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Original poster

Should I put my elderly pet to sleep?

56 replies

Jojobear18 · 07/08/2023 15:44

So my dog Misty is 13 years of age, she is a white German shepherd breed. She is struggling with her back legs, the vet said she has severe arthiritis which she will be in a lot of pain with, chronic ear infections and doggy dementia. She has given more pain relief gabeptenin, paracetamol and antibiotic ear drops, she has said no more walks and to keep her comfortable. She can get up to go to the garden for her wee and poo. However if she walks any more than this, her hind legs begin to tremble. She cries/whines a lot which is heartbreaking to watch but I don't know how to help her other than reassure her. I clean her ears twice daily but as soon as she shakes her head, there is a lot of gunk coming out, this has been ongoing for 3 years and she has had every treatment available so they just just prescribe more steroids and antibiotic drops. Since she has been on the pain relief - she is excuse my language - shitting and vomiting everywhere. We have had to make the decision to keep her downstairs now due to her legs (struggling to climb stairs) and pooing and vomiting. She sleeps all day but is eating and drinking fine. My question is I was heartbroken at the suggestion of putting her to sleep but I'm thinking more and more that it may be the best thing. I feel selfish for even thinking this. I'm 6 months pregnant and my hormones are taking its toll. I'm overwhelmed with it all. Please don't judge. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

OP posts:

NotImpressedByYourBragging · 07/08/2023 15:46

Your lovely girl is elderly, has health problems, can't walk much, is in pain and she cries. Yes, the kindest thing you could do for your Misty is to have her PTS. She has very little quality of life x

Aquamarine1029 · 07/08/2023 15:47

Op, your poor dog is suffering horribly. You should have had her out to sleep quite a while ago, I'm afraid. Her quality of life is gone. Please put her out of her misery as quickly as possible.

AllPlayedOut · 07/08/2023 15:47

I would and asap. For Misty's sake. That's no quality of life for a dog. Truthfully I'd have taken her before now because she's clearly suffering. I think you know it's the right thing to do.

Azaeleasinbloom · 07/08/2023 15:50

So sorry OP, it’s such a sad time when you have to say goodbye to your loved pet.
It does sound like it is time though. Poor Misty will not be happy in her current state. 💐for you.

Amicompletelyinsane · 07/08/2023 15:51

As a veterinary nurse, I say pts. There's no kinder ending than stopping their suffering

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 07/08/2023 15:51

Your dog's not well, no real changes of getting better.

The kindest thing would be to let her go.

Clefable · 07/08/2023 15:52

Better a day too soon than a second too late, as they say, although it sounds like it's exactly the right time anyway. Her quality of life is vastly reduced and it would be a kindness to let her go now before things get worse. A peaceful death is a gift.

FictionalCharacter · 07/08/2023 15:52

It’s time. I’m so sorry, it’s such a painful decision, but you can spare her any more suffering- she’d only get worse.
When the time comes, give her some of her favourite treats, tell her what a lovely girl she is and cuddle and stroke her until she’s asleep. Hide your sadness until she’s gone. It will be awful for you but better that seeing her get even worse than she is now.

TheShellBeach · 07/08/2023 15:53

OP, in the circumstances you describe, I would not hesitate to have dear Misty PTS.

It soothes like she's distressed and nothing can be gained by prolonging a life which has become difficult and distressing for her.
Your love for Miaty shines through your post. Don't feel guilty.
Let her go now.

I've just had my dear cat put to sleep, after a lung cancer diagnosis. I do believe, despite my terrible sadness and grief, that it was the right thing to do. She was elderly and it was her time.
Let Misty go over the rainbow bridge now. Don't let your last memories of her be clouded by regret that you let her suffer.

Original poster

Jojobear18 · 07/08/2023 16:15

Thank you, I just feel so guilty. She can't go for walks, sleep all day, whines and cries. She is now sleeping downstairs in the kitchen as the pain relief is having side effects which make her drowsy, vomit and have diarrhea. The last vet I saw said to me, it won't get better and to keep her comfortable. Do I ring up and suggest I want her to be put to sleep? will they think I'm just trying to get rid of her now I'm having another baby ( this absolutely isn't the case.) She has been my pet for 8 years, she had an unbelievably cruel life before she came to me, but she is the most kindest, loving dog. She has never growled or even shown her teeth, she just loves everyone. She has been there when I had my son who is now 7 and I feel like this couldn't have come at a worse time now I'm expecting my second child. I'm heartbroken. She is very much a one person dog in a sense that even though she is part of our family, she has only ever came to me for food, love, reassurance, cuddles. And now I'm going to be the one to put her to sleep. I know it's for the best but am I cruel to ring the vet and request it this week even though she's eating and drinking?

OP posts:

AllPlayedOut · 07/08/2023 16:16

And now I'm going to be the one to put her to sleep. I know it's for the best but am I cruel to ring the vet and request it this week even though she's eating and drinking?

Eating and drinking is the bare minimum. She still has no quality of life. Arrange an appointment ASAP. Keeping her going like this is cruel. Ending her suffering is anything but cruel.

DramaAlpaca · 07/08/2023 16:22

It's time, OP. You need to do the kindest and best final thing you can for her. It's about her welfare now, not your own feelings.

Bramblecrumble22 · 07/08/2023 16:26

The vet saying it won't get better and keep her comfortable sounds like they think it's best to PTS but don't want to suggest it. They will be relieved when you ask.

Cloudsandrainnotsunandsand · 07/08/2023 16:28

If you do truly love her you need to end her suffering. And she is imo suffering.

lordloveadog · 07/08/2023 16:33

I'm afraid Misty is coming to the end of her life.

You could phone the vet just to talk this through, without having to make a decision straight away. I don't think you need to fear the vet's judgement. They want the best for dogs. You can ask if there's anything more you can do, but it sounds like Misty's body is failing now.

Many hugs.

boboshmobo · 07/08/2023 16:34

It's not cruel , she sounds like she is suffering

Get them to come to the house so it's calm .

Original poster

Jojobear18 · 07/08/2023 17:07

I spoke to a veterinary nurse via the phone who suggested the vomiting and diarrhea (side effects of the drugs) will be causing the drugs not to work and that's why she will be in more pain but they can try her on something else. She said she will get the vet to call me back as I said I'm concerned she has no quality of life anymore and I feel guilty for even thinking of putting her to sleep but at the moment those are the thoughts I am having. I'm so torn, do I just get more painkillers and continue with this and wait for the inevitable. I feel even worse after that phone call like I'm the one pushing for it. But surely it's not fair to wait for inevitable.

OP posts:

AllPlayedOut · 07/08/2023 17:09

No please don't get her more painkillers. It's just masking the problem. You know what the right thing to do is.

Neverthecornflakegirl · 07/08/2023 17:12

You’re doing the right thing by seeking help to end Misty’s pain. Putting your beloved pet to sleep is a horrible decision to have to make but we are so lucky to be able to do so. It is an act of kindness and you can be with her as she drifts off. She needn’t know any more suffering and will only know you’re stroking, cuddling and reassuring her. It’s the right thing to do.

Meadowfly · 07/08/2023 17:18

Don’t feel guilty at having her put to sleep. Our last and most important responsibility to our pets is to ensure that they don’t suffer, it’s a horrible thing to have to do but it is the price of living them so much. Dogs don’t have a sense of tomorrow - it’s us that feel sad when they go, not them.

Tiredmummy201 · 07/08/2023 17:21

I’m so sorry it’s a horrible situation I’m in a similar one with my 15yo dog. May be a bit late for you but I changed vets and the new vets give him an injection for his arthritis it’s called labrella and since he’s been on that he’s off all his pain meds which upset his tummy, I can tell when it’s wearing off as he moves less and his back legs are weak. Could be worth a try as a last resort. I feel your pain though as it’s months rather than years for my little man as he has CHF and poor liver function too, it really is heartbreaking.

TheShellBeach · 07/08/2023 17:25

OP please do the right thing for Misty.
She is suffering. It is your responsibility and privilege to end her suffering now.
There is nothing to be gained now. Please let her go. I know it's hard but you owe it to her.

Busubaba · 07/08/2023 17:27

13 years for a large breed dog is good innings.

She's had a lovely life with you but is now suffering.

The kindest thing to do is to let her run free now.

TheShellBeach · 07/08/2023 17:27

And I truly do not believe that "last resort" drugs are the right thing to do.
Let the poor dog die with some dignity left.

Newuser75 · 07/08/2023 17:27

I know it's so sad and I feel terribly for you. I have been through it many times, both as an owner and also in my job as a veterinary nurse. I think once you start to wonder if it's the right time then it's probably the right time. I know you don't want to see her crying in pain and I'm sure she hates messing in the house and being unable to do what she has always done (walks, going upstairs etc).

I say this really kindly. If she were my dog I'd let her go. You would have absolutely nothing to feel guilty for. If only it was a kindness that we could offer to people 😩.

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