How do I deal with having to put down my dog of 11years. He is my son. I love him dearly. But he is in great pain. I know that he is. Do I owe it to keep him alive or do I owe it to him to keep him alive? He has a tumor on his side.
2007-01-29 08:25:25 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
This is by far the worst part of owning pets. I'm sorry for your pain.
We put a Dane down about three months ago. He was 13, bless his old heart, and still as smiley as the day we got him. He developed a degenerative nerve disorder in his spine, which caused him to lose feeling in and control of his back legs. He begin having trouble walking, then began falling down the stairs. Eventually, he couldn't get up to get to the back door when he had to go outside, and we knew at that point that although he wasn't feeling much pain, his quality of life had gone way down.
We decided to put him down before it got really bad, before he lost his legs all together, to keep our memories of him happy ones.
There's no way to know for sure when the time is right. Remember, a dog's quality of life is our responsibility as owners, as 'parents'. I sympathize with you; if your dog is in pain, and not manageable in a reasonable way, it may be time.
I feel your pain. Anyone who's ever had to put down a beloved pet can empathize with you.
2007-01-29 08:44:51 · answer #1 · answered by Kelly R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I understand your pain. I'm sorry to hear that your having to deal with this. The only thing I can say if you do put him down you should the chose to hold him when the vet does it. I have had to deal with that once with cat that I loved very much who had a tumor in him brain. I didn't stay with and felt very guilty after. if I was to make that chose again I would stay so he would feel alone. But those are just my thoughts. Good luck and many hugs.
2007-01-29 16:45:03 · answer #2 · answered by lady_jane_az 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the tumor is not operable, then he needs to be put down, having anything in that much pain is not good. It makes you suffer along with your pet. He hurts more knowing that he is hurting you. That is when a dog knows it is dieing, it will leave, because he doesn't want his family to see him go. So you need to decide if you want to do the right thing.
2007-01-29 16:37:37 · answer #3 · answered by spiritwalker 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is the prognosis with the tumor? If he is in pain the right and difficult thing to do is to have him put to sleep..it would be selfish to keep him hanging on in pain and you would just be prolonging the inevitable. I had a dog for 13yrs and had to let him go as he had cancer..it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do but I knew it was the right thing to do. I have gone to funerals for friends and relatives and shed not one tear but the day I let my dog go I cried like a baby. It is so hard to do..I wish you luck.
2007-01-29 16:37:59 · answer #4 · answered by xcessjw2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would you even ask this question? You obvously must know the answer. If you love him as much as you say you do, then you will put him out of his missery and put him to sleep. But if you just want him by your side to ease you pain because you aren't ready to let go, then it sounds like you dont love him that much. Take him to the vet. It will be humane. You will be happier knowing that your dog is happier. He will be thankful to you. Wouldnt you rather know that he is happy in Heaven chasing cats, than here in pain?
2007-01-29 16:57:59 · answer #5 · answered by blueroan2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We had to put our 7 year old German shepherd to sleep in November. He had a spine disease and was losing the feeling in his back legs. He was falling down stairs and could barely make it out the door to go to the bathroom. He didn't seem to have pain but was falling all the time and started to go off by himself. It was very hard to do but you know when the time is right. We miss him very much and will always miss him. I know how you feel, it's not an easy decision to make. Our vet put his paw print on the rainbow bridge poem and I have it framed.
2007-01-29 18:10:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am so sorry! I know it's agonizing but the best thing to do is put him to sleep. I have 2 dogs who are my life, well, besides my husband. Your dog will no longer be in pain and he will be your angel to watch over you. You will hurt for a long time but it's probably best to do this. Give him his favorite meal, be there with him and let him go.
Agree with other answer, you can get him cremated and he will be there. I had my beloved Doberman cremated and she sits by my bed. I still talk to her and kiss the box she's in. Non-dog owners wouldn't understand.
2007-01-29 16:35:00 · answer #7 · answered by lonestar 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Consult a vet, but if hes really in pain, and theres no way to fix him up, its probably best to put him down. I grew up with a lab (15 years) and she ended up getting a tumor as well. Actually, she had a few, but only one bad one. She was such a spunky dog, but towards the end, you could tell she was hurting bad. We elected to put her down. It hurts, but think about your baby. It sounds like he probably had a great long life with you. Let him end it happy and with as little suffering as possible. Hed do it for you.
2007-01-29 16:36:19 · answer #8 · answered by Christine T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You owe it to your beloved pet to end his suffering and misery and for him to die with respect and dignity. He does not deserve pain. You have given him 11 wonderful years of life and he will wait to cross the rainbow bridge with you. A horrible decision to have to make, but he will appreciate a pain free death vs continuing to live in pain.
Good luck!
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2007-01-29 16:35:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take that dog in this instant and have him put down. Sure you will miss him, but that is God's way of reminding us of the love we have for our relatives. And he will be without pain.
2007-01-29 16:35:07 · answer #10 · answered by bigggdaddymo 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋