what's the procedure to put an elderly dog to sleep?

[siabm]

I don't mean as in how they do it, but when you realise your elderly dog is at the end and make a vet appointment, do they do it there and then or ask you to come
back?
Over the weekend, my almost 16 year old
girl has gone completely downhill. She's been sleeping lots lately and not wanting walks so just pottering in the garden. She's drinking lots of water but refusing all food now, (since yesterday) and even her favourites like roast chicken and sausages.
She's now struggling to stand up and walk and I've been lifting her in and out of house to have a wee.
I'm going to phone at 8am when vets open, but can't imagine they'd want to do tests on a dog this age. She's on vetmedin for a heart condition too and has been since she was 9.
I just feel it's obvious she's reached the end now.
Can we all be there in the vets when she goes? My adult daughter
and 12 year old want to be there. Will the vet agree to this or want just one of us there?
I'm heartbroken 😢😢🥺😔

I would imagine that if you speak to the vet himself tomorrow and explain the situation and why you think it's best, then yes they would do it tomorrow.
I don't think they'd refuse

It’s a horrible decision but we had to make it a while ago, rang the vet and explained what we needed and got an appointment.
Any number of people could go or the vet could come to our house.
Sorry it’s her time.

And yes you can all be in there

Make appointment and take the dog in. They'll give her the injection there and then.
Or. you can ask for the vet to come to your house to do it. (will cost more).

The vet won't need to do tests, and it's unfair to put the dog through any at this stage anyway.
Sorry you're facing this. it is hard.

I have been through this really recently so have an unmumsnetty hug.
I called the vet at 08:30 and asked for a euthanasia appointment, they were amazing and booked us in for 10:00.
when we arrived they took us into a private room, discussed the euthanasia and I signed the form. They then gave me 5 mins with him before it was time.
I held him in my arms the whole time and I had my hand on his heart, I can honestly tell you I barely got I love you out of my mouth before his heart stopped. They again left me to say private good byes and I took his collar.
I chose a private cremation and his ashes came back in about 2 weeks.

So sorry to read your post. She is a great age but it makes it no easier.

In my experience , yes you can all be there. One of you may be there while the vet examines / preps your girl. You will then be left together to say your goodbyes .

My vet takes you to a different room from normal , and usually after general appointments are finished. It’s very caring.

Wishing you the best Op. it is such a sad time 🐾🐾🖤

Depends on the vet, give them a call. They are usually very sensitive towards grieving owners.

Its such a heartbreaking decision but the best one you can make for your beloved pet. It's always a shock when they go downhill so quickly, but actually I think it's far better for them, better than a long slow decline.

so sorry OP

They can come and do it at home if you want OP.

I did this on Friday and am completely broken

I called the vets at 8am and said I felt that it was time to put my dear girl to sleep. They booked me in for 4.15.

Vet took me into a room. Heard my account of the bad days outweighing the hood and said "yes it's time, you know your girl"

She gave her sedation, I lay on the floor with her and told her she had been the best dog, told her I loved her. They then gave her another injection through a cannula and she passed within a few minutes

I had anticipated ( and was anxious) of lots of questions and suggestions that we do tests but there was none of this. The whole experience was so compassionate and caring

I am bereft but know we did the right thing for my beautiful girl

Hugs to you OP it's a horrible decision to make.
Our most recent Ddog we just called when they opened and explained we thought it was time and if possible could they please come to the house (going to the vets would have been traumatic for her). We were told it would be on the afternoon rounds between 1-3pm and they would call about 20 mins before they came. They came as there last home visit so they wouldn't rushed, explained what they would do, gave us the forms to sign and then did everything at a pace we were happy with. It was such an awful but those two angels who came made it the best send of we could give her.
If you go to the vets it's a similar process ime and yes you can all be there.

I've a family member who is a vet in an independent practice, and who in these circumstances would come to your home at no extra charge.
So ask for what you want.
Vets know, perhaps more than anyone, just how hard it is to say goodbye to a much loved dog and most of them will do everything they can to ease it for you.

Yes, of course an owner (and their family members) can be there - dogs like to have their pack with them. And no matter how much you know that they don't know what's happening, and will slip away without pain and with dignity; that's when your heart will smash and you need your pack. And vets know that too.

(BTW: do think about whether you want cremation or burial - that might make a difference to venue)

We had to do this a month ago. I read somewhere previously that the animal looks for comfort from its owners at the end of its life and if the owners aren't there at the end, the animal looks for them.

We knew it was time to have our dearly loved dog put to sleep.
The vets had a special room done up like a lounge. My husband was cuddling him in his blanket ( so it smelt familiar) and I was stroking his head obviously telling him what a fabulous boy he was. The vet actually knelt on the floor to give him the injection. The dog had his head up looking in my eyes and then very gently and slowly put his head down. It was very peaceful and gentle and my beautiful boy was very calm and just drifted off. We were given time alone to say goodbye. We got his ashes back 2 weeks later and we sprinkled them at dusk into the rushing water of his favourite paddle and drinking place.

sat here in tears.
i really hope I can keep it together tomorrow.
Thank you for your stories. I hope my vet has a similar process. I've never given it a thought before and I had no clue that it would hurt like this. 😢

The pain I feel is indescribable. I'm rather ashamed to admit that I have cried more than I did when my dear mother died. The house feels completely empty.

I hope you have an opportunity for a peaceful goodbye x

I'm so sorry you're in this place.

With my old boy, I phoned the vet first thing and said he was too tired to carry on. He'd gone downhill so fast overnight.

I couldn't speak, I was so upset, so I wrote a letter for the vet with everything that had gone wrong. That may be something you could do, if you'll think you'll be too emotional.

We had the appointment early afternoon, I took him for his favourite walk first and the vet let me in with him. This was 2021 so just after covid.

I'm sure you'll be able to be with your friend. It's a gentle and peaceful procedure.

Sending you best wishes.

Definitely just ring them and explain. I did it for my cat and the reception managed to translate between my sobs

The vet had a chat with me, examined him and said it was the bravest most loving decision - basically I wouldn't be wrong to give him longer but she understood I wanted to do it now rather than in an emergency rush and I wasn't taking anything from him not having an extra week or month

He had/has a popular social media following and when I got to the vets they talked me through the cremation options and told me the whole payment was already covered as people had collected and paid for him to be cremated individually

Clinically, it's very simple OP. It's two injections; one to make the dog sleep and the other to stop the heartbeat.

Emotionally, it's horrible. They'll ask you to fill out some forms - including on cremation, burial or ashes etc - and then they'll do it. They'll talk you through the whole process so you know what what is happening and when. Once it's done and your ddog has passed, they'll leave you alone for as long as you need to say your goodbyes in peace - but they will not leave you until your ddog has passed.

FWIW a good vet won't make you sit in the waiting room, they'll ask you to park outside and then take your dog straight through to a room. So it will likely be a lot faster and more 'clinical' than you expect - it is not because they are trying to rush you, but because they don't want you sitting there in your car, or in the waiting room, stressed and upset. They'll also tell you to come down as soon as you wish - they'll make space in their schedule for you, so you can ring up and say that is what you want.

They'll let you and your entire family be there - no vet would ever try and stop a dogs family from being there. I think the largest family I ever had in a room with me when I PTS a pet was eight people, and another dog.

I'm really sorry for your loss, OP. Fifteen years is an incredibly long time and you and your family must love your ddog very much. She must have had an amazing life.

You know your dog, the vet doesn't, you can say no to any suggestions about testing or further treatment. I think it unlikely you will face any resistance from the vet.

It's possible to have your pet cremated and keep the ashes if that's something you'd like. A Google search should bring up services near you.

We have found it easier when the vet came out to us. it cost about £100 more (so £250 in total) but for us that was worth it. Big hug to you.

In my experience we spoke about the dogs age and medication she was on/difficulties she was having. The vet agreed it was time to let her go before she started to suffer.

I asked that they came out to the car to put my lovely old lady to sleep when her time came. They had no problem whatsoever with that and it meant that she was in a familiar environment, snuggled up with her blanket. It was so peaceful and they were so respectful and helpful. She just drifted off to sleep.

A good vet will do everything they can to make it as bearable as possible for you all. It is a very difficult time for you all but try to remember the wonderful happy life your dog had with you and how you were their whole world.

Our vet was wonderful when it was my boys turn to go, he made it much more bearable and they were very sensitive. Like your girl he had been on vet medin for years and he was doing fine, then suddenly he wasn’t, he couldn’t eat and he constantly had the runs (he was 16.5) and all he wanted to do was sleep- we took him in and they assessed him and agreed he would begin to suffer if we didn’t let him go. Was one of the hardest days of my life but he passed quickly and peacefully. Better a day too soon than a day too late (wise words I got on here when I posted)

sending so much love, it’s an awful time but the vets will be amazing. Giving your girl a big cuddle too ❤️

thank you. I feel
less anxious about it now.

Legs and a limp tail.

Once they don't find any joy in anything anymore then it's time.

I'm so sorry op. It's heartbreaking. Bet your pup was amazing ❤

All the best for today, @siabm .💐

That's such a wise and kind thing for the vet to say to you.