Timing euthanasia, family and vet joint descision issue.

[FireTigeris]

Wait, your vet was not ready either? I have 'had' vets like that- I would rather the vet that says "better a week early then a day late" that's one of my questions to new vets (as each of my animal types has their own vet - which is a pain but best for my critters)

"What is your opinion on euthanasia? "

I avoid the vet that hesitates to answer "Whatever is best for the animal"

I have had to take animals (cat) to the vet when other's in the house were away (my mother) and have them put down.

She was immobile with cancer and arthritis and it was past time.

If you have access to a mobile vet have them come out and give a second opinion.

 

[SillyChicken]

I hate these threads cause the remind me of my dog's passing....

How much time has your DH been spending with the dog. If he were to spend more time with her, including the care giving (meds etc) he would be able to come to terms with it sooner.

I also don't like it when vets try to extend a dog's life when they won't recover (especially if the dog is already miserable) it seems like they're not always looking for the dogs best interest as much as getting more money out of his owners.

I feel for you, I know it's a difficult decision. Sorry your pup is having a hard time.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

All of your posts have been really helpful to me and I appreciate them so much. It's been helping me work through this. I'm sorry so many of you have had to go through this or are going through this now, too. After talking to my husband some more, the vet some more, my husband some more, we are all thinking the same thing, now. We are taking her in this afternoon, for one last trip.

The lab results confirmed it is a malignant cancer, already in the lymph nodes. The vet agrees that the cough is probably from additional tumors in the chest/lungs, not from pneumonia. It was worth trying the antibiotics, just in case. The prednisone had no effect, but that was worth a try, too. She could have gotten a bit better, temporarily. Instead, she got worse. She's only going to continue to get worse, at a rapid rate.

I've had vets that wanted to put dogs to sleep for things that were manageable and I had to fight to get care. I also had a vet that didn't like to do surgery because she was squeamish so she tried to discourage surgery when she could, a vet that didn't like putting animals to sleep so avoided it when possible, etc. It seems that vet care is a negotiation more often than you would think. They have different ideas on a lot of topics.

My husband has been spending more time really looking at her and watching her. He hasn't been around her all the time, because of work and other activities that he was already committed to. Plus, I think he wanted to get away from it. I understand that. Unfortunately, we just didn't have a lot of time, this time. Maddie is with me all the time, every day. I am her hospice nurse, now, too. I think we have all just been experiencing her in a different way, seeing her in a different way.

She seems to be feeling a bit worse today and her appetite is starting to wan, even with the prednisone. I am so grateful that we are taking her in this afternoon. That sounds so odd. Still, I know it is the right thing to do. I think my husband will forgive me, for forcing him to deal with this before he was ready. There just wasn't any time.

I feel really bad, too. Plus, I am exhausted.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

It's for the best hun...still SO hard

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

I'm glad he's making the decision as well now. Maybe give her some treats like hamburger or chicken for you to remember her by?

((hugs)) coming from Arkansas!

 

[mercedes]

I am so very sorry.I feel your pain,been there too many times with dogs,cats,rats and horses.May God bless you and give you strength

 

[MustLoveHens]

Im so sorry that you husband did not get the time he needed for his goodbye, but from the sounds of it, you and he are doing the best thing for your beloved Maddie by easing her from her pain. I don't think it is odd at all to be greatful to for the option to ease her suffering from her pain.
Please know that you and your husand are in my thoughts and prayers tonight.
Hugs to you and your family

 

[Toast n Jelly]

 

[EweSheep]

 

[WoodlandWoman]

It's over, at least. I was too upset to post an update last night. The euthanasia did not go well. I told them something was wrong and she was in pain, as she didn't die and was giving me her pain signals and trying to get me to help her. The vet was injecting into her leg instead of the vein and it was burning her. That poor dog! They had to stop in the middle of the injection and move her around, as the vein in one leg was blown and the other looked like an inflatable toy. All the while, her leg was burning. Eventually she found a vein in the front and injected into the vein, so that it worked. Maddie closed her eyes as I held her head in my hands, staring into her eyes. All I could do is tell her I know it hurts and make her stay and submit, even though they hurt her. It was really awful. I feel like I failed her.