you want to stomach worrying, how long can you watch this go on?
If she was otherwise healthy, she may not pass for several days in this state.
You did call your vet, and if this is a family vet, trusted for many years and his/her advice was to let your dear one go in peace at home, you may want to follow that advice.
Due to your condition, you should let a good friend know what is happening, so you can have support, both emotional and physical. You will need to move her at some point and you do not need to harm yourself. Please make sure you get some help lined up... And yes, there are mobile vets that will assist in the process. Just promise us you have someone to help you deal with all this.
Take care and your are in my thoughts..
Thanks
EDIT- I am very glad to hear you may have a vet to come to your house. I hope the vet calls you back.
You are doing the right thing. Stay with her, give her attention and make her feel safe. Take peace in the thought that she has had a long life thanks to you and that she is with you and not in any pain. I just really hope you have someone there for you.
Keep us updated and feel free to vent as you need to.
You are in my prayers!
2006-09-13 04:14:28 · answer #1 · answered by Gloria H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would ask a close friend or a family member to take her to the vet for me. If you are worried the visit to the vet will be too stressful for her, then call you vet and ask if they make housecalls. My vet sees farm animals also, so he is accustomed to making home visits.
I know how difficult this decision is. But if she has quit eating and drinking then she probably knows it's her time. It's hard to face that reality. I've been in your shoes and completely understand your pain. I would (and have) let her go peacefully now while she isn't suffering and has no pain. It is such a hard decision. Only you can decide what's best for her. Go with your instincts, you know her better than anyone. Do what your heart tells you to.
I will be thinking of you and her,
Good Luck~
Whatever you decide will be the right choice!
2006-09-13 04:01:02 · answer #2 · answered by StL Cards Family 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I sympathize with you as I am right now going through a similar thing with my 12 year old Brittany Spaniel. He is part of the family and very hard to let go.
It sounds like your vet is wise and not money hungry because he could make that house call, but what for unless you wanted to euthanize your pet.
From the symptoms you are describing he probably can not do that much else. If your pet was suffering then that may be an option but if you are like me it would be a very hard one even then. I am probably not a lot of help but just wanted to let you know you are not the only one out there. My heart is with you.
2006-09-13 03:56:39 · answer #3 · answered by jgreaves 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am so sorry you are going through this. I have lost several dogs over the years, and it is a painful experience.
My advice is, if she is not sufferering, crying, showing signs of being in pain, then let her go in peace, in the comfort of your home with you by her side.
If you feel you want to help her go more quickly, and be at peace and know for a fact she is not suffering, then call a friend or family member and have them help you take her to a vet. I just feel if she is that anxious and miserable at the vet that it would just be unnecessary stress and strain on her.
2006-09-13 05:18:07 · answer #4 · answered by moni 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I feel very sorry 4 u but when we accept an animal we all know that we will suffer this. Sit down hold her head in your lap and love her 4 the time that rests. All she wants from you is to return her love and affection to the same degree that she as given to you over the years. If you need to have her put down do not abandon her in her final hour because she would surely have stayed with you until the end. It will also be easier for you to know she went happily and not missing you when she most needed you.
Don't fore get the happy days you shared and do not brood on her suffering she would not want that because she loves you more than any human ever can.
Thinking of you,
Linda
2006-09-13 05:04:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
We were in the exact same situation about 4 weeks ago with our little pomeranian. We had her for 13 years, and she died from congestive heart failure. She stopped eating and drinking and I knew she was leaving us. We chose not to take her to the vet, she didn't seem to be in pain, and we wanted her to be at peace at home. It was one of the hardest things we've had to go through, but I believe we will see our pets again on the other side. I know she's happy and healthy over there, and waiting to see us again. I'm so sorry for you, I know what you're going through. I hope I've helped you in some way. Take care.
2006-09-13 04:14:40 · answer #6 · answered by Starscape 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Honey i can truly relate to what you are going through... and i am very sad for you and your dog. A couple of years ago i had to have my pomeranian (had her for 14 years) put to sleep ... it was to say the least heartwrenching... but i loved this dog with all of my heart and i couldnt stand to see her suffering. i couldnt tell if she was in "real" pain or not... but i could see that she at the very least felt terrible... she had been having more bad days than good days... and lately her good days were pretty bad... i knew it was time to let her go... Now as for you... i dont know if a vet would make a house call... i think it would depend on your relationship with your vet. Is it possible for you to have a neighbor help you take her to the vet??? i would think it would be much harder to move her once she has passed away. Anyway... God bless you... and you are in my prayers...
2006-09-13 04:01:37 · answer #7 · answered by lisa 19 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Some vets will make house calls to put a beloved animal out of it's misery. It really is the kindest thing to do when they cannot take care of themselves. I would not let the dog suffer. If she has been healthy otherwise until suddenly getting ill, she may simply be sick and may be able to be supported with medication. The only advice I can offer is to get a vet to see her NOW.
2006-09-13 03:51:25 · answer #8 · answered by Sarah H 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I feel SO sorry for you and your dog!! The poor thing! A vet WILL make a house call (more expensive though). It most likely is her time to go. Just soothe her and give her your love. Sit some food and water out just so she can have it id she wants it. Usually dogs (when it is their time) want to be alone and face the west toward the sun. I hope this helps you some. I hope she gets better and lives a longer life. Good luck to you and your baby!
You have my sympathy. God Bless You.
2006-09-13 04:36:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm very sorry to hear that your dog isn't well. It does sound as if she is ready to move on. If it were my dog, I wouldn't put her through the stress of going to the vet. If she seems content, then let her go at home. Your vet might be able to make house calls if they are generous enough and not overly busy.
I would just stay with her and be there for her when the end comes. I'm very sorry for your loss.
2006-09-13 03:50:52 · answer #10 · answered by Phoenixsong 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋