My dog is dying, what do you think is better....................?????

Question

I believe my dog is dying. She is almost 17 years old, and I have had her since I was 13 years old, so this is uncharted territory for me. I am not one of those crazy (buys my dog ice cream) people. Last night, my dog was acting strange, and kept waking up whimpering (super unusual, because, she never barks, whines, or whimpers normally). Earlier last night, I went to bring her on a car ride, and she didn't want to get in the car or stick her head out the window. This morning she seemed a bit better (no longer whimpering).

I think she may be dying, and since I may have to do this soon, let me ask these questions.

If a dog is 17, and I bring her to the vet, do you think they are automatically going to suggest her time is over? Do you think it is better to be with the dog, as they are putting the dog to sleep? Is getting a dog cremated, and keeping the ashes, silly?

Thanks for your opinions and advice.

Answer 1

She could have arthritis, which makes it painful for dogs to move. That could explain why she didn't want to go for a car ride.
If she doesn't seem to be in obvious pain and suffering, the vet will probably say that she doesn't have many years left. However, she probably has some good time left. Well-cared for dogs can live many years longer than we think possible. One of my dogs will be 14 in a week and she still acts half her age.
I've always found that it's easier on me to be with any critter (horse, dog, cat, rat) when they're put to sleep. We've lost so many to untimely deaths that it's nice for me to know that the ones being euthanized aren't in any more pain, and it doesn't hurt any more than vaccinations.
And no, it's not silly to have a dog cremated and keep the ashes. My mom has the ashes of our two female Rotties in tins on her desk. It's your choice, but it's not unusual or silly.
I hope that you have some good time left with your dog, and I'm sure she had a great life with you. My thoughts are with you no matter what happens.

Answer 2

Many vets will NOT suggest putting an animal down just by age , unless there are clear signs that the animal is in pain, and there is no effective treatment , or treatment would be too expensive .

Old dogs will sometimes refuse to climb into cars , or jump down from the seat because they know it will hurt. Its balance may not be good enough to stand in a moving vehicle .

A bit of vanilla ice cream wont hurt , let it soften a bit in the fridge and let the dog lick it from a bowl . Mine loved it as an occassional summer treat .

The wimpering sounds like shes in some pain , or having dreams . If you can afford it , take her for a check at the vets , you dont have to follow the vets advice .

If you can deal with it then , yes, stay with the dog and comfort it. The vet can give it a shot that puts it to sleep, and then another shot that will be fatal. Once its asleep you can wait outside if you want.
Creamation is fine , as is keeping the ashes. I think a doggy grave , with funeral, and a big headstone is a little wierd , but whatever makes you happy. The dog wont care .

Answer 3

Well.. She is pretty darned old.. But the fact that she didn't want to get into the car, and didn't want her head out the window doesn't suggest death to me. Maybe she has an ear infection or something.
If her quality of life is gone, the vet might suggest that her time has come. But merely whimpering and refusing to ride with you in the car... well I can't say that I would feel it's time to pull the plug.
It's better to be there when they put the dog to sleep. Getting a dog cremated and keeping the ashes is something that many people do, especially if they live in an apartment or other place where they can't bury their pet. It's up to you. I wouldn't call it silly unless you were building a shrine around the ashes.

Answer 4

A vet won't just automatically say it's her time because of her age...It could just be arthritis acting up because of cold weather. If there is something wrong with her that would cause a lot of pain and suffering, then yes, they would make the reccomendation. I would get her in and get her checked out before making the decision or pre-determining that's the outcome...

I've always been with my dogs that I've had euthanized to comfort them and say goodbye - That's not something that everyone could do though...Really, it's up to you.

As far as having them cremated and keeping the ashes, well, I've had many dogs (And cats) cremated over the years, but instead of keeping their ashes, I scatter them in some of the dog's favorite places (Like the beach, mountains, etc.). I lost a dog to a train earlier this year and have yet to scatter his ashes because it's just not time for me to let go yet, so no, I don't think it's silly at all.

Answer 5

A vet would not automatically suggest anything. They will check the dog over, and talk to you about what they think's going on and what you want to do about it. They cannot make you do anything; your dog, your decision.

Your dog is not necessarily dying just because she's old. She may have a curable condition so please don't delay in taking her to the vet because of your fears.

If the decision is made to put your dog to sleep, it's entirely up to you whether you want to be with her, or say your goodbyes beforehand. The vets will not think anything of it either way; I've seen a zillion euthanasias, and everyone is different. It certainly isn't silly to have the dog's ashes back; many people do this, and with cats and rabbits too. We provide a service that allows people to choose what kind of casket they want the ashes kept in, they're very nice - expensive though.

Please do discuss all this with a vet asap, they're the best person to speak to. I do hope you have a vet that you like and trust and that everything works out for the best for you and your dog.

Chalice

Answer 6

They won't make the decision for you. Just let you know your options and give you time to think things over.

It's not silly to keep her ashes. Most vet's will let you know this is an option. It costs around $300 and you get to pick the urn. A lot of people do that. I have 2 cats right now and when one passes it will be cremated and put in an urn "built for 2", when the other cat passes on, it will join their lifelong mate.

I'm so sorry about your dog. It will be hard, no doubt, but sometimes it's best to end their pain if nothing can be done to help them.

Answer 7

Not automatically. When I brought Morton in last week I thought his time was probably up, but the vet checked him over anyways to see if there was something we could do to keep him comfortable for longer. But we found a large mass in his abdomen, and she thought his chances of coming through the surgery were poor, so we decided to let him go to the bridge.

In most cases I think it's better to stay with the dog, unless you are going to be so upset that you will upset and scare her.

There's nothing silly about cremating and keeping the ashes, lots of people do it. Do what feels right to you.

Answer 8

No reasonable vet is going to tell you to put your dog down based on age alone. They should do a exam and if it shows your dog is in any kinda of pain or something major may be wrong then you might talk puting him down. As far as being with the animal I think it comforts them. I have only had to do this once and it was very heart wrenching. I stayed with my pet, holding him. It gave me peace of mind that he wasn't dying alone with a stranger. I also opted to take him home and bury him in a nice corner of the yard. Whether you cremate and keep the ashes or just bury the body I don't think either is silly.

Answer 9

Poor dog.. ='( Old age stinks..my dog is turning 13 this year. I can only hope she lives a healthy, pain-free life as long as your dog has. You're very lucky to have her for so long! I live far from my dog, as I have moved for a job, and I think about her everyday (along w/ my parents of course! ;) ). I worry about the same things you do in regards to one day having to put her to sleep due to chronic pain, or illness. I'm afraid that she might become sick while I am away, or pass away in her sleep while I am gone..I would be devastated. ='(
I don't think your dog is necessarily dying - she's just old. Her whimpering could mean she is trying to get your attention and wants you to focus on her. (my dog does this as well when I am around. She'll follow me everywhere and whine or whimper till I sit down and talk to her or hold her).

I think you shouldn't worry about taking her to the vet. if she seems happy and healthy, then she should be okay - I personally think she just wants to be around you. As for having her put to sleep one day - I think you should do it in your own home..that's what i would do. I personally would also keep the ashes in a little urn.

Take lots of photos of her, and spend as much time as you can with her - you'll miss it one day. ='(

Answer 10

17 years is a long life for a dog. If you take her to the vet they will probably suggest the least invasive thing for her considering her age. Honestly, it's pointless to aggressively treat a geriatric dog like you would a young one. It can be stressful for the dog too. I would only choose comfort measures for her.

Being there when/if she is put to sleep is a personal choice. I would choose to be there for my dog because I don't want his last thoughts to be that I left him behind with strangers. I don't think it's silly to have her cremated and keep the ashes, she's been in your life for many years.