Precious DDog being PTS today - what to expect

[Sweetladyjane]

My beautiful amazing 19 year old dog is being put to sleep at 12.45pm today. He’s been going downhill for awhile but this morning it was clear that it’s time to say goodbye so I called the vets and booked him in to be pts.

Could anyone tell me what to expect? What the process is? Will I be able to hold whilst he goes?

thank you, I’m beyond heartbroken.

How it usually goes at my vet.

you go in, they talk to you a bit, give the dog some treats, give them an injection that sedates them and leave you with them alone while it takes effect, come back and then do the other injection, check and tell you when their heart stops and then give you more time alone if you want.

and yes you can hold them or stroke them (depending on size) the entire time.

19 years - I can only imagine how hard this is, OP. I’m so sorry.

I had one of mine PTS about 15 months ago. I got to hold him the entire time, cuddle him, kiss him. The second I arrived they let me take him in - they shouldn’t keep you waiting at all.

The vet talked me through it and asked me to sign the paperwork including confirming how I wanted him cremated (I went with a solo cremation and ashes returned to me as I couldn’t stand the thought of him in some dog cemetery miles away - he’s still on my window ledge as I can’t stand the idea of saying goodbye properly yet).

It was two injections. Very quick. The vet stayed in the corner of the room and then, once my dog had passed, left me alone for five minutes so I could say goodbye in private (told me to stick my head out the door once I was ready). Then they let me leave through the back door so I didn’t have to go through reception.

19 years is incredible, OP. Your dog must have had such an amazing life. I’m so sorry for your loss - but try to remember you’re doing it for them; this is the most important part of dog ownership (knowing when to say goodbye).

I hope you have someone to go and talk to afterwards - don’t be alone if you don’t have to be.

We went through this three weeks ago. They had a special room with a sofa, I held him whilst the drug was put in his little leg which she'd already put in a cannula. It was very peaceful, just like he went in a deep sleep, he made a couple of small gasps that she told us about beforehand. We wasn't rushed and the vet was lovely. Get paw prints, bits of fur that sort of thing.

I'm still missing him and have my brain reliving that day, so don't expect to feel ok and be kind to yourself. I've no doubts it was the right thing to do but the hardest!

I'm so sorry to hear this. It's the hardest part of having such beautiful souls in our lives but you're doing the ultimate act of love.

My ddog was pts at the same time of day. I took him out for one last walk in the morning to his favourite place.

At the vets, they took him into the surgery (it was April 21 so end of Covid restrictions) and I waited outside. I think they gave him a sedative and put a line in and then they invited me in. I sat on the floor and held him as he passed. It was so, so very peaceful and almost instant. The vet offered for me to stay with him for a while after, but I didn't. He just wasn't there, he'd gone to a better place.

I wrote a letter to the vets before I went. It explained what was wrong with him and what I wanted to happen with his body (I asked for him to be cremated with other pets so he wouldn't be alone, I didn't want his ashes). I knew I'd be too upset to get this across coherently at the appointment.

The vets won't expect you to pay today, they will post an invoice. I'm sorry is this sounds very blunt but these are the things I wish I'd known beforehand.

I'll be thinking of you later on. Be strong for your best friend. My heart is breaking for you. Sending you hugs and much love.

My dog was pts 3 weeks ago.

We were in a lovely room with blankets all over for him. We had to sign a form, someone came into the room to take payment discreetly, we left via a different exit after he had passed over

He was made a huge fuss of by the vet and staff, lots of treats and pats, then he lay down on a blanket, he got a cannula in and was sedated, we got to spend lots of time with him, give him small treats, cuddle him, he went into a deep sleep and was snoring then we chapped the door for the vet to come back in and gave him the anaesthesia and he just slipped away. It was very quick but very peaceful. We got to spend time with him afterwards too - as much as we wanted, there was no rush. I was holding and rubbing his paw as the vet gave him the anaesthetic.

He was cremated and we got paw and snout prints along with some locks of fur. He's in a lovely urn we will scatter when we holiday at Easter.

Ring now and request the sedation first... Then ddog isn't aware of any iv being put in or being around strangers.. Ddog was aggressive (big breed) quick jab on the bum and we were left alone.. Ddog was asleep before they put the pts meds in.. Can't fault this method. She was cremated and we had ashes and paw prints back. And a tuft of hair.. Was an extra £50 for the sedation.. Just under £400 all in.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply to me. It really helped to know what to expect.

The vet was lovely and talked me through step by step what was going to happen and did everything whilst he was snuggled on my lap.

I’m broken but know that it was the right thing to do.

So sorry for the loss of your lovely boy 💐

So sorry for the loss of your loss vely good boy. You've shown him you were his best friend at the most important time. 💐

So sorry, it's really painful isn't it, our furry friends aren't with us for very long but know that you gave him the best life and you were right there with him until the end. You have precious memories to keep you going until the pain doesn't hurt so much, and it will lessen, keep him in your heart X

You've done the kindest thing for him. Be kind to yourself now. One day you'll be able to laugh when you think about him and his quirks and daft moments ❤️

So sorry for your loss. You gave your dog a wonderful life for 19 years. So many lovely memories to treasure. Sending hugs x

So sorry for your loss OP. We lost our boy a year ago and it took months to really feel normal again. You've done the absolute best thing for your lovely boy though. Look after yourself.

Thinking about you and your precious boy OP, I know that you must be feeling broken this morning, and I really feel for you.
What a fantastic long life your boy has had with you ❤️
Take care x

Sorry for your loss 💐

So very sorry, it’s just so hard. He was very lucky to have your love for nineteen years though it’s never long enough for us. The hurt takes time but he’ll never lose the place in your heart. Take care.