How to know when to PTS

[roundthehorn]

I have a 14 year old Airedale who is coming to the end of her life. She is in early stage kidney failure, pretty much blind, struggles with the stairs as she is stiff and sore in her back hips, and is now pretty much incontinent, pooping and peeing wherever she pleases. Just writing this out seems to confirm my thoughts that it’s time to think about letting her go, but it feels selfish.
Thoughts?

[VimFuego101]

Not selfish at all, it's a very kind thing to do. Do you think she still enjoys walks/ cuddles/ going outside?

[Ounce]

In what way could it possibly be selfish?

Kindly, OP, it's more than time for your DDog. Animals are not meant to decline for years but to live in full health and then go quickly.

[Aquamarine1029]

It is selfish to allow her to continue suffering. It is well past the time when she should have been pts. I'm sorry.

[LickYouLikeACrispPacket]

Sounds like it’s time. Better a day to early than a minute too late. Book the appointment ASAP, spoil her crazy for a day, Fred her steak, sleep with her and cuddle her and then do the hardest but kindest thing. Xxx 💐

[roundthehorn]

Thanks guys, just chopping up the Sunday roast for her now. Will call the vets tomorrow.

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

Sorry you are at this stage. Definitely PTS as life is no fun for her anymore. Wish I'd done it for mine a week or two earlier than I did.

[longearedbat]

I think when a dog loses its dignity, it's time to go. Sorry.

[Lovemusic33]

It’s hard isn’t it?
I wrote a similar post a couple of weeks ago, my girl was stiff in her back legs, slept most of the day but seemed happy. The choice was then taking out of my hands a few days later when she became poorly, I didn’t want to put her through surgery so I made the decision to put her to sleep. I’m a week and a half on now and I still miss her dearly but I did the right thing.

[GilmoreMe]

I'm making this decision right now.
one of our dogs is 13, can't see or hear much, is incontinent and enjoying walks less and less. On a walk last week she stopped and wouldn't get up, I had to get my husband to collect us in the car. She doesn't enjoy anything that she used to, apart from eating which she still does with gusto.
I know it's time but I keep putting it off because it somehow feels like a selfish decision.
I'm going to phone the vet tomorrow.

[Lovemusic33]

Gilmore I still feel guilt 2 weeks after putting my girl to sleep, it is so hard. My girl wagged her tail on her way to the vets to be PTS, she wasn’t eating though and had a blockage which was slowly killing her (possibly a tumour), blood tests showed she was bleeding internally and I couldn’t put her through big surgery. It is a hard choice to make but if they are no longer enjoying life it’s the right choice to make.

[Doggymummy86]

I’m actually going through this now and I’m so glad I’m not the only one feeling selfish or guilty. I’ve actually got my dog booked in for tonight.
My 14 year old rescue lurcher has cancer, stopped eating, walking, limping really bad & crying, I’ve made the appointment to put him to sleep and I’ve broke my heart all day.
I know it’s for the best because he’s in pain but I feel 6 years isn’t enough - I want to be selfish and keep him forever 😭😭😭
Keep strong - I know exactly how your feeling ❤️

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

The best guidance I've ever heard for judging when to PTS is to think of all the things your dog used to enjoy and how many of them are left.

Our old girl was down to eating, sunbathing and having a bit of a sniff around. She was in pain, her sight was going, her sense of smell had diminished, she hadn't gone after a squirrel or rabbit in months, she didn't play any longer, she didn't want to go on long walks, she'd given up her role as Director of Domestic Security and she could no longer be bothered with disciplining the younger dogs (an activity that used to give her huge satisfaction). And she had a huge, aggressive tumour.

It was the pain that clinched it. I think we timed it right.

[Doggymummy86]

I think we’re doing it at the right time, I couldn’t even begin to imagine how much worse he’s going to get 🥺 1 hour left with my boy - I really dunno how I’m gonna cope.
🐶💙💔🌈

[SushiTime]

@Doggymummy86

[Doggymummy86]

Thank you 🥺😭😢

[Lovemusic33]

Doggymummy thinking of you, 2 weeks ago today I had my girl PTS 😢. You are doing the right thing and think what a lovely life you gave him for them 6 years xx

[Doggymummy86]

Well we put him to sleep last night, he kept fighting until the very end 😭 we’re all heart broken, it’s so hard to go back to “normal”, I just don’t know how to cope .... it’s traumatic 😭
I’m so sorry about your little girl 🐶💕💔🌈 x

[GilmoreMe]

Sorry for everyone else going through this. They bring so much joy but so much heartache.
We're having our girl pts tomorrow morning.

[Doggymummy86]

You’ll be in my thoughts for tomorrow ❤️🐶🌈 x

[Lovemusic33]

Doggymummy it does get easier, I think the first 3 or 4 days were the worst, I cried and cried, hated being in the house but hated going out as I had to come back to a empty house, I didn’t really know what to do with myself. I’m still lost without her, I still look for her when I get home, I still get up in the morning to feed her and expecting her to be there.

[Doggymummy86]

That’s exactly how I’m feeling, I went for a walk this morning just because I’m so used to walking Murphy 😢 I’m really struggling to cope all I’m seeing in my head is him lying on the floor looking so helpless yet he was so peaceful 😭😭 x

[Lovemusic33]

I had that picture in my head too, it has got better over time but for the first few days all I could see I my head was her lead in the vets floor . I think what I found hard was the fact she walked not the vets surgery, tail wagging not having a clue what was about to happen. I have to keep reminding myself how poorly she was the night before and how her blood results showed there were possibly lots of other things going on. It was the right time, I didn’t want her suffering just because I didn’t want to let go. Just be gentle with yourself, cry as much as you need too.

We are now looking for another 4 legged friend, my eldest daughter suffers with anxiety and her anxiety is so much worse without a dog to cuddle.

[Doggymummy86]

Murphy was exactly the same - he loved the lady vet that put him to sleep he even gave her a kiss 😭😭 Murphy had bone cancer and a tumour near his windpipe so it was so painful for him, I know as a family we did the right thing but I’m just being so selfish I want him forever 😢😢 I haven’t stopped crying since Sunday night. I stayed awake with him all night so he wasn’t on his own and didn’t feel scared, I definitely want another dog I’ve actually seen another rescue but I think it’s just the grief.
I hope you find another perfect fur baby 🐶 x

[CraftyGin]

My dog made the one-way trip to the vet this week.

She was 13 (old for a cocker spaniel), blind for 5 years, lost 1/3 of her body weight in recent months.

She could still climb the stairs and jump on furniture, and wag her little stump.

What changed in the last week is that she stopped eating, and wouldn’t venture beyond the back door step when—pushed— let out.

Vet was absolutely in agreement.

[Doggymummy86]

Im so sorry to hear that 😢😢 they really really break your heart 💔