Advice on putting my dog down???

[maverick2112]

My collie will be 15 yrs old on the 13th of August.........pretty long years considering the avg life span is 11yrs for a collie like this. He is starting to have trouble to make it to the back yard and some times urinates before he can make it out the door. I have noticed he cant seem to see and hear very well anymore. He has has arthritis for a few years now.Just wondering what to do..........its got to be one of the hardest things I have had to decide. I have to fact the fact that things will probably get worse down the road.......dont know if its fair to him to wait for the day when he cant even get up or put him down now.

Any advice from anyone in similar positions........

 

[DBLMUTZ]

Maverick,In my forties and never been without a dog,I have a 6 year ole beautiful rott,who is starting to slow down somewhat but still in pretty good shape and I know when his time is near I will do whats best for him and the family,I made a mistake with our katie years back and refuse to go though that sitituation again,I feel your pain man,Sounds like you already know its almost or is that time,Sorry

 

[Skins1080]

I have a 13 year old chocolate lab. About 3 weeks ago he tore his acl (for the second time) and my family had to decide what to do. We didnt know if it was worth the money (about $3500) to have the surgery to fix it, or to just put him down. He has also had bad arthritis, is overweight, and cant go up and down the stairs anymore. Fortunatly we decided to go ahead and have the surgery, and he seems to be doing well, but he is in now way as acticve and entergetic as he was after his first acl repair. He also cant stand up for long periods of time, partially because his leg is still weak from the surgery. I think he knows things are going downhill for him, and fast.
I cant give you any suggestion about your situation but I think youll know the right decision will be. Good luck

 

[bubbas1]

Its an extremely hard thing to do. I dont have any advice on when you should do it. Maybe take him to the vet and see if they can give you some sort of time line on how fast he may get worse and base your judgement off that.

When you do decide the time is right just make sure he goes out like a king. Nothing but steaks for you and him on the grill and anything else he wasnt allowed to have.

When I had to have mine put down I made sure i was right by his side the whole time. I had him since he was a pup and I wasnt about to let him go out of this world without me there. Even though it was the hardest thing I have ever done I have no regrets about it at all. It was the least I could do.

Lastly...when the time comes pay the bill before he is put down. You will be in no shape whatsoever to pay after its over. For me all I wanted to do was get the hell out of there and be by myself for awhile.

 

[new redneck]

maverick. i started the same thread here about a week ago, you might want to read the reponses.we had a 13 year old doberman who was put to sleep, while we were with her, 8 days ago.i talked to the vets office on monday. when i got back from golf tues morning at 10 my wife told me the vet had called and delta had an appt for noon.. probably the most heart wrenching two hours of my life !when the time comes, try to avoid a similar situation. out vet gave her a sedative and waited for a while for it to take effect. he than administered an anesthetic and she went to sleep in our arms, the final shot took seconds and it was over. we had her cremated and picked up her ashes yesterday. i still get all choked up just relating this, but she was suffering, have been through this many times before, so i know our grief will diminish over time. i think it helps a little to have her here with us. side by side with our other cedar boxes...the best advice i can give you, is don,t try hold it in, at the right time cry your eyes out !! my heart is with you....jcs p.s most vets will come to your house if that works for you...

 

[Agent 0659]

Hows his appetite and demeanor? You know what to do by being with him, none of us can tell you. I agree with Bubba, let the ol boy live it up before hes gone. Hope all turns out for you.

Dogs rule!

 

[Wilson]

I shot my dog Ralph...a collie mix that was just a great dog.

He got so old that he couldn't climb the hills of our ridge. This was when I was still a teenager. Couldn't afford any vet treatment...I had to do it myself. Very very very hard.

 

[new redneck]

how can this be ?? everyone of us posting on this subject has owned, and loved the greatest dog in the world ?? mine was !!!! serious question, how many of you, after going through this once ,twice, have ever said " thats it, no more dogs" ?????still have 2, one is half lab, half wiemeranner, same age as delta, got her at 6 weeks, she had to sleep on our necks as a puppy. my wife got used to it, and i was out of the big bed !!!no lie !!!!!my wife loved delta, as did i, but when the time comes for her 24 hour companion, "houston, we have a problem " let me put it this way, lexus and i fall of a boat, susie has one life perserver to throw, guess what, i,m going to the big golf course in the sky !!!

 

[Jake DeNiro]

maverick2112.....1st off, my thoughts go out to you and yours, it's tough. My experience with Jake was that I knew the time was coming very fast and it was just a matter of when to call as I didn't want to be putting him down to soon. By too soon I mean even though he was having a rough time he still had spirit. At times he had a hell of a time trying to get up, but when he did he would wag his tail. He then got to the point that he couldn't get up and I'd have to lift him up to a standing postion. Still, when I'd get him up I'd say "goodboy Jakey" while patting him on the side. He would still wag his tail. I'd end up walking him out do his business like he was a wheel barrel. But he still had spirit. There were times after he finished his business he'd roll on his back with his leg/paw sort of over his nose, playfully growling. He still had spirit so it was so bloody hard deciding when. It then got to the point that I had to carry him out to do his business and believe me that was hard as he was a big dog and it was very hard getting him up from the floor and then having to lay him back down on his side when we got outside. Then after laying him down I'd have to get him to try and stand to do his business. That is when I noticed that his spirit or will to go on was over. It's not normal for someone to be supporting a dog while he's trying to do his business. I called the vet and told him I think it's time can he please come over. Knowing very well that Jakey wasn't going to live the vet had said "what's his spirit like" and I had said "it's depleting" Let's give him one more day, call me tomorrow". Well him and I were up all night, it just wasn't him. Called the vet early that morning and he had said he'll be over. We made Jakey steak and chicken breast on the BBQ and he wanted no part of it....nothing. All he wanted was water and he was growling/whining to get to his spot on the couch. We now believe that he knew and wanted to be in his spot when growling/whining. Vet showed up and told us "2 weeks ago wasn't the time, yesterday wasn't the time, now is the time, he has no will to live, no spirit". Told us what was going to take place and we were all with him when the needle was given. It was over, quietly and peacefully. The vet had said that there's so many animals that he put down that spiritally they weren't ready to go and to some extend it bothered him and also some clients have said later that they felt horrible because they thought they did it to soon. We couldn't ask for anything better as far as the way it turned out.....It was his time and I believe your dog will let you know when it's his time. Of course it's your own personal choice, I just know that I couldn't have put Jakey down while his tail was still wagging, or he'd Hrrrrrr when I'd say "you want a treat?" All that stopped. My final opinion, he will let you know. Also when you do decide it's time how to you feel about taking him to the vet? Was he nervous when you took him to the vet's? If so do you want him to be put down peacefully or in a nervous tense manner on a cold metal table. Jakey was laying on his couch and there was no stress in him at all, he went peacefully and I'm so happy of that, We have no regrets at all, he gave us 9 great years and we gave him a peacefull goodbye. Good luck and take care....sincerely, my thoughts are with you.

 

[SixFive]

our 15 year old dog was getting in bad shape early this year. He was arthritic in a bad way, and his back legs were so weak that he would sag while he was standing. One evening, he was let out and didn't come back (very unusual). It was cold that night, and we knew exposure would kill him, but we couldn't find him. The next day, we called the Humane Society, and somebody had brought him in!! However, he had been hit by a car about half a mile from my parents home, and his hip was out of joint. The joint was so worn that it could not be fixed, so he had to be put down. Hard to do, but I really think he was going off somewhere to die when he was hit by a car. He had never run off like this, not even as a puppy or young adult.

Maverick, if you don't think your dog is in too much pain, and you're around to help him get in and out, I wouldn't put him down even if he does pee a little on the floor.

 

[Jake DeNiro]

Hard to do, but I really think he was going off somewhere to die when he was hit by a car. He had never run off like this, not even as a puppy or young adult.

Maverick, if you don't think your dog is in too much pain, and you're around to help him get in and out, I wouldn't put him down even if he does pee a little on the floor.

SixFive.....I agree with you (again). Just like I had said about Jakey wanting to get to his couch...he knew. He refused steak and chicken breast....when I lifted him up on the couch we had actually thought he had passed on....unbelieveable. Also again I agree with your take on "if he's not in too much pain" etc. I wouldn't put him down either..just my opinion.


Also sorry to hear of your loss..take care

 

[maverick2112]

Thanks a lot for all the responses.........they help a lot. I think I will wait for a while longer. I remember reading a lot about the pet owners on here and its apparent all of us that have dogs really love them.......they REALLY become a special part of the family or just a very good buddy. I have to help him up at times but he doesnt seem to be suffering in his manners........I guess over time I tended to forget how old he was. He is really doing pretty well for almost 15 years old........we'll see if he can make it a while longer.

Thats a very good idea to get the vet to come to my home when the day comes.......I think he would be a lot more confortable in his surroundings. I thought there was no way I was going to be there when he goes BUT......after reading some of these posts I am going to be there side by side with him no matter what.........

Thanks again...........

 

[Another Steve]

Been through the Same, Hard as hell. Sounds as if you have a Great Plan. The Vet can make it real peacefull, good luck.

 

[Agent 0659]

Hell yes you need to be there! Nothing would keep him from being with you if the situation were reversed.

GL

 

[chuckdman]

I can't even imagine when old age hits our dog. My girlfriend and I have had our GSD for almost 3 years now. We've had friends in similar positions with their dogs having arthritis and requiring surgery. This is what we've done to hopefully reduce this from happening.

1] Pet insurance. We pay $25 per month for pet insurance and it has saved our butts a few times already. Our dog had to have surgery at the age of 1 because he had an accident and chipped his elbow. Surgery was $1600 but our insurance covered everything.
2] Vitamins. We provide our dog with additional vitamins with his food. It's in liquid form and we put it on his food once a day. Contains amino acids, omega 3s and 6s. Cost is $15 per month
3] Glucosamine supplements - We use again a liquid form and purchased the brand Synflex. After surgery the vet said he could develop arthritis in his elbow and provided us with some of these supplements. Cost is about $25 per month. You can buy in bulk and save money. I would suggest (and my vet does too) that if your dog is 8+ years old that you get Synflex. The results are quick and will help your loved one greatly.

4] High quality food - We feed our GSD Royal Canin 24. A bag is pretty expensive compared to the others but he's been on this food all his life and he loves it. He is always ready to eat when its time and is very health, lots of energy and look really good.

This is Max, Chuckdman and the girlfriend. The little happy family.

Charlie

 

[gjn23]

sorry to hear about your painful decision but i think you will know when the time is right (lets call it dog intuition).

please, dont be like the jerk-off on the board a few weeks ago debating putting his dog to sleep at the vet or pulling out a gun and shooting the dog.

 

[vinnyhockey]

Maverick,


This is one tough decision for you. I feel for you man. I had to put my dog down a few years ago as he was diagnosed with congestive heat failure.

It got so bad that the dog could hardly walk. Even with the heart medication there was no difference. We need to think about the animal and how it is suffering. As hard as it is it may be the best thing for your dog!

All the best,

Vinny

 

[SpursDynasty]

Charlie

good looking dog.