I think I need to have my dog put to sleep?

[Milosmum19]

I know this is the wrong place , but please I need some advice and I’m expecting a call from the vet .

My 8 year old staffie has had seizures for the last 3 years . They have gradually become medication resistant and I was warned the combination of the two lots of pills he’s on now is pretty much his last hope And I needed to prepare myself . He’s suffered multiple health problems over the years, but he is the loyalist, loveliest , kindest, softest dog imaginable and I’ve spent thousands keeping him healthy (he’s classed as uninsurable) .
However the medication has only been controlling the seizures to fortnightly, each getting worse in strength and the time it takes him to come round and to return to himself.
This mornings started around 4 woken up by his screams I went downstairs to him. Usually my company calms him, he just needs me to sit and talk calmly , stroke him and he’s fine . I’ve noticed with previous fits he is becoming more aggressive, but as long as I was alone I was able to manage him and he would calm for me .
Not today , I genuinely found myself very very scared. His whole demeanour was that of a different dog, he was using his body to try and intimidate me , forcing me in to a corner and there was no recognition whatsoever . I had to grab a bag of treats and every time he came close throw one to the other side of the room . He tried to attack my crated other dog , and this went on till 7 am when he finally seemed himself and came towards me and laid at my feet.
I know people might say leave him in a room alone , we tried that when he first started having them and it made his distress worse and he ended up seriously hurting himself .

I know this is my responsibility and I couldn’t bear him hurting someone else , but the thought of putting him to sleep breaks my heart?
Can anyone give me some advice please

He is suffering from an increasingly uncontrollable condition that is causing him fear and distress. You would be right to let him go before it gets any worse for him.
You gave him a good and happy life.

I know it's heartbreaking to have to have to out a much loved pet to sleep, OP - trust me, I have that tear-soaked t-shirt, but sometime it really is the kindest thing to do. it sounds as though you've given this good boy a wonderful life after such an awful start, and you really have gone above and beyond for him. No one can doubt how much you love him. Sadly, he's suffering now and it doesn't sound like their is anyway to help him, so the last kind thing you can do for him is let him slip peacefully away. Don't think of it as giving up on him, or letting him, it's the opposite! You will be putting his needs ahead of your wants.

Sending unmumsnetty (((((hugs)))))

Thank you all so much this thread has helped massively, and made me cry too.

Ive spoken with my amazing vet who has been with us from the start and he said there really isn’t another path we can take medication wise. I admitted how guilty I felt and he said I wasn’t too as we have gone above and beyond and stuck to treatment plans , and that he supports the decision fully . That eases my mind ever so, but the guilt is still very much there , but I know if he hurt someone it would be so much worse . I have to call the surgery later to book him in 😔.
Again thank you all

Sending huge hugs OP, it is heartbreaking when you reach this point. What a lovely life he's had with you, though.

If it’s something you’re open to doing perhaps have an animal communication session? It can help owners immensely

Sending you as I know that must be heartbreaking. It’s the kindest thing to do for him though.

Feel awful for you OP but think you've made the right choice. Doesn't sound like you have anything to feel guilty about, you've done your best for your boy

Lulu Sorry what’s an animal communication session? That’s something I’ve never heard of ?
I keep even now second guessing myself, he won’t wake now for another 12 hours or so , he’s always the same a day following a bad one so I think it will be Thursday/Friday ... I just want one more day me and him . I just wish there was something I could do this time , but I know my vets and they would have said if there were.

I think the guilt is just the feeling of giving up, we come so close to losing him before , and we managed to get him through and this I can’t do .

I hope the photo works

He’s beautiful

He is lovely x

What a lovely boy

You've spent a fortune helping him get a longer, healthier life but there comes a point where, if medication isn't working and he's losing quality of life, there's nothing more you can do. You gave your boy a happy life after rescuing and have done what any responsible owner would do.
My 'old' boy was 2 when he got ill, it turned out to be an aggressive tumour causing Cushing's disease. It could be treated to give a longer life but wasn't guaranteed to give him any extra quality of life. He became aggressive very quickly and I worried about the safety of our children as he was getting worse very quickly. We had him PTS at only 3. His quality of life went downhill very quickly from diagnosis at 2.
Can you book in advance for a vet to come to you if he gets stressed going to the practice? We booked an appointment about 5 weeks in advance and spent those last weeks doing all the fun stuff with him, he still had to be separated from the kids if we weren't able to supervise him every second, we did lots of muddy walks (his favourite) lots of naughty foods, all the naughty stuff dogs shouldn't have, but love, took lots of photos and did a print of his paw too. It still hurt like hell but knowing his last days and weeks were filled with fun, made the end that bit more bearable. I know you said about one more day, if it's one more day, there's no reason you can't spend that day on the sofa, snuggled up, little treats and lots of cuddles.

My heart goes out to you and your lovely dog.

It's the right thing to do, before he has to deal with too much more of this discomfort and confusion. The longer you leave it, the greater percentage of his life is taken up by his illness.

It's very clear from your post how much you love him. I bet he knows it too and is grateful for all the love you've given him. He trusts you to make the right decision, however hard it is. Sending you strength, OP.

Sorry, but it sounds like it's time for him to go. You need to remember him as he was, not what he has become

I'm so sorry op. Dog owner/lover here so I know what you are going through. You have done everything you can for your lovely friend. However he is not in his right mind after one of these fits. If he is scaring you at these times there is a distinct possibility he might bite someone. If that was to happen the trauma for all of you would be much worse and you would have to have him pts after your worse fears were realised. If he really hurt someone it would be a terrible ending for you and him. I think you know what you must do for your precious pet.

, it's never an easy decision to make but it sounds like it's time for him. I was the same last week with my beloved cat, she had chronic kidney disease and had stopped eating/drinking, it's so sad but I made the right choice for her. I cried absolute buckets on Friday when she was put to sleep but I made absolutely the right decision. It's not easy but remember all the joy they have given you over the years x

Hi op
You are a wonderful owner. Your gift to your dog will be a release from all of this. It's the hardest decision but you know your dog and he wouldn't want you to be afraid of him.

Ask the vet to do it at your house save him and you from alot more distress good luck x

Oh my dear, I do understand as do others posting here - but its the right thing to do for him as he is becoming more distressed and in pain.
Better to do it now with love and kindness for his sake.
Sometimes the right decision is the heart breaking for ourselves but the best for him.

(((hugs)))

Animal communication is a load of rubbish. It's a person taking your money to communicate your animal's wishes to you. It's a scam and you shouldn't second guess yourself. You know your dog best.

He's such a cutie - even in that photo I can see he's a happy and well loved chap.

I'm so sorry the vet couldn't offer any hope, you must be devastated. I know how hard it is to say goodbye, but I promise you, you are doing the right, and kindest and most loving thing for him.

Thank you all so much , I can’t explain how much this has helped me today . As silly as it sounds reading all the comments have made me feel a lot braver . I’m paying for a private cremation, and they will take paw casts etc and they are arranging a time at the practice when I can bring him in quietly. Everything is done on site there so least I know he will be in safe hands once he’s gone.

Could your vet not come to your home? I know some do.

You're definitely doing the right thing for him. For him to become that aggressive - something he would never do in normal circumstances - well, he's suffering. And you do have to protect yourself and anyone around you (two and four-legged).

This isn't him. You're protecting him from this becoming what he is remembered for.