When to put to sleep

[woodyLdn]

Hi
I'm looking for some help with this decision. We have an 11 year old dog who has advanced kidney disease - he's on meds and a special kidney diet but they haven't really improved his condition. Blood tests have been progressively worsening since we discovered this in August and the protein in his urine remains very high.

He seems ok in himself although more anxious, very lethargic and has lost muscle tone. My biggest concern is weight loss. He's 2kg down from his original 10kg weight and is now losing just over 125g per week. He's eating very little now. Any advice please?

It comes down to quality of life. You say he is lethargic and eating very little which sounds like he is in pain.
Sooner rather than later OP. I'm very sorry

Thanks for replying @Bananarama12 I think you're right.

That's so a sad ☹️ but I'm inclined to agree. Sounds like he's fading fast so I think it would be better to do it sooner rather than later. Big hugs. 😭

That's such a shame but I think you know it's time he is anxious so probably not feeling great talk to the vet they need to be guided by you. We had our dog pts recently it's a horrendous decision.

What a horrific decision but I would always say it's better to put to sleep a bit early than a day too late. Sounds like it's the right time

Thanks all! Vet has been great and said last week she would support my decision. Can't stop crying when I talk to her so communication is difficult! Need to pull it together!

Aww no it's horrible isn't it I would keep it short and just say it.or can you email the surgery we emailed back and forth when ours wasn't well so they knew why we were phoning.it is still devestating though.

It’s the decision all pet owners dread.Nothing new to add just 💐 for you OP.

Kidney disease does make you feel very nauseous so worth asking the vet about medication that may help and see if that helps the eating.

However you are with the dog 24/7 and the decision you make will be the right one. Sorry you are having to go through this

I think as soon as you start worrying about it being the right time, it probably is to be honest. I'm a big believer in 'better a week too early than a day too late', and especially in the current situation you want to be able to plan a nice last day and book a vet home visit, or quiet trip to them when you can be together at the last, rather than getting stuck in a bigger lockdown moment and it all being much more stress

Oh nothing helpful to say except it's so hard OP and if you feel it's time, then it probably is.

Hope it's not too TOO awful when the time comes. It's a kindness to stop them suffering X

It's the last kind thing we can do for them @woodyLdn

The only regrets I've ever had are when I've left it too long, better a bit too soon when they are not in any distress and can have a peaceful end.

good luck, it's horrible I know.

Thanks everyone. My lovely dog was put to sleep this evening. He managed a nice little stroll this morning but he lost control of his back legs completely this afternoon after a long nap. We took him to the vets and cuddled him and the whole thing was very peaceful.

Aww lovey I am so sorry

So sorry for you but it sounds like there was no other option. Please take comfort in the fact that he had a lovely life with you, and that you cared for him right until the end. So glad that you were able to be with him; this would have been a comfort. Please take care of yourself and try to process the grief in the best way for you

I’m so sorry for your loss. You just made me cry my eyes out reading this. My dog is asleep at my feet and we’ve got to make the decision soon. 2020. What a shit year.

I’m so so sorry for your loss OP.

We had ddog pts in Feb.. This first winter (her fav time of year) is making it harder than it has been..
We had photos printed but can't face them yet..
Take care op... After all you have lost a family member.. Don't let anyone make you feel otherwise..

Oh OP... This is the first time I've ventured into this subject since we had to put our wonderful Springer down at the beginning of September. Kidney failure too... I know this thread is old and wonder how you are...?