How to prepare for your dog being PTS

[orchid1384]

Hi all,

It's heartbreaking writing this but unfortunately we're having our lovely old dog put to sleep this Thursday as his quality of life has declined.

I'm finding it really difficult to cope with and almost get my head round that it will be happening. How do you prepare for this sort of thing?

I also feel overwhelmed with how to spend his last few days, it's obviously really hard as we're all still having to work today and tomorrow (from home) but I still feel guilty I can't do more with him even though he doesn't really want to do anything anymore. I wish it had fallen over a weekend instead of a weekday.

I also have this feeling of guilt and knowing if it's the right time. For reference, he's eating and drinking however he doesn't walk anymore, falls over a lot, has accidents most days and doesn't sleep through the night, he's just very restless, pacing around etc. Some form of dementia, and he also had a nasty vestibular syndrome episode last month which has seem to decline him even more. But he still gets excited for dinner and wags his tail and wants fuss. Is it too soon?

Just looking for some advice and thoughts x

Hi

So sorry to hear this. We had our lovely dog pts this time last year and I also felt guilty wondering if it was the right time. It sounds right for your dog so don't feel bad. If he still wants to eat and have a fuss then just give him all his favourite food and sit and cuddle him as much as possible. It's hard but will get easier

I’m so sorry you’re going through this, but it’s better a week too soon than a day to late.

He knows you love him, I’m sure he’s had a wonderful life with you. Hug him a lot and be kind to yourself x

It's so hard OP. WIth my previous dog she was arthritic but otherwise fine and then declined rapidly over a couple of days. It was devastating but preferrable to what we have at the moment. Ours also has the vistibular thing. She's responded well to meds, still happy and eating, not as much but enough, and toileting, but her walks are only to sniff out front, sometimes her back legs go, only temporarily, her hearing is gone, her eyesight is very much on the wane. But we can't make the call as we're home with her and able to still give her whats she needs for quality of life and we're ok to forgo holidays and leaving home together to do anything. But every day we wonder if this is going to be the day and how will we know. It's heartbreaking.

No, I don't think it's too soon. Better to be too early than too late.

When we take on an animal we are responsible for all of its care, that includes giving it as comfortable and calm an ending as possible. You are doing the kindest thing for your dog IMO. Animals in the wild rarely have a 'pleasant' death.

Instead of feeling guilt, try and take comfort that you are able to end his illhealth before it becomes unbearable for him, as hard as it is for you to have to face life without him.

It's a difficult time, I know

As everything relaxes, take a wad of kitchen roll to put under his sheath. Urine runs out and I wanted my beloved dogs to have dignity even in death; I was moved to tears by the absolute respect and tenderness the vets showed afterwards and it still makes me well up thinking about it.

On the consent form you may be asked if you would like pawprints and fur cut. I must have hoovered up pounds of fur over their lives but this is special. If it's not on the form, just ask.

I opted for individual cremation so had their ashes back. If you want to scatter them tick the box for a tube. My vet loved the most recent old dog and paid for a beautiful casket; Amazon do some lovely ones too.

It's peaceful and terrible at the same time but it sounds as though your dear boy has reached the end of his earthly journey. Love him.

I haven't had a dog pts, but we did have to have our old cat pts last year. I'd reiterate what others say, and add that one of the vet nurses said to us that in her experience people tend to regret waiting too long. Our cat was pretty immobile, but we just spent time with her and fed her all the chicken her heart desired.

I'm sure you gave your dog the best life, and now you have the privilege of giving him the peaceful, dignified death he deserves. Sending love xxx

I can't offer any real advice but wanted to share that our dog collapsed on a walk on Saturday (no previous sign of ill health). We rushed her to the vets who diagnosed a tumour which was stopping her heart from working and recommended she was PTS immediately.

We're absolutely devastated in part because of the shock. We had no time to prepare. We went out on a normal weekend walk with a lively, happy dog and came home without her. We just can't get our heads round it. In your position I would take comfort from having time to prepare for your loss and the knowledge that you've given your dog a good life.

There really isn’t any way to prepare but you are doing the right thing. Me, I would be off work just cuddling them and feeding dog all the nice things like chicken, and doubtless crying non stop. Definitely not too soon.

I am so sorry, it’s the worst part of pet ownership, to do what’s right for them but so sad for you. I have experienced this, tbh there isn’t any way to prepare, it’s a horrible time. The only advice I would give is to block out your diary, cry when you need, and take it easy.

Yes you're right, I appreciate this. It's so challenging with timing but I do think we are making the right decision. Thank you x

So sorry to hear this awful news :( You're right, we're lucky to have the time to prepare xx

I am so sorry, 🌷 from what you’ve said no it is not too soon. It’s a kind thing to let him pass peacefully, rather than get worse. He’s clearly adored and has had a lovely life. Try not to feel guilty.

You're doing the right thing in letting him go with peace and dignity.
Having found my beloved dog in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor one morning, well I'd never wish that on anyone. We had no warning as he wasn't outwardly ill.

Such a hard time. But you know the time has come and it is the kindest thing to do. Don't prepare- be as normal and as normal as possible.

But if you can - get the vet to come to you. Avoid the stress of the journey, the stress of the smell and the vet's for the dog. Sit with him/her on your lap, and hold her/hin tight as he or she goes. Then, let go.

We never spend fancy money on individual cremations and all the fancy 'post' stuff. But best money spent on a home pts. We have done this with everyone of our pets, dogs and cats.

Thank you. We have requested a home visit however our vets aren't too sure if this will be possible which did upset me quite a bit. I'd always hoped he'd go in the peace of his own home so that's another thing I'm finding a challenge. x

If you're in the North West this company arranges home euthanasia. We used them with our DDog and individual cremation was included. They were excellent and we couldn't fault them. Vet came, asked a couple of questions, explained what would happen and then half an hour later they collected him. It meant we got some quiet time to say goodbye just us, and then DH carried him out wrapped in his favourite blanket. Our vets couldn't do a home visit and it was the right thing for our dog and we're glad we used them. If you're not NW they may know a similar company where you are so could be worth a phone call.

www.legacypets.com/

I lost my beloved little dog a couple of months ago.
It was very sudden pancreatitis and then a heart attack later on and she was at the overnight vet and died without me there by her side which was very hard for me to deal with as she was so scared of the vets.
You've time to say goodbye to him ,he knows you love him so just give him lots of love and nice food .I would try another vet to visit your home to pts
I had her cremated and ashes returned to me in a wooden box ,which I'm pleased I did as she's back home with us

We used silvermere haven for cremation

My dog was exactly like yours when I decided to PTS.
Like you, I had a few days to prepare. Horrible days obviously, but I'm very grateful I had that time.

I had a full weekend to prepare. I just spent the weekend with him, just cuddling him and looking at him and telling him I loved him.
Saturday night, his last night, I ordered McDonalds and we shared food. I think I ate more than him. But he might have been the first living being I ever agreed to share my chips with.

On Sunday, maybe it was McDonalds, or maybe not, but for the first time ever in his life, he refused to eat. I took that as a sign that it was definitely time to let him go.

The vet came around mid-day, and weirdly, it was quite peaceful. All the tension of the previous days left, and was replaced by a lot of sadness, obviously. I remember it being physically painful somehow, like losing a limb.
But I was also happy that he went with me holding his paw, without suffering.

A few days after, I received his ashes and it brought me a lot of comfort, I didn't expect that at all.
Now it's been more than two years and thinking about him makes me smile. We had a good little life together, from beginning to end.

I'm sorry OP, it's incredibly hard but it's also the kindest thing you can do for your boy, and having that extra time to prepare is so precious. Just spoil the little guy ❤️

I'm so sorry.

It absolutely sounds like the right time to me.

It's bloody awful but we do it because we love them, and your love shines through in your post.

We had a little toy Phalene PTS January 23,very similar situation to you. Been with the same vets for over 20 years, went back and forth. He was almost 18. Also had a similar scenario to lantyslee,took 3 dogs for a walk,one collapsed,had a ruptured splenic tumour. Neither was any better than the other. I know it works for some people but I wouldn't be able to stay in a house where I had had a dog PTS. It was some months before we could talk about him. We gave him the best life,he slept on our bed. Had a lovely walk on the beach in the sun, just before. Sending you love 💕.