Dilemma

[Propermadam]

WWYD? We were going to have 17 year old dog PTS over Easter. He has kidney disease (stage 3) and I have two autustic daughters who need to know what's happening ahead of time.

My DD, 18 is about to start her A level exams, is stressed and on the cusp of burnout. And just on Monday our cat was hospitalised, and prognosis is very uncertain.

On top of this, DDog has developed a nasty sore on his back and is anxious and in pain, and is crashing around the house with a cone.

Younger daughter has significant support needs, and DH is frequently away with work. She's back at school next week (three hours out of my day taking her to and from), and the cat also needs twice daily vet visits. Husband is away two nights, and daughter also has 2/3 medical appointments a week.

My thinking is that now might be the right time to PTS? For me, as well as for him? We delayed as he had found more energy, but with this sore, and the twice a night toilet needs, and the frequent accidents in the house, on top of everything else, it's too much?

Of course, I've then got to think about how things will be if we lose the cat, too? I just don't know what to do? Thank you.

Yes I think it’s time

Better a week too early than a day too late

if he’s anxious and in pain with this sore then it definitely sounds like it’s time

I know it's tough OP, but please put the welfare of your dog first. Call the vet to talk it through with them if you think that will help your decision. Unfortunately, we can not always be prepared for life's events, and this is one of those times (as much as I understand this will be very upsetting for your daughter)

Sadly think l to PTS as soon as possible.Sounds like it’s pretty miserable and we never really know how uncomfortable they are as they hide it so well.It’s the one great thing we can do for our lovely pets to ease their suffering.

Thank you. We've decided to do the right thing for him. I needed some clarity on this. I've taken his cone off him, and am going to get some pain relief from the vets for him today.

Bless you xx I know just how awful it is.we had to unexpectedly put our beautiful senior dog down-she already had doggy Demetia but she then had an accident and broke bones in her paw. Whilst she was under for her X-ray the vet phoned and said it’s just too much for her to recover from-if she had been younger she could have surgery.We thought we had longer with her-we were heartbroken and we miss her so much still.Looking back now i think it did save us the dilemma you were facing.We had to do it and in some ways the decision with the accident decided for us.she was not brought round from sedation and she slipped away with us there cuddling and kissing her.thinking of you and your family today 💐particularly your girls.

I'm so sorry. It's a horrible decision to have to take. We were in a similar situation a couple of years ago and our autistic DD actually coped really well. She had had some processing time (only a couple of days) but then took it better than the rest of us tbh.