I feel extremely guilty please help me.?

Question

I euthanised my 13 year old dog dec20 because he was dignosed with abnormally high kidney failure before he was euthanised his appetire was completely lost and he had become very weeek/slow and he already had an enlarge heart problem and was on medication for the past 3 months. His vet said there is nothing they can't do much about it ( since he was an old dog, had a heart problem) axcept they can keep him on for IV/fluid to make him feel little better but that was not a possible outcome because he was never going to recover from his illness. there was no surity that for how long he was going to feel better if they give him IV. Then we had to choose the option to put him down his vet said this is the right decesion but eversince I lost my dog I have extremely guilt feeling for whether or not my decision was righ? or could I have asked for second ( another vet's) opinion? what do you guys think? Please help me..my life is messedup now because of that guilt. do u think I killed my dog?

Answer 1

I had a dog for 20 years that I dearly loved and euthanized. I have felt guilty for all of those years. Recently I had a cat die a very slow and painful death. I didn't want to euthanize him because of the first experience. Looking back, I am now sure that I did the right thing for my dog. It was quick and painless. He didn't have to linger without being able to drink or eat. Forgive yourself. You have to shoulder the responsibility of making the decision, but not letting your pet suffer is the right one. Now I'm beginning to question how we let humans die or do people have the right to die before they suffer an angonizing illness? When you love someone or something, you should love it more than you love yourself. Sometimes you have to make the tough decisions. I will say a prayer for your peace.

Answer 2

I lost my 14 years old Rott last year! I had to have him put down as well. It is a very hard thing to do but from what you have said I do believe you choose the right way! There is no need for him to suffer any longer then he already did. You did everything you could for him and anymore would have been a little much. He was 13 years old and that is very old for a dog. I still have not gotten another dog I just am not ready yet. Give yourself some time and try to remember the good time you had with him when he was young and healthy. You did the right thing hope you feel better soon!!

Hope you like this!!


Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....


Kelley

Answer 3

I'm sorry for your loss. I made the same decision with my 13 year-old cat. She had an obstruction and needed an operation. She was extremely weak, couldn't eat or go to the bathroom. The blood work showed she was in kidney failure and had anemia. The vet said she was too weak for the operation, but would die without it. He wanted to keep her in a cage at his office and just maybe she could get stronger. I ended up choosing euthanasia. I did not want my cat alone in a cage at the vet thinking I dumped her there because she was sick. The vet said to me after that this was the best decision because chances are she wouldn't have made it through the surgery and even if she did, her kidneys were shot.

It is perfectly normal for you to doubt your decision. It's part of the grieving process. I was so bad after my cat died that I didn't sleep for almost a week. I came to realize that she was probably in pain, as pets often hide their discomfort. If we can see their pain, it's usually because it's severe. You made the decision you did because you did not want your dog to suffer.

If you need to talk about this, there are great support message boards and chats on the Internet. Just type in Pet Loss and you'll see many sites.

Answer 4

Perhaps you are confusing feelings of loss and sorrow with guilt. You should feel good that you helped your friend be rid of pain and suffering. 13 years is a long time and obviously you had a great life with him since his passing is stirring up such strong feelings for you. Just think how bad you would feel if you had to watch him suffer and slowly die every day. Try to remember all the good times you two had, and maybe sometime in the future you will be able to find another loyal friend to share your love of dogs with. Hang in there and try and stay positive.


Oh and as far as that sick retard that made the comments about slaughtering animals, hopefully he runs into your dog in the afterlife and gets his face bitten off.

Answer 5

It's tough - I know- Went through the same thing. The vet was likely right. Think of it though, you wanted to hold on to your dog and after that many years, your dog had a good life. It is natural to feel guilt but remember that he is no longer suffering. To help my mother through the loss of her cat of 15 years I surprised her with 2 kittens (brothers) and they have brought her more joy than ever. She initially rejected them because of her guilt but he is happier now. The guilt is natural, and your dog was a part of your life. Just remember that you two had good time and your dog was always loyal to you. The grieving will pass but the best thing I found is to get another pet. A puppy will bring a lot of joy into your life. Your not replacing him, you could never do that, but the loving care you gave to you buddy can now be given to a new generation. - Sorry about your loss

Answer 6

Most dog owners go through the same feelings when their dogs get old, start suffering, and have to be put to sleep. It's normal to feel a little guilt about it, but you should also remember the love and joy you gave your dog during his life. At the end, he was suffering and you made the decision that ended his suffering, which was the best thing for him at that time, and was the inevitable end. When you feel those feelings of guilt, try to take a break from them. Your dog loved you also, and would want you to be happy. Honor his memory by healing.

Answer 7

I am sorry for your loss I understand how you feel, maybe this will help, be thankful for the wonderful life you had together and Cherish all the fond memories, rest assured that you did the right thing, you did not make him suffer because of your selfish love for him you gave him the best life that you could and when his quality of life worsened you let him go in a kind manor We humans don't have such luxury as our pets do, there is no kind person to put us down when our time comes. God bless and when you are ready get a new dog and he will be your greatest companion

I cried for four months when my dog passed he was a Wolfie named Lucky, my father in law bless his heart got me this 5 week old black and white with gray spotted beagle she is not my Lucky, she never will compare to him but I love that little honey with all my heart

Answer 8

That's always a very tough decision to make, but in my opinion, it comes down to quality of life. I don't think getting another vet's opinion would be of any help in this case. Kidney failure is irreversible and your dog would have suffered a slow and agonizing death.
I feel that you have to have so much love for your dog, that you are willing to let him go, and put his needs ahead of your own feelings. Don't feel guilty, you did the very best thing you could do for your friend, because you loved him so much. And you can be sure that he trusted you to make that decision for him.

Answer 9

No I do not think you should feel guilty. You did the poor old guy a great service as a friend. You stopped his pain and gave him a quiet way to go out. The IV would have just prolonged the inevitable and he would have suffered. I am really sorry for you, I know how hard that is having been through it myself. But you did the right thing.

Answer 10

Rest assured you did the right thing. I don't think there's a lot to do to help a dog with kidney failure or enlarged hearts. Sure it would never hurt to get a second vets opinion, but if he was suffering, then humane euthanasia was the right thing to do.

Just know that you saved your dog from a lot of suffering.