When is the right time to put your dog down?

[fishfreak1242]

Im sooo srry to heard about your dog. I know how u feel. I used to have a collie. He was 9 years old until he started to throw up blood and he was in much pain. We took him to the vet and they x-rayed his stomach and they found a stress ball, a pincone (which was wierd because they weren't even the pinecones that were around our neiborhood), and a few other items that they couldnt make out. The vet said he would have to go through surgery and he would have a long recovery. We didnt want to put him in any more pain so we made the decision to put him down. If he is constantly in pain then maybe you should consider putting him down.

 

[clownfish11]

okay well 2 years ago my mom suprised me by getting me a DOG!!! she got my a male cockapoo and i named him duke...when we got him i was with him 24/7 and i was till the end...okay so i was off somewhree one day and i came out to find me mom sad, and she told me duke attacked somebody today, and then seh todl me i think we have to put him down, well guess what i convinced her to not do it, and he got better, but then one day he attacked again :-(, and it was the final straw, and my mom took my best friend away from me cuz of smthng i had nothing to do with he never harmed me he loved me......i cant even begin to explain my emotions the day he was taken away from me....well lets just say broke my hand on the wall, cried for 3 days straight, and passed out...
heres a pic of my buddy

 

[beth]

You will know when the right time comes to make that decision and it will be based on what is best for your dog. In the meantime, enjoy each other and allow him to live life to the fullest that he can. Some pain is a natural process in life, so, even though your dog suffers some, its still better than not living, and not having you and your family, in my view. When the suffering becomes impossible for him, such as the experience that journeyman tells us, then you will know its time to deal with your friend's death in a loving and gentle manner.
Clownfish, sorry for such an awful experience.

 

[lovethesea]

You will know, and he will let you know. My sis in law just did this several months ago with their 11 year old lab. (hip displasia,kindey problems etc)
They ultimately made their decision when Bo was getting very cranky and short tempered. They were afraid he would possibly hurt someone. He was also having problems getting out of the house in time for his "business". He was miserable.
How is Harley around the babies?? The masiff is a cutie. He will experience a loss/grieving also.

 

[crimzy]

Thanks for all the replies and well wishers. Harley is doing ok for right now. He still follows me around the house and wants to play with our other dog. His falling and whimpering is not all that often but, unfortunately it is progressively getting worse so I know the time will come eventually.
I do have a slight concern with Harley and my daughters, in all honesty. My 2 year old loves the dogs... follows them around, plays with their tails and even tries to cuddle with them. My mastiff loves this. However Harley seems to be a bit nervous that she will fall on him and hurt him. There was a time when she tried to cuddle with him and layed on his hindquarters and he yelped. Ever since then I make sure that I keep a good eye on both of them to make sure that my daughter doesn't do anything like that again.
For right now Harley is ok. He still thinks he is a puppy except his body just doesn't cooperate. These stories help because I can relate to each of your situations.

 

[krista921]

my buddy seths dog got real old n wasnt able to get up any more. i happend to come over the day they decided to put her down
i have never seen such a big boy so upset
saddest thing ever

 

[crimzy]

I was looking for this article last night but had to get the date to find it. If you are a dog lover, take a minute and read this article: http://204.176.34.196/oaklandpress/a...sp?ID=10500088
Kramer was a dog who belonged to a good friend of mine. I took care of him at times when she was out of town. At that time, my dogs were really young. While staying at my house, we lifted him with the homemade splint/walker and tended to him. Kramer was an unbelievably sweet dog but was also very, very disabled. I had the opportunity to say goodbye the night before Kramer was put down. St. Bernards are amazing animals but it is unfortunate how short their lives tend to be and how often they have to go through these problems.

 

[lexluethar]

So freaking sad. I'm sorry you have to go through this.

Here are some pictures of my little guy:
When we first brought him home.

This Christmas.

 

[mfp1016]

Crimzy, sorry to hear about your puppy. Sounds like you're making his lost few dog years the most enjoyable yet. Take Care

 

[keri]

Count up the good days and weight them out against the bad.... I know 8 is OLD for a bernard and even though I have seen the difference a total hip replacement makes in a dog's life I think I would agree with you on not putting an "old man" through it, it's a long recovery. (I wouldn't on my own dog if it was that breed) I feel for what you're going through right now. *hugs*
And to all those thinking of getting a dog at risk of hip displaysia: It often takes over two years to really begin to show up, but get your vet to take an xray at the time of spay or neuter to give you an idea of what you're up against and even before that, if you can afford it GET pet health insurance... it could mean the difference of being able to afford a big surgery and putting your best friend down someday. (If you get the insurance Before a problem is discovered you will

e a lot more likely to be covered)

 

[jrthomas40]

man never is the right time....me and my mom put my dog down almost a 1.5 years ago now and i still remember the feeling and can even picture it in my head if i close my eyes and think about it, i can even remember the conversation we had with a total strange at the vets office that day trying to console us then after it was done digging the grave and putting my best friend in the ground.....i even still tear up thinking about it....but it was time he was a 14yr chow mix with arthritis, bonespurs and hip displasia but he held on for almost 2 years and tired his best to act like he wasnt hurting but would whimper all night in pain then couldnt even get up 2 steps and eventually didnt even get up to great us at the door when we came home...starting using the "bathroom" in the house cuz he didnt want to walk up/down the 2 steps to go outside....so as much as i wanted him to go naturally i finally had to agree and subside is pain

 

[crimzy]

I got home from work today and Harley couldn't get up... at all. My wife couldn't lift him to help him up so he just laid in one spot whining for a couple of hours. I had to pick him up to put him on his bed when I got home. When I returned home again this evening, I had to pick him up again so he could go outside. Apparently, although I didn't hear it, my wife heard him up last night whimpering.
But Harley's not ready to go yet. He looks at me and just wants to lick my face and get some lovin. He still has the same personality that he had as a puppy. He's not ready yet. Neither am I...

 

[miaheatlvr]

Depressing story... sorry for your hardships.. im glad to see your sticking with it.. :0(

 

[tizzo]

Originally Posted by crimzy
http:///forum/post/2546043
But Harley's not ready to go yet. He looks at me and just wants to lick my face and get some lovin. He still has the same personality that he had as a puppy. He's not ready yet. Neither am I...
Ya know "they say" when the animals quality of life is diminished, it's time. And you usually hear examples of quality of life as physical things...running, jumping, playing fetch. But it's in their eyes. When he still looks excited to see you, then HIS quality of life is fine. When you come home from work one day and all you see in his eyes are pain, and there is nothing you can do for him, and that look won't go away... then, it's time.
Good luck with this. I'm all teary eyed just reading this thread. I'm such a sissy!

 

[michaeltx]

only you can make this hard choice and beleive me it wont be easy to do. I worked with the vets offices doing a pet cemetary in Texas. The one thing that everyone *including myself* could say was I just knew it was time I didnt want to but I knew it was the right time to say goodbye.
Its hard to do to a family member though and its a very emotional thing to do aswell.
The one thing I can tell you seeing it first hand when the shot is administered is its painless on them and they will just fall asleep and you will know that there pain is gone.
Good luck with your descion it wont be easy but you will know when its the right time.
Mike

 

[1journeyman]

Brutal. Sorry man.

 

[al mc]

Crimzy...Sorry about your situation. You may have already discussed these things with your vet, but if you have not...a couple things to consider to try to help.
1. Adequan...A hyaluronic supplement that does have some antiinflammatory
and chondroprotective effects (may decrease pain and increase joint mobility)
2. Glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate/msm...'building blocks' that may help the catilage heal/protect remaining cartilage. Pain in the joints comes from the wearing away of the cartilage surface in joints allowing bones, which has more nerve supply than cartilage, to rub on bone=discomfort. Many senior large breed dog foods have these ingredients in them, but additional supplementation may help.
3. Cox2 inhibitor antiinflammatories: Rimadyl and Daramaxx...Both excellent products with some possible liver damage whem used in the long term. However, since you are not talking long term..just making him comfortable..This may help
4. when all else fails...Corticosteroids....Lots of side effects, but may allow him to enjoy life for a little bit longer.
5. I use a 'fire wood' carrier around their mid scetion to help them stand and encourage them to walk. Exercise on flat non skid surfaces are good.
Best of luck.

 

[crimzy]

Originally Posted by Al Mc
http:///forum/post/2546195
Crimzy...Sorry about your situation. You may have already discussed these things with your vet, but if you have not...a couple things to consider to try to help.
1. Adequan...A hyaluronic supplement that does have some antiinflammatory
and chondroprotective effects (may decrease pain and increase joint mobility)
2. Glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate/msm...'building blocks' that may help the catilage heal/protect remaining cartilage. Pain in the joints comes from the wearing away of the cartilage surface in joints allowing bones, which has more nerve supply than cartilage, to rub on bone=discomfort. Many senior large breed dog foods have these ingredients in them, but additional supplementation may help.
3. Cox2 inhibitor antiinflammatories: Rimadyl and Daramaxx...Both excellent products with some possible liver damage whem used in the long term. However, since you are not talking long term..just making him comfortable..This may help
4. when all else fails...Corticosteroids....Lots of side effects, but may allow him to enjoy life for a little bit longer.
5. I use a 'fire wood' carrier around their mid scetion to help them stand and encourage them to walk. Exercise on flat non skid surfaces are good.
Best of luck.

We give food and treats that have glucosomine and condroitin but I don't supplement... I should probably start. Harley takes Rimadyl almost everyday now. Not familiar with the other products you mentioned but I'll definitely talk to the vet about them. I've been using a towel under his hind legs to lift his backside up to get him moving. It works pretty well.

 

[reefraff]

Man that's tough. Even worse with a St. Bernard cause they are so damned lovable. Afraid you're gonna have a tough decision to make here real soon.
Had some friends went through this with a Dalmation with a spine problem. In the early stages what they did was pile up some pillows and old blankets to make a kinda wedge shaped bed against a wall. Between being elevated off the floor and not laying completly flat the dog was able to get up a lot easier. Not sure if that will work with your guy but it might be worth a shot.

 

[crimzy]

Originally Posted by crimzy
http:///forum/post/2516452
I was looking for this article last night but had to get the date to find it. If you are a dog lover, take a minute and read this article: http://204.176.34.196/oaklandpress/a...sp?ID=10500088
Kramer was a dog who belonged to a good friend of mine. I took care of him at times when she was out of town. At that time, my dogs were really young. While staying at my house, we lifted him with the homemade splint/walker and tended to him. Kramer was an unbelievably sweet dog but was also very, very disabled. I had the opportunity to say goodbye the night before Kramer was put down. St. Bernards are amazing animals but it is unfortunate how short their lives tend to be and how often they have to go through these problems.

Not sure if anyone noticed the above post but if you have a couple minutes, this article is definitely worth reading.