My 17 year old Bearded Collie has been unwell the last year, she had an operation 9 months ago to remove a cancerous tumour. She has athritis and is wobbling and falling down alot, and losing weight, she picks up her tennis ball but has no energy to play with it and just drops it back down, she is always sleeping and looks sad. I have had her since she was a puppy, i dont want to put her down, but i am worried i am being selfish and that i am causing her to live in pain. Any Advice?
2007-02-22 03:05:08 · 16 answers · asked by leanna1700 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
That is a really hard decision to make. I've been there! I once have a dog "Toronto" who loved to jump really high but he hurt his back and one afternoon he stopped moving he was crying. We took him to the vet, and he told us that we have 2 choices one to put him to sleep (the most human one) and second to operate on him. We saw him suffer that night we were trying to do the best thing for him and then we decided to put him to sleep so he stop suffering. Think of that and make your decision.
2007-02-22 03:25:40 · answer #1 · answered by Naias ♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's hard for any of us to tell you, because you know your dog the best.
My doberman lived to be fourteen and she slipped a disc. She would start falling and yelping in pain, and went downhill in a matter of days. She couldn't stand or walk on her own, and we knew she was in pain. She loved running so much, and she couldn't even walk anymore. If you looked in her eyes, you could tell she was miserable. So even though she was still all there, and if we had wanted, we could have carried her outside to use the bathroom and just had her laying there all the time. But that would have been selfish. So we opted for euthanasia.
Only you and your family will know when it is time. When your wanting her to be there outweighs her suffering, you know it's time and you have to let go.
I'm so sorry if that turns out to be the case. I know how hard it is.
Good luck with everything.
PS. If you're worried about the thing where dogs are scared of the vet and don't want her to be so scared...a lot of vets will actually come to your house and do it so she can be at home and comfortable. Ask around if that's what you want.
2007-02-22 03:14:59 · answer #2 · answered by dark_reaction 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know the thought of having your collie put to sleep probably really distresses you. 2 years ago I had my oldest dog put to sleep, he was a 14 year old black lab and it was really painful. I have 3 other dogs 11, 9 and 7 years old. I know i will have to face it again. I guess the best way to decide is by asking yourself, "is the dogs quality of life suffering?" if the answer is yes, then you need to have her put to sleep. Make your decision solely on the animals well being and quality of life. Hope you find this helpful, I know it is painful.
2007-02-22 03:38:31 · answer #3 · answered by johnkmayer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to hear your agonizing dilemma, it a decision every dog lover dreads. I was always told I would just know with my animals when the time was right, and I never thought that would happen. I did not think I could see through my pain and love for my animals. However, on two occasions when I came to that point I did know, I felt it in my heart. When they are no longer enjoying life and the suffering gets to be too much it is time. When they are not eating, no longer happy and they look into your eyes and their eyes just beg for you to let go. All the love that you have for them is there and as a dog parent you know what they are saying. Wish you and your dog the best.
2007-02-22 03:23:31 · answer #4 · answered by TritanBear 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Is she still enjoying life? If the answer is no because she can not then I am sorry to say that it would be best to put her down. If you are unsure of the answer to this question you should consult your vet as they will give you the honest answer as to what you should do. I had to put my dog to sleep a few years back and it was the hardest thing that I have ever had or will ever have to do but it was the kindest thing for her as she was suffering and that just broke my heart more.
2007-02-22 03:12:25 · answer #5 · answered by elin1607 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
only you know when the time is right. do you (or your vet) think she is in constant pain? think about her quality of life, if you think she is suffering more than she is living, you might want to let her go. it sounds like she is close to passing on her own, so if you think she isn't suffering, perhaps letting time take it's course would be easiest for both of you. if you do decide to put her down ask your vet to come to your home and do it. that way her last moments will be peaceful and easy. you must have taken wonderful care of her to have lived such a long life! 17 years is really incredible! i'm so sorry you have to go through this and i wish you all the best.
2007-02-22 03:12:33 · answer #6 · answered by the_most_happy17 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our black lab was 13 when we decided to put her to sleep. She had bad arthritis, was on 3 medications and when those meds stop relieving the symptoms that's when we decided it was best. I feel awful because she hated the vet's office smell and was scared as soon as she was in there. To see her "go to sleep" was extremely hard on my sister and I, but we knew she was suffering. It was a big determining factor when she was having trouble going to the bathroom on her own. She either couldn't hold it as long, or would have trouble getting out of the squat posistion. 17 is a long happy life and I would seriously weigh her pros and cons. Sorry for your situation, you are a good friend to care so much.
2007-02-22 03:16:32 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think sometimes the most loving thing you can do for your animal is to realize when they can no longer carry on as themselves and to make that decision. Its not fair to make them live out the last months in pain and sadness.its not easy to think of it that way but really it is that last act of kindness you can do for them.I'm not saying that its the right decision for the both of you, i think your dog will let you know when its time also. It really sounds like you've done every thing in your power to give your dog a full life if its and consolation.
2007-02-22 03:26:33 · answer #8 · answered by leandra 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should out her down. the only reason i diden't put my dog down waz becuz i wanted to c her 4 da last time after a 2 month camp. she waited for me and a day after i got home, she died. you should let her feel the pain anymore. be with her alot and try to set a an appointment with the vets. It's a horrible feel to walk in on a dead dog(I did). I would put her to sleep.
2007-02-22 03:11:58 · answer #9 · answered by KittyKat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know how you feel its a hard desicion to make.Honestly, Put your self in her shoes. would you wanna walk around every day with your bones grinding and pain in every step? Playing ball isnt as much fun as it used to be caused you dont have energy and the strength.
2007-02-22 03:22:49 · answer #10 · answered by lovethosedogs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋