I have a 14 year old Stafforshire bull terrier. He has a heart conditon and his kidneys are starting to fail...he's on daily medication. Someone told me that I should consider putting him to sleep as his quality of life isn't what it use to be.
He pees in the house, even though he is taken out regularly, it is too hot to leave him outside during the day. Am I doing the right thing for him? I love him.
2007-10-21 11:33:50 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
if hes happy in his self and can cope then putting him to sleep is not the right option.
have you consulted your vet and asked him about the options for your dog its a personal choice,
i had to put one of my dogs to sleep 5 years ago he had heart problem,s and emphysema i tried every thing when the vet said there was nothing more he could do then the time was right to put him to sleep.
the medication he is on is probably what is making him wee in the house ,i wish you good luck
2007-10-21 11:41:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
ALL dogs health declines as they get older, not being able to climb the stairs is common in old dogs, the fact that her back leg doesnt work is a concern but if she can walk around the house okay and go for short walks i think shes doing good! a lot of people can tell when their dog isnt enjoying life, if her tail wags and she bounces around then the girl still has some life in her! personally if this was my dog i wouldnt put her down, but i dont know all the circumstances so i suggest asking your vet weather he/she thinks your dog is in a lot of pain and im sure they will subtly tell you their concerns. dont worry, carry on with the medication, see what the vet says, she could live on for a few more years and im sure shes enjoying her life just give her extra cuddles and treats now and then and she should be fine :) its nice your such a caring owner:)
2016-05-24 01:42:50 · answer #2 · answered by margarite 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the hardest thing you will ever do is saying goodbye. I now how you feel. My special baby of 16 years had cancer, blind, and started not being able to hold his bladder.I talked with my vet and he gave me steroids for his eyes so that he could see a little longer, but when it came to the point where it was getting harder for him to walk, I talked to the vet and I told him that i couldn't make that decision. He told me that he would let me know when the time came. We had him almost 2 months longer. I cried all the way to the vet and all the way home, I still go out to his grave and talk with him and its been 5 years now. But I know he's not in any pain and he is up in heaven running and playing. Two years later I had to put my female sharpie to sleep, she too came down with cancer 1 month after I found out that I had cancer and it was a little easier, because I know how it feels to have cancer and suffer. Still hurt, but she's not in pain anymore either. I wish I could tell you that the pain will be easier but i cant, even if you know you are doing the right thing, it still hurts. So Sorry For You!
2007-10-21 14:05:54 · answer #3 · answered by sunshine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the one thing you have to realize with an animal is that they live in the moment. if he is happy and still able to move and live then life is good for him. they don't really see pain like we do, he doesn't know he has a heart condition and all those medical things, he just knows the moment and senses how your energy is around him. I think that we have been killing animals out of context. when the time comes for the animal to go it will, until them find comfort in everyday you have live in the moment don't freat over the disease. I am firm about not putting my animal to sleep, I will do everything and then some and when that still isn't enough I will make him comfortable and let him live out his days. I hope that you find comfort in this difficult time.
2007-10-23 07:50:09 · answer #4 · answered by lulu 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can not leave him out during the day or just because your not home. If his life is good and your there to nurture and care for him and he is not in any pain, then I would keep him. If you are unable to care for this dog and give him a good and pain free life that he can enjoy, then it is time to put him down. If he has had 14 good years you will be doing him a favor. Many people keep there pets alive and not living good lives because they don't want to give them up. True love for your pet is doing whats right for him, not to make yourself feel good. I know you love him but sometimes you have to love him enough to let him go. I know it's hard, I had to do it with my cat and I still miss him. Good luck.
2007-10-21 11:40:52 · answer #5 · answered by kathy b 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I truly believe you will know when the time is right.
If I may suggest, try to be there for him when it is the time.
It will be hard, but I would think it would be harder to think that he left the earth with only strangers around him and not someone who loved him and cared for him.
You may also want to ask your Vet if he/she or one of their Vet Techs does house calls. When the time comes, it'll save you a very long and painful drive there and back and your baby will be in his own home.
Bless your heart and your dog's.
2007-10-21 12:07:02 · answer #6 · answered by k9 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are the only one that can determine whether his quality of life is still good or not. I think most people that you ask (who have gone through this, and I have a couple of times) will tell you that you will know when it is time. Your dog will tell you when he can't do it anymore.
I have a 13 year old staffy/boxer and she is three legged so it's getting tough for her to go for walks, but as long as she still comes to me with her toys and wants to play, then I know that she isn't ready to go yet.
Watch your dog for signs and be honest with yourself about when it is time. Don't wait too long because it's so hard to let them go...I know how hard it is...you may also want to talk to your vet. They will be able to give you an idea of whether your dog is in pain or not. They will also tell you when they think it is time (in their opinion) if you ask for an honest answer from them. . .
I'm sorry for what you are going through.
2007-10-21 11:42:50 · answer #7 · answered by kismetsguardian 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I just had to put my 14 year old lasapoo to sleep. She was getting progressively lame from arthritis,was going blind,but it was when she stopped wagging her tail, I realized how sick she was. She is much better off now, but I still cry every day even after a month.
2007-10-21 11:46:30 · answer #8 · answered by tiger1943 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a tough question....
and this is such a sensitive subject too....
I believe this is something that you need to discuss with your Vet and your family about the quality of life for your pet.
I wish you all the best of luck
2007-10-21 12:40:40 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
With the health problems he has there is no cure just prolonging his health
here is a poem that might help
PUT ME TO REST
Time to let me go my friend,
Because my life no-one can mend,
Its better to let me go this way,
Than watch me suffer night and day.
I'm happy to go, my time has come,
My quality of life is no longer fun,
Ive been so ill, so its not a bad thing,
To let me go forever resting.
Stay with me till I drift away,
Fast asleep forever I pray,
To relieve me from suffering and pain,
What more can I ask from my best friend.
Don't be sad, I'll be free from pain,
Never to be ill ever again,
I know you'll miss me being there,
But all the memories you have to share.
Thankyou for being my best friend,
And all my needs that you did tend,
Try not to be sad, try not to cry,
Now's the time to say GOODBYE
2007-10-21 11:59:12 · answer #10 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋