Dobermann - Put to sleep - was it the right thing to do?

[riapnash]

I had my 7 year old Dobermann put to sleep little over 2 weeks ago. He was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (aggressive bone cancer) in mid-February after going lame in January. He had around 21/2 good months of the best life that I could give him, then deterioted after the cancer quickly spread and he had fluid on his lungs. Reluctantly, I called the vet out to the house after he woke me in the early hours in pain. I asked my brother to come and sort it all out, as I could not deal with 'seeing him go'. Once he had gone it felt like a weight had lifted and we buried him in the back garden. Now I feel like I have done the wrong thing and I should have let him go on. I feel that I have let him down in ending his life and that I did not have any right to do so. Has anyone else felt like this?

[cruella]

Hi riapnash,
I am so sorry to hear that your dog had a terminal illness. Even in humans, that type of illness is a very painful one and yes, you did the right thing for him in the end. Please do not beat yourself up about this.
I went through a situation five years ago when my Westie was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
In the end, I allowed him to go with the dignity he deserved and ended his suffering and pain.
That was the last and kindest thing you could have done for him. He has now gone to rainbow bridge and is happy and well again. Go into the Rainbow bridge site on your search engine. There are lots of sites that you can post a memorial to him. I did that and felt better for it.
I went into the pet parade one.
Hope this hepls you.

[kita1]

Yes, I have felt like that, and YES YOU DID THE RIGHT THING!

I lost my first ever dog with bone cancer, she was a GSD and was only 6 years old. It is nearly 20 years ago now and I still feel the pain of parting with her. She was a rescue I took on at a year old and she had sever HD.

I have since read about people going for treatment and amputation, but even today dogs only survive approx. 1 year.

This is a terribly painful condition, I had my girl put to sleep a week after diagnosis, so you are lucky to have had so long with him. At least he was in his own home and had familiar scents around him. They do just go to sleep, my girl had gone before the injection was even over.

I recently spoke to someone who had just lost a dog with this in the front leg, they had actually just left the vets and the dog stumbled, when it got up it could not put the paw on the ground, they went straight back in the vets had the dog x-rayed and found out the bone had disintegrated. The dog did not come out of the anaesthetic. The only treatment for this condition is amputation of the limb and follow up chemo. etc.

That is what would have happened to your dog if you had not let him go. I thank god that I let my girl go before she broke her leg.

I too felt initial relief, that is a stage of grief, just like the guilt you are feeling now. Eventually you will be able to remember the good times and some of the pain will fade.

To this day I do not regret my decision to let her go.

Take care.

[garner]

Oh riapnash it may not have been right for you, but it was right for him.You eased his pain and suffering and thats what counts, it will hurt and the big If Only will keep cropping up in your mind, but it will ease with time.You are not on your own with these feelings.He is at peace now.

[lankeela]

You did not do the wrong thing - you did the only thing you could do to prove how much you loved and cared for him.
Always remember, better a day too soon than a minute too late.

[pussnboots]

What is it with us pet lovers, I have had my old cat now for nearly 17 years, hes ok at the moment, but some days he looks sad and lies asleep for hours and hours, it is constantly on my mind now that his days are numbered, dont know what i'll do without him.

[divegirl]

Hi, have tears in my eyes as I write this as I only lost my dog two weeks ago today. Yes, you did the right thing, you didn't let your baby suffer.....and that's all that counts. My Dane went before his time and that makes it so hard to bear, but it really was for the best for him....and you did the best that you could for your dog. Feel sad, but do not feel bad, as Lankeela says, better too soon than to late, something that you would never forgive yourself for! My thoughts are with you.

Much love

Lisa x

[bensmum]

Yes you did the right thing - it's aways a really difficult decision to make and the natural feeling afterwards is one of guilt. I had my old cat put down just before Christmas and I felt as if I had murdered her even though I knew it was all I could do (she too had a form of bone cancer). However time does help and now I can look back and think that I did the right thing for her. You could not have made your dog well - he is no longer in pain and you will feel bad for now but it will get easier. My thoughts are with you
XX

[riapnash]

Many thanks to all who answered by question so swiftly, it has helped to put my mind at ease somewhat. I know I made the right decision in giving him the most time he had left that I could, as he would not have coped with having his leg front leg amputated, let alone the bouts of chemo to follow and for the few extra months he would have gained, I was not prepared to put him through all that.................. here's hoping that we meet again in the next life.

[burchgirl07]

Hello, riapnash
I think you have done the right thing. You know you did not want him to suffer. I know it was hard for you to do and I'm sorry you had to make that choice. Don't feel bad about it. He probably was in a lot of pain.

[redhead23]

riap,
wehad to put down our 9 year old collie it was the hardest thing we had to do , the dog was in pain, your dog woke u he was in so much pain
please rest assured YOU DID THE RIGHT THING ! its a dumb animal and cant ask for help u did the right thing for the animal , although obviously you feel the pain , it will subside in time i promise you all the best xx