Euthanasia and your pet

[#22]

My thought are with you and everybody else that has to go / gone through this. Difficult times.

I still tear up when I think of the two friends I have lost.
Miss you Max.
Miss you Cedric.

[Coach]

Sorry for Jake's passing. I'm sure he appreciated all you gave him.

I hate coming in here. Can't stand the thought of losing my buddy.

[Flames_Gimp]

My 12 year old German Shep is battling degenerative myleopathy and I'm really struggling with what I think is the hardest decision of my life..and i'm constantly pressured by a roommate to put her down, so I have zero support. how the hell did you guys deal with this decision?

she is still sharp as a tack, awesome appetite and still overall happy and its not a painful condition. has good days and bad but poops in her sleep and a turd here and there in the house daily and has to drag her ass in evenings as she can't stand up

2017


2008

[something]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

My 12 year old German Shep is battling degenerative myleopathy and I'm really struggling with what I think is the hardest decision of my life..and i'm constantly pressured by a roommate to put her down, so I have zero support. how the hell did you guys deal with this decision?

she is still sharp as a tack, awesome appetite and still overall happy and its not a painful condition. has good days and bad but poops in her sleep and a turd here and there in the house daily and has to drag her ass in evenings as she can't stand up

Beautiful girl... You are in a tough spot right now and I feel your pain. Been there before and it was absolutely the hardest thing I had to go through in my life - the decision was so obvious and yet it crippled me.

You will know when the time is right, not your roommate. The time will be right not when you are ready, but when your pooch is. You know her better than anyone - don't have someone else tell you when that is. In the meantime your roommate needs to take a few steps back and appreciate how difficult this is on you both. They might think they are helping, they might think they are making the decision for you, but it is not their place and a gentle reminder should be enough to communicate this.

Prepare yourself. As hard as it might seem now, it will be harder. But know that in time the good memories will surface and you will know that you gave her the best life you could have as well as the best transition. She will be at rest when the time comes, and you will recover. You will never stop missing her, but that doesn't mean the pain won't subside.

Chin up! We are here for you.

[afc wimbledon]

My girlfriends old dog, Frank was 20, senile as hell, half blind and had to be diapered as he had little bladder control, whether that was due to him not knowing where he was or not able to hold it we couldn't tell, but he wasn't in pain, he seemed happy, he enjoyed his food even went for the odd walk.

My girlfriend was so guilty about him peeing on the floor as dog diapers are not exactly stellar designs and so was always asking if we should put him down, I wouldn't put a dog down for peeing on the floor though, as I said to my foster kids 'that'll be me in a few years time and I'm not setting any precedents!' they liked that and I think my kids, who were a bit 'broken' and not perfect themselves liked that I gave a crap about a dog that was a bit broken and not perfect.

Eventually though Frank started to make random yelps and was clearly in pain, at that point I let my girlfriend know it was time, ironically she was the one distraught and in tears, I grew up with a farmers attitude to dogs and so just figured it was his time and we'd given him a good life.

[bigtmac19]

So sorry to hear FG. She's a beauty. It is extremely hard to say goodbye, you will know when the time is right.

[Flames_Gimp]

thanks guys, It's very close but she's not quite ready yet. She has a doggy wheelchair which she had no problem using the first time, might be trying it inside now. The roommate lives in the basement and only helps out every other weekend, i'll never understand the reasoning that a dog should be put down just because of some poop, she's a living soul and life is worth more than an inconvenience.

[FlamesKickAss]

Hey FG, that is what my dog had and we made the decision when he couldn't get up to go for a walk which he loved. It is all about quality of life.

It was the hardest decision I have ever made. Everyday it gets easier.

As hard as it is to say it is better for the dog to make the decision a day too earlier than a day too late

[killer_carlson]

FG, we're not far off with one of our little guys. Sharp as a tack but the back end is becoming paralyzed. I can relate very closely to your situation.

[Flames_Gimp]

I appreciate the support guys!

[schteve_d]

Such a tough call.

I have a senior dog now and I dread the day. A few years ago I had to put down his "brother" (not biological), a 15 year old lab cross. Tore my heart apart and after it was done I had to admit to myself that I hung on to him a little too long, with the best of intentions. I swore to this one I would make a better decision if the same thing has to be done for him.

Certainly not trying to push you towards that, but I've told others too, don't hang on to the point that you'll feel guilty. Really consider who you are hanging onto them for, them or you. If they are still happy and enjoying a quality of life, then age is just a number!

Sadly there is no right answer and either way you'll likely question it later. Just do what you have to with the best of intentions and be prepared to defend your decision to yourself later.

[Flames_Gimp]

Originally Posted by schteve_d

Such a tough call.

I have a senior dog now and I dread the day. A few years ago I had to put down his "brother" (not biological), a 15 year old lab cross. Tore my heart apart and after it was done I had to admit to myself that I hung on to him a little too long, with the best of intentions. I swore to this one I would make a better decision if the same thing has to be done for him.

Certainly not trying to push you towards that, but I've told others too, don't hang on to the point that you'll feel guilty. Really consider who you are hanging onto them for, them or you. If they are still happy and enjoying a quality of life, then age is just a number!

Sadly there is no right answer and either way you'll likely question it later. Just do what you have to with the best of intentions and be prepared to defend your decision to yourself later.

Thanks for the post, it's so hard because somedays she can walk all day and some days she's dragging her ass by the afternoon, I guess when her bad days start to out number her good days I will have to do it. I'm waiting on a new Harrnes so my aide can hold her back end up to walk her, I want her to at least have some good outings before she goes

[schteve_d]

There's also nothing wrong with giving your dog aspirin for pain. I was giving the labX half in the morning and half in the evening, hidden in a chunk of fine liver sausage - it was the only thing he wouldn't find it in! It did help him. It can be hard on their liver, but at 15 years old I wasn't worried about his long-term health and wanted him to be as comfortable as possible. He was on the aspirin for at least a year and a half.

From what I understand though, aspirin only, not tylenol or advil, etc.

[Flames_Gimp]

well she has gone downhill the past week, it might be time, has anyone used vetstogo for euthanasia? Just wondering what the fee is?

[Dion]

Sorry to hear that Gimp.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

well she has gone downhill the past week, it might be time, has anyone used vetstogo for euthanasia? Just wondering what the fee is?

sorry, bear up as best you can, be effed up if you need to

[#22]

Sorry to hear this, FG. My thoughts are with you. What a beautiful dog.

As the owner of an 8 year old German Shepherd female who has already had one major back surgery and has her struggles, this hits very close to home.

Can't help you with info on vetstogo, as we used the C.A.R.E. Centre Animal Hospital in Heritage Meadows the last time we had to go through this.

[Suzles]

I don't know the cost but I have heard exceptionally great things about VetsToGo.

[Baron von Kriterium]

Originally Posted by Flames_Gimp

well she has gone downhill the past week, it might be time, has anyone used vetstogo for euthanasia? Just wondering what the fee is?

Yes, I will recommend Vetstogo and especially Dr Wendy. I can't comment on the fee because my wife paid it haha.

The overriding factor for us was our old Pug got more scared of the vet's office as he aged, so we didn't want to stress him out any further. So, bringing the vet to us was the proper choice.

She was very compassionate and will talk you through the entire procedure. They will also set up the cremation if you want.

I am sorry to read about your dog, Gimp. It's never an easy decision, but it is often the correct decision.

Regards,

[Fuzz]

One thing my vet did, that I am happy to have, was to take a paw print on a mini canvas. I was super happy to get it, becuase I wasn't around when she had to be put down and it's nice to have a little something around. It's something you could do yourself before.

It's kinda like this, but nicer: