to consider having my dog put down?

[Solange71]

He is elderly, not aged, but has a degenerative spinal condition which means he can now barely walk. It also means he is losing control of his bowels and bladder and can't tell when he needs to defecate or urinate. He has many accidents in the house and sometimes - increasingly - goes suddenly when he's being carried, or in the car, or wherever he happens to be.

Pet lovers on the internet suggest dog nappies, or taking him outside every couple of hours, but I don't think I can cope with these options. He goes to a carer when I'm at work, and she is understandably not too keen to continue with him in the circumstances. But as he is not apparently in significant pain, and still has an appetite, he's not really suffering that much so it would be more for my benefit than his, in a way, much as I love him. Am I justified in deciding his time has come?

[lotsofdogshere]

So good to see that the responses to your post have been supportive and kind. I made the pts decision about a much loved 15 year old dog not too long ago. Like your dog, he had degenerative spinal problems, and in the 6 months before he died, had been on antibiotics for kidney problems, anti inflammatories for pain etc. He developed something called vestibulitis, just awful, head tipped to one side, unable to walk without falling over, banging into things and no interest in either food or water. I'd been getting fluids (including food) into him using a bit plastic syringe into his mouth but the night before his last visit to the vet, he looked at me and again let the food/water trickle out of his mouth. We shared something I do believe, and I cuddled and stroked him and said, ok we know, you've had enough and are ready to go. The vet was truly wonderful, spent almost an hour with us and the old dog died very quickly, and peacefully. So sad, we still miss him, but like others have said, I found myself hoping someone would love me enough to help me on my way when the time comes. Someone said to me, when I was struggling with the decision, it is the last loving thing you can do for him. Best wishes

[loveschocolate]

The quality of life is the key thing and can be very poor, even if the animal is not in pain. It's such a heartbreaking decision to have to make - in some ways it's easier if there is a sudden decline or serious illness. As with people suffering can be mental with or without physical illness or pain. WMy friend had her dog put down recently as he had become senile and incontinent - even though she knew it was the right thing she was still devastated (and she's a vet herself but still struggled with the decision). You know your dog better than anyone. May be worth talking it through with your vet. Nappies are not a good idea - it's impossible to keep the area clean and it can become very sore and infected.

[MrsMook]

We had a Pyranean (think St Bernard size) who had a gentle decline at the end of his long life. DM always said that she would keep as long as he enjoyed being alive. They managed for a long time with her helping pull him up when the arthritis got bad in his back legs, but one day his front legs floundered. That evening she saw the look in his eyes, so the vet came to visit the next day.
He was a very clean dog, and tried so hard to keep it in and not end up in his own mess. He was still clean when the vet came.

You know when it's time. Most of DMs cats and dogs have had some help when they've reached the end of long lives. Animals know when it's time to fade away.

[Mimishimi]

YANBU, however, be prepared for the look of devastation on your dog's face when they realise they are dying (about a minute or two after the injection and then they are dead within 30 seconds after that). I didn't expect that. We've had it done for two dogs. The first one had been hit by cars nine times ( he used to dig his way out and chase them). The ninth time his leg was too shattered from past accidents to repair and like your dog, he had also become incontinent. He was miserable lying around doing nothing. The second one developed a huge benign tumour on his side. My mum did look into having cut out but the vets said there was too much risk of it bursting and leaking into him (?) during surgery and he would die anyway. By the end the weight of it was such that he could not walk at all and was equally miserable. Our other dogs all died natural deaths related to old age.

[JeeanieYuss]

Some of the stories on this thread have just reduced me to tears..

I'm off downstairs to give my dog a massive cuddle, it's actually his 1st birthday today, I can't imagine not having him anymore and going through that pain.

Good luck with whatever you decide OP x

[Alisvolatpropiis]

It is an horrible decision to have to make Op and you have my every sympathy

[Alisvolatpropiis]

Yanbu.

I have a dog. I grew up with dogs. I love them. I find the idea of dog nappies/putting wheels on dogs who have lost their back legs disgusting.

My Nan had her cat put down recently. He had feline AIDs. He wasn't displaying any significant negative symptoms at the time bar slow healing wounds (he was a very active ten year old tom). But she was told that she would have to keep him indoors indefinitely after the diagnosis unless she had all his teeth removed (!) and it would be a slow and painful decline. Based on the active outdoor animal he was she chose to have him put down than torture him by keeping him locked inside/having his teeth removed. I think she made the right decision.

Your dog is a much loved animal, not a person. I think you would be doing the right thing and doing it out of love.

[lurkedtoolong]

So sorry for the decision you have to make. I lost my beloved cat just three weeks ago and know how hard it is to let go but you know that your poor dog has no quality of life left. YANBU at all to want him to go to sleep peacefully and stop suffering.

[muffinino82]

I'm sorry to hear about your dog, they really are so special.

I think that you are better PTS a week early than a day too late, no matter how much it hurts you. It's important that we always put their needs first and, if the dignity of life has gone, then it's time. I know how heart-breaking it is and admire your bravery. From what you've said it sounds as if PTS is the best option. Try to remember that it is for the best but I know how hard it is

[devilinside]

we just had our 17 year old cat PTS for the same reason (not the walking, but becoming increasingly 'doubly' incontinent) A tough decision but I have a son with SEN plus DD - the cat had had a number of accidents in her room

[apostropheuse]

Oh my goodness of course YANBU. It's definitely the kindest thing to do for your dog.

You have absolutely no reason to feel guilty.

[LimeFlower]

Difficult decision to make,sorry to hear that,hugs to you.

Exactly the same situation here except the dog belongs to DH,he's so attached to the dog that pts is not mentioned.There's nothing wrong with the dog mentally,it's just his body that's failing.

If you decide to pts please don't feel guilty,it's for the best.

[LollipopViolet]

YANBU, definitely better a week too early than a day too late

It's so hard, they become part of the family, don't they?

We've got a 13 year old golden retriever who I love to bits, but I fear the time for us to make that decision is drawing near, so know how you feel :(

[Solange71]

That's very true, Alice. My dog just wants to sleep all day too. He's not getting any enjoyment from life. It's sad hearing all your stories. This is the only dog I've had and he's been a great joy and comfort to me, bless him.

[AliceinSlumberland]

I made this decision about a month ago, so hard but was the right thing to do. Had to think that it was only going to get worse, and how bad would it have to get for me to make the decision.

I also think if someone had swapped my dog at a younger age to the dog she became when I had her pts I would have decided more easily - but because it was gradual you become accustomed to it. Much like the frog in the cooking pot scenario. If someone presented this to you and asked your opinion you know what your advice would be, having the responsibility just makes it so hard.

We had them come to the house and she happily went to sleep on the sofa. All she wanted to do was sleep at that point and we gave her what she wanted.

[LaurieFairyCake]

I agree too.

I would do it in a heartbeat as my dog would be so upset if he messed himself. His face goes all guilty when he thinks he's been 'bad'.

He peed at home once when I couldn't get back at lunchtime from work and I felt terrible at his poor guilty face.

{{{{hugs}}}} for you and your doggy.

[Eastpoint]

Our old boy was in a similar state when he was 15 1/2. He went on tramadol for a while then one day fell over while we were out & didn't try to get up. The next day we went to the vet and he was PTS. We walked there as he liked going to the vet and it was about £180 cheaper than having him PTS at home. I had the last appointment of the session and could stay with him as long as I wanted. I still think about him daily, nearly 3 years later.

[marriedinwhiteagain]

When I become immobile and doubly incontinent I would like to be able to tell my carers I wish to move to a better place. YANBU - hugs x

[crumblepie]

if he cant walk or control his bladder and bowels then sad as it is i think you know deep down what you have to do , you say hes not in pain but do you know for sure , if i was in the same situation i would let him go , but i would have the vet come to his home so its less stressfull , wish you and your old boy all the best .

[multitask]

my vet told me, better a week too early than a day too late.

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

So sorry to hear this. I'm dreading that day, but I hope I would be as sensible and caring as you obviously are to just be strong enough to let him go.

So sorry. Would it help to tell us a bit about him?

[mrslaughan]

No you are not being unreasonable. What a terrible situation to be in.

[specialsubject]

a dog that can't walk?
Put him down, it is cruel to keep him alive.

the only sadness is that people do not have the same option when their time comes.

[pigletmania]

Oh have tower heels that is so sad but so lovely too, that she was in her own environment when she passed

[CabbageLeaves]

Oh Audio

That made me howl