Should I put him to sleep?

Question

My dog is about 13 years old (human) and is a full bred collie. About a week ago is back legs gave out. I can only assume is becasue of arthritis. He can still walk barely, but he has to do alot of force and now I try to feed him by spoon as much. Today he started drinking water and he started drooling alot. Do you guys think it better to let him rest in peace now or should I find a way to make his life more easier?

Well guys today I was going to take him to the vet to put him to sleep, but yesterday around early afternoon he passed away. It was very hard and to think that the night before I spent whole hour with him till he went to sleep. In a way Im glad it finally happen becasue he no longer has to suffer. Thank you all for the advise and God bless. Rest in Peace Lovo (wolf in spanish)

Answer 1

May I go now
Don't you think the time is right?
May I say good-bye to pain-filled days
and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best,
an example tried to be,
So can I take that step beyond
and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first.
I fought with all my might!
But something seems to draw me now
to a warm and loving light.
I want to go! I really do!
It's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can
to live just one more day .
To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and are afraid
because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that,
and hope you'll always know
that my spirit will be close to you
wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me.
You know I loved you too.
That's why it's hard to say good-bye
and end this life with you.
So hold me now, just one more time,
and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me,
you'll let me go today.



Copyright © Susan A. Jackson
Written for a beloved pet and friend.

Answer 2

It very well might be time. However, if it's only arthritis, there might still be some hope. Talk to your vet. I had an arthritic cat who had gotten so bad that he couldn't jump up on the couch or bed and would wobble when he walked. My vet had me start him on glucosamine. Within a few weeks he had almost full mobility and was again able to hop up on the bed, chair, couch, etc. He lived 2yrs past that.

If you do try glucosamine, you can either get it from your vet, or you can just get the DOSAGE amount from him and use human glucosamine (by human, I mean the stuff MADE for humans). My vet was forthcoming with that info... others are not. Just make sure it's not a "glucosamine complex" or something where there's other stuff mixed in too (unless your vet says the other stuff is okay).

Anyway... it did wonders for my kitty... hopefully it can help your dog too. Good luck. The final days have got to be the most difficult as a pet-parent. That one last decision is the hardest one you'll ever have to make. I know. I've been there. :( Good luck!

Answer 3

I understand your concern but jumping to pts is a little premature. I would definately speak with your vet, do you know for a fact that it is arthritis? Kidney failure could also be the issue~we had a pup with an extremely rare disease (but kidney disease in any age dog has the same side effects)-within two weeks he stopped eating, stopped drinking and through the end of the second week he lost mobility in his hind legs. He became lethargic and expelled this stinky brown discharge. We had no choice but to put him down because he was only 6 months and the shunt they would have had to place in him was too large for his body. His case has only a 2% chance of happening but the same things can happen with older dogs.
HOWEVER! If it is arthritis there is so much that can be done that would help him become more mobilized and pain free. Before making any judgements I would talk to the vet, only they can tell you for sure whats wrong and how to treat it. If all else fails you must pts, I give you my prayers-it's the most difficult thing I have had to do (it equates to when I buried both of my parents-it was that extreme!!!!!!!) Good luck to you and your furbaby and I hope you find the answers you are looking for!

Answer 4

I really feel for you. I know it is hard but he has given you so much pleasure and loyalty in the past 13 years that I think that it is time to think of him and his quality of life. I would take him to a vet and ask what would be best for your faithful friend. If the vet says now is the time then say your good byes and just have him put to sleep. If the vet says that he can have a reasonable, pain free,life for however long, and you are prepared to do whatever it takes, then keep him, but please.. not if he is suffering. I too have a dog and when the time comes i will have to make the same decision. I try not to think about it too much. Either way, the dog comes first, not you and your feelings. Sorry to be so blunt but that is my opinion, for what it is worth to you.

Answer 5

hello

i'm a vet nurse. I think the best thing for you to do would be to take him to the vet and see what they think. He is quite a good age tho. Sometimes vets can give medication for artritis eg. metacam or rimadyl. if the vet thinks its past that then and he wont have a good quality of life then maybe the time is right to let him go. If you do decide to put him to sleep, look at it as though you have done him a favor and saved him from months of suffering, having the option to put an animal out of its misory is always a good thing, shame we can't do the same things for humans in this country. But like a said if you have him put to sleep, when you think of him dont let the image of him being put down be the first thing you think of. Remember all the good times you had together and what you did for him and vice versa. Sometimes it can help to get another dog maybe a puppy to take your mind off the disressing situation of him not being around anymore, not to replace him because no other dog will ever be able to take his place but to ease the upset of him not being around and it will give you something to concentrate on. I hope this helps, this is what a vet told be before and it always stuck in my mind. xxxxxx

Answer 6

From what you have written, it appears that your dog is suffering. Not being able to run and play nor go for walks for simple exercise, having difficulty just going outdoors to relieve itself, and having to be force-fed by spoon--that's sad. I bet a vet will agree that it would be more humane to put the dog to sleep, especially considering how old it is, how expensive extensive tests might be, and the fact that the dog may have painful arthritis, spinal degeneration, cancer, etc. Be kind to your dog, repay him for all the love he has shown you over the years.

Answer 7

I would take him to the vet and see what the vet thinks. If he is having trouble walking and eating, that's not good. He could have a tumor on his spine and in that case, yes letting him go peacefully and out of pain would be best. My husband had to put his dog down for this very reason. If he can't walk, chances are it hurts. Dogs are very proud animals too and it can't be good for how he feels about himself. I am so sorry!!!

Answer 8

I had to put my cat down earlier this week. It was the first time I've had to do anything like this - my heart goes out to you.

Are you on good terms with your vet? He/she could give you some really good advice as far as "quality of life" and how long your dog would have.

Since it's arthritus, things are only going to get worse and not better. If he seems very unhappy, I think you're going to have to put him to sleep now.

One final thing? I checked with my vet, because my dog really hates going to the vet, and they will make house calls for this sort of thing. Hopefully your vet would do that and it would make it less stressful for you and your dog.

My thoughts are with you.

Answer 9

We are having the same problem with our full blood Boston Terrier. She has severe arthritis. She is 12. But her's is not as bad as your dogs is.
I think it would be best to end his life. 13 is a old age for a dog and I bet that he has lived a happy life with you. The only way to make his life easier would be to put him down.
This is your choice. Not anyone else's. But think, if you were your dog would you like to live like this?

Answer 10

Wow, I went through all that with my dog. It started when he was 13 also. (I just put him down this year at age 15) It depends on how you feel about medications and special foods, etc. My dog went through a battle with renal insufficiency. I had him on Rimadyl. Rimadyl rocks! Easy to give chew tabs and it helps with aches and pains. Maverick was able to walk while on Rimadyl. Beware if you have other pets though. My lab got ahold of the bottle and ate 17 of them, that was a $1000 mistake, one full night at the emergency vet and three full days at our vet.

Maverick was also on Glucosamine and Condroiten for his joints. Also helped a great deal. Add to the list amantadine and one other medication. He had spinal cord wind up. Add to that list Science Diet K/D for the kidneys and the bills add up.

It's up to you, what you and your veterinarian feel is best, as well as how your wallet can take it.

Don't give up so quickly though! Talk to your vet!

Good luck. My thoughts are with you.