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

Don’t call me thick. I know a dog isn’t a person? Why would you think I think that. they don’t deserve to die because they have a physical health condition, they deserve support

I have had to make this decision several times, and have tried to make sure it is done before the dog is in awful pain, depressed and struggling. The vet has always agreed with me. I have an elderly dog now, still eating, drinking, toileting and enjoying short walks. When she starts to struggle, I will make that decision for her, as a final act of love.

Because you said 'murder' - it's not murder. Not by any definition. Describing it as such is ignorant and thoughtless and shows how little understanding you have on both topics.

It's not about 'deserving' it's about what's right.

You've clearly never had a pet because if you had you would never think to ask this sort of question. A good, responsible, owner does no prolong an animals life for their own pleasure or enjoyment.

Arthritis in dogs is agony. As it is with humans. Even with medication, a lot are in constant pain. Just because they don't scream or cry or vocalise their pain doesn't mean it's not there. Because dogs are unable to support themselves on a particular leg or joint, they then put extra pressure on their other legs or joints - sometimes the back goes to help accommodate that - eventually they will be unable to move far if at all. It sounds like this dog is already there. It's not comfortable for any dog to live like that. And if the dogs legs are 'sticking out' as you described it - chances are it is in agony most of the time. Medication can help. But it is not a cure and it does not eradicate the pain nor the frustration the dog feels.

Dog owners (and cat, horse owners etc) know this. By this point, pretty much every responsible owner or vet will advocate for PTS - as a mercy for that dog. Most dogs with arthritis die within a couple of years - often less.

The fact this dog is old and is still going, is remarkable and is a testament to that owners love and dedication. But it does not change the fact the dog is suffering. That the owner has made that choice shows their love for their pet and your criticism and comparison to 'murder' are, IMO, judgmental, sick and unfeeling.

Lots of posters on dog house have gone through this and for to compare their final act of selfless love to murder is a disgrace.

I recently had my dog PTS- had cancer, was losing weight but still 'happy' walking, eating, although losing weight. Made the decision to euthanise whilst still had some quality of life, because the thought of one day (soon) finding her whimpering and needing dragged out the house in pain to do it seemed barbaric when I didn't have to. She was a big dog, so would not have been able to lift her into the car without it being painful, and whilst it was heartbreaking to do it, I'm now very happy I did it that way

Keeping a dog (or any pet) alive by pumping it full of multiple drugs is cruel & unkind. Dogs live for the moment, not the future, so they can just mark their pain & suffering.

you said it cannot walk properly & looks unhappy- this is a clue that the dog is suffering. Luckily the owner sounds responsible and prepared to do what is in the best interests of their dog.

why would a dog be happy living in a pram? That’s ridiculous.

I am now assuming this is a deliberately inflammatory post if you are calling responsible dog owners and effectively vets for putting a dog to sleep if their quality of life is non existent and in pain.

No, that would make sense. But if you haven’t exhausted all your options to give the pet a comfortable life , then don’t PTS

How do you know that the dog isn’t already on all the pain medications it can have ?

But if you haven’t exhausted all your options to give the pet a comfortable life , then don’t PTS

From what you wrote in your OP you've no idea whether your neighbour has already done that or is planning on a vet visit to do that rather than PTS.

Presumably you do realise that 'all your options' will vary according to the owners circumstances and the dog. 'Putting in a pram' may be helpful for extending the quality of life of some dogs - but this is only possible if the dog is small enough and the human strong/mobile enough to lift it.

It's not living though is it
It's like with dementia - I don't want to live with that
My cat was needing steroid injections constantly due to a urine issue and the vet said one day these will stop working, and he's very frail
He had a steroid injection, I took him home and I booked him to be PTS a few days later. The last thing I wanted was me driving 45 mins to the OOH vets with him in pain as an emergency. So he went slightly early but it was the equivalent of a 95yo dying instead of a 97yo
I've never regretted it, he never felt pain or suffering, he just went cuddled in my arms while I broke my heart

But you don't know what the owners have or haven't done, or even if they're going to get the dog PTS, you're just making a snap judgement based on a tiny snapshot of their day

Unfortunately for the OP exhausted all your options means pumping the animal full of drugs to make it look like the animal has a vague quality of life. Usually done to make the owner feel better rather than the welfare of the animal.