Putting our dog down. When is it time?

You do know in your heart when it is time.

I lost my german shepherd last year. Darek's Story

We had Lady a lab mix who we put to sleep in 2010, we saw it in her eyes, it is time at age 17. She could not see well, and at the end had no bowel or bladder control. The day we took her to the vets I spent the day holding her and talking to her, in the car she always sat in my lap, not that day she laid on the back seat. Very hard decision but we knew it was her time, still miss her dearly.

Thanks for all the input.

PUCampin wrote:

I wonder if dogs can have vertigo. I have had 2 attacks, about 14 months apart, and what you describe is exactly what I felt. I could not stay upright on my own to begin with, and it took a day or 2 of rest to feel normal again.

YES!!

This is probably a good time to remind people of this. It is VERY common and the most common cause of these types of symptoms in both elderly dogs and cats.

Strokes are very UNcommon in both.

Most dogs with Vestibular disease get better without treatment in a couple of days. Sometimes takes two weeks or more and some don't regain complete normal function.

Our treatment is aimed at eliminating side effects (nausea) and the anxiety that happens when they can't move as they think they they should.

Doug, DVM

Your dog has had a fantastic span at 17 years... You will know when it is time,,,, it will be in their eyes... Trust me... after 17 years you will know.. We just had this with our black lab of 14 years... it was time..There will never be a good time... just do not let them feel uncomfortable, or suffer... Good Luck..Joe

The course of these events is so up and down that I don't know if we all will recognize, for sure, when it truly is "The End." In our own most recent loss, one of us was in denial and could not make the call. The other had to do it, based on the obvious pain of the poor little dog. Some of us on this message board still struggle afterwards, about whether we should've waited longer or done it sooner, but that's just being human. We want to be all knowing, all seeing, but in reality, all we can do is use our best judgment. I know you will.

I have lost two dogs in the last three years. One to liver cancer, one to lung cancer.

I don't think there is anyone anywhere that can tell you when it is time, but I also agree that you will know when it is time. Loss of appetite, bathroom function, spark in their eye, or a combination of all the above are just a few signs.

For me, both times, it was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made, but I never second guessed myself.

Thoughts and prayers for you.

Your vet is correct if you love your dog as many of us do. In 60 years I have had three dogs that I have had to put down. It was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made. But when the dog is in pain, not eating well and the vet confirms there is no hope is the time to do what is best for the dog. A dog that makes 17 years has had a very good caring family.

jake2250 wrote:
Almost had to make that decision last Wednesday!! At 3 am my 12 year old 165 pound lab mix woke me by making odd scratching noises on the tile floor,, In the dark I could see he was having difficulty getting up,, When I got over and turned the kitchen light on, I could see he was disoriented and having difficulty standing and walking.
He knew he needed to go outside,, I assisted him by lifting his mid section so he could do his business.
He made a b-line to go in,, staggered and fell a few times,, when he made it in he headed to his bed and just fell there striking his head..
After a few hours we called the vet (business hours), Told them the story and we set up an appointment, on the phone they also confirmed our thoughts,,Without the ability to walk it was best to end his misery.

By misfortune and maybe luck, we could not get into the vet until later that evening,, in that time he started to improve and tried to walk,, wobbly and weak he followed me around,, by vet time he was walking but had a hitch in his get up..
Vet evaluated and postponed D day for two days,, said that if he didnt improve we should consider the inevitable.

I slept on his bed with him in total shock of what happened,, by morning he made huge improvements,, by Friday he was almost 90% back to himself...
the vet figures he suffered a stroke.. After researching this I discovered this is often misdiagnosed and dogs are euthenised to early,,, Now mind you he didnt loose control of his bowels,but he was not able to stand for long if at all at first,, My feeling is if we went to the vet earlier Wednesday he may not be here now!!!

I wonder if dogs can have vertigo. I have had 2 attacks, about 14 months apart, and what you describe is exactly what I felt. I could not stay upright on my own to begin with, and it took a day or 2 of rest to feel normal again.

Anyway, like others have said, you will know, your pet will tell you. In my early 20's I had to put down Gus, the dog I grew up with. He had adopted me, slept on my bed, followed me around, and was my dog. He got to where he had trouble walking, could no longer control his bowels but he tried so hard to make it outside. I could see the anguish in his eyes, his movements, he was becoming miserable. It remains one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I have so many good memories of Gus and did not want him to suffer any more. Gosh, here it is 17 years later and I still get tears...

I recently went through this with 14 yr-old Ike, the most wonderful dog I've ever owned. I had always said "when the spark in his eyes is gone" or he "had no dignity" or "couldn't get around so that he could be near us" ( VERY important to an Aussie). But in the end, it was FEAR that made me take that final step. About 4 days prior, something "gave" in his left hip that made it hard for Ike to stand "squarely". He still hobbled around OK, but any steps were difficult and he fell far too often - even the single step down and back up from our deck, when he needed to potty. But he seemed rather content to hobble. The "spark" was still there and he COULD get around and his dignity was still somewhat intact. However, the nightmare that was haunting me, was Ike falling and really hurting something - something that would require the ending of his life under dire and painful circumstances, since we live 40 miles from emergency Veterinary help. His life was never going to improve; and I didn't want his last hour to be spent in pain and terror. So I guess I took the "coward's way out" - and although I still have a massive gray-and-white hole in my heart; I still think it was the right thing to do.