Should I put my dog to sleep?

Question

I am very confused right now. I have a Doberman Pinscher, he is a young 7 years old. 6 months ago he got diabetes, I have to give him 2 insulin shots a day. I found out the other day that he is going blind, in about a week or so he will be totally blind (according to the doctor). They suggested a cataract surgery, but those of you know about that surgery know that it is a pretty steep price. Please don't spite me for not wanting to do the surgery, I have long thought about possible outcomes/advantages/disadvantages etc...I am still considering about the surgery but just not sure if I can manage the payment right now. I love my dog dearly, and he is so young, which is why tossing around the idea of putting him to sleep sounds so cruel right now to me. But I'd rather not have him be blind. Also with him being diabetic I have no clue what the "quality of life" is for him. Any suggestions, comments, ideas, will help. Please realize that I really do care for my dog and want the best for him

Answer 1

The only time you should put a dog to sleep is when the quality of his own life is not what it should be. If he looks as if he's suffering, then it may be time. Do not do it though if the only reason is that you will have some work ahead of you. Its a tough decision. Good luck.

Answer 2

We were faced with a similar decision when a beloved cat required extensive surgery for an infection that had spread from tooth to jawbone. You're asking the right questions, and it's obvious you want to do what's best for the dog, as well as keep yourself out of serious financial trouble. We don't call that selfish or spiteful, we call that wisdom.

If you and your vet determine that the dog is not suffering and can maintain a good quality of life regardless, then one option is to ask your vet how you can help the dog adapt to life without sight. Does this mean always leaving your furniture in the same place and making sure the pathways in your house are clear? Is there any training available to help dogs that are blind? (etc) I have heard many accounts of animals who were blind, but still manuevered around the house quite well...and just like a human, other senses sort of took over to make up the difference.

You may also want to consider a second opinion. There ARE differences between vets, and one may have a suggestion or know of an option that the current vet does not. Whenever you're faced with a major decision like this, it certainly wouldn't hurt to get another professional opinion.

Does he eat well? Does he play and seem affectionate? Does he currently get along well, in spite of the daily shots and/or any complications of the diabetes? If so, then I hope you'll give him a chance. If you can't afford the surgery, don't despair. It wasn't all that long ago that such things weren't even an option for our beloved pets, so although this may sound harsh...it isn't the end of the world if your dog goes blind. You and he will have to adjust, certainly. But if you love your dog (and I understand a little something about that), and he seems happy and healthy in every other way, then I think this can work out okay.

Remember, blindness is life-altering, not life threatening. I would give it a chance, and afterwards if the dog truly doesn't flourish or seems afraid, miserable, unable to function at all...then you can consider euthanasia. Just be sure to ask your vet what he/she would consider a reasonable period of adjustment.

Final thought: I know of a dog - a huge lab - who was severely injured when he was struck by a car. He lost one leg immediately when he was hit. Infection set in later and a second leg had to be amputated. He only had one front right leg, and one left rear leg, and his owners also debated whether to put him to sleep or not. It seemed to cruel to force a dog to hobble through life as a two-legged cripple.

However, I had the rare privilege of getting to see this dog in action. He walks and runs and plays and eats and "grins" as only a dog can. He feels good, he gets around quite well today...and the owners were so thankful that they had NOT put him to sleep, but gave him a chance to live. People may point and stare at the dog when they see him, but he is completely unaware of all that, and the owners could care less.
He's doing quite well, believe it or not, so all parties are happy.

Especially the owners who love him so much.

Good luck! We wish you all the best - Julie

Answer 3

This is the toughest thing to try and decide. While different, I had a Doberman who blew her ACL -- we went to the extent of orthopedic surgery which went horribly wrong -- and after 2.5 months of trying to save her leg, we were left with the decision of either amputation or letting her go peacefully. For me the decision came down to whether the alternative (amputation) would make her happy and allow her to have a normal life. The answer was a resounding no in my head, so I kissed her and gently held her as she slipped off to the Rainbow Bridge. She was only six and a half. To this day, her loss pains me. But I realized I did the most unselfish thing possible by letting her go with dignity and she was there to greet her buddy 5 years later at the other side of the bridge.

In your Dobe's case, he has likely developed the cataracts from the diabetes. Along with blindness, diabetic dogs can face a condition called Neuropathy which shows as weakness of the back legs. They may fall down a lot or not even be able to stand up. He may also get urinary tract infections, eye infections, bladder infections etc. and be prescribed antibiotics. Be aware that when on antibiotics, his insulin requirement may be lower, and giving the dosage that previously worked well can now become too much and cause crashing. Given all of this, one has to ask whether taking the step of surgery will markedly improve his life. Probably not.

I believe that all ill dogs are made whole when they reach the Rainbow Bridge. Keep that in mind too, when making your decision. It many help.

I don't envy the position you find yourself in. Make your decision in an informed manner and based on love. If you do that, NO decision is wrong.

Answer 4

Well I am not really sure, but I have seen what diabetes can do to a human in the long term, and since dogs age so much faster than we do, I would assume that the damage from the diabetes would surface much quicker and shave many years off of his life. If you get this surgery done, in 6 months you might need to do another, and whos to say he will be in good enough health to even recover from it....I am just taking a stab at this though, I don't really know anything concrete....Diabetes can complicate many things, and I have seen many diabetics who scraped their foot actually lose that foot because their bodies cannot heal, or have other problems spring up which were secondary to the diabetes...

Well either way, good luck with your dog, and blind dogs can have a good quality of life too....

Answer 5

Dogs deal with blindness better than humans do. Sight is not a dog's primary way of getting around- they rely far more on smell and sound. Many dogs go completely blind and their owners never know until they move the furniture.

As far as his diabetes, if it is being well controlled with his shots that should not detract much from his quality of life. Work with him and give him a chance even if you can't afford the cataract surgery, and enjoy him for as long as he enjoys his life.

Answer 6

I would not put him to sleep even if you cant afford the cataract surgery. I have some personal experience with this and trust me - he can be perfectly happy without being able to see. Dogs dont pity themselves so they usually adjust very well to the loss of their sight. As long as you keep things- furniture-food bowls etc in the same place in the house they usually do just fine. There may be an adjustment period until he gets used to things but they usually figure stuff out pretty quickly. As far as the diabetes goes- as long as you keep him well regulated with his insulin and diet- his quality of life can be just as good as a non diabetic dog. We have several clients at our clinic who have been in the same situation that you are in right now- and I can tell you that none of them have regretted their descision not to euthanize there pets. Good luck, I know this is a difficult decision, but dont jump the gun on this. Trust me he can still be a perfectly happy pup.

Answer 7

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RE:
Should I put my dog to sleep?
I am very confused right now. I have a Doberman Pinscher, he is a young 7 years old. 6 months ago he got diabetes, I have to give him 2 insulin shots a day. I found out the other day that he is going blind, in about a week or so he will be totally blind (according to the doctor). They suggested a...

Answer 8

I do not think you should pay for the surgery. People need to remember that a dog is a companion (although a wonderful companion), but not a person. It is not intelligent to put yourself in debt for a dog. Remember that the vets have a slainted perspective because they make $$$ from the cataract surgery. I think you should put the dog to sleep. After you are done mourning, use the money you saved to get a new dog.

Answer 9

sweetie, its tough, but being blind isnt so bad. my dog has been blind for 3 years and she is still happy go lucky. she had an eye injury when she was about 4 months old, my other dog popped her eye out. she never had sight in that one, but never acted like anything was wrong. then about 5 years ago, they thought she had glocoma, and when they tested her they found she had retinal deteriation, and that she would be fully blind within 2 years. well, she was. she's pretty good at getting around, she's around 15 years old now. she knows where all the halls and rooms are in the house, and we never move furnature anyways so its not like she has to worry about that. she still comes downstairs to the kitchen when she hears food and she still goes up and down the stairs on her own (although sometimes she misses and slides, but thats pretty rare) she bumps into the coffee table and car all the time, but shes learned to walk with her head down so she only bumps the top of her head, but she has never once actually hurt herself bumping into anything. she used to be a dog that bolted at the slightest open door, now she has the freedom to wander the yard leash free most of the time, and she really likes that. she was never into playing with toys so nothing there has changed. we're just her seeing eye people. she still barks at every noise, but always has, now we just get a break when the squrils are in the bird feeder cause that used to make her go nuts.

if you can live with giving your dog shots and whatever else goes along with being diabetic, being blind doesnt have to change much else. my dog grew up in the same house all her life, so she knows it, she knows the smells (which dogs use a lot anyways) and she's happy here. she has her pillow in front of the fireplace and one at the foot of my mom's bed, she still pushes doors open, and she still gets into the trash car (which is in a cabnit) within 5 minutes of us walking out the door!

Answer 10

This is quality of life question, does your dog have good quality of life? Is he in pain, can he function (go out to go to the bathroom). Blind pets are not uncommon and they do learn to do what they need to do just fine. With proper care he could live for years but the diabetes will take it's toll.