My dog have owned since I was seven, has final stage lymphoma. The vet wouldn't even give her her shots when we had her boarded for a while since we were in the process of moving. We give her a pill that the vet gave us to giver her, permatison(sp?), every day for a week and half a pill every other day after that. When she does not have her pill she is VERY lethargic, can barely walk, arches her back in what we believe is pain, and does not eat or drink. My mom believes we should just let her live until it is her time. I don't like to see her this way. She is a 12 year old tibetan spanial mix. She now has started making snorting/rutting sounds, very similiar to what a boar hog, makes.When would it be time to humanely let her go.

This is a very hard question to answer. To let a beloved pet go or to live on, possibly in pain is something we all agonize about at one time or another. I would say, in my opinion, (and as you know, everyone has an opinion on this and many other subjects) it is time now. I firmly believe that to let a dog "live until it is their time" is something that really shouldn't be done...If you ask most humans, they would rather be "let go" gently than to have to suffer until their body finally lets go. It sounds as though your dog is telling you to let her go. I had a Rotty who developed bone cancer at age seven, and within a month, was in so much pain, we had to let her go...that wasn't an easy decision either, but after the mourning phase, I am sure that we did the right thing. We loved her so very much, she was our baby, and I couldn't bare to allow her to hurt one more day. Remember, it is kinder to let them go gently, than to make them suffer needlessly. If we had this option for humans suffering, I'm sure most would rather go this way, than to be forced to live in a constant state of discomfort and pain. I am so sorry that you have to make this decision, but remember, no matter what you decided, do what is best for the dog, not the people around them. Best wishes.

We suggest that you make a list of five things you consider quality of life issues. Examples would be:

Is able and willing to eat.

Is able to rise and walk without excessive pain.

Is able to control bodily functions, and can urinate/defecate without assistance.

Is interested in interacting with family members, and enjoys contact.

Recognizes family members and seems oriented as to where he/she is.

Is able to lay down and sleep comfortably.

Has no difficulty breathing.

And there are many others. Those were just examples, to get you started in the right direction. Pick five items that you consider important. If/when you cross off three items because they no longer apply, it's time to discuss euthanasia with your vet.

you will know. mine just died about 3 weeks ago from lyphoma. she made those nose sounds for about 1 week. during the night i could hear her struggling to breath. i just knew. you will know. i am so sorry. molly was only 8. she was sweet and i can't believe she is gone. it was so so fast. be kind to your dog. your dog is counting on you to do what's right. and you will. again, i am so so sorry.

We had to euthanize her at 3:00 today. She too was making strange snorting sounds. We decided to end her pain.

you did the right thing. and i am so sorry. my heart breaks for you and your family. my son put my molly's tags on his key ring. she will be in our hearts forever as i am sure your will be. you did the right thing.

Please accept my condolences for your loss. It is truly the best for your friend, you need to believe that. She will always live on in your hearts, remember that. I understand how you feel, and how difficult it was to make the decision, but you made the right one. She will watch over you and your family from heaven now...in peace.

[Nonnie]

I had to put down my almost 14 year old Chocolate Lab today and I am questioning it. Kate was a real sweetheart and I am missing her so much. She was losing her ability to walk and her arthritic front legs were taking the brunt of her weight. She was disoriented and fell alot - she would get into corners often not knowing how to get back out and she would get tangled up in furniture. She still had her appetite and had control of her bodily functions, so I wasn't sure it was her time. Both my husband and the vet said it was time to go, but I'm not sure. She didn't enjoy playing anymore and she didn't engage with us like she used to. She spent her nights pacing all around the house.The thought of her falling and breaking a leg or something is why I agreed to the euthanasia. Kate also had had 2 mast cell cancer operations and 2 other operations where 3+ pound benign tumors were taken out of her belly. She had an inoperable tumor on her liver and had been on meds for a couple of years - 6 pills in the AM and 3 at nite. Another thing - although she still controlled her bodily functions, she would fall when she pooped - couldn't crouch anymore. Why do I feel guilty about euthanizing her and conversely, feel guilty for allowing her to suffer?

[CorkyMax]

Sorry to hear of your loss. I too had to put my Corky down this past June--worst thing I ever had to do. I came across a poem I wish I had seen before putting him down. It is in this thread--I hope it helps you--It helped me some.----Poem for My Corky It will take time to ease the pain. I adopted a rescue dog after 6 months and that has helped too. (And I believe Corky led me to her) Please consider rescuing a dog when the time is right for you.

I would also suggest going to the section in this forum called Dog Memorials & Rainbow Bridge---which is where I had done the thread above---There is a lot there from other members who have gone through this that might comfort you.

[reeskujo]

I know just how you feel. In August of 09 I had to put my Akita who was 5 yr.s old and my Husky who was 2 yr.s old to sleep at the same time!...I know I did what was right for thrm considering the situation but trust me,I still question myself. From what you've said about Kates' condition she no longer had a good quality of life. IMO,you did the right thing. While dealing with the heartbreak we feel when we have to make that choice the most important thing is what's best for them. I've seen so many dogs that are suffering horribly from one thing or another and yet out of selfishness and the not wanting to deal with the pain the owners don't euthanize them and allow them to continue to suffer.

You will always question your choice but trust me,from what you have said you have made the right one!. Alkways remember they can not speak and make their wishes known like we humans can so it's up to us to realize when they're suffering to much,don't have a good quality of life and put them to sleep so they no longer suffer. I will not lie and say it gets easier with time. I still almost 2 yr.s later have a hard time looking at their pics or talking about them but I knw I did what was best for them. You also have to keep in mind the wonderful life you gave here for many,many years and try and focus on the good times as well as the love,loyalty and joy she brought you!

[HomeworkCrazy]

I know it is already too late to follow my advice, but here is what I would have done. I would have given her an excellent day; really good food, lots of treats, a long run (if that's what she liked), spending the entire day with her, and basically doing everything to ensure that she had a wonderful last day on Earth. Then at 8:00 or whatever time at night, I would have brought her into the vet so she could rest in peace. As I said earlier, I know it's too late, but maybe keep that in mind next time. :|

I'm sorry for the loss of your best friend.
SINCERELY SORRY,
HOMEWORKCRAZY :X

[reeskujo]

Originally Posted by HomeworkCrazy

I know it is already too late to follow my advice, but here is what I would have done. I would have given her an excellent day; really good food, lots of treats, a long run (if that's what she liked), spending the entire day with her, and basically doing everything to ensure that she had a wonderful last day on Earth. Then at 8:00 or whatever time at night, I would have brought her into the vet so she could rest in peace. As I said earlier, I know it's too late, but maybe keep that in mind next time. :|

I'm sorry for the loss of your best friend.
SINCERELY SORRY,
HOMEWORKCRAZY :X

You must not have read the OP's entire post. Her baby was incapable of doing almost all of the things you suggested!!!...I don't think anyone should suggest how someone should spend their time with their dog in the last day since only they know their dog and what they would want.Especially if they have not been asked their opinion on that particular matter. To have waited until that night at 8pm as you suggested would have needlesly caused the OP's dog longer suffering!!!

Have you ever had to personally euthanize one of you're animals who was suffering to the degree the OP's was? The OP did not make this post to get suggestions on what she should or should not have done before hand but for the support we all need when we experience this sad day in our lives. Perhaps you should be a little more careful about reading a full post and taking a persons feelings into consideration before you respond!!!

[Nonnie]

thank you so much for your response. You are right - Kate could not have done all those activities. We stopped and got her ice cream before taking her to the vet, and, although she hadn't lost her appetite, she was not at all interested in her favorite treat. Maybe she knew something was going on. I think I am having a typical reaction to our decision - wondering if we could have kept her alive longer. I believe the answer is "yes", and , although she responded some to us, I think she was just worn out and would have stayed alive for our sake. She was a great dog and I just hope I get over this depression. We'll get another dog, but my husband wants to wait awhile. I had promised to abide by the vet's advice and that is what I did, but I still feel guilty about ending my wonderful dog's life.

[cigwyllt]

Sorry, I have come a little late to this thread and don't want to cause you extra pain. I believe you did the right thing but I think that in our hearts we always feel that perhaps a few more days, another week THEN it will be the right time. But the right time for us is not necessarily the right time for our dog. You put your dog first - that is what you need to remember - all of us would wish for a few days more be it with a beloved dog or person, we never want to acknowledge that it is time to say goodbye. But you followed the vet's advice and I am sure that if your dog could have thanked you for it she would have done. God bless.

[Nonnie]

thank you so much for your wonderful words. You said it beautifully.

[Nonnie]

It's been a week today and I am still questioning my actions, which is stupid, because I can't do anything about them. My family (dgh, son-in-law,2 grandkids, and their black lab) were here all last week which helped the hurt some, but I realized that their presence here would have probably stressed Kate out, because she wouldn't have been able to interact well with them and she probably would have broken a leg over my grandson's toys which were all over the place. She was definitely a night walker and couldn't see well and she got confused easily. I am wondering though, if I had kept her isolated in the bedroom, would she have been okay? Did I put her down out of convenience because the house would be disrupted for her or did I do what was right? We are also going to redo our kitchen in the next week and I think I had it in the back of my mind that this would have been terribly stressful for a poor animal who was confused, couldn't see or walk well, and often seemed to be disengaged with the activities around her. In other words, I am still feeling guilty about our decision. I think I just need to let some time go by and maybe I'll have a better perspective on things. My husband has been so supportive and he keeps telling me that Kate had needed to be put down for awhile. He travels and is home on the weekends and he says he could see the downward spiral better than I could. He truly loved Kate, too, so I should trust his feelings. Thanks for letting me get this off my chest.

[cigwyllt]

I understand exactly what you are saying because I have been there myself.

Our old golden retriever died of old age. She was my son's dog but a real family pet. We knew that she was fading and but we didn't want to hurry her end if she was still "with us" - she wasn't in any pain, just very tired. The night before she died she ate a little, was first to go outside afterwards then fell asleep in her basket. She died on the Friday and the next day my parents went out and booked a family holiday for us all - something we had always said we couldn't do while we had Judy.

It was something we had had in mind for some time and it was also done as something to distract the younger children as she had been there since before they were born but to me it felt so callous - as though we were waiting for her to die so that we could go away.

Sometimes we are so unkind to ourselves and we question the things that we do in a way that we would never do to anyone else. Throughout your posts your love for your dog has stood out as your motivation for your actions. I don't believe for a minute that it ever occurred to you that it would be "more convenient" for her not to be around. Every day you had with her was precious and you chose the timing because you didn't want to see her suffer any more.

I am sure that if you were to read someone else's story, even word for word the same as yours you would never judge them as harshly as you judge yourself. You are mourning the loss of a long time companion. Guilt is part of that but don't dwell on it. Sometimes it can take a very long time to get over the death of a dog - you may always miss her but the guilt is misplaced and you don't deserve to experience it.

[Nonnie]

thank you so much for answering me. I never thought of myself as a wallower, but I am blaming myself for a lot of stuff - I'm telling myself that if I hadn't gotten Kate her yearly rabies shot or an extra kennel cough vaccine in November, then maybe her autoimmune disease (MMM, which started in October, maybe as a result of the stress of her surgery in Sept) wouldn't have progressed so quickly. I had her titered for all the other shots, but the vet in FL requires yearly rabies shots and I never questioned it - just went ahead and did it. I also don't know why I had her get the kennel cough vaccine again. We were in CT at the time, and CT only requires it once a year if you are going to board your pet. FL requires it twice a year and I guess I was looking ahead to possibly boarding her down the road. I always complied with the guidelines and I am wondering if I over vaccinated the poor dog. I am crying so much lately, I don't think I am thinking straight. Thanks for your help.

[KristinaL]

I have had to put dogs down and even though I was young it still hurt. I work for a vet now and I've been there through numerous euthanizations and they are all sad. People come in and ask him all the time if they are doing the right thing and he always says the same thing, if your dog stops doing the things he/she loves then that is their way of telling you they are ready to go. I hope this helps someone out in some way

[Nonnie]

Your response has helped a whole lot. Kate didn't bring the paper in anymore and she wouldn't play with her toys. It's been 2 weeks since we lost her, and, although I am still grieving, I can see more clearly now, that she was ready to go. Thank you.