My dog is I think around 13 years old, and she has abdominal cancer. She just started whimpering from inside her doghouse. She slips and falls over all the time and ends up peeing all over herself. She has what seem to be seizures and almost goes into a coma...but she is still sort of playful and eats all of her food and drinks her water and everything. I called my brother who is technically her owner and said that I think its about time we let her go but he doesn't want to yet. Is it time to say goodbye?
2007-11-15 18:17:24 · 19 answers · asked by Michelle 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Just a note, I DO want to put her down, I DO think she is suffering and I DO want to help her, but it is my brother's dog, we have had her since we were kids and he is not ready to say goodbye to her yet. But I DO think its time to put her out of her misery, just having a hard time convincing my brother of that.
2007-11-15 18:46:21 · update #1
My brother is 23, and yes we have done this before. Our first dog, Honey, was a golden retriever that we put down from a tumor in her hip when I was 5 (don't really remember her). We put my poor dog (our current dog's son) down on April 24, 2005, when a neighbor hit him over the head with a brick and he went into a coma. I had him cremated, and I have the box and his collar in a special area on my bookshelf. The main issue is my brother can't be here with her, he lives with his wife about 6 hours away, and is feeling guilty that he was in a situation where he couldn't take her with him, and also that he can't be here when she goes. I feel bad for him but even worse for the dog, and may just take her to be put down whether he wants to or not.
2007-11-15 19:53:41 · update #2
as much as it hurts and sucks to let a loved one go, it is what is best for your friend.
please don't be selfish and keep her here, in misery for yourself. she is in pain - it is time to let her go.
best of wishes to you both. -scratch that, to you three.
****
how old is he? perhaps try to explain to him that she is in serious pain and she will not get any better.
2007-11-15 18:32:53 · answer #1 · answered by Miss B 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ending the suffering of a dear friend is the final, last act of love we can do. I understand your brother not being ready - there is never going to be a good time. But it does sound like she is ready. Tell him that by letting her go in a loving and humane way now, he is doing the absolute best for her.
Has he been through this before? If not, explain the process to him so he knows what to expect. The vet will give you a private room, probably a med to relax her first, then the injection. He can be there, hold her, kiss her, shed his tears and take all the time he needs to say goodbye.
He will then be able to choose what he wants to do with her body. He can have her privately cremated and have her ashes returned in a week or so. A group cremation, where she will be cremated with other animals, and then someone will take the ashes and spread them - our vet takes them to a local park.
In the last 5 years, I had to have 2 dogs and 2 cats put down. We now have a new younger crop of animals...all came from the humane society. I have had all my animals privately cremated so I have their ashes returned to me. That is what my husband, daughter and I chose.
It is hard - but it is right to do. He loves her and she knows it. He has to love her enough to say goodbye.
2007-11-16 03:24:15 · answer #2 · answered by twinkles 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is time to say goodbye. Time for your brother to come by and say goodbye. Talk to him. If he see's she is in pain, maybe he will understand better. It's one thing to hear it and even more realistic to see it.
Abdonimal Cancer is not good. It will only get worse till she is in more tremendous pain. I know you dont want that and are convinced it's time...and certainly your brother wouldn't want that either.
Talk to your vet about pain meds, make your dog more comfortable, and then if your brother doesn't see what's going on soon...the decision will be yours. Your brother may not like it but death is harder on some, more than others. Regardless it's still a difficult time for all involved. Especially a family friend for 13 years. So when you make the decision to do it, be reassured you are doing it for her and she will have no more pain.
If your brother still wants to wait, explain to him...that time has come and gone and action must be taken now. He may blame you for a while, but he will understand as time goes on. We all have to die at sometime and we will lose friends along the way. It's just part of life and how it is.
My thoughts are with you and your family. One day, it will a decision a lot of us will have to make.
Sincerely & Respectfully!
2007-11-16 03:59:35 · answer #3 · answered by RowdyBull 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even though it is technically your brothers dog I feel you are in the best position to make the decision, you see what the dog is going through and there is unnecessary suffering - seizures, whimpering, incontinence, old age.
What if you take her to the vet and get an opinion, usually the vet wants you to decide, so you could try to ask questions in such a way that the vet can give you honest guidance.
You are the primary carer for the dog and it is your responsiblity, not an easy position to be in, but follow your head and not your heart in this instance.
2007-11-16 03:48:42 · answer #4 · answered by JackCare 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well let me ask you this: would YOU want to be outside in a dog house, whimpering, seizing until you went into a coma?
the hardest and most important part of being a dog owner is letting a dog go when they need you most. like now.
please see the vet. make this decision with the vet. that will help you to make it.
given your edit, here's mine:
tell your brother he has 24 hours to come over and go WITH you to the vet. sometimes an ultimatum is the only way to get things done.
2007-11-16 02:27:25 · answer #5 · answered by cany 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't tell you to put her to sleep,that is up to you and your brother,but please,bring the poor thing in the house and make her comfortable.Don't leave her outside to perhaps die all alone on the ground. You can at least do that for her,let her spend time with you inside during her last days.And if your brother still won't take her,at least get some medication from your vet for her pain and seizures.It's not right to let her suffer.
2007-11-16 03:36:11 · answer #6 · answered by Dances With Woofs! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am so sorry to hear that your companion is sick.
We are kinder to our dogs than we are to people. Letting a dog go when the bad days outweigh the good days is a very compassionate gift. Talk to your vet. If medical intervention would cause more pain, then perhaps you may want to give your dog the compassionate gift of release from pain.
I have been there and I am sorry for your dog's pain and for your pain also.
2007-11-16 02:27:18 · answer #7 · answered by fluffy not stuffy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is awful I had to put My very sweet bull terrier down because of stomach cancer. I cried and cried even at the Vet and for days. And you know what. Her name was Jess.
Take someone with you, and maybe don't go into the vet yourself. Let them take the her in, it is such a
hard decision, but don't let her suffer. I'm thinking of you.
2007-11-16 03:31:27 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like she is suffering. I know its hard to let go but you gotta think of the wonderful life she had for 13 years. Do her a favor and end the pain. Go to the pound and rescue a dog and give them the love you gave her. =) good luck
2007-11-16 02:44:19 · answer #9 · answered by Bubblez 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its the hardest thing ever to do but you must be strong and put her to sleep. I really feel for you, a few years ago i had to get my german sheperd sabar down due to cancer. I was desvestated.
If you love her put her out of her misery shes obviously stuggling with life, i just dont understand how you can watch your dog falling down, peeing herself and taking seizures that would kill me. Plan the day you intend to do it get whoever you want to say there goodbyes and be strong. goodluck
2007-11-16 03:12:23 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a very personal question and only you truly know the answer. It sounds to me that you already know. I have no doubt that she is suffering and her condition is terminal. No dog likes not being able to control their bodily functions and not be able to get around. I have no doubt that she is unhappy and unfortunately it is only going to get worse.
It is tempting to be selfish in these circumstances but please don't. She would never be truly selfish to you. Give her dignity and love and a way for the pain to go away...
I am sorry to have to tell you this, but if she were my dog, it would be time to say, "Good-bye"
2007-11-16 02:31:46 · answer #11 · answered by dogwhisperer16 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋