To Put-Down Or Not To Put-Down? That Is The Question

Darkwave

Darkwave

Darkwave

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Hey guys,

Sorry for the grim thread, but I promise I'll make it quick and painless (no pun intended.)

My mother owns a dog, which was the family pet while I was growing up, and it's almost as old as me now (I'm twenty.) The dog in question is totally deaf (ie. 100% deaf), near-totally blind, and has stiffness in his rear legs which causes him some obvious discomfort but not pain.

Currently he has been walking into things a lot more than he used to, which probably means that his eye-sight is getting gradually worse, and he has begun howling pretty much all the time which I feel is an indicator toward him being near "the end." However, it should be noted that the dog is in absolutely no pain, and actually leads quite a comfortable and happy life where he is well-fed, let out more than enough in a huge garden, and is much loved by my family. He even tends to roll or skip around and act like a puppy now and again.

My mother says it's time to consider wether or not he should be put-down, as he's probably close to the end and he isn't exactly in the best of shape. I am completely undecided myself, but the decision isn't actually up to me, I am truely 50/50 on the issue though.

Any pet owners out there willing to share any experience or opinions? Any are welcome.

Have a very nice day.

Sincerely yours,
Úlfhednar.
 
hes in no pain, has a good life, is still active, no need to put him down. let him go naturally of old age unless he developes cancer or some such illness that does cause him pain. so far the only reason i can see for you putting him down is because hes craving a little more attention these days with his howling which is probably caused by his blindness and deafness as he doesnt know if anyone is there.
 
Aye, I'm pretty much in the same mind as you really. He is comfortable, he's not in any pain, and I agree that he's probably howling because he doesn't know anybody is there.

Do you think that I should take him to the vet and see if they think that it's proper to put him down or not? I think they'd be more qualified and able to make an un-biased opinion on the matter than I am.
 
Úlfhednar said:
Aye, I'm pretty much in the same mind as you really. He is comfortable, he's not in any pain, and I agree that he's probably howling because he doesn't know anybody is there.

Do you think that I should take him to the vet and see if they think that it's proper to put him down or not? I think they'd be more qualified and able to make an un-biased opinion on the matter than I am.
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well, you could go for an opinion, but id put money on them saying "put him to sleep" and they will only charge you a few hundred for it too...
 
locutus12 said:
well, you could go for an opinion, but id put money on them saying "put him to sleep" and they will only charge you a few hundred for it too...
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Yeah, I think many vets would do that, but luckily I know our vet personally. He's a great guy, and he'd be honest about it since he knows the dog as well as we do really.

I just don't know, really. My head is in a bit of a mess about it, as you can probably guess.
 
how do you know the dog is in no pain??

Deafness isnt a problem, blindness is a problem but one that could be dealt with on its own, however its not on its own. How do you expect to interact with the poor chap if he cant hear or see??

The stiffness will most likely be arthritis, which is to be expected in a dog of this age. Let me tell you know, im 24 and i started getting arthritis about 18 months ago, it hurts, like hell. It can be so bad that it actually keeps me awake at night! If your dog has got it, chances are that is why he is howling!

I love dogs, i really do and they do become part of the family. However, i would never let my feelings get in the way of doing what is right for the dog. He cant communicate with you and i believe he is in pain. Spend a great day with him, sit in the garden in the sun, stroke him, hug him, feed him all the naughty stuff he shouldnt have and then let him go to sleep.

Im sorry for you, its never easy. I had to make this decision about 2 years ago, the dog had grown up with me and we all loved him. However, he could hardly walk (arthritis) and was in pain. It was a sad day when i took him to the vets but looking back, i did what was best for him.
 
In situations like this I always say to the vet "Is he suffering and what is his quality of life?" and abide by the opinion of a professional.

Also if you do take the decision to have the dog euthanized, get the vet to do it at home in the dogs loved enviroment
 
Thanks for the replies MNuTz and PsiFox, it's really appreciated. I think I'll take him down to the vet this week, and see what he says, since I trust him to tell me if the dog actually would be better of being put to sleep or not.

If it does turn out he needs putting to sleep, I'm pretty much going to be doing everything in MNuTz's post really.
 
I'd only put him down if he was either:

a) obviously suffering and in pain

or

b) no longer able to control himself (bowel/bladder)

He may be deaf/blind, but if he's still able to eat/drink and feel affection from the family then maybe it's not his time yet.

Always puts a lump in my throat when I see obviously old dogs gingerly going for a walk, bless em :(
 
My grandads dog had the same problem... we have had to build him a ramp to get in and out the house (didnt cost too much mates a builder) but he lived untill about 23/24 and my grandad loved that dog so much

Stelly
 
PsiFox said:
Also if you do take the decision to have the dog euthanized, get the vet to do it at home in the dogs loved enviroment
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personally i couldn't be anywhere near the dog if the vet was putting him down, that would upset me knowing what was happening or worse even seeing it.



but again i would say get the opinion of your vet, you can then make an informed decision.
 
PsiFox said:
In situations like this I always say to the vet "Is he suffering and what is his quality of life?" and abide by the opinion of a professional.

Also if you do take the decision to have the dog euthanized, get the vet to do it at home in the dogs loved enviroment
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^^^^^

what he said.
 
Cruiser said:
personally i couldn't be anywhere near the dog if the vet was putting him down, that would upset me knowing what was happening or worse even seeing it.
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It's horrible, but you've got to do it for them, if you can. It's the hardest thing I have ever, ever done in my life, but I was there when he went, and he felt safe because I was there holding him. It broke my heart afterwards, but it wasn't about me. It was about him, and I owed him that much :)
 
As above mate, your dog so what ever you decide will be for the best :)
However my opinion is to try and make him as comfotable as you can and let him enjoy the time he has left (which doesnt sound too long unfortunately)
 
Cruiser said:
personally i couldn't be anywhere near the dog if the vet was putting him down, that would upset me knowing what was happening or worse even seeing it.
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I'd have to be with him if we did put him to sleep, I've known him all my life. :)

dun said:
However my opinion is to try and make him as comfotable as you can and let him enjoy the time he has left (which doesnt sound too long unfortunately)
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Aye, I think we'll take him to the vet and see what he says. If the dog doesn't need to put down, he'll be pampered like there's no tomorrow (ouch, there I go with the puns again) for as long as he has left.
 
I really don't see any reason to put him down. You said yourself he gets on like a puppy at times. It will just take him a little extra time to get used to being blind on top of being deaf. Just pet him a lot more to let him know you're there.

He'll let you know when he's had enough. :)
 
Úlfhednar said:
If the dog doesn't need to put down, he'll be pampered like there's no tomorrow (ouch, there I go with the puns again) for as long as he has left.
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Lol, despite the nature of this thread, you did make me laugh here :)

It's true, they do tell you when it's time. There's just something about the way they are that is unmistakable. Get your vets advice as you suggest, but don't make any snap decisions.
 
Úlfhednar said:
What can I say? I'm the master of making a joke out of even the most morbid and depressing situations. :o :p
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hey, it's an enviable talent. One I have myself and have gotten myself into trouble with more times than I can count :p

Seriously, it's a good thing to be able to do - if you can see the humour in sad/bad situations, it does help you through them a little.
 
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