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should i have my dog put down?
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he's 14, deaf, practically blind and suffers from very very itchy skin, with one ear infection after another.
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.It's such a difficult decision. All I would say is be guided by whether your pet is still content - eating and enjoying affection. Pets can often accept illness and disability much better than humans can if they have a happy home and feel loved. They will tell you when it is time to go - and you need to listen with your heart not your head.
Only you can decide. I have three dogs, two (twins) are nearly 15, one blind and deaf, the other almost blind - and he suffers skin and ear problems too - but fundamentally he's not in pain and still appears to be happy - so until such time that I feel he's not, I'll continue to enjoy the pleasure of his company.
just an update for anyone interested.
louie had a good exam by the vet and he's ok for a while yet - thank goodness.She confirmed that he can only see shadows. He has more antibiotics for yet another ear infection and has many other ailments, but she doesn't think he's in pain.
He does have a kind of alzheimers too though, and i know he gets confused at times - often wandering around crying. It is upsetting when he does it. But it's not all the time and he's still eating and enjoys his walks.
So he's going to be around for a while longer. Thanks to everyone for your kind comments xx
louie had a good exam by the vet and he's ok for a while yet - thank goodness.She confirmed that he can only see shadows. He has more antibiotics for yet another ear infection and has many other ailments, but she doesn't think he's in pain.
He does have a kind of alzheimers too though, and i know he gets confused at times - often wandering around crying. It is upsetting when he does it. But it's not all the time and he's still eating and enjoys his walks.
So he's going to be around for a while longer. Thanks to everyone for your kind comments xx
I should have said that one of mine has always been in the remedial class and now, as well as being blind, is also incontinent - but some of us are always a bit dotty (no offence Dot), and we're all going to grow old. I love her, she loves me - and she's pain free and content - it's as simple as that. :o)
How do you choose the day? Diana, I don't really know but you do. I've been in this sad position several times and something has just sort of clicked, the way they look and act or in the case of my last two GSD's they lost the use of their back legs. I've just known it was time to let them go before they start to suffer.
I am so sorry to hear about this. 3 years ago I had to make the decision to put my cat to sleep as she had heart failure she was gasping for breath and it was horrible to watch the vet was very supportive and I sobbed my heart out so much I couldnt drive home because she was 12 and I was very attached to her but I know I did the right thing as it was horrible to see her suffer. So I hope that you and your dog find peace.
Last summer I had to decide the same thing about one of our cats, he was 19 years old and we could see him failing every day. On his last day I just knew it was time, can't explain how I knew I just did, I'm sure that you will also know when the time is right. We had the vet come to our house to do the "deed" as we didn't want him to feel any distress, but to be around familiar things and the people who loved him, it was the right thing for us to do for him. A few weeks afterwards I found this poem, I wished I'd been able to read it before I had to make that awful decision. I shall post it here for you, see if it helps you.
If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep
Then you must do what must be done
For this last battle cannot be won
You will be sad, I understand
Don't let your grief then stay your hand
For this day, more than all the rest
Your love for me must stand the test
We've had so many happy years
What is to come can hold no fears
You'd not want me to suffer so
The time has come, please let me go
Take me where my need they'll tend
And please stay with me until the end
Hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see
I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you do for me
Although my tail my last has waved
From pain and suffering I've been saved
Please do not grieve, it must be you
Who has this painful thing to do
We've been so close, we two these years
Don't let your heart hold back it's tears
I hope you find it helpful, I cannot remember where I found it but I've posted it here for others who found it helped.
If it should be that I grow weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep
Then you must do what must be done
For this last battle cannot be won
You will be sad, I understand
Don't let your grief then stay your hand
For this day, more than all the rest
Your love for me must stand the test
We've had so many happy years
What is to come can hold no fears
You'd not want me to suffer so
The time has come, please let me go
Take me where my need they'll tend
And please stay with me until the end
Hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see
I know in time that you will see
The kindness that you do for me
Although my tail my last has waved
From pain and suffering I've been saved
Please do not grieve, it must be you
Who has this painful thing to do
We've been so close, we two these years
Don't let your heart hold back it's tears
I hope you find it helpful, I cannot remember where I found it but I've posted it here for others who found it helped.