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Original poster

have you ever had or known a dog to die of natural causes without having to be put down?

55 replies

brimfull · 15/10/2007 13:17

this is what I am praying will happen to mine ,but today realised I may be wishing for the moon.

Does it ever happen?

OP posts:
ThreadyKrueger · 15/10/2007 13:20

That's how mine died. He had a chest infection, and became very ill quite suddenly. A week of dragging him from his bed to go to the vet repeatedly, then I came down one morning and he was dead curled up in his basket.
It didn't feel good, although he died at home. At least if I had decided to put him down I would have had a chance to make a last fuss of him and say goodbye. I think I was quite curt with him the evening before his death. , very, very

Original poster
brimfull · 15/10/2007 13:23

thready-sorry about your dog.

I somehow thought it would be easier than taking her to the vet,but I guess you're right .

OP posts:
flowerybeanbag · 15/10/2007 13:25

I think I agree with thready, when the time comes I think I would prefer to take mine to the vet and say goodbye than find him myself.

ThreadyKrueger · 15/10/2007 13:25

I'm sure it would, in some ways. It was horrible having to force my poorly dog into the car (which he hated) to go the the surgery.

It's awful however it happens I suppose. Is your dog ill or sick - or are you just thinking of the future?

Tigaaaarghna · 15/10/2007 13:26

ggirl - no examples but I am with you on the hoping for a 'natural' death for our old dog when he goes. This is largely because he despises the vet and gets very stressed and rather aggressive ...so if he did have to to be put down it would be extra extra stressful and upsetting for all involved.

I have known cats who have died of natural causes.

ThreadyKrueger · 15/10/2007 13:27

Sorry, x-posted flowery.

My current dog hates the vet so much that I seriously think that the treatment options if he becomes very ill would be limited.

ThreadyKrueger · 15/10/2007 13:28

Oh, Tigaaaar, snap! (In more ways than one!)

themoon66 · 15/10/2007 13:30

A good vet will come to your home. My sister had this service for her old cat, who was terrified of being put in a carrier and taken to the vet.

Tigaaaarghna · 15/10/2007 13:31

Dh comes from 'country stock' and majority of his family's dogs have been 'put down' when very ill and untreatable, by their owners using a carefully aimed rifle (mix of and )

MaryBleedinShelley · 15/10/2007 13:36

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Original poster
brimfull · 15/10/2007 13:36

She's sort of nearing the end I think,very slow,losing control of her bowels,maybe a bit of senility.
VEt says anything from month to a yr so it isn't imminent but on my mind all the same.

She hates going to the vets but is compliant when there.
GOd getting upset again now.

OP posts:
MaryBleedinShelley · 15/10/2007 13:39

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Original poster
brimfull · 15/10/2007 13:40

yes that's a good idea,probably quite expensive though I would think.

OP posts:
Iklboo · 15/10/2007 13:41

My aunties dog dies in its sleep aged about 17. Sorry about your dog

haggisaggis · 15/10/2007 13:42

Ours was more or less in a coma when we took him to teh vets - so it was like he'd died at home. tbh, when it gets to that stage you instinctively do what you think is best for your dog. Ours was no longer the same dog - just a shell - so i think in the end the decision is not as difficult as you think it will be.

MaryBleedinShelley · 15/10/2007 13:42

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sweetmonkey · 15/10/2007 13:43

my dog had cancer but we were told by the vet that he had 6 months to live. just over a month later i got home from work and he was poorly and he waited until the rest of my family were home and as we all sat round him he just went to sleep.

we were so lucky the way it happened and literally 5 mins later the vet turned up so the decision didnt need to be made.

i truly believe he was a hero for hanging on until we were all there

ruty · 15/10/2007 13:44

our dear dog was ill for a period of time, but he was old, about 15. We did have him put to sleep in the end because he was suffering. My cat though died in her sleep at the grand old age of 21.

MaryBleedinShelley · 15/10/2007 13:44

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ruty · 15/10/2007 13:45

yes very good idea to get vet to come to the house. Our second dog had cancer and the vet came to our house and she was put to sleep in my arms aged 11. Much better.

ruty · 15/10/2007 13:45

i mean the dog was 11!

Original poster
brimfull · 15/10/2007 13:45

sweetmonkey -that is what I would like for her,to just go with no fear and knowing we love her.

OP posts:
fawkeoff · 15/10/2007 13:45

i found our old dog dead on our landing when i was 5, she just looked asleep.

MegaLegs · 15/10/2007 13:45

DH's old black lab was put down at home. The vet came out to them, he and his mum sat with him on the front lawn, in the sunshine, the dogs head in DH's lap as vet gave him the injection.

My MIL said it was so peaceful, they live in a very quiet spot anyway but she said every thing seemed to go so still for a few minutes as dear old Diggy drifted away.

ThreadyKrueger · 15/10/2007 13:46

Before he became ill, my dog was very fit and active, even though he was quite elderly for a dog of his breed. So I didn't make enough adjustmenst for his age -- didn't mollycoddle him enough I think. An I'll never stop looking back and wishing I could have been more tender and loving in his last weeks and days.

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