When do you KNOW when it's time to put your dog to sleep?

I knew after she’s been on machines for 3 days that it was time. She had distemper and seizures.

I am so sorry you are going through this. I think there will come a moment when you feel you are the best friend you can be by ending her pain. You will both enjoy the time you have left. I still miss my pet who has been gone for years, but I don’t regret taking her to the vet and having her die peacefully in my arms.

To me the question for the vet is this- will your treatment CURE my friend?and what will their life be like once they are well? Watch your dog they- will tell you when – listen with your heart. Good luck.

My family waited till a final seizure basically wiped out the poor thing’s brain. A stroke or something.

They usually die on their own.

I can’t stand watching them suffer. I don’t want to suffer so I don’t want my dogs to either. If you feel it is in pain that cannot be stopped, if it is not eating, if it is not happy, if it does not enjoy quality of life.

When you are beginning to question if it is time, it usually means the time is drawing near.

can’t you just hook her up with doggy vicodin. do they have doggymedicare? idk poor doggy.

If I know an animal of mine is in pain and that isn’t going to change despite how much medication I give, then I seriously start to think about whether enough is enough. I also think about things like, does the animal have any quality of life and/or dignity left.

@Afos22 I remember a vet friend telling me, after one of our dogs died peacefully in his sleep, that this was very rare. She said that the majority of pet dogs can go on and on in pain and when they do finally die, it is very unpleasant for the dog. Because of this advice, I never let an animal soldier on in pain and “die on it’s own”. If they are in so much pain and there is no cure then I definately think there comes time when the kindest thing to do is let them die with a bit of peace and dignity which they probably would’t get if they were to die on their own. Like @rooeytoo said, if I don’t want to suffer then why should I expect my animals to?

@Leanne1986 I guess it’s just a matter of opinion thing. I personally would rather be in pain, than for someone to take my death into their own hands.

I am sorry you are going through this. I recently had to put my 17 year old little girl (dog), Tommy down. I knew it was time when her hind legs were weak and her eyes were so dark you could not destinguish her pupils. The doctor said I was right in my timing. It was so difficult and painful for me, I believe Tommy was ready for her pain to be over. The kindest thing to do sometimes is to let them go with some dignity.

@mollydrew why were her eyes dark?

Read this book first, God Bless You, Dr. Kevorkian, by Kurt Vonnegut. I have no idea why. It’s just in reference to euthanasia. It’s an impossible subject. Like if I just played god and said yes it’s time to put her down. Yikes, I don’t want to be the person to say that. She’s old though, even if she gets cured of what’s ailing her she’s pretty close to the end. Sorry, it sucks, I miss all the pets I’ve lost.

Ask your vet if she will get better from the treatment.
Your dog will let you know, as and when they are ready. And they will transmit this to you. They can’t speak words, but their eyes tell you all you need to know.
I have been there myself with my dogs, so I know.
I am so sorry you are going through this, it’s never easy.

I have adopted a number of “used” dogs and cats and given them the best quality of life I could for as long as I could. Because they often come with health baggage I’ve had to make the decision to put them to sleep more often than most people do. :-( Remember that your dog can’t project into the future, she’s suffering now. Temporary discomfort is one thing, but if you don’t foresee any quality of life down the line it’s probably time. It never gets easier, my heart goes out to you. Most vets will not recommend euthanasia unless there are catastrophic injuries, probably because of potential lawsuits, so you’re pretty much on your own. Over 16 is a long life for any dog, I’m glad you’ve done so well by her.
Blessings to you both.

Aww I am sorry..Dogs are like family..I would think it is humane to put a animal down then let it suffer. Just like humans sometimes enough is enough.

This sucks to have to go thru, but there are ways to tell. I had two dogs that were inseperable. They got arthritis, etc, but they kept each other going. Then, I lost one to a stroke one night. The other stopped eating, would only drink water out of my hand, and it was clear she was ready to go. After about 25 or so days, I knew.

@jazmina88 I’m so sorry that you are dealing with this. It hurts. Had that decision with Spunky and before I had to make it, she passed on.

Would discuss it with your vet. Hopefully, she will get better.

@JilltheTooth Lovely answer. I too have had rescued dogs, and as you say, they all come with baggage. We love them nonettheless, perhaps even more so because of their history. :-)

@partyparty : I’ve loved all my beasts madly, but I could swear that the rescued ones try just a bit harder, like they need to make up for the “happy” they missed earlier on…

@JilltheTooth I can tell a rescued dog from the minute I see one. They do try harder. They set on you, not next to you, and they love close contact.

@JilltheTooth Aw that is so very true.
@Adirondackwannabe Yes they do need that closeness don’t they.
(with tears in my eyes) I think we also give that extra back to them in return, and we never forget them.

@jazmina88 : I guess we got a bit off topic here, I just want to say that whatever decision you make will be the right one because obviously it will be well considered and made with a lot of love…

There our dogs, we loved them, so a little off topic is allowed. Maybe that’s the real answer jazmina88. If the places were reversed, and you’re loved by your owner as much as we’ve been loved, what would you want them to do?

This is heartbreaking. I never had to deal with this.
I’d talk to the vet, try to determine if she’s in pain and pray that she goes painlessly on her own if it’s her time.

Your vet will probably give you a good indication; mine did. I think when an animal is suffering and we are keeping them alive for our sake, not theirs, it is time. My dog kept lifting his head up when he was in congestive heart failure; I thought it was to interact, but the vet said he couldn’t breathe with his head down. It was time.

@Aster I wish it was just heartbreaking. It’s brutal to go through this. It’s been a few years for me and it still brings tears now. This from a guy. Our prayers are with you jazmina.

Some people do not Know and they ask the vet to let them know when all help has been exhausted. It is a shame that some people selfishly hold on way to long and the animal suffers greatly. It is a privilege that we have to be able to ease our loved pet to their place in heaven. So when you Know or if you ask to be told when all has been done, please Listen.
You are doing the right thing so far and if the infection is only on the skin it may be a bed sore and keeping it dry and walking her will help. You sound like you know your girl very well and are doing the correct thing in getting advice on her health and the quality of her life. Your series of care sounds spot-on. I do believe you might be a person who will Know.
Knowing does not make it easy. For me I always hold my pet and cry while the vet helps them by euthanasia. Our pets are a blessing and you sound like you are a wonderful partner to her.

Update: She had a bad nite. But the vet I have is the best ever, and the visit was awesome. She did not suggest putting her down and I discussed it with the asst. Shaved her behind. Bloodwork. rabies shot.

and now Maggie is much happier. It’s a day at a time.
Thanks for the support.

Your update is encouraging and I am so happy for you and Maggie. I recently lost my little girl Tommy, she was 17 years old. When her hind legs started to go I knew it was time, and it is never the right time to say goodbye to your best friend.

Wonderful…........

I am glad you didn’t have to put your dog to sleep . Thats’ great.

Your her owner only you will know when it’s time.

@daytonamisticrip think she wanted imput from others about their experience. Also, she just wanted some love from her friends. Believe me, it’s needed when you think about putting your bady down.

@BoBo1946 Yes we all need support at times like this… especially where our ‘furry friends’ are concerned.

@partyparty :))) my friend.

Thank you for the update. My thought are with you. Good Luck.

Hang in there. Check with you tommorrow.

Give her a pat for me…

How is she doing today?

Thursday update: Geriatric bloodwork came back. elevated levels in kidney and liver. I have to cut her anti-inflammatory meds in half.
Ordered more rugs for bedroom with wood and kitchen. I hate to say, but she is so very old. The vet is goin to call next week and she how she is, with the cut in previcox.
She has a fabulous appetite. I gave her a healing rub with special stones today. Every day is precious. She is grinning and feeling better from the infection. antibiotics helping.

She will be 16 and 6 months on the 13th. That is so amazing for a large breed, border collie- aussie mix. We can look at each other and there is an energy of love that is so strong. She has had trouble getting up for months, slick floors not helping. I assist some, but I have fibro. She has mini strokes…..and 2 big seizures in the past. and came out fine. Has trouble holding poo. I havent minded the messes the last months. I’m good with sr. citizens, but this is my first elderly dog.

God puts animals in our life. and I will honor her and perhaps get her a cake for her half birthday. There is a stone that has been in her water for years, infinite, that I think has add to her some longevity. last year, a man that played with Zappa was here a couple of days and did the Janet Planet song and the dog “that can not see and can not hear, but she sure perks up, when janet’s near.”

So i have another week to evaluate with vet again. with her night and day. and lifting as much as I can. wound care is coming along very well.

losing my best friend is painful.

@jazmina88 – you are a good dog mother that is for sure. Here is a site you will find heart warming and perhaps helpful.

This too is wonderful:

‘Where to Bury A Dog’ 
The following originally appeared in The Oregonian in 
1926 and later was included in the author’s book of 
essays and poems, “How Could I Be Forgetting.” 
By Ben Hur Lampman 

<There are various places within which a dog may be buried. We are thinking now of a setter, whose coat was flame in the sunshine, and who, so far as we are aware, never entertained a mean or an unworthy thought. This setter is buried beneath a cherry tree, under four feet of garden loam, and at its proper season the cherry strews petals on the green lawn of his grave. Beneath a cherry tree, or an apple, or any flowering shrub of the garden, is an excellent place to bury a good dog. Beneath such trees, such shrubs, he slept in the drowsy summer, or gnawed at a flavorous bone, or lifted head to challenge some strange intruder. These are good places, in life or in death. Yet it is a small matter, and it touches sentiment more than anything else.

For if the dog be well remembered, if sometimes he leaps through your dreams actual as in life, eyes kindling, questing, asking, laughing, begging, it matters not at all where that dog sleeps at long and at last. On a hill where the wind is unrebuked and the trees are roaring, or beside a stream he knew in puppyhood, or somewhere in the flatness of a pasture land, where most exhilarating cattle graze. It is all one to the dog, and all one to you, and nothing is gained, and nothing lost—if memory lives. But there is one best place to bury a dog. One place that is best of all. 

If you bury him in this spot, the secret of which you must already have, he will come to you when you call—come to you over the grim, dim frontiers of death, and down the well-remembered path, and to your side again. And though you call a dozen living dogs to heel they should not growl at him, nor resent his coming, for he is yours and he belongs there. 

People may scoff at you, who see no lightest blade of grass bent by his footfall, who hear no whimper pitched too fine for mere audition, people who may never really have had a dog. Smile at them then, for you shall know something that is hidden from them, and which is well worth the knowing. 

The one best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of his master. >

I know you have another week to love your pup but I thought maybe this would help when the time does come.

@jazmina88 : Thanks for the update! Her appetite being good is a terrific sign! Thinking of you both…

< Magnolia is beautiful…that grin is amazing, is it not???

damn…hate that for you @jazmina88 ! I know what you are feeling…last summer, went through that with Spunky.

Ah, the herding dog, stubborn, smart and tenacious! (I have a Puli, I get the herder thing…)

@jazmina88 Hang in there. If you were my caretaker when I get older, I’d be blessed. :)

@Adirondackwannabe My Mom is 91 and much tougher to handle…....:):)

Saturday update. 2nd day with ddecreased meds. she is very weak and falls every 5 ft. I have to get behind and help her up. Monday is time for her to go. I’m weeping loudly at the moment.

@jazmina88 oh my gosh….that brings tear to my eyes..God bless girl.

Oh, Sweetie, I’m so sorry. Love her up good this weekend, and know you’ve done more than everything you could. She’s a lucky girl to have you.

@jazmina88 We are all thinking of you. Nobody can take away the times you have had together…. my heart goes out to you. (hugs)

It is a great loss – my heart goes out to you too.

I put her down on 8–8. one of my favorite numbers. she could not get up at all. I slept on an air mattress to be by her Sat. nite. 6 hours now. i cant really say much. my heart is empty.
she was grinning those last few minutes.
I feel like I killed her..

Alright, it’s a long night and I’d rather post here than facebook. This is the first night in this home I bought 5 years ago without mags. I went on the back porch earlier and felt this warm love radiating all over my yard and my home and the patio. It’s covered. and I feel it in here too, The valium helped. I almost hyperventilate sob over this.

She is the best dang gone dog on the earth….grinned until she was gone. because she loved me. If I was only half as good as she thought I was. Unconditional love at its finest.

88 is double infinity sideways – aug 8. I figured that out New Years Eve 88. :):)

She was born the day before Valentines Day. She is love.
She’ll be the happiest in doggie heaven.
and I’ll be ok too. Maggie is so extremely special. She does lick her lips when shes hungry.
just like johnP’s.

I am celebrating the special bond. We could look at each other and feel this loving energy between us. I’m into that energy stuff, like Cruiser.

She has had trouble getting up for months. 16 is amazing.

Infinite is the stone I kept in her water bowl, that promotes health and longevity.

Thanks for the support jellies.
jan

I would not wait too long, head to a shelter, rspca, whatever, look into the dogs eyes and find a new friend. It is not good to be without fur and licks for too long.

I have Rooey’s ashes and they have moved with me and always sit on the highest shelf in the kitchen, that was his favorite room, where he can watch over my life as he did when he was alive.

oh me…i’m crying after reading that Jan. sorry. i feel your pain.

I miss my dog, he was the coolest. My sister’s boyfriend grew attached to him and took care of him in his later years so I never got a say in how he ended up. Bottom line, it’s a hard decision, take a couple of shots of whiskey, sit down somewhere, and give it a good think. You know what you have to do.

@truecomedian she has already did it. read her comment above…very touching!

oh my…

Thinking of you….. with tears in my eyes

@jazmina88 : Oh, darlin’ thinking of you. After this thread she leaves a big hole for all of us. 16 is amazing for a girl her size, she had a great run and was much loved. Hang in there, kid, we’re all with you.

@jazmina88 I feel for you. You haven’t done anything other than free her from a body that had given her and you it’s all. Her spirit is now free to run and play, like it was meant to. You’ve been blessed with the love of a great dog. Keep as many memories as you can.

You helped her ease her suffering and she would thank you for it if she could. Feeling for you in your loss.

Ever met anyone that values animal rights over human rights? This question could apply to people too. There is a current trend with older people to opt for being,“put down”, so that they aren’t a burden on their families. I’m sorry if this is off topic, but I started to imagine what it would be like to have to pull the plug on a human being, and how it happens everyday. I loved my pets, just not too much after losing this puppy when I was six, Parvo. So bummed. It’s common knowledge that people who mistreat animals grow up to be serial killers. Not all but some. I think it’s beautiful that someone can love a pet this much, and share it with the world in this way. Helped me to look at myself in a new way. Truly sorry for your loss and pain.