Dog owners, when is it time to put your dog to sleep?

[ps1074]

I am affraid my doggy's health is declining :(

She is almost 19 years old and last year she went through a surgery after which she recovered really well. However in the last couple of months she just don't look that energetic. I think her legs hurts as she started limping a bit and these days she preffer more and more to just sleep. I suspect her eyes are not better either since she can't recognize any movement if the moving object is more than 7-8 meters away from her.

There are more signs of her declining health... But she still barks when there is something she does not like or just want to tell me something :) All her teeth are still in place(which I find amazing), she still have lots of appetite.

I just can't decide what is the best thing to do for her. I've spent 19 years with her and love her very much. I know pet lovers will understand me.

I look into her eyes every day waiting to see there any sign she had it enough. And every day this sign is not there. Or at least I can't see it.

What would you advise me?

[Dookus]

1. sigh....

It's so sad to see an old friend grow old like that, isn't it?

It sounds like she's still doing OK... acting like an old dog. I think you'll know when it's too much for her. Just keep treating her well and watching her closely and you'll know.

Good luck! Give her a belly-rub for me.

[CO Liberal]

2. Talk It Over With Your Vet

Between the two of you, decide what's best for your dog.

And when it's time for your dog to cross over, be sure to visit the Rainbow Bridge web site:

http://www.rainbowbridge.com/

[MissMillie]

12. I'm with this one

My guess is the vet can better inform you if your dog is merely old or if it's suffering needlessly.

Of course, the vet will stress that it's your decision to make, but let the vet know you want to make the decision w/ the best information possible.

[trof]

17. The question to ask your vet:

(if he's good and you trust him)
"What would you do if it were your dog?"
I have been guided by that more than once.
We love them and want to hang on to them forever, but there comes a time when quality of life is nil and we're keeping them for US, not for them.
I've been through it more times than I like to think about and it is never, never easy.
If you can handle it, be there to hold a paw and stroke and say what a good dog, etc. and say goodbye. It is gut busting heart wrenching but later you'll feel better about yourself if you do.
I am so sorry.
:-(

[MuseRider]

3. We have always felt that

as long as they are not in real pain and still eat and seem engaged when you pet and love on them then it is not time. She will let you know, it will be obvious usually. We keep 3 dogs at all times so we have been through the old age stuff many times, never had one die from anything else. I think you will know.

[Mari333]

4. I took my beagle to the VET when this started happening

she gave me the advice....he had cancer....he was in pain...I held him in my arms after my sons said goodbye to him and let him go...it was painless for my dog, but better then him living in pain..
My husbands Basset Hound was also barely walking, and losing control of her bladder as she aged...arthritis, hard to walk, not happy...she just walked into the woods one night and laid down to die.
I would see the Vet..if the dog isnt in chronic pain, then its up to you..if she or he is in chronic pain, I personally would let them be put to sleep. Its the compassionate thing. The Vet will let you know.

[TrogL]

5. When she's actually in pain

or a danger to herself (eg. falling down stairs because she can't see them) or others (biting people because she no longer recognizes them).

Don't be surprised if she simply dies peacefully in her sleep.

[SiouxJ]

6. I know exactly what you mean

mine is 17 and a half. He mostly sleeps and he limps a little. I have him on arthritis meds and heart meds. He can't see that well and can't hear at all. I don't think he's barked in two years (probably thinks "what's the point" since he can't hear himself do it - lol). He still smiles and follows me around the house. His bowel and bladder are perfect. I think I'll keep him until he tells me he's in pain. You can see it in their eyes. Mine still has that happy sparkle and I've seen his miserable look (he was once very sick, years ago) so I know what to look for. I say you are doing the right thing. Just keep looking in their eyes, but don't jump to conclusions too fast. They have good days and bad. It's when the bad start to out number the good that you have to do the right thing. You have to be unselfish and do what's best for them and that's the hard part.

[Booberdawg]

7. Talk it over with the vet

It's such a personal decision anyway. The vet can tell you if your dog is suffering.

I can't bear the thought myself. I know the day will come when my Boober will have to leave me but for now he's 10 years old and thinks he's still a puppy.

Best of wished for your pooch. *sigh* They don't call them man's best friend for nothin'

[TheBlob]

8. 19 years!?

My God, that's amazing. You should feel blessed.
You must have a small dog.
My German Shepherd is a couple months shy of 13 years old and while she's still happy and healthy I look at every day with her as a gift because I know we're on borrowed time.

[trof]

19. Wow.

That's some kind of record for German Shepherds.
Nasha is 12 and I don't think she'll see the new year.

[avtho]

9. After 19 years

You will know when the time has come. I had my dachshund put down after 21 years. He couldn't see well was almost blind but no pain. The last day he had real trouble breathing, was awake all day on the couch holding his head up, nose up. evidently trouble getting his breath, but no whining or other signs of discomfort. Took him to the vet he checked his heart and said his heart was in trouble.

The vet asked if I wanted a shot to calm him first. I did. Then the final shot, he just slept away.

The vet sent roses the next day.

[ps1074]

10. Thanks guys

She does not have cancer. The last time her vet saw her was a couple of months ago and he said she is just an old dog, but we'll have to pay a visit to him soon again. 2 months is a long time for an old doggy...

[AnnabelLee]

11. For me, the deciding factor is quality of life

You say that everyday you look in her eyes to see if she's had enough, but you don't see that. Talk to your vet about her limping; maybe a medication like Rimadyl would help. It certainly helped one of our dogs for quite a while.

It is obvious from the way you describe her that you love your dog very much. Even with failing vision, as long as she is not in pain, & if she enjoys her life & is eating well (a very important factor in deciding if she still enjoys life), she deserves whatever time she has left with you--just as you deserve the time you have left with her.

Please ask your vet about her limping. Chances are (s)he can help. Good luck, & give her a big wet smoochy kiss & a hug from me.:loveya:

[sinkingfeeling]

13. Have a large breed 13-year-old.....

which my son picked up from the vet's for me after her 'yearly' visit for inspection and shots. She had an irritated eye, a slight ear infection, and stiffness in the rear legs (she's an outside dog) according to the vet. My son came home and said, "I think you ought to have Dee put down". I flipped out on him. She has some mild, treatable problems, but she isn't suffering and some days is very playful. Just told my son I surely didn't like the fact that he might have to make decisions about me when I was elderly!!

[NewGuy]

14. I am not a pet owner...

and would not allow a pet to become a nuisance. However, I realize not everyone feels that way. My wife kept a cat once until its spine gave out and it had to get from place to place by pulling itself along with its front legs. I think when the pain becomes its life it is time to let it go.

[OneBlueSky]

15. she'll let you know . . .

almost two years ago, I was going through the same thing with my companion of 16 years . . . two years prior he had a bout of vestibular disease that left him pretty shakey at times, and sometimes even unable to walk . . . but he was still eating well, and responding to affection . . . I knew it was time when he stopped eating and just stopped responding to me altogeher . . . it was the hardest decision I've ever had to make, but I knew it was the right thing to to and the right time to do it . . .

good luck . . . remember, she knows she's loved, and that will never change . . .

[GoddessOfGuinness]

16. My brother's dog went blind...

and she was perfectly happy. They were careful to keep the furniture arranged the same way, so she wouldn't bump into things or get confused about her surroundings.

(oops! I accidentally hit the enter key!)

With the help of your vet, you'll know when it's time to put your pup to sleep. As long as her suffering is minimal, I think it's best to enjoy her company as long as you can.

[Yupster]

18. My rule

as long as she still wants a treat, I do everything I can for her. When she doesan't even have that last enjoyment left, it's time.

[MissMarple]

20. Ditto on the quality of life.

We just had to put our old big guy to sleep. It was time. He couldn't stand up very long, was having more and more frequent seizures, and seemed very confused. He went downhill very rapidly. We had done accupuncture, along with his Rymadil(sp) and glucosamine, and added another injection(Abutizol?) to help control his pain. The accupuncture gave us over a year more of his most excellent company.

We had him cremated. He's on the counter next to the cookie jar. We don't feel doing any thing more than that just now. He's just in the kitchen, hanging out, near where he spent most of his time.

Good luck with your friend. He can trust you to the right thing when the time comes.

Also, on the knowing when, I kept wondering that myself for months, and then, it was perfectly clear, the change was obvious. I think you'll know.