Can you have a dog put to sleep just b/c it is old....?

Question

or does there have to be something wrong with it? I know someone with a really old dog who has arthritis in the hips, but thats about it. It's just caused by old age... The dog also has started going to the bathroom in the house b/c I guess it has a weak bladder due to the old age (does not have a bladder infection). I know his dog is ruining the carpets and he gets no sleep b/c he's up all night taking the dog out to go to the bathroom all the time. Are you allowed to just put the dog to sleep b/c it's getting old?

I didn't say he was going to do that (I doubt he will), I was just posing the question.

Answer 1

I think you can probably find a vet that would. I personally only condone euthanizing dogs when the dog is suffering (in pain)from illness. Like unable to walk at all.

Answer 2

If the dog is in pain then the vet may feel it is best but just because a dog is old is not a reason to have it put to sleep. If the dog is in pain or has a complete change in activity level and will do nothing but lay around then it might be time to consider putting it down. A vet would know best and if your friend is really wanting to be rid of the dog he could take it to a vet and if the vet determines that the dog could still have many happy years he/she might be able to find a rescue group willing to take the dog in and try and find it a new home that is prepared for the challenges of dealing with an old dog.

Answer 3

I'm sure you could find a vet with no conscience to do it, or you could dump the poor thing at a shelter where it would surely be PTS, unless the shelter has rescue connections in which case the dog would be saved but would be very frightened and confused about being in a strange place with humans he doesn't know. What if we just got tired of dealing with our old relatives? Would we be so eager to have Grannie & Gramps PTS because they are "really old" or because they have arthritis or weak bladders? This poor old dog deserves to live out his life with his own family and he should be pampered and made to be as comfortable as possible for whatever life he has left. The only time a dog should be PTS is for humane reasons - to put an end to suffering that cannot be relieved any other way.

Answer 4

I wish that I could tell you a way to make it easier, but if you love your dog, then nothing is going to make it easier. I have had to have a dog put down once in the past, and it was very difficult. I thought that I was going to have to do it again last summer, when one of my Beagles was suddenly paralyzed in her rear legs. She also had no control of her bowls or bladder, and surgery for the injury to her spine was just far more than I could afford at the time. I felt like I was letting her down. Instead of having her put to sleep right away though my vet suggested that I try a regimen of anti-inflamatory drugs. In my case I was lucky and she recovered. She still has some problems, ( walks stiff legged and occasionally has bowl and bladder problems) but all in all she is doing quite well. Luckily she is an outdoor dog and the problems with her constitution aren't an issue. Before you make a firm decision to have your Shepard put to sleep, see what the Veterinarian has to say. It is always possible that your dog has a damaged disc like mine had and there may be a way to help him. I wish that I could have said something to make it easier for you, but I really do understand. My sincere best wishes for you and your dog.

Answer 5

My wife is a vet asst. and someone came in with a perfectly healthy 1yr old dog and had it put to sleep. She wouldnt let anyone take the dog off her hands either. There was nothing anyone could do about it because it was her property and her say so. My guess was it made her mad somehow and she wanted revenge. The clinic my wife worked at at the time was owned by a very money hungry vet who put the dog down so he could get paid. My wife quit shortly after. Bottom line is that it is your dog and your choice.

Answer 6

If anyone has had a dog with arthritis will know that that it is not just a case of it being old. My parents lab was fifteen, he had arthritis in his back legs, the vet put him on medication and a couple of week later he had a stroke caused by the strain of him keep trying to get up when in pain. So maybe you could turn it the other way and say that it is much more cruel to keep a dog alive when you know it is in pain and suffering.

Answer 7

Sure-right after they put their grandmother to sleep for having to wear Depends and use a wheelchair.
If that dog still has quality of life, why would this person think it is okay to just kill it because it is old? Pretty cold, if you ask me.
How do they know the bladder issue is just old age? And why aren't they treating the arthritis with a vet's assistance? Probably because they haven't taken the poor dog to the vet, I'll bet.

Answer 8

Sounds like doggy diapers, glucosamine, and a mild painkiller would take care of this problem fairly easily and cheaply.

If the arthritis worsens to where painkillers don't work, then yes, I would spare the old dog further suffering. But the diapers won't embarass the dog. Just the owner.

Answer 9

I think it is cruel to just put a dog to sleep because it is old. You can always get doggie diapers to help with the pottying in the house. They make arthritis medication for dogs that is pretty inexpensive.

If he no longer wants the dog, contact a rescue, NOT a shelter. Atleast let the dog live out the rest of its days where it is wanted.

Answer 10

Just cause it's getting old?? or you mean cause it's getting to be inconvenient?? Dog spends his life being best friend and companion and suddenly he isn't worthy of taking care of ?!

Or what you wanted to hear..

Oh sure, not a problem at all. He's old, he's lived his life, put him down.. Then you can go buy a new puppy .. Yipppeee ! Maybe check out your local petstore.. betcha they go something nice for you.