When should I put my old dog down? Pain? QOL?

[Ms. Yoko Anna]

Hello,

I have 13 years old yellow lab.
She is lumpy, limpy, always sleeping, sometime miss her food.
She has not lost her potty training yet, but having a hard time going to the back yard.
Today she fell on the stirs on her way back to the house.

She is not in pain, or at least does not express any pain.
She is very content and happy when she is in my arm.

I am wondering when do I have to draw a line.
A big death went through in me last year, and it is extremely touchy subject.
I am not sure if having her around is for her or for me.

Anyone out there have put your dog down?
What was the sign?

 

[VanessaofBC]

Awww.....as soon as I read that headline I felt your pain.

I will share this story with you.

My dear friend had two cats that had been together all their lives. When the older male passed away from natural causes it seemed the female just did not have the will to live after that.

She stopped eating and cleaning herself. She was an adult cat but could not have weighed more than three pounds soaking wet.

We decicded to take her to the Vet. The Vet offered to run some tests. We talked about it. Even if they ran they tests how much would it cost to keep her alive? Does she want to live, even?

Sadly, she was not with us when we left the clinic.

 

[HunkyBill]

Just like people, pets get old. We might sleep a lot, miss our food, we have a hard time walking. Do we want to die? No, not until there is a lot pain. Pain is part of aging, don't think it's not. It depends on how unbearable the pain is.

All animals have a desire to live and fight whenever they can. Usually, they will let others know in some way when it's their time. It's often a quick (less hassle) approach just to put your pet down then to see what you will endure as you got older.

I use the same argument as with children, would you put your child down because it's not convenient for you to take care of him/her? Most of us, save the luck ones, ll live in some sort of pain day to day, whether it's emotional or physical.

Given your description above, I don't think it's time. There's a lot of things you can do to make her more comfortable and reduce her discomfort due to old age like supplements and changing the diet to a more natural approach (eg. home cooking) instead of the heavily processed dog food you buy. Just so you know, there will be turbulent periods where you will wonder if it's time....most times it usually it is not, give your friend/companion some more time to be with you. Sooner or later, depending on how "in-tune" you are with your pet, you will know when it's time. Usually, it's when your pet will refuse to eat whatever you throw at her/him including yummy food like home cooked broiled chicken, fish, or steak. This period would last more than several days.

In terms of feeling guilt, I know I would do whatever I could within my means before putting down my pet. Unfortunately, many people are not like that. They look for the easy way out and rationalize or look for others to validate that they did the right thing.

I also think everyone should have direct experience with geriatrics and those who are in an old folks home. It will make you appreciate life and realize that every sentient being (with a few exceptions) has a strong will to live.

Just my 1/2 cents.

 

[riceraw]

go to your vet.
dogs can mask pain and just become accustom to it
dogs will always be happy around their people and that makes it harder

sorry for what you are going through
I know its not hard but as a pet owner its your duty to make sure your dog never lives in pain.
I had to put down my big buddy last winter similar situation to yours
I made myself a few promises
the day he couldnt get up for a walk no matter the duration
the day he stopped eating/drinking water
the day he couldn't get up to great me

my vet was notified and she said the day I made my decision I could come in right away
best with everything.

 

[vancity_cowboy]

judging from your brief description of her condition, i would say the time is mot yet... but you are correct to start thinking about it now

if she is still continent and doesn't appear to be in too much pain, then i would keep her with me. however, they get mortally embarrassed when they reach the stage of incontinence so for sure that is a pretty strong indicator

 

[Caramel]

Wow, that is a tough thing to deal with. I think you will know in your heart, when it's time. When I found out my old cat Tager who was 18 years passed away (from natural causes) I cried like a baby. Still miss him

My cat just turned 15, but she is more feisty, active and affectionate than shes ever been. The years keep going by, shes one year older than my teenage sister (mom was pregnant when I brought the kitten home) and I'm surprised shes doing well. I think its because I stopped feeding her dried cat food all the time and started making wet food her main diet, and she is allowed outside sometimes but with supervision. She is very dear to me because I grew up with her, so these days whenever she is in a deep sleep, I watch her to make sure shes still breathing. I was told cats usually die around this time, but I've heard of others that have lived past 20. But when the time comes I won't let her suffer...I'm the type of person who believes in euthanasia, so hopefully it will be a few more years before that happens.

I hope everything works out well for your dog, time will tell, and like others have suggested, change her diet, if she eats dried kibble food, slowly take it out of her diet and switch to wet foods or home cooked foods.

 

[badbadboy]

Yoko I am sorry you are going through this and it must be really tough.

I had one of my dogs get multiple knee surgeries on both hind legs. The Vet clinic has a pool that they use to keep dogs active while in recuperation. It is also used for geriatric dogs who can not walk but swimming is easier on their bodies. You might want to look into a clinic in the Victoria area that you can get some swimming therapy to keep your dog active. It seemed to give them some extra energy.

Has your vet given your dog a complete physical? Sometimes it can be something relatively simple.

 

[Ms. Yoko Anna]

I will take her to my vet tomorrow or ASAP.

Thanks everyone.

 

[george.caruthers]

Ask your vet. Dogs can mask pain and you will never know. If you are keeping her going more for you than her, and she is in pain, then it is past time.

 

[yazoo]

We had an old dog with arthritis in her hips. Every time she squatted she would squeal with pain when she tried to get up again. That was time for us. I had tears in my eyes when I left her - the vet gave me some literature for grief counseling that they offered. Years later I have no regrets. It was time.

 

[Hortence222222]

I am sorry for you. Unfortunately, the worst is yet to come. I had the exact same issue. My shepherd cross was 15 and had bad hips (from the time he was little). He loved car/truck rides and when he could barely get in a car, I knew it was close to time. I had met a wonderful SP on here a couple of times and knew she was very into dogs. I contacted her and asked her advice (Thank You again Paige). She told me that you as the owner are more in tune with your pet than anyone else. You don't wake up in the morning and think "I am going to have my dog put down today" . It is actually the pet conveying his/her feelings to you. It was the hardest thing I have EVER done in my life (brings tears to my eyes thinking about it) but it was the right thing to do. My thoughts are with you.......

PS. Definitely see the vet for their opinion.....

 

[MissingOne]

Yoko I am sorry you are going through this and it must be really tough.

I had one of my dogs get multiple knee surgeries on both hind legs. The Vet clinic has a pool that they use to keep dogs active while in recuperation. It is also used for geriatric dogs who can not walk but swimming is easier on their bodies. You might want to look into a clinic in the Victoria area that you can get some swimming therapy to keep your dog active. It seemed to give them some extra energy.

Has your vet given your dog a complete physical? Sometimes it can be something relatively simple.

I believe that Hillside Veterinary Clinic in Oak Bay has a hydrotherapy pool. I'm not endorsing that particular clinic. Just pointing out that they have the facility, so that you can check them out if you're so inclined.

 

[johnsmit]

Yes it is a tuff decion to make..
my dog.had hip and leg problem when hr was 13.. he gradually had trouble getting up and could not stand to shit or pee.. then could not get up at all .. J looked after him for over a month..brings his food and water.. washing and cleaning up after he dhit and peed...
then one day he got up on his own ..and was able to function for over 6 month..But when ig happened again I knew it was time.. as was prepaired tk let him go

Yoko .i dont think it is tims yet.

 

[Trus'Me]

As one of our old girls went 15 years without any obvious acute pain besides what seemed to be arthritis, we got in the sneaky habit of crushing up half an Advil in her food* on the days where she was struggling to get up. It was obvious how well it worked as she at least got a few hours of exercise and good dog fun before slowing right down again... When I tell people this often I get scolded as if it's 'wrong' or something, but fuck that. Help an old dog out with an Advil!

*100mg for a 50 pound dog, which is half the recommended dose for a human.

 

[johnsmit]

Yes i did the same thing.. if it can give our pet some relief of pain.. and the only other option is puting them down then why not

 

[johnsmit]

Yah a friend of mine just had to give up her dog.. because he needs major surgiry to fix a leg
injury.. She cant afford to pay for it..
They might find someone that will .but if not soon .he will bd put down

I am very sad about that too be cause i spent so much time with them in the last few year.
Just a lot of bad stuff happening latily

 

[Ms. Yoko Anna]

As one of our old girls went 15 years without any obvious acute pain besides what seemed to be arthritis, we got in the sneaky habit of crushing up half an Advil in her food* on the days where she was struggling to get up. It was obvious how well it worked as she at least got a few hours of exercise and good dog fun before slowing right down again... When I tell people this often I get scolded as if it's 'wrong' or something, but fuck that. Help an old dog out with an Advil!

*100mg for a 50 pound dog, which is half the recommended dose for a human.

I actually put glucosamine in her food.
It works.

 

[sevenofnine]

Its tough,

Dogs don't want to give up.

My lab, would drive me crazy to go for a walk every day, but he was so sore with arthritis, it was sad to watch him struggle.

He just didn't know how to lay back and watch the world go by and he struggled and struggled.

He seemed to want to continue so I let him.

Finally he had some internal problems and had to be put down.

I owned a horse who was recentlly put down. He just couldn't move around anymore, and to be honest, it seemed like he wanted out, or help. There was no life in his eyes, just pain.

 

[Hippolytus]

I actually put glucosamine in her food.
It works.

Yes, and I get mine from the vet, to ensure the proper dose etc.

Sorry though to hear of your situation. One thing you may wish to consider: check with your vet to see if, when the time does come, will the vet come to your home? I've done this in the past...you can hold her in your arms so there is no strange environment or person in their mind when they take their last sleep.

Be strong...

 

[kauffman]

Hello,

I have 13 years old yellow lab.
She is lumpy, limpy, always sleeping, sometime miss her food.
She has not lost her potty training yet, but having a hard time going to the back yard.
Today she fell on the stirs on her way back to the house.

She is not in pain, or at least does not express any pain.
She is very content and happy when she is in my arm.

I am wondering when do I have to draw a line.
A big death went through in me last year, and it is extremely touchy subject.
I am not sure if having her around is for her or for me.

Anyone out there have put your dog down?
What was the sign?

Sadly my vet suggested i put my last dog down only after i was no longer able to pay the bills. Following a three month 7000$ bunch of bills. Make sure you get a second opinion. I unfortunately did not.