I have an 18 year old female dog who has been operated 5 times from removal of tumors (has three right now), was in chemotherapy, and who experienced her first epilepsy about three days ago. She has had two more since then because she is on medication. She has been crying, lost her sight, and cannot stand up by herself. She needs attention 24/7 which I don't mind. But today she has been crying too much, screaming for pain. She is going to the doctor for help. Should I put her to sleep?? My sister is giving up, she is suffering too much. I feel that the issue of euthanasia is here...I don't want to give up on her but she is suffering too much.
2006-12-30 03:54:34 · 32 answers · asked by ? 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
My sister and dad wants to put her to sleep..but a day before New Year's??? :(
2006-12-30 03:56:09 · update #1
Thank you all for your kind words (tears)...The doctor gave her a shot to ease her pain. I'll keep you all posted...
2006-12-30 04:05:04 · update #2
My family and I decided to put my dog to sleep...I know that she is in a better place. Thank you all for your kind words..may she rest in peace
2006-12-30 07:09:06 · update #3
I am very sorry to hear what you are going through but I am a veterinary technician (nurse) So I know this expereince all too well. Also I just lost my dog. My dog got very sick and I was being in denial and didnt want to put him down. Its just so hard. I just lost my mother and now my dog? My brother was gone travelling so I was talking to him and he convinced me to do it. I was going to bring him in the morning and he then just died on his own. I know whats running through your head. Its the what if? What if he springs back up, what if he starts to have a good day. But the truth of it is, yes he may have one good day but think about how much he is suffering. Just try to put yourself in his shoes. The funny thing about dogs from what I have learned from my experience is they will do ANYTHING to please you. They love you so much, they greet you @ the door, their always there to listen to you, they never hold grudges. They are the ultimate best friend. But their cares is dependent on you. They cant do this along. You have tried EVERYTHING you can. Not to many people go through chemo on their dogs. They just give up right then and there when they hear the word cancer. You have helped her live a long soild life and you need to understand how appreciated she is for that. She is one of the lucky ones. There are way to many dogs out in this world that arent nearly as lucky as she is. I will leave you with this and please think about it .... Its the Quality of Life, not the Quanity.
2006-12-30 04:14:22 · answer #1 · answered by roxygrrl1983 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
That's tough. 18 is pretty old for a dog. If your dog is actually making noises because she's in pain, that's a sign right there that the pain is pretty bad. A dog's natural instinct is it hide pain or injury so they don't appear weak. If a dog is showing pain without being touched, it must be really bad.
I think it's time to put her out of her suffering. Our dog reached a point where she could hardly walk from arthritis and lost control of some bodily functions. They don't want to live like that.
Good luck with whatever decision you make. I know it's tough, and even though I've had a great dog for 10 years, I still miss the collie we had when I was in high school and college.
2006-12-30 04:00:05 · answer #2 · answered by sandand_surf 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry to hear about your dog. I can tell you love her a lot and have done everything you can to care for her. It sounds like it might be time to let go and put her to sleep though. Only you know your dog, but if she is in pain and her quality of life is no longer good, it might be time. I just put my cat to sleep a couple days ago and it's a very hard decision I know. It broke my heart but I know he was suffering and had been for awhile and it wasn't fair to keep him alive for my sake. The thing I keep remembering is you have to make a decision on whether you're trying to keep your pet alive because you love them and don't want to lose them or if you're trying to keep them alive because they are still happy and enjoying life. At 18 years old, she's had a good long life but even if you didn't put her to sleep now, her time is unfortunately running out. You really need to get her to an emergency vet today if she is screaming in pain and I would ask the vet their opinion. I will keep you in my prayers.
2006-12-30 04:03:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
putting her to sleep would not be giving her up=( 18 years is a long time for a dog to live and you are lucky to have had her for such a long time. If your dog is in pain and suffering you have to do the best thing for her, and that probably means putting her to sleep. She has given you 18 years of love and loyalty and now she is crying to you begging you to make things better. If you truley did love her you would put her pain at ease so that she does not suffer every day. She can't see anythig and can not even get up, she is missing the joys of life her walks and play times and just sitting down in pain. Your dog already is not "living" she is just passing the day. I know you want to hope things to change, when i had to put my 14 year old dog to slepp, i cried for weeks but it was the best thing for her.
2006-12-30 04:06:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know it's extremely sad, but think of all the pain she's going through....
It won't be easy for anybody, but she will be in a better place after it. She's old, she needs to stop hurting. Because the pain she's going through makes it harder for both her and all of your family.
I feel that you love her a lot, you should put her to sleep. Tell her you love her do whatever it takes, but she shouldn't be going through this anymore.... let it be, it's life my dear... those we love pass on sometimes...
She lived a great life with you guys but I think it's best if it ends for her now... It doesn't matter if it's New Years, the poor thing is suffering a lot. Like I said it's not easy for anybody, but you'll never forget her :) Because she was a great dog!!!!
God Bless you, and I hope you figure out things soon enough.
2006-12-30 04:04:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If she is crying, she is suffering. When I decided it was "time" for our dog a month ago, my Vet gave me a sedatitive to give her (I wished we'd had enough for both of us :^) This way she was groggy when the Vet came to our truck to put her down. I kept my hand on her, and spoke softly to her while the Vet administered the injection to euthanize her.
It is selfish to keep a suffering dog - with no chance at a quality life, alive. She will always be in your heart - and you can remember all the good times together.
Good luck, and God Bless both of you!
p.s. Remember - the New Years thing is your thing - not hers. She just knows suffering right now. I had to put my dog to sleep a day before my birthday :^( It was what was best for her - not me.
2006-12-30 04:04:58 · answer #6 · answered by CC 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The kindest thing you can do for your dog now is to end her suffering. We don't want to "give up" but how can we justify letting our pets suffer?
Most vets will allow you to be there at the end. It will not hurt but it may seem as if she is struggling. That is just the medication, she will not be in pain during the procedure --she will just "go to sleep"
It will comfort her to have someone there. Try to find the strength to do that --for her.
And don't let ANYONE tell you that you should not grieve because "she is just a dog" You have the right to your feelings.
2006-12-30 04:15:54 · answer #7 · answered by Marilyn E 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Realistically, she's 18, been through 5 cancer removal surgeries and chemo. She;s at the end of her life. I know it's hard, but if she is in pain and the cancer keeps recurring, I think the best thing is to euthanize. It's hard, it sucks, but trust me, I've been where you are, you'll be sad and it'll feel like the world is crumbling for a while, but I can honestly say. I've NEVER ONCE regretted the decision. It was time.
2006-12-30 04:14:45 · answer #8 · answered by Mouth_of_da_South 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know it is a tough situation, but you need to be realistic here... Think of what is best for her? I know it is touh with the holiays and such, but maybe of they put her to sleep say today for example, you'll know she is freed of all of her ailments and in a better place to start out the new year.
I am not sure what else to say, but Understand that hatever hap[pens always happens or a reason.
It will be less stress on the rest of the family, you and your dog.
2006-12-30 04:33:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
My heart goes out to you. I've been faced with making that decision 3 times in my life. Twice, we said yes to putting them to sleep, and the third time, he went in his sleep before it got that bad.
Only when there was no chance for my dogs to get better, did I have to look at the quality of life they had. My dogs were always good, loyal dogs and always wanted to make me happy. When I realized that I was only prolonging the decision because I didn't want to live without them, I realized my dogs deserved not to suffer any longer, just because I wanted them to be with me.
Doing it right before a holiday is hard and sad. I would probably spoil her for the holiday. Over the summer, we had to say good by to our 11 year husky-mix. He had cancer in his glands and it wasn't operable. He wasn't suffering as much as yours is, but we knew he only had about 6 weeks left. So we treated him like a king for those last weeks. Steak & hot dogs on the grill every night. Ice cream for dessert and my dad gave him cheese balls and potato chips.
In hind-sight, it was good to know the end was near. We all got to spend time with him telling him we loved him and said good-bye. It really helped ease the our broken-hearts after he was gone knowing we got to spend those last moments spoiling him and really making sure he knew we loved him.
2006-12-30 04:26:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋