When To Put a Dog Down?

[Husker Z]

Okay guys, sorry to be a downer, but I'm struggling with something and I wanted a little advice.

I have a female Husky that is going on 11 years old and in the past few months has really deteriorated in health in the last few months. She won't eat and has dropped probably 50% in weight in the last 6-8 months (she was way overweight to start with) and her back hips are shot, she can get up and down, but is extremely unstable on her feet, especially on the smooth concrete patio and I noticed this weekend that she is either totally blind, or very close to it.

I have always thought I wouldn't put her down or anything unless I knew she was suffering or couldn't manage day to day activities. But watching her now makes me so sad, especially when she falls down, or slips and now she bumps into things doing normal activities.

It makes me sick to think about potentially having to take her to the vet to be put down, but I sure don't want her suffering either.

Any advice? My last husky suffered a seizure and died, so it was a no brainer as he was basically dead when I found him, but this is something I've never dealt with.

 

[Mytoy4]

It's very hard and I'm so sorry you're going through this.
This isn't a decision that anyone can make for you. You have to make it and feel right about it.
Quality of lift is a major factor, in my eyes. If the animal isn't able to live without constant pain then it's time to consider helping them.
If medication is no longer an option to keep them comfortable then you need to determine what steps are best for you.
As hard as it is on you, you have to remember that your feelings are attached right now and you can't be selfish. You have to do this for her, not because you want to prevent yourself from being heart broken.

I've put many dogs down (being in the vet industry) and I've had to put two of my dogs down due to cancers.
It's not easy. No time will feel like the right time. Don't always wait for the next day in hopes it will be better.

You will need to decide what you want to do with her body. Having to decide this when you're upset isn't the right time. Some don't agree with having dogs cremated or buried. This is a personal choice of your own.

My last dog that I had to put to sleep was also blinded by her conditions. She had a brain tumor that caused repeated seizures. I knew in my heart that once the medication no longer worked that I would let her go. She deserved to be pain free and though I grieved for a long time, I knew I made the right decision and that she was much better off.

Give her hugs and kisses and treat her as if everyday is her last. Spoil her extra now and let her go when you feel is the right time.

Once she's gone, she'll watch over you... until you meet again.

Thoughts are with you!

 

[JB.]

I'm sorry about your situation.

As a non-owner, it sure sounds to me like it's time.

My brother is a real dog guy and has had many put down over the years. The most recent time, he had a vet come to his house to do it and said it was vastly superior to taking the dog in. Much easier on every party involved. He'll never do it another way now.

Hope this helps.

 

[Mytoy4]

I agree with JB. I think it's a good idea to do it in a place your girl is comfortable. Some dogs hate vets and the last thing you want for her is to be scared or uncomfortable when it's her time to leave you.

 

[Husker Z]

It's very hard and I'm so sorry you're going through this.
This isn't a decision that anyone can make for you. You have to make it and feel right about it.
Quality of lift is a major factor, in my eyes. If the animal isn't able to live without constant pain then it's time to consider helping them.
If medication is no longer an option to keep them comfortable then you need to determine what steps are best for you.
As hard as it is on you, you have to remember that your feelings are attached right now and you can't be selfish. You have to do this for her, not because you want to prevent yourself from being heart broken.

I've put many dogs down (being in the vet industry) and I've had to put two of my dogs down due to cancers.
It's not easy. No time will feel like the right time. Don't always wait for the next day in hopes it will be better.

You will need to decide what you want to do with her body. Having to decide this when you're upset isn't the right time. Some don't agree with having dogs cremated or buried. This is a personal choice of your own.

My last dog that I had to put to sleep was also blinded by her conditions. She had a brain tumor that caused repeated seizures. I knew in my heart that once the medication no longer worked that I would let her go. She deserved to be pain free and though I grieved for a long time, I knew I made the right decision and that she was much better off.

Give her hugs and kisses and treat her as if everyday is her last. Spoil her extra now and let her go when you feel is the right time.

Once she's gone, she'll watch over you... until you meet again.

Thoughts are with you!

Thank you so much for the kind words and coming from a vet, that carries a lot of weight.

You mentioned it, but the tough thing is knowing that she's NOT going to get better, no matter what. I know that no medicine is going to reverse time and she's going to just perk up and that's the toughest thing to admit.

I am going to have to sit down with the family and discuss everything for sure. I want her to be happy and pain free, even if that means me and my family being sad and upset.

Thanks again, I really appreciate the response, this whole thing really sucks.

 

[Husker Z]

I agree with JB. I think it's a good idea to do it in a place your girl is comfortable. Some dogs hate vets and the last thing you want for her is to be scared or uncomfortable when it's her time to leave you.

Great advice guys, I really don't want to go back in the vets office carrying her, like I had to do with Norm and I know I would have to carry her, she can't walk on slick surfaces like her office.

Thanks again, that's great advice and I would not have thought of that, but I will definitely do that.

 

[bootown]

Great advice guys, I really don't want to go back in the vets office carrying her, like I had to do with Norm and I know I would have to carry her, she can't walk on slick surfaces like her office.

There are vets that do euthansia at your home (at least where I live). Personally, I couldn't that route though, but still an option. When the time comes, I would ask them to put catheters in both front legs. Let's just say that was a lesson I wish I never had to learn.

So sorry to hear about your dog. Life is way too short. As hard as it will be, try to focus on the 'many' good years you had together....

 

[Mytoy4]

I would ask them to put catheters in both front legs. Let's just say that was a lesson I wish I never had to learn.
.

Another good point. The last thing you want is them poking her time after time trying to find her vein.

 

[Husker Z]

Another good point. The last thing you want is them poking her time after time trying to find her vein.

That happened with Norm, not fun.

 

[rfuree11]

I had to do it a few years ago and it still bums me out thinking about it. I actually regret waiting as long as we did. She started to lose weight quickly and became incontinent. We waited about 6 months after it started happening before we put her down and looking back, we should have done it earlier. I feel bad about the suffering that she was going through. It was also really tough bringing her into the vet because she began freaking out like she knew what was happening.

Best of luck to you. I know how hard of a decision it is.

 

[Hmebuildr]

My hunting dogs own me and the worst thing is to see them in any pain. There is nothing I would not do for my dogs but there is going to come a time when I am going to have to make that very hard decision that we as dog lovers all make. It is not easy to do and you will struggle with it over and over but think of it in this fashion if it was the other way around and the dog was making a choice what would it do. We want to keep our buddies with us forever but at what cost. Only you can make that choice but if it was me I know that I would do what was best for my dog first and foremost.

 

[bootown]

Another good point. The last thing you want is them poking her time after time trying to find her vein.

I'll just explain the importance of why catheters in both front legs because I never want someone to go through what we did.

Some solution in, vein blows, try to get the rest in, realize that's not happening, can't find any veins in that shaved area, take him to the back area, shave other leg, find vein....all the while the solution that is in there is causing labored breathing among other things....a horrible situation.

 

[Husker Z]

I'll just explain the importance of why catheters in both front legs because I never want someone to go through what we did.

Some solution in, vein blows, try to get the rest in, realize that's not happening, can't find any veins in that shaved area, take him to the back area, shave other leg, find vein....all the while the solution that is in there is causing labored breathing among other things....a horrible situation.

Exactly what happened with Norm. They ended up having to put it straight in his heart. It was gut wrenching.

I came home tonight and sat out back with her for quite a while, then I mowed the yard to think about it. Shes clearly blind, but observing her as I was mowing, I don't feel she's suffering. She was able to take her normal path around the yard without running into anything and didn't stumble much. I sat with her after I mowed and just talked to her and stuff. I honestly don't get the feeling she's in pain, she's just wearing out.

Clearly if she doesn't start eating more she probably won't live much longer though. I'm going to continue to watch her really closely and after reading everything I am not going to be selfish in this and my family agrees. We need to do what's best for HER, not us.

I decided to take her collar off of her (it was super loose due to the weight loss anyway) but she heard the jingle and thought I had her leash and got excited because she thought we were going for a walk like we've done a million times before. It really made me sad because she couldn't walk to the end of the driveway at this point. But, I was happy that she still has some spunk left in her!

 

[Mytoy4]

Prayers are with her and with you and your family during these hard times

 

[Husker Z]

Prayers are with her and with you and your family during these hard times

Thanks bud, really appreciate it. The only bright side is that I know she really misses Norm, so I know they'll be running around causing havoc soon enough.

 

[Mytoy4]

You know what, that ALWAYS helped me cope with things when it was time to let my girl go. My boy was up there already and I knew they'd be together. He wouldn't be alone and she would be taken care of.
It's a very reassuring feeling for sure!

 

[Husker Z]

Yeah, I guess it's a good way to feel better. I know she's never been the same since Norm died. She was laying next to him when I found him dying and when I came back from the vet without him she was visibly upset. Pack dogs like huskies get very attached to each other and I know she misses him. They slept in the same house every night from when she was 6 weeks old, so it's been hard on her.

Thanks again man, I really appreciate it.

 

[Mytoy4]

I'm actually a ma'am :wink2:

 

[Husker Z]

I'm actually a ma'am :wink2:

I'm terribly sorry, I knew that! Thanks ma'am!

 

[Mytoy4]

No worries!