My doggy is dying -should I euthanize him?

[ErikJ]

He's a 15 year old chihuahua and the vet told me yesterday his kidneys are going. He doesnt have much time left. But he doesnt seem to be in any pain at all. He does have messy black diarrhea occasionally but less and less now.

Should I take him into the vet to put him down for $60 today. Or let him pass away at home. Wont drink. It is very cold outside. I was thinking of doing it naturally like the wolves and let him go to sleep in the cold. Any suggestions?

[mopinko]

1. you know what you have to do.

so do it. it's hard, but it is part of the deal.

[ginnyinWI]

2. Sympathies.

If he isn't drinking, then that might be what finally does it. And I understand that dying from dehydration is not painful. It sometimes is the way humans are finally let go on to a natural death when very ill: they disconnect them from the IV's that are keeping them hydrated.

If he's like my old cat who died of renal failure a few years ago, he's in a kind of a fog now, kind of out of it, but not in pain. So if it were me, I'd just keep him at home.

[Contrary1]

3. Let the vet help him pass peacefully...

My experience with dying pets (and there have been many), is that I have always ended up regretting not taking them to the vet sooner. And, for whatever reason...they always seem to go downhill quickly over the weekend.

I suggest you make that call. It's hard, I know. But it is the right thing to do.

[RKP5637]

4. My dog had his kidneys going and developed very bad pain and the vet

said it was time to help him out of his misery. My vet believes in a natural death whenever possible, but she said in his case it was best to help him out of his misery and pain. If you trust your vet, I would go with what your vet thinks is best.

[Denninmi]

5. Please don't put the dog out in the cold.

While it's not the worst way I could think to go, I think it would involve some suffering and probably a sense of abandonment. IF you need to put him down now, take him to the vet and let them do it the right way, so you know it will be fast and painless.

If he's not eating or drinking, he will probably pass away on his own within a few days. If there is no pain, a natural death I think would be ok.

Only you will really know what is right, and after you've made your decision, if it is the right one you will know it.

[Curmudgeoness]

6. We keep our pets alive longer than we should for selfish reasons.

We do not want to make that big decision that is one of the most painful we can make. We don't have the money. We can't do it. Blah blah blah.

But with that said, my vet (and my own doctor verified this) said that when the kidneys fail, the toxins building up in the body give a sense of euphoria. I lost a cat to renal failure at home---one day she seemed ok, the next day she was down (Christmas Eve so no vet), and the next morning she passed away. There never seemed to be pain, but she did go blind, and could not walk in that last 24 hours. So whichever you choose, I don't think that it will be bad......well, unless you choose the abandoning him in the cold.

[irisblue]

7. go to the vet

i have taken 2 dogs for the last ride. one planned, one unplanned. your fur baby should feel your hands on her as she leaves for the rainbow bridge. please call the vet. it's the most loving gift you can give your long time friend. i am sorry for your loss.

[avebury]

8. I hope that you don't put him out in the cold.

I have a little Chihuahua/Jack Russell mix and I know that he would be totally miserable and feel abandoned if I did that to him.

[Stinky The Clown]

9. That's a tough one, Erik, and there are no easy answers.

Please see what I wrote to another group member in answer to a similar thread.

I can't comment on the "put him in the cold" idea except to say I couldn't do that.

[99Forever]

10. Please don't put him out in the cold...

... dying cold and alone isn't something we would want for anyone we love. If he has stopped drinking, that says he's close and probably senses it. Whether to take him to the vet or not is a tougher call, it's almost impossible to know how much pain our friends are in at a time like that. Most important of all, be with him no matter what you decide.

[wildeyed]

11. Vet

I waited too long with my renal dog. I found her crying from pain and unable to get up in a pool of her own urine one morning. I still kick myself for waiting too long.

[TorchTheWitch]

12. Please don't let him suffer needlessly

Quality of life is what you need to determine, and you may want to get your vet's advice about that if they haven't said anything yet. Allowing him to suffer needlessly is a cruelty. Though he may not be in pain it doesn't mean he isn't suffering and feeling miserable enough to not want to go on. If he's stopped drinking, that's a big clue that his time has come, but you may want to talk this over with your vet to get their imput.

I can't imagine anyone wanting their pet to die "naturally like the wolves" by putting him out in the cold. That's a horrible cruelty, and I honestly have to wonder about what kind of person would contemplate such a thing. Animals in the wild die hideous and painful deaths because they have no loving person to care for them. When one takes on an animal to be their pet they also take on their care and well-being which includes allowing them to die peacefully without suffering and taking care of their medical needs throughout their life. Frankly, I believe putting him out in the cold to die is considered a legal animal cruelty that may result in legal charges against you, and in all honesty I would have to say they should be.

Either put the dog to sleep at the vet's office or allow them to die as comfortably as possible at home, though I think it is more important to do whatever it is that ends their suffering as soon as possible once it is determined that the dog IS suffering. We OWE this to our pets.

[ErikJ]

13. Thankyou kind people. Its all over.

I took him to the vet and had him euthanized at 3 pm PST. I couldnt bear to watch him "suffering" anymore. He kept trying to stumble around. I especially didnt want to see him go into death convulsions. I guess I was waiting for a miracle recovery.
Goodbye Sammy-you were a good little friend. I'll miss you boy.

I will bury him in my backyard tomorrow morning in one of his blankets.

[irisblue]

14. i am so sorry

for your loss. sammy will play hard at the bridge waiting for you

[Stinky The Clown]

15. Condolences and peace, Erik

A perfect, healthy Sammy is playing in the meadow by The Bridge.

[TorchTheWitch]

16. I'm so very sorry

It's a really hard decision to make, but it's the right one. You did the right thing both for the dog and for you. He's at peace now and living inside your heart.

Someone here had mentioned that they'd be planting a special bush or flowers or something on their pet's grave. I think that's a nice idea if you wanted to do something like that. It makes me think of a symbolic living memorial.

[99Forever]

17. So long Sammy...

... your friend Erik will come for you on the other side of the bridge. For now, romp and play and run with all of the happy furry pals that await their life friends there with you.

Bless you Erik, you did the selfless thing.

[CountAllVotes]

18. you did the right thing

I know how difficult it is. We all hope for a miracle and it comes to a point where the miracle is just not going to happen. Hopefully, most of us realize it before it turns into a even bigger horror to witness.

I too buried Old Kitty in the backyard.

I ordered a headstone for her grave which arrived the other day.

That helped, the headstone that is. It is a memorial for her that will last forever being it is made out of granite.

Take care and know that you did the right thing.

As for other thoughts that you may have considered, this happens when we are facing grief. You never quite know what to do and a huge piece of you hopes for a natural death.

In hindsight, I have seen few "natural deaths" with the many cats/dogs I've had in my lifetime. Most of them were put down before the suffering became so horrific that it was incomprehensible.

Know that your little friend is still around in spirit and will be with you always.

May Sammy RIP.

[PotatoChip]

19. As someone who has just gone through pretty much the same thing...

I can totally sympathize. Any pet owner who truly loves his/her pet will do the unselfish thing and have them put to sleep once it becomes clear that their pet's quality of life is no longer there. After all, the word 'euthanasia' itself by definition, (greek in origin)- means 'gentle death'.

The problem here of course, is to figure out whether or not your pet is still experiencing this thing we call 'quality of life'. That was my dilemma, and it sounds as if it was yours too.

FWIW, based on what you've told us, you made the right call. I am so sorry for your loss though.

It sounds as if Sammy had a wonderful life.

[phylny]

20. I'm sorry.

It's so hard, isn't it? I'm sending good thoughts your way.

[Curmudgeoness]

21. I am sorry.

This was the best thing, even if it doesn't feel that way. We all knew that you would know when the time was right.

[uppityperson]

22. My condolences. Go in peace Sammy

[RKP5637]

23. Thanks for updating, I had been wondering about your decision numerous

times and to me you did what was best for Sammy and you. It's soooo hard losing pets, they are so deeply loved. I know that Sammy is thanking you.

[Sera_Bellum]

25. (((((Sammy))))) n/t

[Irishonly]

27. I am sorry.

We all wait for the micacle recovery and then we put our needs and wants aside and do what is best for our fur baby. I hope you find peace.

[Warpy]

24. Letting him freeze to death is inhumane

A shot of phenobarbital is nearly painless and puts them out immediately. If he's not drinking, that's why the diarrhea has stopped. It's black because he's likely bleeding somewhere.

If he's avoiding water, it's time for him to go. Please accept responsibility for allowing him the easiest way out you can.

[Irishonly]

26. It's not an easy call

No one wants to lose their beloved pet. It is agonizing and heart breaking. We had Sam put down at home. Our area has a home vet care service and our regular vet also works for them. She came her so Sam was surrounded by his family in his favorite spot. She told me the greatest gift you can give and the greatest love you can show is to put their needs before yours. My Sam was suffering but he loved us so much he would have tried to stay with us. It's been almost a year since we lost him and I still can't type about him without shedding tears. You know what you need to do in your heart. It's just hard listening sometimes. I am not telling you what to do and I hope my post doesn't seem like I am.