Decisions at EoL

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I’ve got an old rescue dog. She’s generally rickety but not totally decrepit, doesn’t walk more than 10 mins anymore and mostly stays on her bed. She’s also taken to toileting in the house but we don’t think she’s really incontinent, but more likely perhaps cognitive issue. Realistically her quality of life isn’t great and isn’t going to get better. We think we need to PTS. What would you do? It feels a bit like a practical decision and a bit cold not to wait til its really obvious it’s time. Also wondering what other people do on final arrangements. Is it normal to use group or individual cremation? Will we regret not getting the ashes back?

It's very much a personal choice, as unhelpful as that is.

For me, the last time I had a dog PTS it was when she could no longer go on the long walks she used to. I watched her getting more and more depressed as slowly her walks reduced - she wasn't incontinent, still sharp as a tac etc, but she loved her walks and only going on 15 minute walks twice a day destroyed her. Watching her get depressed as the other dogs all went out and she was left at home with DDs was soul-destroying. So I made the decision.

I would rather a week, or even a month, early than a day late. I would never forgive myself if I thought I had delayed PTS a beloved family member for myself and, even worse, if I knew deep down they weren't happy or had a bad quality of life.

I've always done individual cremations. It costs more. It's worth it for me. Then I scatter their ashes on their favourite beach.

Sorry you're going through this. It's horrible to say goodbye to a dog.

Have you seen a vet yet? Sometimes things like arthritis can cause toileting indoors and decreased activity but pain relief can greatly increase quality of life.

You are absolutely doing the right thing to consider PTS when quality of life is no longer good (better a week too soon than a day too late) but from the information you have give there could be something manageable.

Ashes back is very much a personal decision; having worked on reception at a vets previously, some did, some didn't. Some scatter them in a favourite place or part of the garden, some keep them indoors in an urn, box or ornament.

Thanks for your replies. Yes she does seem depressed, and I have terrible guilt because with a young family (which she hates) I’m unable to give her the quality time in a way that meets her current, sedate needs, eg can’t take her out at the same time as the toddler like I could when we used a pushchair, can’t spend ages sat with her making a fuss of her so she gets less attention than she used to. She’s looked after and has medication for arthritis, was last seen at the vet before Christmas. Would like to go into the vets next time with a plan really and your replies have helped.

With the quality of life you describe, personally I would get a dog like that put to sleep. It is a very personal decision though and I know some people would disagree. I don't mind if people think I'm cold, I know that I give my pets a very good life but I also want them to have a good death if that makes sense. Our old Lab we PTS at 13.5 and he could have gone on a bit longer. But we remember him now as the happy, active dog he was for almost all his life. I don't want any of my pets to suffer or be unhappy.

Hoping euthanasia will be legal & relatively easy for me when I'm old and infirm too.

With your update, yes, I'd plan a date soon. Say goodbye, some special treats, & maybe consider a home visit vet if she finds vet visits stressful.

I didn't mean to imply she wasn't well cared for & I'm sorry if it came across that way. I just remember having patients in similar circumstances where owners had assumed it was near the end and delayed visiting the vets as they didn't want to say goodbye, but then we were able to give a few more good months or longer with pain relief for arthritis. If you've already tried that and QOL is still low then I'd say it sounds like time.