She's a mini dachshund I have had since she was 8 weeks old. She has breast cancer, we were told about 4 years ago and I coudn't afford surgery. It has grown very large in the last several months to a year but she has not been in pain or discomfort until now, the last couple of days she seems to have a hard time getting comfortable laying down occasionally and has yelped a few times. She is like my child so I am having a hard time with this. I just wish I could have that tumor taken off and she would be O.K. She still gets around, eats, and occasionally plays. Well, she hasn't played in the last couple of days. Please, help me with this decision.
2007-07-11 07:59:39 · 24 answers · asked by Cheryl W 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You have to make this decision. And you probably know what the right thing to do is. If your dog is constantly in pain and suffering then the answer it yes, she should be put to sleep. You know your dog best, and you will know when it is time.
Do not feel guilty about leaving the lump. She has had four good years with no painful treatments or surgeries. Usually, even with treatment the cancer returns and the outcome is the same as without treatment. You made the right decision even if it was governed by finances. You gave her four painfree, healthy years. It is good that she didn't have the surgery. Do not feel guilty about that.
2007-07-11 08:12:26 · answer #1 · answered by mama woof 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I put my eleven year old Golden Retriever down December 27th. I feel as guilty today as I did that day. I had tumours removed from him. I spent over $40,000 on his vet bills for over two years and his last days were tough too. I wish he would have died naturally; but it didn't come to be. If I were to do it again I wouldn't have put him down. Was he in pain - I don't know. He wasn't eating, Uncomfortable at night, couldn't walk, had difficulty relieving himself. By all account people would say put him down like they have on your sight. Only you can be the judge and let me tell you it is not easy.
Just a couple of thoughts. Think that if you were your dog what would you want the master to do ? Think of your dog as your child; what would you do if this was a live person?
I think if a dog continues to eat they want to live. I think that is a nature type of thing. Just because she isn't playing doesn't mean she doesn't have value. A person that is old is going to ache and maybe have some discomfort.
I had my dog too since 8 weeks. I know what you are going through and I hate myself everyday for putting him down and I regret it but that is me. What ever you do I wish you all the best in these trying times. With Kind Regards !
2007-07-13 12:55:20 · answer #2 · answered by Ken N 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you spoken with your vet about removing the tumors still? I mean, even if she only lives a few months more, she won't be quite so tender.
Maybe your vet will take payments or you can work off the bill by cleaning cages (especially on weekends and holidays) etc.
It's hard to let go of our beloved pets - but if she's suffering then bite the bullet and put her down. Hold her close and be there to say goodbye.
2007-07-11 08:10:03 · answer #3 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In the end, the final decision is up to you and I know that you will do what is best for your pup. Although it may be hard, please think about putting your puppy to sleep. The dog is in pain and you would be doing her a favour. Find a vet to put her down that will let you be in the room when they do it and will let you have a few minutes after it is done to be with the dog. This will give you some closure and you will feel alot better.
2007-07-11 08:10:56 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Enjoy your dog while you can. I would not put her down right away. It has only been a couple of days and she could snap out of it. I would take her to your local vet and see what they have to say about it. I would not let her live weeks in pain, I would keep her for another couple days, see if she gets better and then make the decision. Hope this helps!
2007-07-11 08:14:54 · answer #5 · answered by SeaGirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only thing to do is to get her put down, but it's gonna cost alot of money (most vets charge you for the office call and putting them down - I've had a cpl dogs put down because there was nothing to save them and they were just pups)
but it's the right thing to do, Imagine if it was you that had cancer and it's spred all through your body - which in 4 yrs i'm sure it has spred pretty much every where it could get
you'd be in sever pain even if you didn't show it
So perhaps your dog is actually hiding her pain so she doesnt upset you any more - pets are extreamly intelgent they know when thier owners are upset, speically one that has been with the same owner as long as your's has
it'll be hard letting her go - but as time goes on it'll get eaiser
2007-07-11 08:11:53 · answer #6 · answered by atv_chick_2003 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You just have to think of it like this: In the past 12 years she has lived a great life, you sound like a great owner and I know how you feel, my Chihuahua died last October of heart problems and I've her for 12 years, and my other Chihuahua who I've had for 13 years is also having the same heart problems, and as much as I love him, I don't want him to suffer. If your dachshund seems unhappy then I think it would be for the best to put her down. It's going to have to happen sometime, but it might it worse before she does pass on, and you don't want her to suffer anymore then she is.
2007-07-11 08:11:06 · answer #7 · answered by Renay 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
are there any other vets near by that would remove the tumor for less money, or some type of money plan? if not, and the dog seems to be in a lot of plan, you may just want to put her to sleep. It will be very hard for you, but you just have to know that she is in a better place. best of luck and sorry to hear about this.
2007-07-11 08:05:22 · answer #8 · answered by animluv 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a hard decision always to make. I'm sorry you are faced with it.
It sounds like her quality of life is declining. Having cancer, she isn't going to get better and cancer is an unforgiving disease. I watched my cat battle stomach cancer for a second time, and I decided to put him to sleep because I didn't want him to suffer with it. I knew he wasn't going to get better and I wasn't going to put a 16 year old cat through another battle of chemotherapy. It was the hardest decision of my life....these kind always are.
She is relying on you to do the right thing for her. And you will. And it's not going to be easy. But, you love her and don't want her to suffer, which she will do eventually because the cancer is growing and spreading.
Know that you can be with her when she crosses over, that she isn't going to hate you, in fact, this is the ultimate act of the love we feel for our pets... allowing them to go even though it breaks our hearts. Thinking of them before our own feelings is love beyond compare. She won't feel like you are betraying her, she'll understand why and will be grateful because she will no longer be in pain.
And she will greet you when you cross over....love never dies.
Peace and prayers to you.
2007-07-11 08:14:42 · answer #9 · answered by BVC_asst 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it were my dog, I would go ahead and make the hard decision. Dogs (small ones especially) usually don't cope with pain very well, and I don't know of many dogs who have survived cancer treatment and kept their personality and spirit. Truth is she doesn't know what's going on-all she knows is that she's sick and in pain. From what you've described, it's not going to be long until she goes downhill fast. I would kindly suggest that you have the vet put her to sleep instead of her having to fight the disease any longer.
I'm sorry. I know how attached you can get to them.
2007-07-11 08:08:56 · answer #10 · answered by CruelChick 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋