Putting Dog To Sleep

[bednobs]

I have a 15 year old collie alsation cross. He has had what I think is dementia for at least a year. He's not well at the moment. He's really stiff and sore when he walks and his walks have been cut down to around five minutes. He is struggling to eat and hasn't really eaten anything for 4 days. He's been sick once in that time. His breathing seems laboured at times. I have an appt at the vets tonight but what I'm worried about is that I'm just talking myself into thinking he needs to be put down. Those signs above don't seem clear cut to me. At 15 I don't want him to have any investigations. He is still waggy when I interact with him. How on earth do you decide the right time???

[Tilly2]

The vet will advise you, Bednobs.

[kvalidir]

It's so hard, our dog Tomas was like that deaf, blind, wobbly, bit confused right up until he eventually died on his own terms curled up on the sofa, really sweetly and peacefully, but for a good couple of months we were considering what was in his best interests. Our vet said he's not in any pain, he still responds positively to you when you touch him and you interact with him and he's still enjoying treats and what not so there is no medical need for him to be put down and he thought he might just be entering his stage to die, which he was. since your dog isn't eating at all however, that might be different but if he's drinking and still waggy I'd be inclined to take your vets ad=vice, as dying is a process not a one second event with animals particularly I think. It's so horrible and I hope you are okay x

[murraymints]

oh dear so sorry..what Kva said xx

[Islay]

Oh darling - see what your vet says - I agree about the investigations at his age it would seem a lot to put him through.
Good luck for tonight xx

[anneasquith]

Take advice from the vet bednobs, you will make the proper decision that's best for the dog . good luck .

[bednobs]

I am really worried he'll have an event at home or perhaps just be dead when I come home one day. He is the first pet I will have made this decision for as my cats were run over and my older cat we were given an ultimatum by the vet! I am also trying to manage my six year olds (human) expectations as well as my own emotions and it feels a bit overwhelming.

[anneasquith]

Wee six year olds are much more resilient than us sometimes, just keep her informed at all times what is happening, allow her to say " Good-by".

[Sqad]

"He is struggling to eat and hasn't really eaten anything for 4 days. He's been sick once in that time. His breathing seems laboured at times."

C'mon Bednobs.........you are no fool.

[bednobs]

But I am when it comes to this particular lump of fur :)

[Sqad]

"How on earth do you decide the right time???"

That was the question that i answered.
Everyone who has pets goes through that emotional trauma and you are just delaying the clear decision.

[kvalidir]

Let your 6 year old see it all, my parents always did and it gave me a really handle on death, and our own mortality and the way it's a natural if unwanted part of life, she'll deal with it really well, be upset obviously, but it's such a gift you can give her that these days a lot of parents mistakenly don't. Have a chat with her about it and explain he IS going to die and that that's okay because everything does, but let her help make decisions and do nice things for him, and it'll be fine x

[Islay]

Your daughter will be placated with a ‘pup has gone for a really long sleep as he was tired’ and when the time is right you may get another but at the moment in your heart and head you know what the right thing to do is. Xx

[NoMercy]

The one thing that tortures me is wondering if I let Alfie go on too long. He had a good life, he was loved and no expense was spared in treating his condition.

But ... did I put him through it for too long???

The kindest thing you can do is end his suffering and give him a dignified ending with his mum there to cuddle him as he falls asleep for the final time.

My thoughts are with you x

[bednobs]

I have already told her he is coming to the end of his life. I'm not sure I can even go in buthe will ask her if she wants to go. She goes to a religious school although I'm not religious at all but I have already told her the vet is going to help marmite go to heaven

[chrissa1]

So sorry for you bednobs. I went through this in November last year with my black Lab, Toby. He had dementia, and life for hIm was becoming a “puzzle.” You could tell that he had become to be unsure of where he was and what to do next.

He stopped eating too and rarely finished his dinner before going back to sit in the corner that had become his “world.”

Walks were becoming shorter and slower a,though he still enjoyed a good sniff but, even those were becoming longer and longer and he would sniff the same patch of grass over and over, sometimes standing in the same place for a good three minutes.

There was no welcome wag and he would just lie in his corner looking, bewildered.

My vet and I decided it was the kindest thing to do for him and although it broke my heart, I know I had done the right thing.

I told my granddaughters, (9 & 4) and they said their goodbyes. I didn’t take the eldest one with me and I’m glad I didn’t.

You Must Be there with him though. I made the mistake 30 years ago of not being there for my first Lab and I’ve regretted it all my life. I was there with Toby and cuddled and stroked him as the vet gave him the injection. The last thing he felt was my arms and the last thing he heard was my familiar voice telling him what a good boy he was and that I loved him. (I’m in tears writing this) so I know how hard it is.

Let him go and remember all the good life you had together. XX

[woofgang]

bedknobs I think you know really don't you? Anyway here is an objective score checklist...and I am so sorry, its never easy and nor should it be but those of us who have beloved companion animals take on that suffering so that our beloved animals don't have to.
https://journeyspet.com/pet-quality-of-life-scale-calculator/

[hereIam]

If he hasn't eaten properly for four days and has been sick and he's also stiff and sore, then surely his time has come poor old soul. My collie alsation cross was 17 when I had to have him pts and what decided me was that he had gone off his food for a few days and was also beginning to struggle to walk. His quality of life was over and as heartbreaking as it was, I had the vet come round and put him to sleep in the comfort of his own home. It damn near killed me, but it was the right thing to do for him and that was all that mattered. The time is right now bednobs - thinking of you xx

[tamborine]

Dog has given you invaluable loyalty & pleasure but his present condition is distressing to you all & the dog. Insist the dog is put down & out of its suffering

[Ratty2E]

In your heart of hearts you know the right time and it sounds like that time has come, look into their eyes and they will tell you. I've been through this a few times and I've never regretted doing it too soon but I will always feel bad about the times I've left it it too long. Helping our beloved friends on their final journey is the final act of love for them.

[Tilly2]

How did it go, Bednobs?