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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

WIBU to not get my dog put to sleep?

46 replies

KayTee87 · 03/10/2016 20:18

We really don't know and would like some opinions from people who have maybe experienced this.
Our Westie is turning 17 this month, he has arthritis, his teeth aren't great, he has cataracts and his hearing isn't what it once was.
He still enjoys his food and slow walks outside, wanders around the garden and loves getting a scratch.
I don't think he will last another winter but would it be cruel to let him pass away in his own time?
I don't think he can be in constant pain as he does have good pain killers and isn't off his food and still has wet nose.

OP posts:
DerekSprechenZeDick · 03/10/2016 20:19

We had to put our family dog down due to how ill she was and her age. The vet said it was the kindest option.

I want to say don't do it but you need to decide what's kinder to your dog.

aprilanne · 03/10/2016 20:20

if he is still enjoying life no need to put him down just for being elderly .i would,nt as long as he is not in pain

Original poster
KayTee87 · 03/10/2016 20:20

Ps we have been to the vet and they said it was up to us, trying to get an appointment for a second opinion this week as the first one didn't really help..

OP posts:
Original poster
KayTee87 · 03/10/2016 20:21

The reason we're questioning it is that a family member keeps telling us we're being cruel by keeping him alive.

OP posts:
rumpelstiltskin43 · 03/10/2016 20:22

We lost our Yorkie last year the week before his 20th birthday. We thought about having him put to sleep quite a few times, when he had his "spells" but he always rallied round. Our vet told us that we would know when the time had come and he was right.

Oysterbabe · 03/10/2016 20:22

Yanbu to not have him put down now. If his condition deteriorates you will have to have him pts. It's unlikely that he'll suddenly go from how he is now to dead.
My parents' old collie had to be pts once her legs went and she couldn't get up anymore.

Coulddowithanap · 03/10/2016 20:22

If your dog is still enjoying life and can get around, eat etc then why put him to sleep?

PNGirl · 03/10/2016 20:22

I would say not to if he is pottering and eating still. Our elderly scottish terrier was really enjoying her retirement years until she eventually suffered heart failure and passed away peacefully on oxygen.

Soubriquet · 03/10/2016 20:22

Sometimes too early is better than too late

Old age is hard work for a dog and the fact he needs painkillers for a day to day life, is a sign that he is in pain.

Dogs don't show pain unless they are really hurting, so for him to be in this state to need painkillers says a lot

flanjabelle · 03/10/2016 20:23

Do you truly believe that your dog has a good quality of life? Is he happy? If so, then keep going. If you are really honest with yourself, and think he is suffering, then please do the right thing. What you want is not as important as what is right for him.

MoonStar07 · 03/10/2016 20:23

I have no experience of this but he doesn't seem like a sad dog. He's just old! Old age will hopefully come to the best of us and I certainly wouldn't want to be put down if I wasn't in pain, if I still enjoyed the garden and my food! Even if I couldn't see very well!

Popskipiekin · 03/10/2016 20:23

:( poor you to have to make this decision - but what a lovely long life he's had. I'm not a dog expert by any means but the vet told us, when we were wondering the same about my parents' lab who seemed in good spirits and was wagging his tail, still eating, still seeming to enjoy pottering about, that dogs were very good at disguising/overriding pain and that, in his case, there was no way he was not in pain due to the issues he was experiencing. So - what does your vet advise?

exLtEveDallas · 03/10/2016 20:24

I am a firm believer that you (as owners) will know when it is time. And you obviously don't think it is yet.

If he is eating, moving about, coming up for loves and hugs and his pain is controlled then I can see no reason to end his life. Your relative should do one.

MaddyHatter · 03/10/2016 20:24

Honestly, having been through it with 4 dogs, he will tell you when its time, and you will know.

As long as he's happy, eating, drinking and pottering around well enough without being in pain, then let him carry on.

It only becomes cruel if he's suffering, obviously in pain a lot of the time and you're keeping him going because you can't let him go.

Popskipiekin · 03/10/2016 20:24

(Sorry cross post, didn't see you'd already seen a not very helpful vet - hope you get better answer from another one)

FloellaDaVille · 03/10/2016 20:25

I think you know when it's time. With our last dog it was when he couldn't get up on his own any more (and didn't even try). If your dog can still get outside, walk around unaided and is eating and drinking then I don't think it's time.

Amethyst81 · 03/10/2016 20:25

It sounds like he has some quality of life, I would leave him for now. From past dogs its always been very obvious when their time has come you can see their pain. We are in the same situation with our very elderly bunny, he still enjoys his food and appears alert but is not as mobile as he was. Its a difficult situation cos you can never be sure as they can't really tell you.

BennyTheBall · 03/10/2016 20:25

I wouldn't get him put down if he seems happy and is still eating.

SecretNutellaFix · 03/10/2016 20:25

Is he actually enjoying his walks or does he huff as he gets up, like he really doesn't want to do anything? Can he still get up unsupported, is he struggling with steps? Does he still wag his tail when he sees you?

TattyCat · 03/10/2016 20:28

I think you know when a beloved pet is ready to go - no-one else can tell you when that is; only you know. When they have more bad days than good, then it's kinder to let go...

Just... don't keep him alive for your benefit - use your judgement and be kind.

SexLubeAndAFishSlice · 03/10/2016 20:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PikachuSayBoo · 03/10/2016 20:30

I knew with my first dog when it was time.

Took him to the vet and she told me his liver is beginning to fail, etc, etc. I asked her straight out if she thought he was suffering and she said yes and I said to have him pts. I think if you ask a vet straight out they will give you their medical opinion on what they're seeing. But as an owner I think you know anyway. And a dog whomis enjoying walks and food doesn't sound to me yo be suffering.

Wolfiefan · 03/10/2016 20:31

If he's still enjoying the things that make him happy then I wouldn't get him pts.
We had a 19 year old cat we had to make a decision about last year. She went downhill very suddenly. Stopped eating and was clearly not happy.
We had a heated whelping pad. (Like a mini electric blanket). It really helped her old bones in the winter.

Mybeardeddragonjustdied2016 · 03/10/2016 20:34

He is old.

He isn't suffering pain just old age ailments
He still has some mojo if he is eating and going outside!
Our dog was nearly 21 when she had to be pts as her legs gave way one day and she was ob distressed.

Make his winter a fab one!

ElsieMc · 03/10/2016 20:34

You do know when its time. Vets wont always advise you because it has to be your decision. We lost our 12 year old lab early in the year. She had pyometra and would have had to have undergone a full hysterectomy at quite an old age. She was also doubly incontinent and I was just cleaning up each day. It was bad for me and bad for her. The vet also noticed she had lost weight since her last visit although being a lab she was still greedy.

I just knew as I waited to go in that it was the last time I would see her. I made the decision and at that point the vet told me I had made the kindest decision for my dog as he believed she had further issues which would have come to light during the op.

You are not at this stage yet and the decision was forced upon me. I don't think it is time yet for your dog and certainly don't take any notice of interfering relatives. As others have said, you will know when it is time.

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