Should I put Her to sleep?

Wolf Mike · 02-17-2008, 04:20 AM

My dog, Foxy, is unable to walk anymore. She's a 15 year old(human yrs.) Pomeranian. Was not spaded. Her sister died at the age of 10 due to a bad case of lung infection.

Foxy has been spending the last 4 days in her bed sleepy-looking. Only getting up to pee and drink water. The first two days she ate food, but she didn't eat yesterday or today. She does appear to be aware. She knows when I'm close and looks at me.

I want to take her to the vet but i'm expecting the doctor to either advise me to put her down or some expensive operation that would leave me homeless.

I don't want to put her to sleep because I feel that method should only be used if she is in pain and also because she's right here, she feels me petting her head, shes not yelping or bleeding.

What I want is that she spends her last few moments of life with me. I'm hoping that she goes peacefully in her sleep.

I feel trapped. I either let the vet examine my dog and then put her to sleep or my dog could possibly be suffering and I don't know it. I, for some reason(probably paranoia and distrust), really doubt the doctor will tell me she's not in pain.

Advice please.

Regi · 02-17-2008, 07:55 AM

Hi I went through something similar with my teacup Yorkie he was only 3 he slept but was in pain when drinking water and food and would spin around in circles and then sit like not knowing what to do with the pain he felt ,I got up all hours of the night and held him he was my life. I have incurable cancer at the time I thought I beat it because of Him and his love then after I thought I beat it he got sick and then after he was put down the cancer came back to get me. I didnt know how to function without him. I bought 2 new dogs 2 days later because I couldnt handle it and it took 2 dogs to replace him. To make a long story short, My teacup Yorkie named Piton went to 5 vets for 5 opinions and they all couldnt see anything so they felt it was my worst fear a liver shunt issue which would cost me about 15k to fix AND the operation could need to be redone as he grew. I was devastaed and cant get his face out of my mind to this day. I had to let him go alone because I could stop crying enough to watch him be put down, I had to walk away. I cried in the street and all the way home and for 2 days straight I cried every minute. Until my husband bought me a chihuahua named Princeton he became the love of my life but was a little nippy and Piton wasnt like that and he was a short haired chi and I couldnt do his hair ha SO a few years later my husband let me get my Yorkie named Chili. Hes a toy not a teacup so hes very hard to carry ect and he hates riding in a car so I lost a car buddy, but all in all I was able to concentrate on these dogs and live with my cancer everyday and it wasnt until I bought Chili that I realized how much Princeton loves me so I got 2 great dogs I will always own 2 dogs now the next time around if there is a next time I will buy 2 teacups only, I dont have the room. And I will never forget the dog who changed my life forever Piton
So if your dog is not in pain hold he or she tight and talk it to sleep. Its painful and then go out the next day that he or she passes and get the cutest little baby that needs a home and you. GOOD LUCK

RonE · 02-17-2008, 08:29 AM

The big problem is that dogs rarely give us signs that they are in pain. I could tell by looking into my dog's eyes but, even then, his tail would start thumping when I walked into the room.

I would go to the vet. A vet isn't going to force you to do anything, but may have some medication that can at least make your dog comfortable-enough to be able to eat and get around.

If/when you make the decision to euthanize her, I would urge you to stay with her. Done properly, it's still painful for the owner, but very peaceful for the dog. And this is the time to think of the dog.

I'm going to find the link to my own story about a similar decision so you can at least see what worked for me. And good luck with whatever you decide.

Here's that link: http://www.dogforums.com/18-pet-memo...-dogzilla.html (Cubby AKA Dogzilla)

Regi · 02-17-2008, 08:45 AM

I know it was such a hard desicion I couldnt see him be put down because I felt he was still a baby and could be saved,. I felt angry at the drs who could put a wonderful dog like this to sleep. You could see he was in pain and I couldnt bear it at all. It was the hardest thing I ever did. I regret not being there now I feel you are right after all when I die of this horrible cancer I want someone there. I cant believe hes gone at age 3. He looked as if he understood every word I said to him he was smart house trained and would draw crowds when we went out people couldnt believe how small he was and cute.

cham · 02-17-2008, 01:38 PM

This has to be one of the hardest decisions a pet owner has to make.
My advice for what it is worth, it is take Foxy to the Vets, to find out exactly what is going on. It may be good news, it may not either way at least you will have some solid info to make a sound decision on. The Vet CAN NOT make you euthanize your Foxy, any reputable vet can only recommend not force such a decision. It's entirely possible that even if Foxy can't be cured, there may be medications that you can give her at home to make her more comfortable. There are such medications, at this point any potential side effects aren't worth considering unless they will add to her pain. The problem is most of the time we really can't tell how much or even if a dog is in pain. Dogs don't have the luxury of those fancy 1-10 pain charts or the smiley face - frowny face ones.
Bottomline any and all decisions are up to you not the Vet or the techs unless you choose to give that power to them!

Good luck

Lorina · 02-17-2008, 04:03 PM

I agree with a trip to the vet, or possibly the emergency vets. Bloodwork could tell you a lot about what's going on. Conditions like kidney or liver failure aren't really curable, but they can be managed and you could make your dog's life more comfortable if you know what you're treating.

Yes, e-vets do cost more, but the one advantage they have over most regular vets is the ability to do bloodwork and get the results on the spot. Lots of non-emergency vets send their BW to labs, and it could take days to get the results back. Those few days could make a huge difference.

No one *wants* to put their pet to sleep, but like Ron said, they don't always show their pain.

When my 18 year old cat had congestive heart failure* and the end was near, she still used the litterbox, ate her food, walked on her own into her carrier, looked at me with her big gold eyes same as always. But xrays revealed her chest cavity and lungs to be full of fluid, so much so that her heart wasn't even visible on film. She didn't appear to be in pain or distressed, beyond breathing harder than normal, but she was essentially drowning in the fluid in her lungs.

I've seen "natural death," and couldn't put her through that, and that's why we decided to have her euthanized. I rathered her pass quietly and peacefully while my husband and I held her, than scared and gasping for air.

*She also had chronic renal failure, but that was being managed so well with sub q fluids and medication that her final bloodwork results showed kidney values at near normal levels. Which also goes to show that not all scary diagnosis are a death sentence.

Wolf Mike · 02-18-2008, 01:08 AM

We're gonna go to the vet tomorrow.

Let the doc examine her and most likely we'll put her to sleep. Im gonna bring my mom for that comfort feeling and also because I don't think I'll be able to drive home by myself.

Thanks for the replies.

Patt · 02-18-2008, 04:03 AM

In your case a vet visit is a must, so I'm glad you have a vet visit scheduled. Sending positive thoughts for Foxy and many hugs for you.

Please keep us updated.

polkaroo · 02-18-2008, 10:33 AM

Good luck to you & Foxy. Whatever you decide to do you both will be in my prayers.

Amy & Lola

Dana1384 · 02-18-2008, 11:37 AM

Good luck, whatever you decide to do, do it for her not yourself.

Wolf Mike · 02-19-2008, 01:08 AM

She was put to sleep today at humane society in San Jose. 2/18/08.

I was with her all the way. I looked in her eyes and pat her head while crying, said my good byes and thanked her for everthing. It was extremely difficult to do.

ChrissyBz · 02-19-2008, 01:13 AM

I'm so sorry, many here have felt your devastation. You did the right thing for her and you can feel good about that.
It will get better in time.

Patt · 02-19-2008, 01:34 AM

I am so very sorry for your loss... I hope that soon you will find comfort in the amazing memories that you have of your dear Foxy....

I have lit a candle, to honor and celebrate Foxy's life here and the love and devotion you shared...

Please visit http://rainbowsbridge.com/ and read “The Poem”.

scintillady · 02-19-2008, 02:08 AM

I'm so sorry you had to do that, but I'm glad you made the decision to be with her when she died. I was with my Susie when she was put down and although it was extremely painful for me, at least I got to hold her and tell her I loved her, and to see that she went peacefully. My sister-in-law told me that once her vet talked her into not being with her cat when he was put down, and she has regretted it ever since. She said her last memory of him is the frightened look on his face when the vet took him away, and she vowed after that, that as hard as it is to be with them when you have to put them down, at least they know you are there and that you love them. Putting Susie down was the hardest thing I have EVER had to do, but I felt that the vets that I went to were extremely caring and made it easier. When she died in my arms, I looked up at the vet and saw that he was crying also. It touched me deeply when he said "We love them too, you know".

Regi · 02-19-2008, 07:29 AM

OMG Im so sorry I know how bad that feels its hard to function after that I know I couldnt even stay there to see my dog be put down I was so upset I thought I would have a heartattack.. Im so sorry for the loss. You should wait a few days and go and get another dog just like her I know its hard but it will help you and what better way to honor a pet than by saying hey you are so special I cant live without you I need another one ,,Im telling you its so hard but without my new dogs right now trust me I dont think I would have gotten through. I adore them every morning I see those faces and fall in love Im so happy they are with me each day and to be honest ,, the smell of a dog in the morning and the eyes looking at you and just everything about them I cant LIVE without them .. I hope I dont have to go through what you did for a very long time

Lovemytessapoo · 02-19-2008, 04:35 PM

Take your baby to the vet. My neighbor thought the same thing of her dachsund only to finally find out that the dog had a thyroid problem and is now doing much much better. Some things can be simple, not always surgery.

Patt · 02-19-2008, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lovemytessapoo

Take your baby to the vet. My neighbor thought the same thing of her dachsund only to finally find out that the dog had a thyroid problem and is now doing much much better. Some things can be simple, not always surgery.

Please read post #11.

5 s corral · 02-19-2008, 10:24 PM

I am so sorry for your loss

jamie

Regi · 02-20-2008, 08:11 AM

I am so sorry too I feel for u ,,