How to know when to PTS

[roundthehorn]

I have a 14 year old Airedale who is coming to the end of her life. She is in early stage kidney failure, pretty much blind, struggles with the stairs as she is stiff and sore in her back hips, and is now pretty much incontinent, pooping and peeing wherever she pleases. Just writing this out seems to confirm my thoughts that it’s time to think about letting her go, but it feels selfish.
Thoughts?

My beautiful girl had a bit of an uptick in her demeanour after I stopped her medication and diet and started feeding her steak and cheese etc. but I stuck to my guns and had the specialist home vet over this afternoon and it’s done.
The vet said it’s not unusual for dogs to have a new lease on life after meds are stopped, and tbh I was having second thoughts as she really seemed to be “getting better”. Intellectually I knew it was time but the emotional brain is so strong I was really doubting myself.
The whole experience was made easier by doing it at home with our other dogs around and in an environment that she was 100% comfortable. I really felt like I’d given her a send off that she deserved, dignified and kind.
Love to all of you in this position x

Sorry for your loss.

I really wish I had don’t it at home, I wasn’t given the option. It would have felt so much easier.

Our girl has gone. It was peaceful and quick.
I am feeling all the emotions, first and foremost, sad. But also guilt and weirdly relief.
I forgot this morning actually and got her food ready before I remembered

Gilmore sorry for your loss. I still get up to feed my girl, it’s been almost 3 weeks now . Today we reserved a rescue dog, she’s hopefully coming home tomorrow or Monday (after home check).

I had my old Beagle PTS yesterday. I was OK yesterday, can't stop crying today.
He was 15, had a huge tumour and heart failure, was the right time for him, but it's not easy is it?
Just for info for anyone coming to the decision - we had the vet come to our house. He stayed on the sofa so wasn't at all stressed. I held his head and talked to him and I'm so pleased I was with him to see how peaceful it was. The vet and nurse couldn't have been kinder.
Total cost was just short of £200 (we are SE) including cremation and ashes scattered in a beautiful woodland. Would have been £50 more to have his ashes home but we decided against.
Big hugs to anyone else that having to face this

We have had our boy PTS this morning.

He was 10, but stopped eating and drinking at the weekend and just looked so sad. He was up all night head pressing and walking in circles, and so our big beautiful boy went to the vets as soon as they opened this morning.

I haven’t stopped crying, and I’m waiting at school now to pick my son up to tell him. Sending love to all going through the same x

So very sorry, all of you. It's the hardest decision, I know - we had to let our beautiful 16-year-old boy go in January and my heart still breaks for him. It's awful, but we suffer so they don't have to.

Sorry to hijack your thread but I’m in the position now, my 14 year old Labrador has declined so much in the past week doesn’t want to go for walks and isn’t really eating, it’s time isn’t it? Xx

Lollyjack, been 5 years since we had our beloved lab PTS, tears in my eyes even now, sorry you are going through this now and everyone else who has recently lost their DDog, it was undoubtedly the last kindest thing we did for her and no regrets.

@bonkersblonde thank you for your kind words I’m sat here in tears know what I have to do but then thinking maybe just give him a few days to see if he picks up i know he won’t in my heart. Xx

Yes, it's time to let her go, as heartbreaking as it is. We always said as soon as she became incontinent and was clearly struggling we would let ours go, but I still hung on for a few weeks as she still liked a cuddle and a ride in the car. Looking back I feel like I waited too long.

Sorry...guilty of not RTFT 🙈 hope you are ok, it's a tough time

I had my girl PTS yesterday, today I'm heartbroken. I could have kept her going for another few weeks but as the PP said, pets should have a happy, healthy life. And when that life is in decline, it's time. Can't see how I'm ever going to get over it, she was with me for nearly 14 years

Hi all, I just wanted to say thank you for all the kind words and sharing of your situations.
I had my lab PTS on Tuesday due to advanced cancer of the spleen, I've been feeling really guilty that I didn't give her longer but reading through this thread it would have only been for my benefit not hers.
Our older dog has been left behind and is grieving which adds to the heartbreak. I think it may be time to search for a 2nd dog.
Hope you are all coping well considering what you are all going through