Natural death or euthanasia? :(

[chickluvinfreak]

time to plan a fair well party. Car ride, burger king etc. Just remember a dog senses there owners fallings so stay strong and have a good time you can morn afterwards. I would rather see a dear friend leave with dignity then suffering.

Thank you, I didn't think about him sensing my mood. I'll have to keep that in mind, I don't want him to be upset.

 

[chickluvinfreak]

You're not being selfish

Thanks

 

[ejcrist]

So I need an opinion on a very hard and sad question. My dog Leroy is turning 14 next month and is a lab, which is really old for that breed. He has suvere arthritis and hasn't been able to move his hind legs for awhile. His hearing is going, he has problems with his eyes and lots of bumps on his body. But he is a very happy dog and loves to be pet and follow people around the house. He has lost weight but never stops eating and drinking and getting excited about treats. His will to keep living makes this decision even harder. To make matters worse I was out of town all week and he stayed with my grandma. When I picked him up today she told me he had diarrhea and was also bleeding. She stopped giving him his medication without my permission probably thinking it was making the bleeding worse. Apparently not giving the medications did help stop the bleeding but he still has diarrhea. His medication is tumaric and a joint supplement so if I stop giving it to him his joints will get even worse! But I can't give it to him if it's causing him to bleed either! I'm almost positive he has cancer. And he would never survive surgery if I took him to a vet. I've debated putting him down for a long time but haven't because my family is so torn on what to do. My dad refuses the thought of euthanasia but I can't stand him being in pain

. I'm at the end of my rope and need advice on how to make the right decision for him. I feel selfish no matter what I do. If I euthanize him it's because I didn't want to watch him be in pain. And if I let him die naturally it's because I'm not ready to lose him yet

Which decision is less selfish and best for him? Like I said earlier he doesn't act like anything is wrong and is just happy go lucky. He hasn't given up on life yet so why should I give up on him? Sorry for a long post and thanks for any help or advice.

I just went through this back in October with my 14 year old Beagle Chester so I know how you feel - believe me. My Mom lives with us and she was pretty much the opposite of your Dad and telling me to put Chester down long before I thought he was ready. I never listened because I always felt it's up to the owner to determine when is the best time and I was the owner. I'd never suggest one way or another for someone else's dog since it's a deeply personal thing. Anyway back to Chester. In my case I'm glad I didn't put him down when she started telling me to because he still had some quality time left. He required medication and a couple of trips to the vets for various things but overall he did pretty good considering his age. Fortunately for me he kinda let me know when he'd had enough and I knew it was time. I prayed hard for the strength to do what's right and the good Lord came through and got me through it. I was really worried I wouldn't be able to have a calm, rational discussion with the vet when I took Chester in but surprisingly all went about as well as could be expected. To this day I still say putting dogs down is one of the hardest things to endure in this life.

In every case for me my dogs and cat clearly had had enough and the decision was pretty clear. Not that it was any easier but there was little doubt what the right thing to do was. I don't know if that'll always be the case in the future, but for me I've always thought to keep them around unless (1) they can no longer go out to do their business on their own, (2) they were in obvious pain of a terminal nature, like cancer, tumors, etc. and surgery was not practical due to their age or low chance of survival/success. I think your Dad's line of thinking is similar to mine, that if your dog can still get around and isn't in serious pain, what's the rush. I also think either decision is correct as long as it's is driven by what's best for your dog. So maybe take it one day at a time and do what you think is best for your dog that day. That's really about the best you can do.

 

[chickluvinfreak]

@ejcrist
I'm sorry about your dog Chester And you are right putting a dog down is the hardest thing Me and my parents have a lot of praying and things to think about ahead of us. The fact that he hasnt given up is the only thing that keeps me from whole heartedly agreeing with euthanizing him. But he's in pain and has a difficult time walking. I'm pretty sure he has cancer too. If he was someone else's dog I would think he needs put down but he's mine which makes deciding that a lot harder.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They have pills for dogs with arthritis which could help him get around better. We put a dog down due to severe arthritis from Lymes disease, by the way has your dog been tested and are you in an area where it is rampant? Our dog couldn't get up or walk without assistance. It was a horrible decision on our part. Putting a dog down is never an easy decision, but most dogs reach a place where you know it's the only decision. I wouldn't rush it either.

 

[chickluvinfreak]

They have pills for dogs with arthritis which could help him get around better. We put a dog down due to severe arthritis from Lymes disease, by the way has your dog been tested and are you in an area where it is rampant? Our dog couldn't get up or walk without assistance. It was a horrible decision on our part. Putting a dog down is never an easy decision, but most dogs reach a place where you know it's the only decision. I wouldn't rush it either.

I'm sorry about your dog I live in Arizona and have never seen ticks or had him tested for lyme disease. He's really old so I'm sure his joints have just deteriorated from old age. He is on natural supplements and I can't get any arthritis medication without taking him to a vet. And if a vet sees him I just know they'll want to put him down and not medicate him :/

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You should be safe from Lymes in Arizona thankfully, here it's a plague. Many vets would want to try something like Rymadyl or even cortisone before putting him down. He might find relief and be happier. I certainly would try it first. Good luck with whatever you decide. I have put many dogs to sleep in my lifetime. You just never forget it.

 

[chickluvinfreak]

You should be safe from Lymes in Arizona thankfully, here it's a plague. Many vets would want to try something like Rymadyl or even cortisone before putting him down. He might find relief and be happier. I certainly would try it first. Good luck with whatever you decide. I have put many dogs to sleep in my lifetime. You just never forget it.

Yeah, I didn't think lyme disease was an issue here but thanks for checking to see if that was a possibility. You are right, I should try everything possible first. How much more damage could the medication possibly too? He's already falling apart. And if the vet wants to euthanize him it's not like I can't say no. The main thing is I don't want home to be in pain. And if it helps improve the quality of life it's definitely worth trying. Thank you

 

[rebrascora]

If you believe that a vet would advise that your dog be put to sleep then that would indicate that it is the right thing to do. A vet would have no emotional attachment and would therefore make the decision based solely on what is best for the dog.
I know it is an incredibly difficult decision to make and I very nearly made the wrong decision for my 19 year old horse last year when he was colicking. But at 19 he still potentially has another 10 years of life and was otherwise fit and thankfully with medical support (and a huge vets bill(, he recovered and is fine. I've had him from a foal so extremely attached to him.

Unfortunately your dog is at the end of normal life expectancy and has no prospect of getting better, only worse. I think you need to make a pact with your Dad that if he makes it to the end of January, you set the !st of Feb as a date to have him put to sleep. Some vets will come out to the house to do it, to save the animal the stress of being taken to the surgery. That would be my advice.

I hope you find a solution that is acceptable to everyone.

Sincerest sympathies

Barbara

 

[chickluvinfreak]

Thank you Barbara, and I am glad to hear you were able to save your horse I'm going to talk to my parents about talking him to vet as soon as possible for medication to help with the pain. I just hope they will give it to him :/ And depending on what the vet says and if the medicine helps we should be able to make a final decision. Thank you for your help