Originally Posted by
kyle217
Hi everyone,
I am looking for some advise on when its the right time to put my dog to sleep. Max is a GSD that we got as a rescue 6 years ago. We're not 100% on his age but we estimate him to be around 12 years old.
Max has suffered from athiritis and hip dysplacia for many years. We have and continue to supplement him with Glucosomine, Cod Live Oil etc. This as well as vet treatment / medication has slowed the process down but now he seems to be declining more noticabley each week.
He has very little strength in his back legs and seems to support himself entirely with his front legs. He struggles to get up (although at the moment still manages to with no assistance). He tends to hop on his back legs rather than walk on them and sometimes they sway with his weight and he can't control his direction. Due to these points he struggles to get out in time and has a lot of accidents. Sometimes (generally when were not around to prompt him) he just soils his bed without getting up, so we're having to bath him frequently.
Taking him for a walk is all but impossible. 9 times out of 10 he will give up after a few minutes and refuse to move in any direction that isn't heading back home.
He is still eating well and can support himself to stand up for the duration of time it takes him to eat. We keep his water bowl next to his bed so he doesn't have to get up to drink.
My main concern is his quality of life. He is loved and cared for and the extra work in caring for him as an elderly dog doesn't bother me at all. Afterall, I made the commitment and he has been/still is a fantastic companion. This comes with the territory of being a pet owner I guess. But my point is that the majority of his days are spent just on his bed. We interact with him as much as we can under these circumstances and treat him to his favorite foods reguarly. He's just not got that same spark he use to have, I worry that he's depressed with his circumstances.
As responsible pet owners what would you do in these circumstances? My way of thinking at the moment is that I'll consider his life now the worst i'm willing to let it get. If he declines further to the point he needs assitance in just getting up to go in the garden then I'll make that difficult decision. What sort of life for him is that? Am I wrong for this? Is it better a day to soon or a minute to late? He's my first and only ever dog and I would give anything to make him better but I can't.
Also, when its time for him to be put to sleep how does the process work. I understand you can take them to the vets or have it done at home. I would opt for having it done at home as I want him to be comfortable and peaceful when the time comes. What happens with him after its done? Ideally I would like him cremated rather than buried. I don't own a house and wouldn't want to bury him somewhere I won't be living in next year. Is cremation an option? What are the costs? Would I need to take him myself or can the vet who puts him to sleep organise it?
Any advise would be great. Thanks for reading.
Kyle
Firstly , this is somethign only you can make the decision on..but my heart goes out to you when you have to make it.
A friend of mine was in exactly the same situation a couple of yrs ago with her old GSD (girl) all the same symptoms as yours, back legs to weak to walk, incontinence..
Her mind was so willing, but her body had given out
She would tell you herself if she was here, that they kept Cleo going to long.... but at the time the decision was unbearable to make, as every day she said..today is the day, Cleo would have a good day.
There is a saying, better a day to early , than an hour to late...
I would talk to your vet, ask his advice, only you know your dog... you will know when you wake up one morning... this is the day, I am sure of it.
Regards being prepared, in some ways we are lucky to be able to prepare for this day.. instead of a "wish I did it differently " when it happens suddenly.
It will be up to you , if you can cope with her being done at home, or at the vets..
Speak to your vet, before you make the decision, ask her/him if he will come to your home.
Then you have the choice of letting the vet take her back to deal with the crematorium, or you can deal with the Crem direct... look on line for your local one, ask your vet who they deal with.. give them a ring and ask their procedure.. i.e will they come to you to get her, or will you have to take her to them... they will usually come to you at a given time.
Make sure also that the crematorium, does "individual" cremations... this should guarantee you get your dog back, and nothing else.
Also If you decide to let the vets deal with the cremation, make sure you know what days the crematorium, "pick up" from the vets.
You dont want to have your pet PTS on Mon, and they dont pick up till Thur!!
Sorry, if that sounds callous, but it is something you need to get straight and in place before that time.
It might also influence your decision on letting her go at the vets.
I recently has my cat PTS, she was done on Monday, and I started to panic a bit , when I had not heard from the vets by the end of the week.
It turned out , they dont get a "pick up" till Thursday...
This upset me to think she spent all that time in the vets waiting, when if I had known I would have taken her myself to the Crematorium.
Just something you can think over, it may all help you in your final decision , when the time is right.
Many hugs coming your way, for a not to nice a time you have to face.