Dog being PTS and it’s torture

[Originalusernameunavailable]

I’ll try and keep this brief.
My dog is being put to sleep next weekend and it’s literally the worse torture I’ve ever experienced knowing that it’s going to happen.
He is nearly 10 and has been struggling for some time with faecial incontinence. We’ve persevered with this for around a year since original vet diagnosed a genetic condition in pugs which means, in short, his spinal column is weak and the back end of his body is starting to shut down.
Recently he’s been getting worse incontinence wise, every day he poos in the house and he’s most recently been just doing it in his sleep and laying in it.
I got a second opinion on Friday from another vet and his prognosis was the same. He said that his condition will deteriorate rapidly, as the increased incontinence has shown. He said we need to PTS within the next few weeks at most if we don’t want him to become completely paralysed and he’s confident that he’s already in some pain which again will only increase.

I am an entire wreck. I can’t stop crying and I actually feel depressed for the first time in my life.

The guilt I feel about having him PTS is killing me inside.

I think it’s getting to me that he can actually be quite spritely. When we get his harness and lead out he’s straight there, practically running. But then within a short time he’s stopped or slowed down in a way that makes me think he physically can’t make it.

He staggers when he walks and the vet said he’s lost nearly all muscle capacity in his back legs.

I don’t know exactly what my question is, I just need some reassurance that I’m not being a murderer because that’s how I feel.

[Words]

Hello

I understand. My best girl, my heart dog, started losing control of rear end as she approached 18. Although she was no longer clean indoors, she still enjoyed going out and about.

She would then relapse, and I would. Make The Decision.

This happened several times, but one memorable day, I took her for what I envisaged would be her last walk to her favourite place, let her off the lead and she shot off into the distance. I have video.

I kept in close contact with the vet, to make sure I was not being selfish. The vets were amazing and when the time did come, came to my house to inject her. It was the worst moment of my life but they were so very kind.

all I can say is enjoy the time.

Re floors. I have carpets downstairs. It's stained from where she weed on it in her last days. I can't quite replace it yet though. ( three years now)

[Thinkingabout1t]

Oh good, I was answering late at night and didn't notice I'd only seen the first page. So glad DDog has perked up and all is well!

We might be mad but we are changing the flooring downstairs in our hallway which is currently carpet (circa 1970) and changing to amtico so it’s a more practical solution to clean.

Yes, of course you're mad, but in the best possible way! And actually the new flooring will be more practical and hygienic with children running around anyway. All the best to you all.

[Originalusernameunavailable]

He’s currently running around the garden barking, annoyingly so!
We might be mad but we are changing the flooring downstairs in our hallway which is currently carpet (circa 1970) and changing to amtico so it’s a more practical solution to clean.
We have moved his bed nearer the door so great minds think alike @twinnywinny14.
I’m putting him in the garden most mornings as soon as we her up and then again after school run in the hope if he has a regular pattern hopefully it’ll reduce the accidents. I was doing this before but half heartedly mainly as I was also dealing with having given birth at Christmas.
I guess the reality of losing him made me realise where my priorities are and he’s up there .
He seems a lot happier but I reckon that’s cos I’m not telling him off as much, even though he is still the most annoying dog in the world haha.

[Thinkingabout1t]

Having a beloved pet put to sleep is a bereavement. Be kind to yourself. You and your family need time to grieve.

Our animals trust us and we have a duty to look after them, which includes not letting them go on suffering. Give him the happiest possible time while he's still with you, then let him go.

You have my sympathy. Having both my cats PTS, after much unsuccessful treatment, broke my heart each time.

[HangingOffYourCloud]

Glad you've got a bit more time with your good boy OP. I've just woken up my old timer for a quick cuddle. Big hugs

[HeronLanyon]

Thanks for update op. Glad you and your vet feel you’ve done the right thing. Glad to hear pug is not in pain and seems a little perky ! Support generally.

[Purpleartichoke]

My only regret with putting my cat to sleep was that I waited too long. By the time we decided to proceed, each minute of delay felt cruel.

[twinnywinny14]

Has been additional thought, could you have his bed nearer to the door? Or could you have a tray or mat that he can use instead? Just trying to deal with the practical elements x

[twinnywinny14]

If you are told he isn’t in pain and you can see that too then you are absolutely doing the right thing OP. Of course pts if and when they are suffering but not if they are happy and otherwise able to live a fulfilled life. I hope that this works out to be the right decision but as his owner you will know that xx

[Branleuse]

aww OP, sounds like hes got a bit of time left in him still. xxx

[Originalusernameunavailable]

Thank you @Branleuse.
So Friday came and I was still SO conflicted. The dog was running around, jumping up and down onto the sofa, out the back door, things he hasn’t done in months.
I think in my heart the conflict was it was the incontinence that was annoying me.
Anyway, rightly or wrongly I had a very long chat with the vet and he said he couldn’t see any evidence that the dog is in pain. He said that actually he seemed to be much improved since he saw him the previous week!
That was it. I couldn’t do it. My husband said he was conflicted about doing it anyway too.
So the short story is, the pug is still here. He actually seems to have a second lease of life. Yes he’s a bit stiff getting up but we are exploring options of acupuncture and we are changing the flooring downstairs to accommodate his accidents.
People may say it’s the wrong decision but everyone kept saying to me ‘you’ll know when it’s the time to do it’ and that’s what was getting me, I really, really didn’t feel it was his time.
When the time does come, whether that’s weeks, months or more away, I will know, and I will hold him while we say goodbye. The fact I couldn’t go to the vet with him to do it told me everything I needed to know.

[Branleuse]

Hey OP. I hope youre ok xx

[Floralnomad]

Its dreadful that they couldn’t fit you in earlier , what happens if someone comes in with a an emergency ?

[Originalusernameunavailable]

I was just sitting here thinking he’s being so playful today. Maybe it’s a sign that I shouldn’t...
But then as if on cue he just started pooing everywhere without even realising. He only tries to get to the door when I tell him to. I think as hard as it is I know the vet is right when he says he’s declined and will continue to do so rapidly if we don’t put him to sleep.

[Medievalist]

Sorry to hear you couldn't get an earlier appointment op. I didn't feel it was time with my dog either - especially as vets were putting forward options for treatment to gain an extra few months. But with the clarity of hindsight I can see I left it too late. Far better too early than too late

[Originalusernameunavailable]

@Albern I am so sorry you’re having to go through this grief too. There really is no pain like it.
My boy is going to the vet for the last time on Friday. We tried to get a sooner appointment but they couldn’t. The worst thing is although he seems worse incontinent wise he’s been trying to jump up onto the sofa with me etc. It makes me feel awful.
People say you know when it’s time but I am not feeling that.

[HeronLanyon]

I was lucky enough to be able to have vet to my home with previous adored cats when the time came. Held mine in my arms and took me right back to when they were born - a whole life of loving (in their terms obvs - and naughtiness of course). Support everyone.

[Albern]

Hi original usernameunavailaible I have been thinking of you today, we have to make the call to the vets later today. My lovely boy has end stage kidney failure ,he has been quite spritely up until today even though he's poorly but today he didn't chase his ball and just looks fed up and tired. I'm going to miss him so much, its literally been torture watching him this last week, waves of grieve overwhelm me but am trying to keep it together as I don't want to stress him out, it's really hard.
Sending lots of love to you.

[Medievalist]

Not sure if it's an option for you, but vets will come out to put a pet to sleep at home.

[HeronLanyon]

Actually a good way of thinking is it’s the next kindness. Not the last. You’ll carry in loving him always. I love all of my late cats and remember how it felt to hug and cuddle and stroke them (except the one who HATED being touched !). Wil never stop loving my boys and remembering them with love. Tough ! Support op.

[Medievalist]

I think that's extremely sensible op. No point in prolonging the agony.

[ChardonnaysDistantCousin]

Please don’t feel guilty.

It’s the last kindness you show him.

[Originalusernameunavailable]

My husband is calling the vets today to see if we can take him sooner than the weekend x

[MitchellMummy]

So sad for you. Been there a few times too. You are doing the right thing for him of course, though there's all sorts of emotions going on. x

[Floralnomad]

I think you need to do this sooner than the weekend , are your older dc at school so you could go during the day .