When should we put our 14 year old Border Collie to sleep?

Question

He has been such a joy to us and is still eating, but sleeps most of the day. We can no longer groom him, because he gets too traumatized. He has been on antibiotics on and off the last year for gum disease and needs to have his teeth cleaned. He does not like to ride in our car and loses his bowel control when we take him in the car. He seems happy to see us, but his head bangs down loudly on the floor, like he has lost his muscle in his neck. He has a terrible smell, like something rotting. It is very difficult for him to pull his back end up from a laying position, but once he is up, he seems to be fine. My husband does not think we should have him put to sleep, but I do. I think he has a terrible life, but my husband, who is very close to him, says he wants his death to be natural and that he is still very happy, so we shouldn't put him to sleep. My husband did actually agree with me a few days ago when he started losing his bowel control.

Thanks for all the great answers already - the vet told us a year ago that he wouldn't make the decision for us, but that he probably wouldn't live much longer, and if we wanted him put to sleep a year ago, he was willing to put him to sleep. I guess the major problem is getting him to into the car and going to the vet one more time - he really gets very sick after riding in the car or grooming him. The majority of the answers so far agree with me, not my husband. I guess it is just hard for him to let go.

Answer 1

When a pet can no longer do it's happy pet things, that is the time to put them down. A natural death is not all that it's cracked up to be and is simply extending their misery for your own emotional well being. Your dog gave you many years of pleasure. Don't make him suffer to the bitter end.

Answer 2

I think the best thing to do is take him in for a check-up with your vet and see if there is anything more you can do to mkae his remaining life more comfortable. Loss of bowel and muscle control is often a sign of deteriorating health and the vet can give an opinion if anything can be done about that at this point. The vet probably won't tell you what to do, but will give you a realistic prognosis and whether anything can be done to help the situation.

Continuing the antibiotics to control the gum disease may help with the bad smell as will frequent bathing if he is losing bowel control. Since his remaining life may not be long, staying on antibiotics will likely not hurt much.

As my border collie got older and grooming became more difficult, we sedated her lightly and had the groomer give her a shorter cut and we worked to keep her warm. That solved the grooming problem and may also help with the smell.

Good luck, I hope this helps. We finally made the choice to humanely euthanize our friend when she finally lost the ability to stand up and had begun to lose weight rapidly. It was hard and sad choice to make. I know how hard it is to lose a good friend.

Answer 3

It is a sad realization when it comes to putting a pet to sleep. It is not easy for anyone. On one end of the scale keeping the pet in pain is selfish,not in a bad way but in a security type of way. Nobody likes loss.

And no vet will make this decision. I had this decision back in september and had to do it with blood shot eyes and tears running down my face,with hubby sitting on the pavement outside crying and my 9 year old daughter crying in the car.

Making a memory such as a footprint of him would be good,we couldn't do that but the vet offered.

Any pet that is not the same is not happy. They may wag their tail and appear happy but if they can't run and have loss of bowel and bladder the best thing you can do is to stop the hurt. Look into his eyes and you will know that this is the right thing.At least he will be up in heaven and running and being his "normal"self.

If you decide to go that route stay with him while the vet does it,I couldn't I just told her I loved her,that we all loved her and I was so so so sorry,I can cry right now.

All the best in this time of pain.

Answer 4

Your dog has had a wonderful life and you have enjoyed his company.

But think on about a natural death. All that pain and suffering? The dog will not understand it and will be confused, bewildered and unhappy. On top of that the attention you give it will inevitably give it even more pain and unhappiness. How cruel is that?

Sadly many owners keep dogs alive in pain and suffering because of their own selfish needs.

When a dog is put to sleep it is a simple injection or, if a big dog, possibly two. The dog knows very little and does not suffer.

Your husband would not want to suffer a slow lingering death in pain and misery so why, oh why, inflict it on an animal that has given so much joy to him?

Persuade him to stop being selfish and think of the dog.

If he insists on keeping the dog alive to drag on - please never get another animal!!!!

Answer 5

what kind of life is it for the dog

im sure when he was young he ran and jumped
i would say call the vet and ask him to make the right choice
if after giving him all the details im sure he would say put him down
he has lived a good life and this is not the way he would want to go out..... give him the dignity he should have for a collie is a very proud dog just think back to when he would strut around you know what i am talking about

we love our pets but we also have to remember they can not tell us they are not happy anymore

Answer 6

My wife and I recently went through this with our 15yo rottie "Sam" antha.. We prayed she would just pass in her sleep but that was not to be. We consulted our vet and made her as comfortable as possible, and I too posted here, I felt like a traitor for even considering bringing her for her last visit. I received some great feedback and support, and realized my own selfishness and fear.
We both work and the thought of Sam dying ALONE was too much, too selfish. Looking back I can honestly say that being there with her was the right thing to do as hard as it was. I can only share my experience,strength and hope that your right answer may come

Answer 7

Im getting close to having to make that decision myself. I have a 12 year old german shorthair. He cant go too far on walks, and wants to lay on his bed all day. He still gets quite excited to see us and plays for a short time, than its back to bed. I think that the vet opinion is your best bet. As for the rotting smell, it may be that his anal glands are no longer emptying, the vet can check on that too.

Answer 8

A elder couple that are my friends had the same thing to deal with last year.We got to calling vets and they found one that came out to their house and put the poor dog out of her misery.The vet even offered to cremate and return the ashes.They live in the country so they buried her next to their other pets.Look around and ask other vets,yours may not offer other vets to you.Once they lose bowel control, they have no quality of life.Be strong, I been in your shoes last Dec...

Answer 9

Put him to sleep. I had a pet that was so old she had a horrible smell and could barely move. She ate well and was happy to see me but she was in such bad shape I couldn't stand seeing her like that any more. I wanted her to die a dignified death instead of wasting away so that is why I chose to put her down.

Answer 10

You already know the answer - please do the right and most human thing put your beloved animal out of his misery, he is telling you it is time to say goodbye. He has given you many years of love, return it now by letting him go to sleep.

I had to make this decision some years ago when my Doberman got cancer it was the hardest thing I have had to do and much heartache, but keeping her alive would have been a much cruelly and selfish action.

PLEASE BE STRONG FOR YOUR COLLIE, and my thoughts are with you.