When is it time to put my dog to sleep?

Question

My moms friend gave us a puppy and he is inbread he is only 2 but he has this problem where his liver dosent absorb the nutriunts that he needs which causes his to have sezious and they cant give him the sezier meds cause it is hard on your liver he is loseing all his hair from not geting the nutrients and in the past month he attacks my brother all the time leaveing marks and drawing blood but its when hes like in a seziouer state he goes crazy we have a fenced in yard and have another dog which never gets out but the 2 year old hoover always finds some where to get out after we have fixed everything so its near impossible for him to get out we are affraid if he gets out he might bite sum one he dosent bite me or any 1 else in my family but my brother we know put him out on a chain seems to work haent gottten out yet i dunno is it time to put him down otherwise he is happy and living a good life w/o pain and suffering at this point what to do?

Deb we only put hoover on the chain to go to te bathroom i would never just keep a dog chained outside and not pay any attention to him

Answer 1

When you put an animal to sleep you have to think of two things -

1. the animal's health, and
2. the animal's quality of life.

It sounds like your dog has many health problems - with his liver, with seizures and with mental problems/behavioural problems. If you cannot trust your dog not to bite someone, that's not good - not good at all. You have to trust your dog all the time.

You also seem to have quality of life issues with your dog. You have to restrict him in your yard. You can't take him anywhere. You have to watch him all the time. You have to keep guard on him.

Separately, I could probably live with a dog with those issues, but together, you're taking on a lot of responsibility. Too much responsibility I think. Way too much for someone your age.

If your dog were to bite someone, you know you and your family would be liable/responsible, you do know that, don't you?

That means you'd have to pay for their medical bills. And that could run into thousands of dollars. And they could even sue you and your family. So if your family had insurance, it would be no problem, but if they didn't have insurance, it could be a huge problem. Understand.

So I think you need to talk this out with your entire family. Talk to everyone about it and get their opinions.

I know it's never easy to put your dog to sleep. I know personally. I had my older dog put to sleep last year. Murphy was about 14 years old and had been with me for 12 years. He had Doggy Alzheimer's - he had forgotten who I was, where he was - all that. I kept him alive longer then I should have, but when the day came to put him to sleep, the Vet made it really easy and special.

The Vet led us into a separate room as soon as we arrived with him. Once there she let us stay with him by ourselves for a bit. Then she came in and inserted a type of catheter in his front leg. She gave him an injection to calm him a bit. I was all misty eyed. Then she explained what would happen. That she would give him an injection into the catheter and he would just fall asleep in my arms. So I said my Goodbye and I let her give the injection. I could feel him going so I said, I'll meet you on the other side Murphy-boy.

I cried a lot, but it was better for Murphy. He was suffering so from having Alzheimers. He didn't know us. In the house he didn't know where he was or where to go to the bathroom. We had to put diapers on him. Yes he'd still respond to us, but he didn't know us. He didn't know us at all. So it was best to have him put to sleep.

So I think you'll know if it's best to put your dog to sleep. You'll know that it's best for him. And it's easy for the Vet and it's easy on your dog.

All I can say now is Good Luck to you and to your Dog. I hope you make a wise choice as a responsible Dog Owner.

Ken - and Murphy Tailwagger.

Answer 2

If he's having a seizure, tell your brother to stay away from him. The dog has no idea what's going on & has no control during seizures. As for is liver, have you checked out a medication for his liver called Zentonil? I have 1 dog that is diabetic & has developed problems with her liver. They put her on Zentonil & she's been fine. Otherwise, if he's having seizures often, he's not happy & is in pain. Also, if you're afraid for the public, you need to really think long & hard about his future. Chaining him up is not the answer, he needs to be with people & taken care of, not ignored outside on a chain. And the public deserves to be safe so the decision is yours. I would try the medication first & if it fails, then if the dog were mine & the vet agreed, I'd let him go. It's not an easy decision but one you'll need to consider.
Best of luck.

Answer 3

Well this is one really hard and agonizing decision for you and you have my sympathy. I can clearly see you are trying your best for this dog. I'd talk with the vet and seek his opinion about what to do, just for your own piece of mind. I know far a fact liver problems can and do affect mental abilities. If there is no way for this dog to get better, I'd put him down. I know it sounds heartless, I know it sounds mean, I know you are feeling guilty. But think about the animal and his quality of life. Then follow your own gut instincts. Sometimes just the fact that you are doubting is a sign that you really do know, it's just the fact that you love the dog and it's so hard to have to decide. Sometimes the kindest thing you can do, the best way to honor the love the dog has given you, is to know when it's time to let go. God bless...

Answer 4

I think that it is time to let your dog out of this suffering. It sure is hell for a dog to have to go through this.
I am very sorry but you need to think about who is suffering more at this time. Look for help with a vet that specializes in this type of problems. Maybe there is hope but it could just prolong his suffering and create financial hardship.

I had to put my dog to sleep before. I did it once with my dog. It was hit by a car and was left with seizures, blind and without the use of his back legs.... :(

The decision is ultimately yours. This is too hard for anyone of us to make it for you.

Good luck and I am truly sorry, again...

Answer 5

This dog is not having a very good life right now. Ask your Vet how long until it's got until it dies of the liver problem. If It was mine, I'd put it down before it gets any worse. That poor dog has to be starving and the seizures must terrify your dog.

Answer 6

if he's not getting nutrients and attacking people he is not happy and healthy. you need to talk to your vet further about not only his medical status but his mental. liver failure can sometimes result in not normal behavior, such as attacking and being aggressive. glad you have tried to do everything you can, but when human safety is in danger you need to revaluate the situation. and your vet who knows his medical and personal history and knows you will be the one to best give you better direction for a very difficult decision. good luck.

Answer 7

I would put the animal down. If the dog gets out and causes harm, you are unconditionally liable for any damage.

Answer 8

i would talk to your bro and the rest of your family before you make it if you think he will never clam down he is problay the best thing to put him down he wont be crazy anymore and he will always be in your good dream s and he will have lots f food water bones and toys so if you have to let him go do it just look at it in his point of view

Answer 9

No because you wouldn't put to sleep a human being when they are born different and have problems. I think that you should try taking him to a dog specialist.

Answer 10

if your poor doggy is in pain i suppose it's the best thing to do. this breaks my heart...he's so young. If i were you i would watch him for a day and see if he is in more pain then he is anything else. i would hate for him to suffer