He's 13 years old, and this is very sudden. We took him to the vet today, and she told us that we could change his diet so that he would live comfortably for a few more months. We decided to keep him alive for as long as we could as long as he's comfortable. I just don't want him to be in any pain. Did we make the right choice?
2007-06-14 08:43:07 · 20 answers · asked by Sara W 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
If he is still enjoying his life you made the right choice. If your pet is miserable, not enjoying anything and is just alive...no. This is one of the hardest decisions you will have to make. I have been there, it's hard. Access beloved pets life, talk to the vet about quality of life if you are in doubt. Then make your choice.
2007-06-14 08:50:06 · answer #1 · answered by Stick to Pet Rocks 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-09-21 01:48:52 · answer #2 · answered by Alison 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There isn't a right or wrong decision. It is really up to you with your vet's advice. If a diet change will give him some months of quality life, then that sounds like a very good decision. When/if he gets to the point where he is in pain or is not enjoying life, then it might be time to let him go in the most unselfish way possible by euthanasia. He may improve though, miracles happen every day.
2007-06-14 08:49:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thirteen is a long time. You've done well. Kidney failure is a common terminal illness for dogs; it was the reason that I put mine to sleep.
The vet can give meds to make the dog comfortable. Be prepared for that final decision.
We made the decision to put our dog to sleep, when he could no longer get up. He had been having problems, but could get up with some help.
One morning, I left him outside to sun himself, with a blanket over him to keep him warm. Normally, he would shake the blanket off, and hobble over out of the shade to stay in the sun.
That day, when I returned, he had not moved. He still had the blanket, and he didn't even wag his tail when he saw me. I knew it was time and I took him into the vet to say goodbye.
If there is a question, then you've made the right choice. You know your dog, and you will know when it is time.
On a lighter note. we assumed that we would wait a 2 month mourning period before we adopted another dog .... I looked back at my notes with my current puppy.... We were only able to wait two weeks... and we went out and rescued a puppy... which helped us get through the grief.
2007-06-14 08:54:36 · answer #4 · answered by hanksimon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only you can decide when your dog is suffering so much that life is no longer worthwhile to him. Don't let anyone make this decision for you. You know his personality. You will know when it's time. All you have to do is make sure your decision is about him and not your wish to keep him around just a little longer. The fact that he is still eating suggests to me that he still enjoys life to some extent. If he stops eating and drinking and no longer seeks your attention, it may be time to consider having him put down, but this really is up to you. The fact that this was so sudden must be heartbreaking. I'm really sorry.
2007-06-14 08:50:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aww im sorry to hear. I would get him put down he has had 13 wonderfully lived years and obviously has spent it with a wonderful family who loves him alot. My cousin had a dog with a kidney failure and very shortly everything started to go worng not just kidneys im not trying to make you feel even worse because just recently my own little dog had to get put down because he had stomach cancer he would have lived for a couple of months more but..... i decided to get him out down. It is the hardest decision any loving owner will ever have to make and i am so sorry to hear about your little dog but 13 years is a long life for any dog. I think if you kept your dog alive it would only be prolonging what is eventually going to happen.
2007-06-18 07:41:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hun, I am so sorry to hear your dog is in renal failure. Yes, I would have made the same decision. As long as his quality of life is good and he is not in any pain then there is no reason to euthanize him at this point.
You will know when the right time comes. You know your dog better than anyone else and when he starts to not act like himself or he starts to experience pain, you will make the right decision and allow him to cross into Rainbow Bridge.
He will be in my thoughts and prayers. Enjoy the time you have left with your little guy and spoil him rotten!!!
2007-06-14 08:46:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My Papillon had kidney failure for 9 months. With her vets advise, I adjusted her diet to lower the protein level, we also added Azodyl to reduce the protein level and finally Amphogel to bind up some of the Phosphorus. She lost her appetite, but ate from my hand, and played and wagged her tail and felt pretty good for all but the last few days. She lost hair towards the end. We had her put to sleep when she started having siezures that we couldn't control. But 9 good months isn't bad.
2007-06-15 07:49:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a Boston Terrier that was going through the same thing. Diet and comfort was the best we could do. You and your pet will know when the time is right. It's hard not to be selfish and want to keep them with us forever. But just remember....know when to let go.... Good luck and may God Bless you..
2007-06-18 08:18:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're the best judge of this.
If you know that your dog still has a good quality of life, then yes, of course you made the right decision. No need to say goodbye to an animal while it's still happy.
You'll know when the time comes to say goodbye - when you can no longer truly say your dog has any quality of life left - i.e not eating, vomiting or is always lethargic, or in pain - you'll know when it's time.
Chalice
2007-06-14 10:33:48 · answer #10 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋