When do you know it is time to euthanize your pet?

Question

I am really battling to accept that it may be time to have my miniture maltese put to sleep. She is 15 years old, deaf, and 80% blind. She spends most of her day sleeping, but when it is food time, she really makes a noise and still has a good appetite, even with no teeth. With being quite blind, when we walk past she really gets a fright and shakes like mad. She is fairly happy, just not very active. Am I being selfish. Please help me here. Thanks

Answer 1

Deciding when to euthanize your pet will be one of the hardest decisions that you'll ever have to make. I've done it way too many times.

First, look at the quality of their life. Are they in pain? Are they suffering in any way? Secondly, what will their quality of life be a week from now? A month from now? And lastly, are you doing what's best for them?

It is an animals nature to not show that they are gravely ill until they can no longer help it. In nature, the weak are usually the ones killed by the stronger animal(s). So their instinct is to show health even when they are not healthy. You've had your pet for 15 years or so....you know her better than anyone. She is looking towards you to do the right thing, and you'll know when that time is right. Sometimes, the thing that is the most right to do is also the hardest.

Sorry for your pain...hope this helps.

Answer 2

When she loses her ability to "use the bathroom facilities" is usually a good measure that she is going to need to be put down. It usually indicates that her internal organs are failing. A vet is actually unlikely to tell you that your animal is in pain or that it needs to be put to sleep because
1. They don't want to be accused of animal cruelty (some vet's have been sued for this in the past by recommending euthanization)
2. The longer your dog stays alive the more money they can make taking blood tests, exams, fecal samples, etc, etc. It's sad but very true that your dog is worth more to the vet alive than it is dead.

I think when you see that your dog is no longer happy, cannot move easily and messes itself that it is time to put her to sleep. Until then, watch her carefully and give her whatever she wants! No need for the healthy food now, so spoil her a little (as long as her tummy can take it)

P.S. My husbands family once had a cat that the vet said would take a turn for the worse and they could feed it whatever they wanted and just make it comfortable and it went on to live for 3 more years, eating MEOW MIX! of all things!

Answer 3

It is always a difficult decision to let your pet go. It sounds like your pet is still having a good life and is not in any pain nor has any difficult to cure or incurable illness. The decision to have our dog, Heidi, "put to sleep" was made when she no longer was able to get up from laying down and was having accidents in the house since she could barely walk. She was so upset and embarrassed by these accidents and was in so much pain that all she did was cry all the time. We tried several different medications and shots. When nothing worked any more and the vet said there were no more options, then we knew it was time to let her go to a better place.

Answer 4

The real question is whether or not she is in pain. The vet has to know the answer to that; the signs may be too subtle for you. As long as she has an appetite, I would guess her pain is not that bad, but I could be wrong. If she had something wrong which was not part of her digestion, she might go on eating. But then, probably it would be a limb or something, and you could tell.

Anyway, you need to consult with her vet. He will know. If she's not in pain, and seems generally content, hang on. When it gets to where it is more cruel to keep her alive than to give her peace, you will know what you must do.

Answer 5

Vonnie, you must consider your baby's quality of life, which I know you're doing; it comes through in your remarks. Is she living in fear because the uncertainty created by her blindness? Does it leave her more vulnerable to other pets or circumstances?

What does your veterinarian say? Ask him/her what s/he would do if this were his/her pet. That will tell you a lot.

And if you do opt for deliverance, insist that your darling be sedated first before the lethal dose is administered. THIS IS ESSENTIAL AND NOT OPTIONAL.

We were in a similar situation with our beloved boy, a senior citizen pussycat, who became blind as a result of too many other things gone wrong in his body. We made the impossibly difficult decision to play God and spare him further fear. Not a day passes in which I don't wonder if he would still be with us, had we let nature take its course.

I don't know how else to respond to your heart-breaking question, but I couldn't not reply.

I'm so sorry.

Answer 6

Sounds like a tough one. I think you need to have advice from your vet on this one. If she is suffering in anyway then she should be put to sleep , as difficult as it may seem. If she is not suffering and can get enough from touch and cuddles and is feeding ok then maybe theres hope. I am sure she would know her way round by now anyhow, but just make sure your announce yourself before you walk into the room where she is. Hope it turns out for the best!!

Answer 7

It is never selfish to help your furry friend and relieve their suffering. It sounds like your furry friend may still have some life in her. As long as she is not in pain, I would keep her around. But, if she's in pain, or discomfort, or sick, it may be time to let her go. It's a tough decision to make. You adopt these critters and love them with all your heart. 15 years is a long time for a dog to live. Just follow your heart, be with her until the end, and love her always. Things will be ok no matter what you decide.

Answer 8

Just one more short response here. If you do decide to be with your dog at the time try not to have emotions as your dog picks up on that and can affect him. I've seen animals apprehensive by how they perceived the owner acted. Try to act as it is just another vet exam. Then when its over cry your heart out. I had hidden tears for every euthanization we did, and it was for the person that was going to miss their loved one. We also had an ink pad and small blue and pink pieces of card paper there to make a foot print. It goes nice with a lock of hair.

Answer 9

i'm sorry you're going thru this. 3 years ago, i had to put down my 15 y/o. she had a disease that ended up not letting her walk or even stand. it was horrible. but she was never in pain. the disease made her lose all feeling from the hips down. completely. she was still happy, and she would eat, but we knew her quality of life wasnt anything we wanted her to go thru. she would just lay in the same spot all day, she would slowly walk to her bowl or to go outside, but she would fall oftin, and that would scare her and she would cry. it was horrible. from diagnosis to the point where we could see her like that was not quite 2 years, but we just watched it get worse and worse. nothing could help her. i will never forget the day we put her down. she was my sister. we grew up together. i still weep over her.
my other dog is now 14ish. i worry about her. she's completely blind. she has been for about 2 years now, tho one eye has been blind since about the time we first got her. she's had double knee surgery (about 6 years ago) and is now having kidney problems (tho diet and meds have at least helped slow that down). i dont want to see her die. she's the happiest dog i know tho. she will never stop wagging her tail, she will follow us whereever she can, and she will eat all day every day (and always has). but we know if the kidneys start failing, thats that, and there is nothing we can do about it.
i guess what i'm saying is you'll know. there will be a point where you can look at her and see just how unhappy she really is. dont make them suffer anymore than they have to. you will just suffer just as much in the end. but love her as much as you possibly can every minute that you can.

Answer 10

Very very tough spot to be in. You have my prayers!!
Basic rule of thumb is if the baby is eating, drinking, and going to the bathroom- Not having any pain... then it's not quite time to set her free for that Rainbow bridge.
Shaking when you walk past? Try talking so she can hear you coming...
Main thing is ask the vet how vet thinks she is doing- if the vet sees her as being in pain and it can't be controlled w meds, then it may be time. I've always had the vet tell me it is time when eating/drinking stops and the pet seems to be in pain. Coordinate w the vet to assess how she's doing and what might need to be changed to keep her safe and happy.
Hang in there!