I have a 14 year old dog that only has back leg problems but recently their has been big bathroom problems and her urine smells so bad and she cannot hold her stool. I'm always cleaning up after her mess, I had to put her companion down a year ago due to metal problems of aging. She has high spriits and still is alert.
2007-03-08 07:53:12 · 19 answers · asked by speedee 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
When you realize that your keeping her alive just to make yourself feel better and not her. Then it's time. If your dog is suffering and can't control her own body it would be selfish to let her live like that.
2007-03-08 08:11:57 · answer #1 · answered by Boober Fraggle 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like it may be near that time. It is a hard choice to make, I usually follow the vets guidance. If you have small kids in the house it may be best to do it sooner then latter so that they do not find the dog passed away. Sadly your dog will not be getting better and is probably starting to suffer because it cant really live like a dog anymore. When I had to put a pet down I did it when the animal started to suffer. It is hard though to know when the right time is. Dogs and cats really are not equipped for old age. They do not really understand what is going on.
2007-03-08 08:04:52 · answer #2 · answered by DDLynn l 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's always a hard thing to decide. If you can take her to the vet. It maybe possible medication could help. My dog is 15 which is pretty old for a big dog. She has problems with her back legs too. I give her aspirin for that. But because she is still so alert and spirited I just put up with the mess and try to remember she's an old lady and can't help it.
2007-03-08 08:02:50 · answer #3 · answered by dawn w 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When your dog can no longer control their bowels etc. there's usually a cause for it. Find out what organs are starting to fail from your vet. If it's the kidneys that have gotten weak the rest of the organs will go shortly afterwards.
I think once this happens and there's not much of a chance of recovery, it's time to put your dog down.
You should ask your vet for advise, they know best what you will have to deal with in the near future if things keep going down this path...
Sorry to hear that your dog is not doing so well.
2007-03-08 08:02:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No time is a good time for us.Is she still active & goes for walks?My 15 year old dog was like that too.She hadn't been excercised to keep the muscle tone up in her back end.This meant she could not control bowel movements or her bladder.She also had problems getting up. I visited the vets & got her pain killers.I then started to take her out for little walks a few times a day.Every day I took her a few steps further.She started to improve & had control of her bladder & bowel again.She went on to live until she was nearly 18! You will know when its time.Do you think its time?Or could you try & improve her mobility or is it too late?Only you know.
2007-03-08 08:30:17 · answer #5 · answered by Another Planet 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no such thing as a 'good' time to put an animal down: It will hurt no matter what you do.
If your dog still has high spirits and is still alert, she probably is still good for a little while longer. But because of her leg and potty problems, and her age, it won't be much longer.
Don't wait too long: She's not going to have fun with what she's dealing with, and missing her friend too.
2007-03-08 08:21:15 · answer #6 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, first off take her to the Vet for what is probably an infection she has in her urinary track.
Next, don't let her loose her dignity.. if she is eliminating and is not going to get better... then it is time.. About 6 yrs ago I also had to make this decision.. I was carrying my shep outside to eliminate and holding her up while she did it...
She was ready before I was... If I could go back I would have ended it about a week earlier for her... live and learn
Consult with your vet on this also..
We here on yahoo Questions *try* but not always right..
GOOD LUCK
2007-03-08 08:02:52 · answer #7 · answered by H.O.T. Dog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's always a sad time when we have to think about putting our family dog to sleep. i think it is a quality of life issue, if your dog is still in high spirits and seems to be in no pain, then there is no hurry. As for the incontinence ... thats kind of up to you, if you can put up with it and never take it out on your dog - then that's great. In a lot of dogs though that were always fastidious about their poop and peeing habits, i sometimes think that they feel really embarrassed when they lose control of their bladder. If it were me, I would get myself ready for the possibility that it is coming soon, then pick a good day, a day when she is happy and you feel happy and love for her - then do it. Why wait until she is suffering? It is the greatest sacrifice you can make, to let her go, to not let her suffer. Good luck!
2007-03-08 08:49:45 · answer #8 · answered by haley 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just put my dog down this morning due to Cancer. It is an awful decision to make, but truly you are the only one who can make it. I believe that when there is nothing more you can do for their pain or circumstances, it is time. If there is nothing you can do for her accidents, then it is time. You dog is pretty old and has had a good life. Maybe it is time to let her go. I am so sorry for you! God Bless!
2007-03-08 08:00:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even though your dog still has that good spirit, doesn't mean that her body is up with it. I'd say you should figure it out soon, I've had a dog that was happy, happy, happy. But the pain from her hips and old age really slowed her down, you have to think about the pain your dogs in, not the spirit she has.
2007-03-08 07:59:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had a dog that had the same problem, her hips were so bad that anytime she stood up she would go because she had no control. We put her down a little while later. Now is probably a good time to put your dog down if it's doing the same thing.
2007-03-08 08:01:53 · answer #11 · answered by wakum6 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋