Would you put the dog to sleep?

[ForFirmBiscuit]

I have only just the other day began speaking with an elderly neighbour, their dog is very old. They still drink and eat, very much loved, but very bored. The dog has arthritis, their legs are sticking out when they walk and it feels sorry for itself. The neighbour mentioned they want to have them taken to the vet because they’re not doing fine, I’m wondering if they mean to be PTS. I personally wouldn’t and would want them to live out their days comfortably until they’re ready to go. I feel judgemental and couldn’t imagine putting a pet to sleep unless very necessary

From what youve said, it doesn't sound like it's at all comfortable

Euthanasia is a gift when a dog has a poor quality of life

Hopefully, the owners are bringing it to the vet so it can be checked over and medicated to make it comfortable. Which it sounds like should have been done some time ago?

Obviously, if past this point, putting it to sleep is in its best interest.

You said the dog looks bored and sorry for itself and its legs are sticking out when it walks. How old is the dog and which breed is it? Is the dog on any medication for arthritis?

Most dogs (especially larger ones) will have arthritic back legs as they age and will need some sort of supplements or painkillers.

I would be recommending that your neighbours take the dog to a vet for a check-up first of all before any big decisions are to be made.

Leaving euthanasia until it's very necessary is too late for me personally.
I've seen and worked with dogs who have been kept alive far beyond any reasonable quality of life, even with medication to attempt to keep them comfortable.

Whilst some discomfort is to be expected with ageing, letting them go before their life becomes completely miserable and painful is the final act of love any owner can provide their pet.

Sorry op but I completely disagree.

An animal in pain that just eats and sleeps is not enjoying life however much an owner loves them.

I think leaving PTS late is not in the best interest of the pet and is prolonging their suffering.

pts is kinder
but you dont know your neighbours intentions.

If eating and toileting then no. But once one of those things stops I always think it’s time.

Why would you leave a dog in pain for any longer than you have to?

It sounds like the dog is in constant pain, has worsening mobility, and with arthritis it's always going to be getting worse not better.

I'd have no problem with a dog as you've described being PTS, if that's what the owner and vet think is in the dog's best interest. I deeply regret allowing my vet to talk me into prolonging the life of my cat and medicating her up to the eyeballs. Quality of life is far more important than quantity.

Sounds like the dog is merely existing rather than living so yes I would agree with your neighbour that it was time. Being able to give a pet a dignified ending is one of the last kind things you can do for your beloved pet.

Although from your post I'm not sure why you would think to question the owners decision you know neither the owner or the pet?

I personally wouldn’t and would want them to live out their days comfortably until they’re ready to go.

It’s not about you or a dogs comfort. It’s about their happiness. That dog could live another five years if it can’t walk and is clearly in pain (arthritis) then it’s cruel to prolong it.

The owner sounds incredibly responsible.

But ultimately, it’s got sweet naff all to do with you and I hope you kept your opinions to yourself when the owner confided in you.

Our vet said she'd not had anyone regret doing it too soon, but had had many clients regret leaving it too late.

I suppose the vet will be quite a good person to judge.

Yes, we had our DDog PTS in January in these circumstances.

She looked at me one day and looked so sad, I just knew it was time.

It's a bloody difficult decision - I felt like I'd killed her for weeks after but it's the ultimate kindness.

You have known this dog 5mins and are questioning the choice of your neighbours who know their pet, live with it 24/7 etc.

They are the bare minimum of quality of life, and there really should be more than that to keep the dog going.

It's none of your business OP unless you suspect actual animal abuse.

A dog will stop eating when it's ready to go. If they are just getting rid of him because he's an inconvenience, you're right to be disgusted.

Why would you assume euthanasia rather than taking it for treatment? Seems a bit of a leap tbh.

But a dog in constant pain from arthritis isn’t comfortable, I’ve had a 6 year old dog PTS for arthritis, we threw all the meds at it hoping it might just be a flare up that would calm back down, it didn’t and it was much kinder to have him PTS over leaving him in pain and miserable because he could no longer do the things he enjoyed doing. He could still eat, drink and toilet… but that was it, that’s no life for a dog.

You could have put him in a pram or something and given him proper pain medication and management.
doesn’t sound like they were ready to go. No one with arthritis gets out to sleep they get different treatments until something works so why murder a dog for it

Funnily enough I was just speaking to our vet about this having left our elderly cat there for 24 hours to see if they can perk her up with fluids etc.
She said the vast majority of people leave it too late and its better to do it before its really obvious that the animal needs to be PTS.
I have been guilty of leaving a beloved pet suffering too long before but its selfish really and I won't do it again

Better a week to soon than a day too late. The vet will assess the dog but it doesn't sound comfortable or happy to me, and we actually CAN do something about an animal suffering unlike people.

The neighbour mentioned they want to have them taken to the vet because they’re not doing fine, I’m wondering if they mean to be PTS.

Probably they meant taking it to the vet to see if there was appropriate treatment, and if not maybe consider PTS.

But anyway, OP - you sound like someone who likes being judgmental more than you really care for animal welfare.

And you also don't seem to give a shit about your elderly neighbour. Caring for an elderly, infirm dog can be very, very hard work and may be impacting that human being's physical and mental health and well-being.

Because it’s selfish and cruel to keep a dog going when it’s in so much pain that all it can do is eat, drink,sleep and go for a hobble to go to the toilet.

Of course he was getting treatment for it, it no longer worked for him.

I got convinced by a vet to give my cat 24 hours on iv fluids and antibiotics.

It was a big mistake and I should have PTS sooner.

I hate to break it to you, OP, but dogs aren't people.

It's not murder. It's mercy.

You're either a troll or completely thick to not understand this.