Dog being pts - be there or not? Urgent.

[Shemakeslists]

I love my dog with all my heart. He’s very old. Getting more and more wobbly. Currently at the vet’s. Was settled and calm/sleepy when I left him, in his old bed. The vet says if he doesn’t rally and they think he’s v I’ll, they will recommend euthanising him TODAY. This is obviously v sad and distressing for me but I’ll do what’s best for my dog, as I always have. My question is - if this is the decision - should I be there as it happens? I ask because I know I’ll be upset and I know he’ll know I’m upset. Will that really help him? If he was having an op and they gave him anaesthetic, I wouldn’t be there. To reiterate - this isn’t about big old me, it’s about my lovely old dog.

Kind and helpful thoughts much appreciated. Urgent.

Thank you. 😢

Please be there if you can

I was with my boy at the end, it was so hard, but it was the last thing I could do for him.

He had his head in my lap, and was looking at me.

It wasn’t the end I wanted for him, I wanted the vet to come to our house, but it ended up being a bit of an emergency and I was utterly gutted that I couldn’t do that for him.

You just have to hold it together, I stroked his ears and held his head in my lap, it was all very quick, gentle and peaceful, then made it back to the car before balling

I have had many dogs and been with them when they put to sleep. However in lockdown we could not be with our dog and it still haunts me. All the love he had given to use over the years and I could not be there when he needed us most...

Others have gone to sleep with their heads on my laps and it was very peaceful - my labrador was eating chocolate icecream.

There are vets who offer a service of coming to your house for pts. This does not have to be your usual vet. They have been amazing in my experience and made a difficult situation calm and peaceful and dignified.

I am so sorry you are going through this

I had my cat PTS at home. Some vets specialise in palliative care and home visits to do this. Your regular vet can recommend someone. Its a bit more expensive, but worth it IMO if you can afford.

Please be there and stroke him and talk to him, and keep on talking even when you think he's gone because they say the hearing is the last sense to go. It is very quick honestly and they seem to feel no pain, but he will be immensely comforted by your presence.

I have been present at all my pets being put to sleep except for one little cat who my then husband took - I stayed with our baby. He just left him because he felt too upset. I never really forgave him - would have done it myself if he had said and he could have looked after the baby. I just didn't even ask him the next time, and the time after that he had left anyway.

It is the last thing we can do for them as pet owners.

And yes to pp who recommend dogs being euthanised at home. My little dog hated the vet but loved visitors.

Another vote for please being with your dear dog at the end if you possibly can.

I had to have both of my cats PTS during Covid, a year apart, and owing to Covid rules at our vet practice, I was not allowed inside with them, and the vet practice said no to a home visit. I had always vowed that I'd be with them at the end, and I am left with the horrible memory of twice having to hand a cat basket to a vet in a car park with other pet owners watching, and to have an empty basket returned to me a few minutes later.

Sending you strength and hugs at this difficult time.

I would be with him.

My cat died when the vet took him to be put on oxygen to try and save his life (even though we knew it wouldn't work and didn't really want her to do that) and we wished he'd been in the room with us.

You can ask for DDog to be sedated first so that you can say your goodbyes while he is peaceful.
If the vets don't offer home visits to PTS but DDog is really that unwell, and at the vets already, don't feel bad about euthanasia happening there. Dog will be too unwell to notice or care much. (You might want to investigate other vets for the future).

But don't feel too bad if you can't manage it. I have been there for most of my dogs but two of them I was so distressed that it was just my OH with them at the end. The dogs were not really aware of what was going on anyway, they were too sick, so I don't feel guilty.

Perhaps it helps the owner if all goes smoothly, which it usually does. But not always.

I was there when my cat was PTS and it was really peaceful. I expected it to be the same for my dog, but it wasn't and I wish I didn't have that experience as my last memory of him.

I held my cat when he was PTS. One of the hardest things I’ve done but I’m very glad I did it, even now years later. So I would if you can, but be brave and try not to cry or show distress until it’s done.

Will be thinking of you - such a hard day x

I should add I did also organise for it to be at home as he hated the vets.

I am in bits here.
Years ago our lovely girl was at the vets, and diagnosed with cancer all over the place.
We brought her home.
The following day all of us took her out on her favourite walk.
Then she laid down in the back garden which was her favourite place, where we all held her while the vet kindly set her free from her disease.
It was agonising but we couldn't not be there.

Sorry this is happening, OP.
Hugs to all who have holes in their hearts.

Yes I would be there. So sorry, OP. 😥💐

When my 18 year old dog was out to sleep it was the worst moment of my life. However I can’t imagine not being there. It was very peaceful and he gave me one last lick just as he died. You will regret not being with him.

The vet also came to our house and it happened in the garden, which have our other dogs chance to say goodbye.

coffecups
Every single vet/vet nurse I've spoken to says dogs who are PTS alone look for their owners in their final moments.

How could they possibly know who or what the dog is looking for? My dog would be looking for people with treats.

I would be there, OP. You are your dog's whole world and, even if you were to get upset, am sure they would get more comfort from you being there rather than not.

Done it myself - it is hard, but it is kind and a true act of love.

And am thinking of you, OP. It is such a hard thing to do, and a sad day.

so sorry for your news but please please go, you want your face to be the last face he sees, not a stranger!!

Op I think a lot of people replying haven’t understood that your pet is already at the vets and are imaging a scenario when you take him to the vets then don’t stay.

I would say go with your gut as to whether you think having you arrive will unsettle him more than him just going to sleep by himself. He’s your dog and you know him best.

Be there 100%
We owe it to our pets 💐

Omg can't believe you have to ask. Your best friend on a final journey without you there? A vet's article is online saying be there. They look for you. Could you be happy knowing your ddog was looking for you and you didn't want to be there for them? How awful. Put your ddog's needs first.

Or don't have a ddog imo.

Couple of years ago we had to have our lab pts due to cancer. Luckily I was able to sit on the floor and he climbed on my lap and they administered the drugs. He went being cuddled on my lap. It broke my heart but it was the least I could do for him after all the years of love he gave me. Be there for your dog.

I have a sad update. Vet has called and they feel he has reached the end. Has rallied a tiny bit but not enough. Very emaciated and weak. Going in at 2.25pm while he’s pts. 🥺 I know so many of you are with us and it means an awful lot. I’ve taken your advice. Once again typing through the tears but will try to stiffen my upper lip at 2.15! For a bit. Xx

I'm so sorry op 😥

If it is any comfort I went to the vets a few weeks ago to have my mums very ill cat pts because she couldn't face going, it was extremely peaceful and I'm really glad I was with him ❤