how do i decide when to put my dog down?

Question

my dog is almost 17 years old now. within the last couple of years things have really started to go downhill for her... she began with a skin disorder that no vet could figure out. i had her on steroids for awhile, which helped a little, but then she started having seizures, so i took her off them. the skin disorder cleared up, but now she has severe cataracts, she is completely deaf and she has arthritis in her rear leg. over the last week or so the arthritis has gotten so bad that she limps when she walks and almost cannot support any weight on that leg. it causes her to fall, and often she can't get up unless i lift her and rub her leg to get her going. usually so good about her bathroom habits, she has begun going wherever she feels like it. she is still a happy dog, she still wags her tail, she still gives and receives affection, but her quality of life is so diminished that i can't help wondering if it's time. she doesn't seem to be in pain, and i can't decide. help!

Answer 1

I am going through this right now with my own geriatric pooch (15 yr old Heinz 57), & it is SO HARD to know when it is the time. We have had so many things come up that we thought would bring the end (either by choice or by nature) & she has come out of them to prove us wrong.

We do not need to put dogs down simply because we can, we should only use it as an option when the dog is truly suffering & it is heartbraking to watch them continue. However, sometimes it can be difficult to know the difference between a dog that is suffering & should be let go, & one that simply has gotten old & needs the extra attention.

So until she starts to suffer... (& after reflection you may decide that she is now, or not) there is no need to put her down... there is nothing wrong with keeping her comfortable for the rest of her days & letting nature take its course... Do not confuse excessive sleeping with a lack of quality of life... most dogs stop chasing rabbits well before 17 years of age, but are not considered to have lost a quality of life.

It sounds like your sweetie is coming to the end chapter of her life. You say she is not in pain, but you also mentioned the severe arthritis which causes her to fall... Sometimes pain is not the best way to analyze the quality of life... if she is confused or concerned about her lack of ability to walk, that can be scarier for her than pain.

The urination is something that can either be controlled with a more attentive schedule (not always when it comes to old age & bladder control, but for some dogs...) or by using 'party pants' in the house to help control accidents. This is more of an annoyance for you than a concern for her welfare however, as long as you can ascertain that she is not suffering from a urinary tract infection.

The most important aspects of this decision, however, rest in how she appears overall & how you are able to care for her. You say she still is able to receive & show affection, and is still happy. And obviously you still enjoy her company & are willing to do as much as needed for her.

I hope this was helpful for you... it is never an easy decision, if it needs to be made, but how wonderful that you have had her for 17 years (& still going). Give yourself some time, talk with your vet/familly/friends and I am sure you will be able to make the right decision.

Answer 2

Hi there, i believe that only you can answer this question, i know it's a hard one but as we can't see the condition of your dog we can not really comment. However, what about talking to your local vet? 17 is very old for a large dog, however some smaller dogs can life for 17/18 years, it sounds as if she has had a good life and maybe even this would be a kind time and place to complete it. Lots of other people have this problem, you are not alone, i have had a similar experience with a pet before, i chose to take it to the vet. This problem also happens with people and is called "Euthanasia" it is a very controversial (some people think it is right, some do not) and with people is not allowed in the UK or USA. However when it comes to your dog, i would suggest again that you talk to your vet, and be with her at the end, she will fall asleep and that is all she will know. I wish you the most of luck, please email me if you have any questions you think i might be able to help with.
Matt

Answer 3

We just faced this situation a month ago with our dog. She was a wonderful dog, part Amer Staffordshire Bull Terrier / part Dalmation - 90 pounds and fabulous with other dogs, cats, children, other animals, only 10 years old, but had developed cancer behind her front ankles (yes both of them). There was nothing we could do unless we wanted to put her through chemotherapy that would have cost over $1000 and would have made her very sick throughout the treatment, with only 60% chance of it helping at all - and a big chance of it coming back within a year or so if it did go into remission. We chose to enjoy her company as long as possible, but not to let her suffer. She did well, limped a bit but still wanted to run and play, and was a happy dog with the kids. She slowly went downhill, but was still great and happy. One day she developed a small lump over her eye on her forehead, and it must have been bothering her as she scrapped it open with her paw while I was at work one day. I wiped the blood off and saw it was pretty bad looking. We made an appt for the vet to have it checked out that weekend, and I kept an eye on her. It became ulcerated, and she would not leave it alone the next 2 days. The last time I dabbed the blood from her face, her lips rippled and the teeth showed. She was not baring her teeth in anger - it was a reaction to what I was doing - an indication of pain or suffering. She did not try to bite or snap, it was simply a rippling of her lips and the teeth stayed together the entire time. She looked into my eyes and everything became clear. Even though I truly did not want to think it, I knew it was time. The next morning we took her as a family, and the vet's assistant took us into their consultation room. It was set up like a small living room, with furniture and a cushy rug. We sat down, and the vet talked to us about our decision (said yes it was time) and then led her away to put an IV in her leg to make it easier for her as there were two medicines to go in. One was to make her a bit sleepy but not all the way, just so there would be no pain involved at all with the other medicine as it stops the heart. She went with the vet willingly and seemed to know why she was there. He brought her back, and we had as much time as needed to say good bye and pet her. We did not bother with the furniture, but stayed on the floor close to her. When we felt ready, he gave her the lethal medicine, and she slipped away while watching my eyes. It was peaceful and we knew she had not felt any pain with it. My daughter had come along with her toddler son - our grandsons all loved that dog and she them - and he petted her the entire time. She wagged her tail in response first regularly and then a bit slower until she was no longer there. It was heart wrenching, but it was also a relief that she was no longer suffering. If she is having that much difficulty... it is time. I know you hate to hear that, I totally understand, but I have to tell you the truth, and that is if your dog is having that much difficulty and I know you love her and do not want her to be in pain, then I have to say yes it is time - and you owe it to her as the one who can help her - to do the right thing. I am so sorry - but remember she will no longer be in pain and you will not feel the stress you are now feeling, but will actually feel relief that you indeed did what was needed for her benefit. Do not go alone, as you will need someone to talk to afterward especially if it is the first time you have done this.

Answer 4

It's a pretty tough decision to make...but inevitable. Your dog is WAY worse off than ours (he's 14 with cataracts and arthritis...yet sometimes, he jumps around like a pup, when we're about to take him for a walk).

If you're as attached to your dog as you would be to say, a sick grandmother (maybe MORE!), then evaluate how much of a strain it is on you to take care of her....and possibly have a vet determine how much pain she's in (dogs will often NOT show it, where humans would).

However, reading your post again, your dog is WAY older than most dogs get and the "happiness" you see may be just her way of trying to please you, the person she loves.

It's an awful decision, but, if it were my dog, I'd probably say it's time to let her go. It wont be painful and most vets will let you stay w/her while they put her under. SOME (we have one) will come right to your house to do it, so she doesn't have to be afraid.

I feel very bad for you and your dear pet, but at least she knows she's loved!

Answer 5

The fact that you CAN'T decide whether to put your dog to sleep means that NOW does not seem to be the time. I have had 3 elderly dogs and recognise all the things you mention. We looked at it as 'now our dog has special needs' and as long as they were content then we let them continue. They were not in pain and actually one of ours was both deaf and blind but they do adapt. Don't listen to what other people say you should or should not do, you will know the answer when the time comes. For us it was when the dogs no longer had any quality of life left. We KNEW it was the time. I think you seem to be doing a very good job caring for your dog. It may be old with a few aches and pains but nonetheless happy.

Answer 6

Sounds like you should take her to the vet.
She is in pain with her arthritis. She is incontinent, that will also upset her. Her quality of life isn't good, so please do the right thing and take her to the vet.
Give her some treats and a special meal.
If you can handle it, be with her and you will see the pain go out of her eyes and she will be at peace.
Grieve for her, but remember all the fun times you have had. The funny things she did, the silly things.
It is hard, but she is on your care and you are responsible for her well being and her comfort

Answer 7

I agree with all the posts here. Putting a animal to sleep is never a easy decision to make for the ones we love.I had pts my 14 month old female Pitty due to bladder cancer.Her tumor was inoperable and I had to make that decision of when Noeys qaulity of life was not what it should be. It broke my heart to make that choice.I would rather make that choice then to have to watch a animal suffer in pain where the qaulity of life is no longer there .Where the animal is loosing it's dignity.Watch your dog for signs. You're dog will let you know when it's time. Noey did let me know.

Answer 8

I am sorry for you as that is not an easy decision to make. It has been my experience that once a dog begins losing his/her dignity and life is no longer fun for them and they are not enjoying it, it is time. I know it is difficult to do for you, however, sometimes we need to put our feelings aside and do what is right for our pets. Think of it this way, you have given your dog 17 wonderful years of life and she may be gone from your sight, but she will remain in your heart forever. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Answer 9

We have to make humane decisions that we don't want to make.
It's not fair to let an animal-esp one you love- suffer. Let a vet make the decision. If vet says quality of life is gone- your heart know the correct choice.

one has to let go--it called love and compassion. It takes a brave caring person not to let their beloved pet suffer when that pet cannot stop the pain.

Answer 10

wow 17 years old. thats amazing
putting ur dog down is really hard, but those things happen.
id put her down within the month. ya its gonna be sad, but if she cant run and play like a healthy dog should, she might be unhappy and if shes in pain, she wouldnt want to be suffering. good luck with ur decision.