I may have to put my dog to sleep

max1 · 05-22-2007, 09:30 AM

Today we went to have Pepper's blood tested to see if the antibiotics that they have been giving to her (Enlarged heart thread) for possible pyometra came back better. White blood cell count is higher than it was 10d ago!! She is 10+y old and has enlarged heart and liver, today she has fluid in her lungs (vet gave her a shot to try and get rid of it). Surgery is not an option b/c of her health issues (vet doesnt think that she can take it).

Vet states that the only option would be to put her to sleep

. I am struggling w/this dilema b/c I dont want her to suffer, but selfishly want more time w/her. I lost my other dog after 13y in Sept 06 and she was his companion and now mine since he has been gone. We got Maxx about 1m ago and he is very attached to her also. I dont want her to suffer, I believe I have been a good "mom" to her and I want to be there until the end. I see her so alive still it is hard for me to make such a decision about her life. I dont know what to do?!!

Lorina · 05-22-2007, 09:45 AM

I know how gut-wrenching the decision is, I had to make the same decision about my 18 year old cat with kidney and heart failure in November. When I found out about her heart condition (I'd been treating her for kidney failure for a year and a half by then), I promised myself and her that I'd do whatever I could to keep her comfortable and happy, and when I was no longer able to do that, it would be time to say goodbye. When there was nothing more I could do, when I knew she was suffering and would not get better, I did the kindest thing I could and eased her pain.

You're doing all you can with the options you have. That's all any of us can do.

max1 · 05-22-2007, 10:18 AM

Thank you lorina for your quick post. I know that I am not the only one who has gone through this but it feels that way. I guess I thought that when I went today a miracle happened and she had gotten better. I still have time w/her it's just hard to believe that it may only be one more day

.

chucky · 05-22-2007, 03:03 PM

i know what you are going thru, it is hard, i,ve had dogs almost all my life, and saw them all meet the maker, it is life, it is painfull, i had to put my dogs to sleep before, i still blame myself, i feel responcible for its death somehow, thou i know there was nothing anyone could do to save it, it is tough, be strong, i might be wrong , but i think when it is my time to go, i'll see them all again on the other side,

max1 · 05-23-2007, 08:23 AM

Last night I came home to find her in her happy helicopter tail swinging state (her tail somehow seems to go all the way around above her back and it looks like a helicopter when she is excited). This morning she was the same way, she didnt eat all her can food but she did eat some pizza (I know it's not the best thing for her but as long as she eats I'm going to give in to her). How do you know when its time?

jdsong · 05-23-2007, 08:58 AM

I am with all of you!! I just posted a thread as I am new here. I know it has to be done with my dog soon also. Thanks for having this great site to come to..

Lorina · 05-23-2007, 09:01 AM

If she's acting herself and seems happy and content, don't worry about it.

How she feels is more important than the numbers on her bloodwork results. If the meds and treatment you're giving her seems to help, then enjoy the time you have with her. When you run out of options and there's nothing more you can do, then it's time.

With my cat's heart contition, with medication and treatment, she was able to live comfortably. She enjoyed playing with catnip mice, beating up her younger sisters, and would jump up in bed with me for scritchies and would sleep next to me purring. When she was no longer able to do those things, it was time to consider saying goodbye.

chucky · 05-23-2007, 09:01 AM

you'll know, no matter how bad the dog might feel, when she sees you it makes her stronger, and happyer, she pbly forgets she is sick for a moment, but i don,t get your vet, he says the dog won,t make it if he makes a surgery, but other option is to put her to sleep? the way i see it the outcomes will be the same, i,d try do the surgery anyway, what if it works, and if it doesn,t the dog will die, just like if you put her down, my last dog i put to sleep, had constant sezures, i spend a lot of money trying to fix it, but if i didn,t and just put her to sleep without trying to save it, i don,t know if i could live with myself after, i,d blame myself pbly for the rest of my life, that i didn,t try.

skydivermom · 05-23-2007, 01:05 PM

I am so sorry. I had to put one of my dachshunds down years ago because he suddenly could no longer use his back legs, and was dragging them. He never jumped off or on the furniture, so I have no idea what caused it. I was almost faced with the same thing with another dachshund recently. I am sending prayers and vibe your way....I wish I could offer more in the way of what to do. Please keep us informed.

Kathleen
Dream with your eyes wide open!

jdsong · 05-23-2007, 04:29 PM

I also would like to add we had a 11 year old collie that had a twisted intestine and he needed surgery and pulled through fine. He only lived till 12 as he had a slipped disk in his back and no longer could get him self up to go outside anymore so we made the choice to put him down at that point. Super tough to do..... Our lab now 14 years just went through sugery on a hugh bump on her back and had that removed at age 13 and real well. Can not always go by age. I guess you are like me at this point as we are going day by day and hoping for the best.

DogsforMe · 05-24-2007, 02:04 AM

I have the same decission to make. My 14 y/o Border Collie has trouble walking, she ends up sitting on the floor when she walks over something on the floor. She's had cartrophin & pain relief for arthritis & is going back to the vet on Monday for re-assessment. My husband & sons tell me to put her down but until she no longer enjoys eating & cannot walk? I think she's happy enough. All we can do is cherish every moment that's left.