Should I put my dog to sleep?

Question

I have a cockerspaniel that is almost 14 years old and we just found out about 2 months ago that she has cushings disease, also 4 days ago she tore her acl in her knee. She is on pain meds so she is not in pain right now but she can't walk very well and I have to carry her up and down our steps to let her out to use the restroom. The vet thinks that her acl tore because of the cushings disease she has and we are scared that if we put her through surgery that she may not heal well from it because of her age and the cushings disease which the vet says is possible. I love my dog very much and it is very hard to even think about putting her to sleep but I don't want her to miserable either.

Answer 1

Only YOU can know when the time is right, and there is no wrong choice here. What ever you deside is the very best you can do for your dog. When the time has come, I hope this helps you.

MAY I GO NOW
Don't you think the time is right?
May I say good-bye to pain-filled days
and endless lonely nights?
I've lived my life and done my best,
an example tried to be,
So can I take that step beyond
and set my spirit free?
I didn't want to go at first.
I fought with all my might!
But something seems to draw me now
to a warm and loving light.
I want to go! I really do!
It's difficult to stay.
But I will try as best I can
to live just one more day .
To give you time to care for me
and share your love and fears.
I know you're sad and are afraid
because I see your tears.
I'll not be far, I promise that,
and hope you'll always know
that my spirit will be close to you
wherever you may go.
Thank you so for loving me.
You know I loved you too.
That's why it's hard to say good-bye
and end this life with you.
So hold me now, just one more time,
and let me hear you say,
because you care so much for me,
you'll let me go today.


Copyright Susan A. Jackson
Written for a beloved pet and friend.

Answer 2

I'm so very sorry. I had to face the same decision with my Old English Sheepdog Logan Ben. Can't even begin to tell you how much I loved that dog - he was my soul mate. When he got sick between all of the visits to the emergency animal hospital in the middle of he night and regular vet visits, I must have spent over 5 thousand dollars trying to get him better. I would have spent even more on him except he started having convulsions and I then knew the battle was lost and I had to let him go. He was only 10 years old and I would give anything for him to be by my side again.

The decision to put down an animal is personal. Only you and your family can determine when that time has come. Seek the answer within your heart. I'll be thinking about you and your beloved Cocker Spaniel.

Answer 3

No one will really be able to tell you the answer. All we can do is share our experiences. I just had to have my 12 year old Golden Retriever put down before Thanksgiving for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. It was a tumor in her mouth. It was inoperable due to her age. The vet (who is an adjunct state college professor so I have all the faith in the world in him) told me he knew the cancer was in her jaw and that she would not be able to withstand such a surgery with anethesia involved. She was given 3 months to live. Within 6 weeks her tumor started to gush blood, she was not eating, and the next day I put her down. It was the worst thing I have ever gone through. I still cry because I miss her and I have 3 other dogs. And she was so happy on her last day...like a puppy again. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to decide to do.

My sister in law has a 3 year old Golden and she has had 3 ACL surgeries this year. She first tore one in one leg and then tore the second. She has the first one repaired and then had the second one done just a while ago. Well the first one retore and she just had the surgery a few weeks ago to repair the first one again.

Just look your dog in the eye and she will tell you. It sounds corny to some people but when I look back I was holding on to my dog for personal reasons. She had lost the will to live. She was sad looking..no sparkle in the eyes...did not play. Just wanted to lay in the dark parts of the house (also due to starting to lose her sight).

I know I made the right decision but you will never get over it and dont' believe people when they say a puppy helps you get over your dog...it doesn't. I have another 10 year old Golden (in rough shape) and two 3 1/2 year old German Shepherds whom I love just as my kids and I still miss my Golden, Coryell, every day.

Do what your dog is telling you through her eyes and what you feel in your heart. It is the right thing to do.

Answer 4

I am so sorry you are going through this with your dog. My dog has just been diagnosed with cancer and it has been very difficult these past two weeks. However, we adopted an 18 year old chihuahua about 4 months ago from the shelter. His teeth were sooooo bad that we knew we had to take a chance and but him through surgery to remove them all. He has done wonderfully.......he acts as if he is now 18 months, not 18 years. If you can afford it then I would go for the surgery. Dogs recover much faster than humans do. Our Joey is living proof. When we got him he could hardly stand up. Only you can decide what is best......my heart goes out to you. I know what you are going through.

Answer 5

This is a very personal decision. you need to decide on your own what is in the best interst of the dog. With the Cushings disease your dog will be on medicine for the rest of her life. You need to decide if you have the commitment to give her the medication and the money to invest into the medicine. As for the her tonr cruciate ligament, it is very painful and generally does require surgery to repair. You need to decide if she is strong enough to recover from such a surgery and again if you have the finances to invest into such a surgery. If she is overweight, she probably blew her cruciate due to the strain on her knees. You will need to put her on a diet to help with the pain. Good luck in the decision you choose

Answer 6

Last year I had to put two horses to sleep, so I know exactly how you feel. Ultimately you have to ask yourself about her quality of life. If you believe she is in pain or is miserable, then it is most likely time to put her down. Horses get cushings too, and it is devistating to their bodies, so I imagine a dog has it no better.

I am so sorry for what you are having to deal with, but you make the choice based on what is best for your pet and what you can do for her. If her health issues are taxing you to the point you are overwhelmed, then maybe its time...

Answer 7

I am so sorry for you and your dog. You sound like a good person. I think that if your dogs life is going to be abnormal then you might think about putting her down. I put my dog down a few years back, as her life basically sucked. She had medical problems and she really didn't have a life. She was like 14 years old and was blind. But when she started to go down hill I had her put down. May I suggest that if you do this make sure you are with her when they do it. It is going to be hard on you, but she shouldn't be by herself. They put the dog to sleep so she will NOT feel any pain. God bless you and I am sorry.

Answer 8

I don't think that anyone can make this decision except for you and your family. I have many animals that I consider my family and I've had to make the decision to euthanize several animals that have come to me in poor health ( I have several rescued animals). I always look at the quality of life that they have. If the treatment or the illness is preventing that, I make the decision to alleviate the discomfort. I always remind myself that I have to make a decision in the best interest of the animal and not what is going to make me feel better about the situation
Sometimes you have to love them enough to let them go with their dignity. You've had 14 wonderful years with your dog and that is saying something about the care that you provided her. Good luck with whatever decision you make!

Answer 9

our vet says that u need to consider quality of life when making this decision. is your dogs quality of life good? it is never easy to let go of a pet. my mom had to do it years ago, our dog was 14 years old. my mom took 3 days off work and spent most of them in bed. at that age your pet has become a member of the family and u must put her well being first. i am not saying to put her to sleep. just saying think about how she is feeling,is she in pain?,is she happy? talk to other members of the family and decide together.

Answer 10

I can understand where you are coming from, but consider this....she is 14 in our years that means 98 in dog years...if you were 98 and in pain, would you want to continue living, would you want somebody to have to carry you up and down stairs to use the bathroom? 98 is old, a lot of people don't make it past 70, do what you think is best and humane.