My 11 yr Female rotty, stopped eating, weak, what is the sign to put her down ?

Question

She is weak and Hates going to the vet so i don't know when to do this. I'll have to drag her in as it is and when is it time ?

Our kitty died last week at 17, and the dog is broken hearted.

we gave her to heaven, and all I can say is Katie was THE GREATEST DOG I have ever known, and what a privilage it was to be her owner ,thanks to those of you who cared to answer.This is the saddest time of my life, dogs are so much more deserving of our love, than we can give them.Hug your dog for me today.

Answer 1

If there is no medical reason and it's just from a broken heart, please don't put her down yet. Give her lots of love and entice her with some extra special food that she likes. Have you considered getting her another kitty to have around? You can adopt an older cat from your local shelter. My dog went through the same thing when his little buddy had to leave us. He was very depressed and refused to eat for a while. But, with a lot of love and encouragement, he got better.

Answer 2

If she's stopped eating because of an ongoing illness, I'd give serious thought to doing it now/soon. It's a lot less cruel then letting her starve herself to death. Amazingly, a lot of dogs will know it's time as well, and she may not put up a fight going to the vet. I'd check with your vet though and ask his/her opinion since they're more familiar with your dog then we are. Check around as well, my mother in law's vet actually did "house calls" for those kinds of situations, and to let the dog go while in it's own surroundings. Have you tried feeding the dog regular food? When my dog stopped eating, the vets recommended frying up some ground beef, draining it well, then rinsing it to get more of the fat off. Also said to cook up some rice and mix that in the beef. See if she'll eat something like that to at least get her energy up, but sadly it may just be time. Good luck, and sorry you're dealing with this.

Answer 3

There never is a good time. You just have to start looking at quality of life. She has had a good life, made you happy and created memories that will last both of you the rest of your lives. It is the hardest thing to do, but to have them in pain is so much harder. Many vets will make house calls when the time comes. Look into that as a way to maybe make it a little easier on you both. Lots of hugs for you!

Answer 4

I used to have a rotty, but didnt quite make it to 11. Your very lucky. You should probably get the vets opinion. If there are other ailments involved besides old age they may advise putting her down, but if she is old but healthy they may not. Definitely ask your vets opinion.

Padding the car with the bed she normally sleeps on and driving slow could help the trip to the vet.

Answer 5

It's best to ask your veterinarian. But if he/she recommends euthanization, please go through with it. I have a family member that had a dog that was blind in one eye and a cataract in the other, a skin disorder that caused her to rub her back on furniture (which led to horrible blisters and sores), a bad hind leg, arthritis in her front two legs, fleas (and possible lice), and had bowel and bladder control problems. The vet told my aunt that it would be in the dog's best interest to put her down, but since it costs $50 (and God knows she would rather have spent that on her HBO package for her cable bill) she neglected to get it done. Needless to say the poor thing suffered for another 2 months before she passed in her sleep at the age of 16. Please don't allow her to suffer if that's what your vet says you should do. I know it's hard, but it's even harder to watch them suffer the way that they do when they are ill like that.

Answer 6

She may have something easily treatable, it could be an infection, bad teeth, bladder stones etc and not a sign she is at the end and you won't know that without a vet visit, but denying a vet visit could end up costing her , her life

A senior dog should be having a health check up every 6 months to stay on top of any possible health issues so they can be caught at an early stage and easily treatable.

A large breed can live to 15 and 16 years if no major disease like cancer, one greyhound lived to 21 years old, this is not to say every dog will live this long but not taking a dog to the vet to find out was is wrong is condemning to an early death which possibly could be avoided

A child may not like going to a doctor for vaccinations or may rather eat sugar foods than healthy foods but if we want out children to be healthy we do not give in to them, the same goes for dogs, my dogs do not enjoy going to the vet either I have 2 with health issues that does require more vetting than normal, one is a very fearful dog who also suffers from stress related hyperthermia when stressed her core body temperature will soar to dangerous levels which ofter requires cold water baths to bring the temp down to prevent the possibility of seizure, coma or possible death, so learning how to deal with has become part of life and can be set off by visits to the vet, but she also suffers for Lupus and VWD so vetting is a necessity if I intend to keep her healthy and give her extra years.

So when people say they do not want to take a dog to a vet because it does not like or hates going it makes me upset, to me not a good enough excuse to deny health care.

sorry if it sounds harsh, but I have seen situations like this before where an owner has been talked into taking their dog to the vet only for it to be something easily treated and the dog going on to live extra years.

Answer 7

11 Yr's is a good age for a Rottie, But that doesnt make it any eaiser in the end...
If you'r thinking it's time chances ar it is, No one know's you'r dog like you ...
I would deffitnaly get a vet's opinion but at 11 chances are that it's old age catching up :(
If she's scared of the vet maybe you could get him to come out to the car & give hr the shot ??
My vet's done that for me in the past...

Sorry & Best Of Luck

Answer 8

Some vets will come to your house and put your dog to sleep in your home. Then you can pay someone else to have them pick up the body and cremate the remains.

If you feel she is ready to go than you need to do it soon. Don't make her suffer.

Answer 9

I have been asked that question many times by my clients and the only answer I have is, "When it time you will have no doubts that it is time."

My Vet will come to my house to do this. I too have large dogs and when they are so sick and can hardly move he will come out and euthanize them right here.

Make a phone call to the closet Vet and see if he/she will come to you.

Answer 10

I would, even though she doesn't like it, take her to the vet ASAP. The vet may be able to help her, but if it is time to put her down, the vet will let you know. I am sure you don't want her to suffer longer than she has to.