Has anyone had an arthritic dog put down?

[Mummamama]

I am really struggling with guilt and whether to make the call or not. When do you know it's time for an arthritic dog?

What have you tried?

As someone who struggles with RA on a daily basis, as soon as a dog can't do the things they love anymore, struggles to walk or get up, and medication is no longer working, I think it's time. I know what is going on with me. I know why I am in pain. Dogs don't have that understanding.

How old is your dog? What treatments have you tried? What does your vet say?
My dog has arthritis but we are a long way from the end , I hope. I am aiming at pain free and enjoying life, being able to walk and play, staying clean in the house. So far so good.

My parents had their old girl put down when she could no longer manage the 3 steps up into the house. She was so uncomfortable all the time, and you could see her struggling with life. She wanted so much to be with them so would try really hard to make it. I think they wish they had done it a week or two earlier, when she wasn't struggling so much.

It's such a difficult decision.

We've had antinol and paracetamol on vets advice. She is a 12 year old dog who requires steroids to control allergy itching (without the steroids she's miserable) so that limits what pain relief she can have. She can't go on walks, she limps out to the garden. She is incontinent, which I've just read can be caused by the arthritis (vet couldn't find a cause other than old age). Vet advised nearly a year ago that she had an enlarged heart and wouldn't live long but here she is still going. All this time we've thought she'd just go naturally but her limping and incontinence is getting worse.

I did.
It wasn't just arthritis, but I would say it was the main thing (plus Cushing's, plus old dog incontinence). In ddog's case, she had polyarthritis, and every single bone of hers hurt. She couldn't move anymore, and relied on us to move her around. She was on so many pain meds, yet she would have daily episodes of so much pain she would bark each heartbeat of hers. When she saw me approach, she started shivering because she thought I was coming with more meds, or going to take her to the vets or physio. Sometimes she attempted to run despite the pain, tripped and fell, smashing her face against the floor. This was the same dog who, for 15 years, jumped many times her height to access my bed, now terrified of me.
When I finally did it, I regretted not doing it sooner.

@Mummamama

We've had antinol and paracetamol on vets advice. She is a 12 year old dog who requires steroids to control allergy itching (without the steroids she's miserable) so that limits what pain relief she can have. She can't go on walks, she limps out to the garden. She is incontinent, which I've just read can be caused by the arthritis (vet couldn't find a cause other than old age). Vet advised nearly a year ago that she had an enlarged heart and wouldn't live long but here she is still going. All this time we've thought she'd just go naturally but her limping and incontinence is getting worse.

Oh op. I am so sorry. It's an awful situation. I know it's easy for me to say. But if you think she's suffering, I think it's time. Sending hugs x

For me the time would be now, but I know its a terribly emotional decision to make.

@InTropicalTrumpsLand

I did. It wasn't just arthritis, but I would say it was the main thing (plus Cushing's, plus old dog incontinence). In ddog's case, she had polyarthritis, and every single bone of hers hurt. She couldn't move anymore, and relied on us to move her around. She was on so many pain meds, yet she would have daily episodes of so much pain she would bark each heartbeat of hers. When she saw me approach, she started shivering because she thought I was coming with more meds, or going to take her to the vets or physio. Sometimes she attempted to run despite the pain, tripped and fell, smashing her face against the floor. This was the same dog who, for 15 years, jumped many times her height to access my bed, now terrified of me. When I finally did it, I regretted not doing it sooner.

That's so sad. thank you for sharing

I had my old boy put down just before Christmas. I'd been collecting more and more supplements, taking him for laser treatment and some new pain killing injections etc for about a year without facing up to the fact he was just old and sore. When I finally told my family that I thought it was time they said they were so relieved because they didn't want to upset me but could see it wasn't ok anymore.

I got a vet to come to the house so he wasn't alarmed and he lay on the carpet eating a cheese slice till he was sedated etc. I just cuddled his head and talked to him. Awful day but it needed to be done as he was 14.5 and things weren't going to get better.

I think you know what is in your heart, @Mummamama.
Go with that.

Not arthritis, but other mobility problems. He got to the point where he struggled to get up two steps to our house, back legs would give way on walks etc. In his mind he still had the energy of a puppy but we knew it was time when he just sort of gave up and sat around instead of following you round etc. He was so fidgety normally, up and down off the sofa constantly and he liked that. Then he was unable to get back up on his own even with a ramp/ steps so he just lay there, looking so miserable. All the joy had gone from his life and we knew it was time.

Our other boy has arthritis and is so far well managed with meds but I suspect we will be faced with the decision to pts in future because of it. If he gets to the point where pain isn’t managed or he can’t go on walks then that will be it for me. Ask your vet about metacam. It seems to work quite well for our dog.

Is she happy OP, or is she just existing? It's the hardest decision we can ever make for them, but I do firmly believe it's better a day early than a day too late. Lots of love to you though, I know how hard it is.

My lovely girl is 15 and on Metacam, paracetamol Vivitonin and Canergy
She’s obviously stiff and sometimes can’t manage her back legs but once out walks very happily.
2 things I’ve found brilliant:
•a harness, it’s great to be able to support and steady her.
•she’s only 15kg. I’d not have a bigger dog because it’s wonderful to be able to scoop her up and support her going up akd down stairs- any bigger and I’d be frightened she’d fall and know us both down.
Obviously the second point isn’t something you can retrofit , but definitely worth bearing in mind.

We had our boy euthanised two weeks ago. He was 14 had arthritis in his back legs, was mostly blind and deaf and had dementia for the last six months. We had been getting up to him in the middle of the night and he the last night he could not stand up to move out of an accident he had. He just looked so scared and sad we knew it was time. I think the hardest thing for us was wondering if we had gone too soon. However as heartbroken we are I am sure it was his time and would have hated to have found he had passed alone in the state he was in that night. If and when you make the decision be kind to yourself and don't be afraid to grieve and take support from your friends and family.

Oh goodness. Such a hard decision, but having worked with animals for many years in my life it sounds like time. Am so sorry @Mummamama

It is the last and kindest choice you can make for your adored companion of many years. Release the animal from the suffering and weep. And grieve. Then consider a new pup a few months later.

CAM may help you - loads of things to try, advice on helping you to make decisions etc

cam

Pain breaking through medication
Incontinence
Loss of appetite
Confusion
Lack of pleasure in life
Mobility issues
Deafness/blindness

A very kind vet told me if you tick more than two it’s time

I’ve always been a very pragmatic animal keeper (farmer) but the decision to pts our elderly dearly loved terrier was one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to do. You have my sympathy.

And for us the acceptance that she was our last dog was part of the process.