Question about euthanasia

[GSandra32]

I have a 14 year old JRT/mini dachshund mix. Over the last 6 years or so he's had bad back problems, to the point that his front paws are losing feeling and he's having problems walking. He also has a bad heart murmur. As well over the last year or so his aggression is getting really bad. He's always been protective over his dog food, but he's attacked my other dog more than a few times, growled etc whenever my other dog gets anywhere near the food bowl.

I took my dog into the vet yesterday to have my dog put down. I babysit twin 6 year old boys and I fear he will eventually start getting aggressive towards them or myself or my girls .
But when I took him in he refused to do it because he "looks too good".
Forget that he's got spine problems so bad his front paws are going numb and he can't walk well, forget that he has a bad heart murmur. He simply refused to do so because he wasn't aggressive towards him and he looks too good.
I always thought it was up the owners on when it was time. Not the vets.
It's not like he's a pup or that I'm just trying to get rid of him because I don't want him.
I love my dog. He's like a child to me. But I have to do what's best for him and I don't want to see his pain or his aggression get worse. I can't afford surgery or anything else.

So is this normal or should I find another vet?
Thanks.

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm really sorry to hear about your dog.

Probably the vet was thinking he was doing what was best for the dog, as the dog was faking it felt good because it was uncomfortable.
We had a goldendoodle named Arby. At around 8 years of age his arthritis was so bad he could barely stand. His adopt son (a mini goldendoodle) started having panic attacks (sitting and shaking and refusing to go outside alone) because he knew Arby was dying. Arby just sat on the couches, not eating, losing weight. It was awful. We took him to the vet and they gave him a shot of steroids. He got so much better and was so happy and excited and playful again! His adopted son stopped having panic attacks! A few weeks later, Arby had a seizure. We took him the vet and there the vet said he was dying. Probably cancer. He laid down, showing he was ready to go. We had to put him down.

It was all because people breed dwarfisim into dogs that we lost him. He had a painful, short life because people breed unhealthy dogs. Now I'm trying to help breeders realize that just because a dwarf dog is cute, does not mean it is ethical to breed them. They have so many awful problems that people would never want to live with.

You can try giving your dog pain medication or trying arthritis medication. Dogs may get aggressive when in pain or not feeling well. Its really your choice. Do what is first best for your family, than best for your dog.

So, sorry for ranting, I just had to get that out.

I hope everything turns out well.

Arby, Cinnamon, Cedar and Rax (Rax is Arby's brother)

Arby with his poodle haircut, standing on our frozen pond


Arby, looking like a silly dog as he relaxes

 

[GSandra32]

I am so sorry to hear that. I'm just glad he is out of pain now
My dog is on tramadol right now..And really all it does is make him sleep.
Not exactly the life I'm sure he wants to live.
When his back went out again last week he's refused to eat or drink hardly anything.
And still isn't. It's just frustrating. I feel so bad for him knowing there really isn't much I can do for him.

 

[GitaBooks]

He's a really cute dog.

We had to euthanize our bunny to, but for her she wasn't dying, she was just in constant pain. Her teeth grew backwards through her jaw and would have eventually reach her brain. She was pretty old, around 8 as well. Still, it was really hard to say good-bye. She was our first pet.
Its hard to make decisions like this, but owners know their dogs/pets best. They know when they are happy and when they aren't. If your vet isn't willing to help you, I would suggest finding another. Your vet was probably afraid you were just some one that didn't care for their dog and hadn't thought it through, as many people who put dogs down don't try their hardest, but you have, and you should have final say about your pet.

 

[fire370]

This always sucks and I'm sorry. I've put 3 down in 2.5 years. Gretchen, our oldest GSD, 2.5 yrs ago for hip dysplasia. Schatzie, 1.5 yrs ago for DM. And Spud, 1 of our JRT's last month. We knew and were semi prepared for Gretchen and Schatzie. Spud we were not. He got his yearly shots and his kidneys shut down. He was healthy as a horse at his check up, less than a week later we said goodbye. Coincidence, maybe, maybe not.

We breed working line shepherds, I hunt over labs, and the JRT's keep us varmint free. So, we have plenty of dogs running around but each one is part of the family and they are treated as such. So sorry.

 

[GitaBooks]

This always sucks and I'm sorry. I've put 3 down in 2.5 years. Gretchen, our oldest GSD, 2.5 yrs ago for hip dysplasia. Schatzie, 1.5 yrs ago for DM. And Spud, 1 of our JRT's last month. We knew and were semi prepared for Gretchen and Schatzie. Spud we were not. He got his yearly shots and his kidneys shut down. He was healthy as a horse at his check up, less than a week later we said goodbye. Coincidence, maybe, maybe not.

We breed working line shepherds, I hunt over labs, and the JRT's keep us varmint free. So, we have plenty of dogs running around but each one is part of the family and they are treated as such. So sorry.

I'm really sorry. Its really hard to say good-bye.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I'm so sorry you are having to make this decision. It is not an easy one, but it sounds as though you have given it a lot of thought.

The decision should be up to the owner, and vets should be willing to listen to their clients and support them with either decision. I would definitely search out another vet if your current one refuses to go through with your wish. It is hard enough for the owner to bring the dog a first time after preparing for euthanasia. It is not right for anyone to discourage a decision like that when it is made responsibly.

 

[dekel18042]

Unfortunately some vets today are refusing to euthanize pets, even when it is warranted. Others may be ready to do it at the jump of a hat. You see your dog every day, how he is acting how he feels. As they age dogs have both good days and bad and you need to take into consideration the two extremes,
If your vet won't listen to you (You could ask him what he would do if it were his dog just to see where he is coming from.) I would find another vet.
If you do that, the new vet may make your dog have an examination first. He might want to make sure there really is a problem, but you can sound out his practices over the phone first.
If you've gone to the same vet for several years and he has seen the dog's progression, I don't know why he is refusing.

 

[Angry Cupcake]

Vet's can refuse to euthanize if they feel it is not warranted or there are available treatment options. Too often people have animals put down for non-medical, human caused reasons. I would recommend seeking out another vet that will listen and actually hear how much you care.

 

[chiques chicks]

We have a local mobile vet. He comes to the house and can observe the animal in its own surroundings. He is very understanding.

I've adopted many old and sick dogs over the years. He has a mobile office so I just had to walk the dogs to the churn for office visits. My older handicap dogs, he would come in the house for office visits.

When that time came, he would euthanize in the home where the dog was comfortable and relaxed. It was never easy, but so much better than a sterile office setting. I think I had him there almost once can year. One of the most understanding caring vets I ever met.

I hope you can find a caring vet. It is never an easy time.