Shall I put my dog down or not?

Question

My dog is 10.5 years old. He suffered from spinecore disease 18 months ago and lost use of back legs. We gave him hydrotherapy and massage etc. But, his back legs never come back. My vet said that he'll not walk again and suggested us to put down. His charactor seems the same as before but certainly lost the enjoyment of moving around. He struggle to walk with front legs whilst I use back herness to hold his bottom. He has to drug his back legs when he wants to move about in the house. We bought wheel chairs 3 months ago but he doesn't like using them. He also has a problem with toilet. He can't urinate by himself well, so I need to express his bladder. He's bowel is very weak. We think he doesn't have any nerve around there as he doesn't know when he is pooing. It comes out at anytime of the day. He realises once it's out, then suddenly he moves away from it. Sometimes he druggs it with his back legs which makes terrible stains to our floors!

Answer 1

While most of the answers here, including my own, have been carefully thought out and considerate of your situation they were still based on emotions and beliefs from people who have never met you or your dog. Because we don't know your dog nor your current situation it is best you make this very difficult decision on your own. In other words, I hope you use the net for information, not for ultimately determining your own moral beliefs or what you feel is best even if the answers or advice tell you otherwise.

As for opinions I do have my own, but please feel free not to consider this if not applicable for your dog.


I personally believe that a dog's happiness and health is most important. And this is something not necessarily easy to determine from the information I read.

You stated that he doesn't like using wheels, but didn't specify if they were custom made, or generically crafted. Also you didn't state if you sought support from the manufacturers. This is very important as the size and weight of a dog are very important in determining comfortable use of a dog wheelchair.

In addition, i googled spinecore disease and did not find anything. If this spinal cord problem causes long lasting pain I agree putting him down would be more humane. If it doesn't however, I would hesitate to anthropomorphize him (his dignity, how you would like this if you were him) and simply try all alternatives until all options are exhausted.

The reason for this is because I believe that while dogs have a rich emotional repertoire to act upon, they never truly show the truly immensely complicated and emotional mind games only higher primates are capable of. Dogs probably wouldn't hide their unhappiness for your happiness, or wish their life would end because there was no more hope for their legs. Instead I feel they are more direct and have a simpler understanding of their world around them. I believe they are free from the complicated depressions of "Oh I wish I could use my legs again" but instead wonder why their legs aren't working. The reason why your dog drags his legs around is probably because he does not know what happened to his legs and may expect them to work again. He may gradually realize his legs aren't working and may be bored and wonder "what happened". But I feel that only if he were a higher primate (chimps, humans, gorillas) would he be capable of showing signs of truly deep understanding. The kind of emotional depression we would go through if we realized we had cancer. And only then would they be capable of simply thinking suicide from depression due to a long term disease.

While I'm not saying my terrier isn't capable of being intelligent, depressed, or outwitting me, or that she is incapable of feeling complex emotions like jealousy, she doesn't show signs she has that level of complicated understanding and instead like an always happy curious child.

However she may and DOES hide pain as this is something hardcoded into the canine. You may notice that a dog doesn't usually whine or let you know if their foot is in pain. They only limp a little bit, but may seem happy and normal on the outside. This is a survival tactic as wild animals need to hide their physical pain to outrun their enemies, and also appear fit and healthy.

On this note physical pain is more difficult to determine than emotional and it is best to find a vet who can tell you black and white if there is serious physical pain with this disorder.

If I was in a situation where my dog lost the use of her back legs, and there is no pain or serious risk of worsening, I believe in trying ALL wheelchair options. Being with her for 7 years I know she's definitely into enjoying life. And she may feel it funny but if these wheels will help her rush to her food bowl during dinner time I think she'll be happy anyways. On this note, though if her behavior ever changed dramatically and for the worse, that would indeed be a sign that we may need to say goodbye. Behavior is the biggest sign to put a dog to sleep in my opinion, especially if your formerly happy dog became extremely depressed after a very serious illness.


Anyways, apologies this was a long post.

These beliefs aside I wish you the best on this difficult decision.

Answer 2

Hi hun. this is a real hard one. Whatever you decide, you'll probably always wonder if you did the right thing. I had to have my weimaraner put to sleep 6 years ago and it was truly the hardest thing i ever had to do. Her back legs went completely without warning.When i got her to the emergency vet he said that her spine was crumbling, and that he could give her steroids but they would make little or no difference and her present state was the best she could hope for. I've always been a firm believer in that its the quality of life that matters, not quantity. I dont want to be too graphic as this is making me cry, but when the vet put the needle in her leg, her eyes were saying thank you. You need to think about your dog hun, is he happy with his life? You know him better than anyone. Good luck. x

Answer 3

That decision is going to have to left entirely up to you. If his quality of life is poor and you can clearly see that he is suffering, than it may be best to have him put to sleep. Usually if there is trauma to the backend of a dog, they will lose the ability to "hold it" and will go to the bathroom whenever and not realize it. He is 10 and 1/2 and for some breed of dogs, that is a long time to live. Should you not want to put him down just yet, they do make diapers for dogs that will keep him from going on the floor. If it were my dog, I think that I would euthanize him. On the day that you decide to put him to sleep, make sure that the night prior that you spend it with him, loving him up and let him eat whatever he wants. Then when you go to the vet, as hard as it is, hold his head and tell him that you love him while the vet gives him the shot. You can either have the vet dispose of him or you can have him cremated or we took our dog home with us and buried him.

Answer 4

Staining the floor is the least of your worries.
If this was my dog I'd be heartbroken to see it in such a desperate state. You're doing him no favours by keeping him alive, and your vets suggestion of putting him to sleep really is the kindest. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes but if I was, I'd do the same, no matter how distressing it would be for me. Your dog may be suffering in ways you don't know about. Be brave and kind and let him go. Maybe call the vet out to do the unhappy deed at home? It would be less stressful for your dog, and you'd have privacy too.

Answer 5

What an awful decision to have to make, and you are the only person who can make it, I have kept German Shepherds for as long as I can remember, and thier back legs are usually the things that make my mind up when 'that' time comes, I have been very fotunate in as much as they have so far lived to at least 12 years old, the last one I lost had been a bit wobbly for weeks, she still enjoyed a walk, but one day I was walking in one of our fields, looked around and I couldn't see her, her legs had finally given up and much as it broke my heart as I loved her to pieces, she was put to sleep the next day (as she still couldn't stand), she was 13! when things get like that and they can't hold their pee or poo, I don't feel it is kind to keep them hanging on, as they know they are making a mess and it really distresses them, But this is only my opinion and is what I do and I think is right for my dogs, this is a painful decision that only you can make.
Good luck.

Answer 6

I think that most dog owners would have come to the conclusion to put this dog down many months ago. Remember that a dog's quality of life is all about the here and now. Eating, sleeping, playing, chewing, interacting with pack members. If he is doing all those things with ease, then he has a good quality of life. If he cannot do all those things with your intervention then you are prolonging his life and perhaps even his suffering.
It is completely your decision but if you are asking if it would be cruel to put your dog down then answer is no. It would be kindness both to your severely disabled dog and to yourselves. Well done for caring for your loyal pet for such a long time and giving him a great life!

Answer 7

I know it's a hard decision but you have to think whats best for your dog,what kind of life is he having living like this. I had to make the same choice 2 years ago with my old dog, he was suffering and it was the kindest thing to do even though it broke my heart.

Answer 8

The quality of life of the animal is the subject in question here and, to be perfectly honest, I don't think your boy has much of that left now.
It is a terrible thing to have to make a decision to end the life of an animal but, in this case, I would say the kindest option would be to let him go.
Bless him.
He'll be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge.

Answer 9

aww bless what a horrible decision to make. We had our dog put down few years ago because he had a heart complaint (he was a cavalier king charles) and its quite a common thing for them. but as time wenton he lost the use of his bowels and was on sooo many tablets a day.
eventually we decided enough was enough, he used to try and hide when he had poo'ed on the floor in the house. He couldnt help it but knew he wasnt to go in the house so used to think he would get into trouble (which i add he never did...he couldnt help it and was never told off for it) so eventually we decided although he seemed ok in himself his quality of life was very low.
We couldnt take him very far for walks as he would collapse and it wasnt fair on him keeping him in the house 24/7 when he had been used to 2 walks a day.
it was a hrad decision but was the right one i feel, it broke my heart but at least he isnt in pain anymore or embarrssed by his lack of bowel control.
If i was you i think i would have one last special day and then say good bye! he sounds like he has had a wonderful life and its a shame to let the end drag out when he isnt enjoying it.
what ever your decision im sure it will be the right one for you and your dog...good luck my heart goes out to you x

Answer 10

our family dog, pepe, had a similar condition.Although at times he seemed his normal self, other times he was so out of sorts and in such distress we had to put him down. It was one of the saddest times i can remember, but now im only sadder we didnt do it sooner. By keeping him alive we took away some of the magic that made him part of the family, and as stupid as it sounds, i think he felt the same. Its hard to do but dont think of how much u will miss ur dog, just whats best for him