How do you know when it's time to euthanize?

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How do you know when it's time to euthanize?

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Byron

Bridge Angel - always loved

Barked: Thu Nov 5, '09 12:46pm PST


	Byron's been sick and losing weight for months. His quality of life is still more good than bad, but it continues to shift toward the bad. He has a host of issues, and it seems that every time we try to treat one, it negatively affects one of the others. His primary issue is digestive - chronic diarrhea and anorexia, and the vet hasn't been able to diagnose that. (The only thing we haven't done is an endoscopy.) It makes it hard to introduce any herb, supplement or medicine, because everything sets off worse diarrhea. Three weeks ago he weighed in at 45.5 pounds. He should be 60. I'm going back to the vet tonight and will weigh him again - he looks even skinnier and I expect he will have lost several more pounds. I'm not giving up on him yet, don't get me wrong. My question is, how does a dog let you know when he's had enough? A human can make a decision and talk about it. A cat will get cranky when it hurts enough. But dogs are so stoic. Those emaciated dogs on Animal Cops are usually still running around and acting affectionate at death's door. I haven't dealt with dog end of life issues yet. I don't want to wait too long and make him suffer unnecessarily - I feel strongly that it's my job to protect him from as much suffering as possible. So if there are any markers I could look for that might help indicate that it's time, I'd really appreciate hearing about them. He has brought so much love and joy into my life and I want to give him all the respect and compassion that he deserves.

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Lilith

Aro-ro-ro!

Barked: Thu Nov 5, '09 12:54pm PST


	Do you have a vet college near you? Have you ever tried to book an appointment with a nutritional specialist and/or GI specialist at one? Maybe that's something you may be able to do.. I think dogs do get grouchy when they are in pain, but starving isn't the same pain as say, a broken foot. I don't know what else to say, since I've never lost a dog yet either, and I hope I won't have to make that decision for them. We'll keep you in our thoughts..

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Telly Lam

Never met a- lampost I- couldn't pee on

Barked: Thu Nov 5, '09 1:00pm PST


	So sorry to hear of your health troubles. Like Lillith said, have you looked into being referred to a specialist or vet college? Maybe if you could get a definitive diagnosis, it could help you feel better about the decisions you make for Byron, whether that is to treat, manage palliatively or euthanize. At least you would have a starting point (diagnosis), and some idea of prognosis (how the disease may progress, and what the chances are of survival). We wish you all the best and will be keeping you and Byron in our prayers.

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Jessica CGC

Will work for- food

Barked: Thu Nov 5, '09 1:05pm PST


	I wanted to wait until my dog stopped eating when I hand fed him before I euthanized him. In retrospect now I can look back and see all the signs that he was telling me he was ready for me to let go. But I didn't see them at the time, or didn't want to see them. He ate cooked chicken from my hand, like a good boy he was. He died violently seizing. (he didn't have epilepsy, it was from kidney disease). I used to think "What right do I have to choose when it's his time to die, if he has a will to live?" But I don't think like that anymore. I think someone has to really be willing to see the signs that it's time, because the dog will tell you, just be willing to really see them. I think there is a spiritual aspect to it... It's the bond you 2 have that will speak to you. If someone asked me "well how did your dog tell you?" I couldn't answer with physical signs like I couldn't say "well he just stopped wanting to move". He never stopped enjoying being by my side. I know he was just ready though. He was patient and calm. I truely believe he was just hanging around so long for my sake. Edited by author Thu Nov 5, '09 1:10pm PST

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Juniper

SQUIRRELLLL?- Where??

Barked: Thu Nov 5, '09 1:22pm PST


	This is a really hard decision to make I am 21 and I have a 16+ year old shepherd mix that I have had since I was in kindergarten. She did really well until about a year ago, then started going downhill. Now, she gets better and she gets worse. We are in your shoes, waiting for her to tell us when she is ready to go. About 2 months ago, she had what we believe to be a stroke in the middle of the night. When we woke and found her, she was disoriented, wobbly, and had a head tilt. I am in college, but Max (the dog) lives with my grandma. After they found Max, my dad called me and told me what had happened. He said they were thinking about euthanizing her because she had gone so far downhill in such a short period of time, but ultimately it was my decision. This was on a Saturday, and no vets were open. I told him that if she was still doing bad on Monday, to take her and get the vets opinion. I personally didn't expect her to make it to Monday. Max pulled through though. By Monday, she was MUCH better. She fought her way through it, and that told me she wasn't ready to go just yet. If she was willing to fight, I was willing to let her. She still has a slight head tilt due to the stroke, but it doing great now. She is very happy and eating well. Granted, she is old and she has also lost weight. She just has that old, boney look to her but otherwise she is doing well. Whenever she stops fighting, I will gladly make a decision, but as long as she is willing to try I will let her. I don't know if this helps or not, but good luck with your situation. I feel like you will know when the time has come

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Jessica CGC

Will work for- food

Barked: Thu Nov 5, '09 1:25pm PST


	It sounds like the "stroke" Max had was something called vestubular disease. It's not really a disease; it's a seizure that happens almost always only once in a dog's lifetime when the dog is a senior. The head tilt is a classic tell-tale sign of vestibular disease. They most likely recover in 4-7 days, but until then the dog feels like he's drunk. For all those with senior dogs I encourage you to read and get support: http://srdogs.com

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Socks - My Angel

I'm a GIRL!!!!

moderator

Barked: Thu Nov 5, '09 1:28pm PST


	When they are ready, you will know. I didn't believe people when they told me that. But it is true.

Dolly

I'm spoiled but- not rotten!

Barked: Thu Nov 5, '09 2:10pm PST


	Byron, I see you are in the Chicagoland area. There is a fantastic specialty vet hospital in Buffalo Grove, IL. You could also go to the vet school in Champagne/Urbana which is about 3 hours from Chicago. Or if you are far northwest of the city there is the vet school in Madison WI. If you need info on any of these places please pmail me, you may be able to get a lot of answers at one!

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The Boys- (Manny &- Salty)

Best Buds for- Life!

Barked: Thu Nov 5, '09 2:26pm PST


	Im going through this with my cat right now. Ive had him since I was six and he's 19 now. Dh often says we cant put him down until he cant jump on the bed, but recently he found a way around that by jumping on the end table on to the bed, bol. He has kidney diesease and has lost tons of weight. I was giving him fluids every day, but they didnt help. Im at a point where I want him to go when he's still okay rather than waiting until I cant wait anymore. I dont want to see him suffer and I know that's going to happen soon. I keep putting money aside so I can get him cremated and just by doing that helps me know its going to be soon. I dont think you ever really KNOW, I just think you come to a place where you're at peace with it and its time. I wish I had better advice, but just know others are going through it too.

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Fred

Seriously, just- leave me alone.

Barked: Thu Nov 5, '09 3:03pm PST


	It is extremely hard. I've only had to make that choice once. When I was 18, we had a Rottie that I'd had since I was 9. With the large breeds, they don't always live as long. At 9, he had Hip Displaysia and arthritis. He was always happy. He was the happiest when I would go and lay down beside him and love on him. But, he was having some serious pain. And in retrospect, I was probably selfish to keep him around that long. In the end, our vet came out and euthanized him in our living room, while I held him. We buried him in the backyard and there is still a marker at my parent's house for him. There is no "right" time. It is only when you realize that they are ready to go, but dogs, they love us more than they love themselves, and that is what makes it so hard. They hold on so long for you. Not for them, they hold on for us. In the end, only you will know when this is the right choice. I also have a senior dog again. Fred is almost 10, and has some health problems as well. He was most recently diagnosed with Cushing's Disease. The vet believes the tumor is on his pituitary gland, because she didn't see anything on the ultrasound. He is not doing very well on the medication either. He is continuing to lose weight, and is still losing control of his bladder frequently. He is crabby, and he tends to just lay around a lot lately (probably due to a loss of muscle tone). So, I have recently begun to start thinking about it again. I don't want to. I am not ready to say goodbye yet. And for a Shih Tzu, Fred is still kind of young. But, he has also run away 3 times in the last couple of months. The last time, he was found about a 1/2 mile from our house and was gone overnight. Luckily he is microchipped. But, I wonder what is making him run away? He's never run away before... Never even tried to. I don't think he is ready to say goodbye yet. There are still some medications we haven't tried that he may do a lot better on. But I am starting to see the signs that maybe I missed the first time around. And I don't want him to suffer if there is no cure for his problem and we can't manage it properly. Hugs to you. I geuss my answer is that there is no answer. It is simply a choice that you have to make based upon how well you know your dog. When do they give up living for themselves and are just holding on for you? That is when it is time. And when you do say goodbye, Cash the Rottie will be waiting on the other side for you. He'll show you the ropes. He was always good at that. And tell him his little girl Jennifer still loves him.

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How do you know when it's time to euthanize?



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