Any advice?

Question

I grew up with two dogs. Mother and daughter. Two years ago my 16 year old furbaby came down with pyometra. This is bacteria in the uterus, due to her not being spayed. I put her down after being talked into it because I did not want her to suffer. The euthanasia was painful for her. She cried out when they gave her the first shot and she tried to bite the vet. She never did that before. I have been questioning myself ever since. I wonder if I did the correct thing. I was against eutanasia and put her down anyway. I'm wondering if I betrayed her or scared her. I think about her always and now her daughter is 15. She will be 16 in October. I watched her be born and do not know what to do when the time comes. I constantly think what could have been done. I should have had her spayed, I should have spend more time with her, and I should have not scared her. Should I have put her down. It just goes on and on for me. I have such a hard time dealing with this. Any advice???

Answer 1

One suggestion would be if the 15 yr old isn't spayed, you should have her spayed. It's always difficult to lose a pet. When we had our collie put down, the vet's office was so busy our usual vet couldn't do it, and a vet we never see came in to administer the shots, which wasn't such a big deal except she kept missing the vein and he started getting scared and crying out. It ended up being a lot less peaceful of a departing than it should have been. There is no way you can ask a 16 yr old dog to go through the type of surgery to correct her pyometra, you made the right decision. You live and learn and now you know firsthand a good reason for getting a dog spayed.

Answer 2

To be honest, there's nothing that can be said to fill the hole in your heart, but as time goes on it will be less painful. Yes, you didn't have her spayed, but what a blessing to have her daughter, who also has had a long life! Try to remember that you made your decision to put her down out of love, to end or prevent suffering. Any fear or minor pain she experienced was for a brief moment in time. It's possible it wasn't putting her down that made her lash out, but perhaps being ill from the pyometra. Had you not done so, wouldn't her pain and fear have been for a much longer time? As for what to do about her 15 year old daughter when the time comes? Embrace every moment with her for now, don't worry too much about the future until her health dictates it, and have confidence that you're a good 'parent'. Also, just because you had to make the decision with her mother, it doesn't mean that the circumstances will be the same for her. They are different dogs and will likely pass on with different circumstances to consider. You will KNOW in your heart what to do if you evaluate it as a separate issue.

Answer 3

It is so hard to put a animal down. When my grandma died I took her dog to the vet to get euthanized. She was 16 or so like yours and had some health problems, she was a Pekingese, I went in the room and watched the procedure like it sounds like you did. That was the biggest mistake ever. I think of that dog all the time. I wanted her to have someone in there she knew. But to watch her die was the most traumatizing thing I have ever witnessed. I question doing it, though it really was the right thing to do....She would only have been scared because the vets office is scary and shots hurt. You had 16 beautiful years with her. I don't know how serious the condition is but I do know for some breeds 16 is really old. You saved her from the stress of treatment and undergoing surgery at that age. This way she had a clean break from life, no pain, no suffering, just wonderful memories of the life she had with you. I am so sorry for your loss.

Answer 4

That's a very hard situation.
The thing is, there's not really an easy answer for us to give you. It sounds like you did the right thing, because a dog that old would not have gotten through the treatment very easily and it would have been very painful.
Euthanasia, as scary as it is, is the right choice in many instances. You have to think about quality of life. If your dog is in pain, but you're still keeping her around, it's a little selfish although it's out of love. You have to realize when it's time to let go; there's only so much you can do for your animal. It sounds like you made the right decision; it's hard, and it hurts. Believe me, I know. But please don't beat yourself up about it.

So, when the time comes...If you're worried about your dog being scared, ask around. Some vets will come to your house to perform a euthanasia. Also, if you don't want it to hurt and make it easier on both vet and dog when the vet is searching for the vein, ask for telazol first. This is a sedation shot that will go into a dog's muscle. It will take a few minutes to take effect, so you can hold and comfort and be with your dog as she falls asleep. Then, since she is sedated, she won't feel a thing when the actual euthanasia is administered.

Just don't be scared or really upset; I know this is a lot to ask, but she can feel your vibes and that will only upset her. Try to remain calm and be with her and comfort her. That's all she needs.

[Pyometra is very common. Please get your animals spayed in the future; it's always tragic when this happens. I've seen so many with that condition.]

Answer 5

My advice...First thing to do is forgive yourself!! You did what you know needed to be done!! Really, it was best for the animal that you loved so much!! You did not want her to suffer, did you? As for the shot, of course it would not feel very good, she knew what was going on! Don't fool yourself into thinking that just cause it was a dog doesn't mean that it doesn't have feelings too! She could feel how you were feeling at the time, and reacted to that as well. You can worry yourself into a frenzy by thinking about all of the "what-ifs"!!!!! Spend all the quality time you can with the dog that is left, but always remember that it will eventually become too old and will pass away. This is just the natural order in life, as you are well aware of!! You may be able to lengthen the time here on earth for your dog, but for how much longer-and at what cost? Will the longer life be a good life, or one full of pains and misery for both of you? This is a choice that sometimes you need to make, and sometimes it is made for you. Just enjoy the company of your companion for as long as you can, and remember the good times that you have had with them both!

Answer 6

Of course you are worried about causing any suffering to your dog. I think you should do some research and find a good vet. Ask people you know that has had to put down their dogs or you could ask in a dog's shelter. Oh! And you DID the right thing. Your baby was in pain and you helped her. You spared her from a slow, painful deterioration process.

Answer 7

I suppose it depends on how you feel if the second dog comes down with the same infection. When I was 14 we had to put our dog down when he had cancer. The only other option would have been to amputate the leg the cancer was located in, and even then that would have only given us 3 more months with him tops. We decided it was more humane to put him down than to watch him waste away and be unable to enjoy his life. I am unfamiliar with the symptoms of pyometra, but you should ask yourself how would you feel if it was happening to you personally; would you be able to live with the symptoms and still enjoy your life as you normally would? If no put your feelings aside and do what is humane for your dog. And the next time you get a dog if it is a female have her spayed if you don't intend to breed her.

Answer 8

I had a pet Boston Terrier I had to put down for the same thing. With them having this bacteria it was only a matter of time before they would die painfully. Our dog started having seizures and they were just going to get worse. Her white blood cell count was so high and with her age there was no chance for her. You didn't make the wrong decision. No one can determine what is going to happen. Just love your pets and give them the best home and be their friend and God will take care of the rest. Sometimes we have to go through something upsetting to learn some type of lesson. It makes us who we are.

Answer 9

The dog you put down would forgive your instantly. She would have been suffering. I watched our lab be euthanized and felt horrible to see her go, but it was for the best and know I relieved her pain. Don't let your guilt rub off on the daughter dog, or you will hurt your bond with her. Spaying isn't always needed and that's a rare condition. Cherish the time you have left with your current dog and seek grief counseling if it helps.

Answer 10

You are definately morning the loss of her. There are dog owner berievement groups available. You did what you felt was best at the time.

My husband had a cat put down by the vet one time. He had a very similar experience and he said never again. He said he would rather have the animal die a natural death and make it as comfortable as possible. And he has stuck with it.