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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To consider euthanizing my dog

81 replies

Episcomama · 04/10/2019 16:16

I think we need to euthanize our black lab and I need to hear from others who've been in our shoes. She is 14 and has been declining for a while. Biggest issue is her hips, for a while now we haven't been able to take her on long walks and she struggles on our stairs. Took her to the vet a month ago; he thought that despite her age she has decent muscle tone in her legs, so we likely have about a year.

This morning she couldn't stand up. Couldn't get her back legs up. I helped her and laid her on the sofa. After a while she was able to stand and walk a bit, but her hips seemed splayed, almost as though she's trying to balance on a slippery surface. At the moment she's able to walk, but slowly. She spends a lot of her time lying down now, although when people come to the door she goes over to it. Also had a number of poop accidents indoors. I think it's time but I'm so concerned about "killing her" too soon. But wondering if we're being selfish to see how she does. We have an in-home euthanasia service coming tomorrow. Our vet has no appointments today so is unable to see her. Do we wait and see? Go ahead with the appointment?

OP posts:
DaisyDreaming · 04/10/2019 20:45

We put one dog down when her hips/back legs stopped working and it was hard. We had the discussion so many times for our other dog but the time never seemed right, she suffered so so much on her last night, if I had something to hand i would of put her to sleep myself and we regret not doing it sooner.

I’m sorry it’s time to make that decision, it’s so heart breaking and feels like your killing them when actually they are dying anyway and we are just stopping their suffering

Original poster
Episcomama · 04/10/2019 21:23

Thank you so much for your advice and kindness. Well, Miss C rallied in the time it took me to drive to the vet to collect her medicine. When I came home she was trotting around with me, including coming downstairs to the laundry room. My friend stopped by to see me and Miss C was jumping up at the door, on her hind legs, just as normal.

We have decided to delay the euthanasia and take Miss C to the vet tomorrow. She had had 3 days without her carprofen so I wonder if that was the main issue. She certainly deteriorating but I'm not sure we are at the end stage yet. I really appreciate all of the comments; I'll let you know what the vet says.

OP posts:
IvysMum12 · 04/10/2019 22:08

I'm so glad your lovely dog is feeling better.
May I suggest that when you see your vet, you discuss

IvysMum12 · 04/10/2019 22:10

Sorry, pressed Post by mistake: Yu Move Advance could be very helpful for your dog's pain.
It really can have fantastic results.
Please let us know how you get on.

beccy11 · 04/10/2019 22:19

We faced exactly the same situation last August with our chocolate lab Ithaca. He was 15, it was so hard and such a sad decision to make but ultimately the right one for him. He couldn't walk far and in the last couple of weeks he struggled to get to his feet, we were having to lift his back end up.
As sad as we were to take him to the vets it really was the right choice
Sending you love 💕

Yorkie83 · 05/10/2019 06:28

I wholeheartedly empathise with you as I went through exactly the same this week when we sadly said goodbye to our 16 year old dog for the same reasons. You are making the right decision, spend the morning having quality time, give her a snuffle around the garden, lots of treats and lots of hugs.

I'm so sorry you are losing her.

DoesItGetAnyBetter · 05/10/2019 07:25

That’s great news OP.

It really is such a heartbreaking decision. Am glad today is not the day you have to make it.

Much love x

GreyhoundzRool · 05/10/2019 07:32

I would agree better a week too soon that a day too late. It sounds like she’s rallied which is good news but please ( & I dont want to be harsh here and I mean it kindly) try to get organised with her meds. It’s not fair to let her run out and it’s much better for them to not have these huge peaks and troughs where their medication is running out. My dog has cartrophen injections- is that the same thing ? Investigate all sorts for her - yumove, turmeric etc but do check that anything you decide on can be taken with her medication

Anyway, I hope you get on ok at the vet this morning. Sending love

May84 · 05/10/2019 09:45

I'm so sorry you are going through this OP.

We had a similar situation with our 16 year old rescue cat last year. He deteriorated really quickly over a week or so, we suddenly realised he had lost weight and then he stopped eating over 2 days.
We took him to the vets on the Friday and were told that he was in kidney failure 😭
We had the agonising decision of putting him down the next day, as it was a bank holiday on the Monday.
It was so quick and such a shock but we didn't want to risk him being in pain as the vets was closed on the Sunday and Monday.
We spent time with him and made little paw prints. It was absolutely heartbreaking, I don't think I've ever seen my husband cry so much.
But we made the right decision as we stopped his pain. It's so hard but you have to prioritise your animal over your emotions.
My heart goes out to you OP.

nonetcurtains · 05/10/2019 10:54

I sat holding our old black lab on the morning before she was pts, we took a trip down memory lane recalling all our adventures and holidays, then I told her the story of 'the bridge' and what fun she'd have while she waited.

It was very comforting for both of us. I stayed and held her paw while the vet carried out the procedure and it was over so quickly and peacefully I was really glad I stayed.

You will know when the time is right and so will she, listen when she tells you.

Itsfineactually · 05/10/2019 12:35

Thanks @Topseyt yeah there’s definitely weakening there

StCharlotte · 05/10/2019 13:46

You will know when the time is right and so will she, listen when she tells you.

Absolutely. DH was still dithering a bit the night before but I gently pointed out that our lovely boy was answering our questions loud and clear...

Member984815 · 05/10/2019 14:19

I'm in the same position , first it was vestibular syndrome then epilepsy , now bulging discs in her spine she's on medication for all of these issues , she seems to struggle getting up , I'm heartbroken because I've had to put pets to sleep before and it s horrible . I don't want her to suffer but I don't want to do it too soon either

wendywoopywoo222 · 05/10/2019 14:26

Sounds like it's time. I had to make the same decision about my boy in July. He was just short of 13 and I was devastated to lose him but equally I'm confident it was the right decision for him. The kindest thing you can do for them is not let them suffer. Good luck.

Original poster
Episcomama · 05/10/2019 14:54

It sounds like she’s rallied which is good news but please ( & I dont want to be harsh here and I mean it kindly) try to get organised with her meds. It’s not fair to let her run out and it’s much better for them to not have these huge peaks and troughs where their medication is running out.

@GreyhoundzRool you're absolutely right and I've now marked her refill days on my calendar.

OP posts:
GreyhoundzRool · 05/10/2019 15:11

Excellent Episcomama thank you

ElizaDee · 05/10/2019 15:22

Better a day too soon than a day too late.

💐

There's a quality of life scale questionnaire that can help guide what to do, if you want to Google it.

Original poster
Episcomama · 05/10/2019 17:57

Just got back from the vet. Miss C positive jumped up when I got the leash out.

He said that it's not unusual for arthritic old dogs to have trouble standing in the morning; the key is to monitor the frequency of these episodes. Once or twice a month, in the absence of other symptoms, is not that big of a deal, whereas once or twice a week is. So for now, we keep her moving and keep an eye on things. Vet agrees that it is not yet time.

OP posts:
Zoidbergonthehalfshell · 05/10/2019 18:13

OP, I'm really happy that she's rallied and you have more time to love her - give her a cuddle from me.

If it helps at all, I had to make the decision for my little old Heeler when she was 16 - she'd had a series of strokes, and I lost a little more of her each time; physically she wasn't too bad, but she barely knew where she was any more.

She'd always hated going to the vet, but that last time she was perfectly happy to be there, and she was so busy troughing the salami I'd bought for her that I don't think she was aware of the injection. She fell asleep with some in her mouth - for the journey, maybe? Smile

I think you will know when she has had enough. It doesn't sound as though it's just yet.

Flowers
Original poster
Episcomama · 16/10/2019 02:45

It's time. On Friday she struggled to stand up but got there. Today she tried for 5 minutes and she gave up. I sat with her on the floor and told her how much we love her. She looked at me and I just know she's ready. Tomorrow evening someone is coming to the house. She's our girl and we're doing this because we love her.

OP posts:
InTropicalTrumpsLand · 16/10/2019 03:01

I'm really sorry, OP. My nearly 14 year old Lhasa Apso is also nearing her time; I selfishly wish she would just pass in her sleep one day so I'm not forced to make that decision.

OwlBeThere · 16/10/2019 03:02

I’m so sorry, know you’ve done right by her x

ThisIsNotMyRealName1 · 16/10/2019 03:09

Oh OP, I'm so sorry her time has come. x

tolerable · 16/10/2019 03:30

my first dog was 19,had two 8 pup litters,came to every whistle and knew what to do n when without fail.i looked at her one day and just knew she was struggling.the bet literally put her to sleep.no pain.and she knew i allowed it.no regretss.do what you know is best.

Crunched · 16/10/2019 03:35

So many of us going through the same difficult journey with our much loved pets. My 14 yo Springer is struggling with movement first thing upon waking and is quite a grumpy old guy, not the way he used to be at all. I know we will be facing the inevitable very soon and I only hope I can be as strong as those if you on here have been when you have said “now is the right time”.