Jesse was a pound pup that I adopted from the humane society when I was in college. He was the fraternity dog, slept in my room, and we just had a good ole' time. When I adopted him, the vet aged him between 7 and 10 years old.
That was over 6 years ago. I am now married, have two wonderful children, and a beautiful house. Jesse has been there for it all. In the last 2 years, he has started to get a growth on the side of his body, it's now starting to affect his walking. I thought it was time to put him down, but I was unable to bring myself to do it. My wife has been complaining for several years that he has a hard time going potty outside... We've cleaned up more accidents than we care to count.
2007-02-04 02:22:24 · 20 answers · asked by John 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Last week, my wife took Jesse to the vet (with my knowledge) while I was out of town. I got a phone call from her as she was talking to the vet. The vet had a hard time justifying putting him down, saying he looked happy, and instead she walked out with a $350 bill for some tests.
What she doesn't see is that all dogs get excited when they go to the vet.. What about Jesse? He sits on the couch, or on his pillow in our room. When we put him outside, he sits in a chair. All day. I took him for a walk around the block yesterday - he got so tired he layed down on the sidewalk when we were 2 houses from home! What should I do?
2007-02-04 02:24:41 · update #1
It does sound like its his time... mabey you should sit down with your amily and talk it out... ask everyone "What is right for him" are we keepining him alive and suffering for us or for him?" I know alot of vets will come to your house to do it so that there is undue stress to Jesse... that might be an option.. I am sorry... hope all goes well...good luck....
this is something the vet I used to work for says:
www.carinrennings.com (click on home)
Considering quality of life when your pet becomes old or ill. I will do what I can to make them as comfortable as possible. Heroics, however, are not necessary when it won’t change the outcome or will only cause undue stress on an animal that is already in pain.the final decision must be made with love in your heart. Your devoted companion will try to stay with you as long as you need them, but when the time is right, you need to make the unselfish choice to let them go and end their suffering.in mercy. When you have done everything you can for your pet and their quality of life is gone, I will help him or her gracefully transition into the next world with as much dignity and as little pain or fear as possible. I deeply understand your grief and will be with you and offer a hug if it will help.
2007-02-04 02:28:41 · answer #1 · answered by marnibrown1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, I am in the same position with my 14 yr old Cocker Spaniel. She came way before the husband and the kids, and is my only 'daughter'(they become a part of the family!). I would suggest calling the vet and talking to her yourself. I would think the vet should be concerned about the lack of bowel control. Why did she feel the growth impeding her gait was not a problem? What would he/she feel are some of the signs you're looking for to tell you the time is right.
Then weigh the answers, if you think your poor pooch is suffering, you know in your heart it's time. I know it's tough, but you wouldn't let a friend suffer. Maybe you need to consult a different vet.
2007-02-04 02:35:01 · answer #2 · answered by momof2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would take him to a vet that you can trust.. ask around and see who ppl you know go to. Most vets won't run a bunch of tests on a dog that old. I know ours didn't, when our golden was getting bad. She offered to, but left it up to us. Depending on his condition, sometimes growths can be removed fairly easily. If the vet thinks that surgrey would be to invasive and that the recovery time would be to hard, then it probably is time to put him down. I'd base it on whether or not he is in pain. and whether or not he seems happy most of the time. Usually the dog will let you know when he's done. I'm sorry that you're going through this. Talk to a vet and check out your options that way! ~Good luck
2007-02-04 02:26:47 · answer #3 · answered by timesdragonfly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This sounds so familar, i do feel for you right now. I also got my dog from the pound and he was estimanted to be over five years old but that he has survived distemper. He was such a crack up to have around but he some health issues. After about ten yrs later he started to decline and have some real highs and real lows like roller coaster in good and bad days. It seems like it was getting bad and i was going to have to face putting him down, then he came out of it. This went on for over a year and i faced all the questions like his age and should i do a lot of tests, that cost so much! what could i do about the outcome if i found out what it was and it was mostly a growth also. They really hang on for US you know. You know when its time because i knew when my dog was going i just felt that the last week he was with me i just knew, i strongly suggest that if your animal gets uncomfortable and starts to suffer then, help your buddy and spend your time telling him you love him and say your good byes..hurts like hell but your dog friend needs you to be strong right now. Take your time to get over the greiving before you get another animal. Its such a great commitment and the right animal will come after some time has passed . Take care ok
2007-02-04 05:50:50 · answer #4 · answered by Bought & paid for!! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is really up to you, I think as long as he isnt suffering I would not put him down.
My dog has Addisons Diease, she went into an addisonian crisis
where she couldnt walk outside to go pee. constantly thirsty and other things.
I took her to the vet overnight for fluids and test and we now give her 15 pills a day.
She has good days and bad days and had an episode where she became ill again. It has cost me $4,000! (that I really dont have)already!
It is a tough choice, I cant justify putting her down if she is in pain, or ending her life over money. On the other hand she has to take steroids and it changes her, causes anxiety.
SO I guess im i the same boat,........
2007-02-04 04:11:22 · answer #5 · answered by Pro_Dog_Trainer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well your dog seems to be pretty old and some dogs get like that. its like if you saw an old person that is sick and cant control its blatter than the person might need help using the restroom or something or he may have an accident. so looking at your dog he could be like an old person that cant control his insides. a lot of people dont lokk at it that way but dogs are very much like people. when you see a dog outside on a chain with no one around and its outside all day everyday then it breaks the dogs spirit because it isnt with its family. so you should just let the dog adjust to it and if you dont already have one then you should get a doggy door or get another dog as its friend and maybe the dog will be happier. so try to do every thing you can before putting him down.
2007-02-04 02:57:11 · answer #6 · answered by Tyler M 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I used to be a volunteer at the vet office until the doctor past away. I used to help him in the surgery room where he have to cut all puppy tails and cut their stomach up to do different things for different reasons. Then he sewed them back up when he all done with what he have to do. I was just there helping him to get the job done. Put the dogs down was the part of why I was there for. The doctor knows what good for the dogs. You need to get the advise from them for your dog. You have to look at what the best for your dog, not hurting part.
2007-02-04 02:37:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had my pomeranian put down at age 14. He couldn't get up anymore and he knew I was going to do it. He gave me the look that said, it's ok mommy, I'm ready to go. It has been a year and a half and I still miss him. He was born in my family's house.
He had potty problems for quite a few years before I put him down. It is the kindest thing to do. I could not be in the room with him when they did it, I was losing it. Have someone come with you when you do that so that they can go in with the dog. They gave us the dog in the towel that we brought him in and we buried him out in our backyard, towel and all and put a large rock over the spot. When it's warm, I do go out and visit him.
You and the dog will both know when the time is right to put him down.
2007-02-04 02:31:37 · answer #8 · answered by jayndee13 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It definitely sounds like Jesse's on the downhill slide. I'd wait a little while longer. If the vet says that he's just really old and not in pain you're just gonna have to wait for it. The euthanasia laws are different everywhere. I'd check them out in your area to be certain of making the right decision.
2007-02-04 02:36:49 · answer #9 · answered by Ricky J. 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
my rule of thumb, and i have had to do this alot unfortunatly, is ...
1. if they are eating
2.if they are still potty trained
3.if they are not in pain
4, if they are still enjoying being alive
i usually wait and see, when they stop eating enough, potty in the house or whine in pain, or just act depressed i put them down
i dont know your exact situation, and i realize how hard it is to watch a faitful friend slowly become a dog you dont know, but if you feel like he is no longer jesse and is not living for any other reason than your "keeping him alive" then it is humane to put him down peacefully.
whatever you decide will be the right decision
2007-02-04 02:32:24 · answer #10 · answered by drezdogge 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋