My dog's not doing well

[Duds13]

So sorry for your loss, truly heartbreaking.

 

[Molalla1]

With a heavy heart, I just said my last goodbyes to Mason. My wife and daughter are with him at the vet, and after further consult, we made the difficult decision to end his suffering. I thought we might have a glimmer of hope, but it wasn't to be.

It seems so stupid that a person can struggle to say his last goodbyes to a dog, but I could barely even see through all the tears as I tried to give him words of comfort. I think dogs should be required to live longer than their owners. They're so much better at comforting us, then I feel we are at comforting them. Man, what a crappy day.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts, wishes and prayers. I wish the journey and outcome could have been different.

I'm so sorry gsganzer I know the feeling, about a year or so ago I lost my working Aussy at 15 1/2 . . . again I'm sorry.

 

[Cub 7274]

RIP Mason.....very sad

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I'm sad to hear this. I read your first post, and was going to tell you to make him an oxygen tent in a pet carrier, if you have an oxygen welding gas tank at home.

But then I read the 2nd post. You have my condolences. You gave him better care than most people could afford. I would like to have another large dog, but I can't afford high end vet care. I remember spending over $6000 in the late '90's on my Golden.

I think Vet care has become a "pre-programmed" system, and I blame the pet meds corporations. Heart worm pills, flea pills, whatever kind of pills....and when they get old, it's special diets and even more pills. Knock them out to clean their teeth, it just costs a small fortune if you have a breed that gets cancer or other problems as they age.

But I love dogs. Especially well trained, smart large breeds. We have a chihuahua that was abandoned. I believe because she hates other dogs. Fine with people and strangers, but if one strange dog comes around she's extremely scared and will scream and panic. But chihuahuas are the healthiest dogs overall.

 

[Semper Paratus]

Tears...had to put my setter down this past Spring. She had fought with Lyme and anaplasmosis which seriously damaged her kidneys. We kept he comfortable for as long as we could but finally knew it was time. She had lost 40% of her body weight and looked at me one evening as if to tell me it was time and it was...she died under the affects of the sedative...

 

[hosspuller]

You did your best. Mason's family was there at the end. It's the least we can do for such loyal creatures. It takes a brave heart to hold a dog till the last breath.

 

[two_bit_score]

With a heavy heart, I just said my last goodbyes to Mason.

Very sorry for your loss of Mason. It seemed to be his time to go. Deepest sympathy for you and Mason’s family.

 

[Jstpssng]

My condolences. You have done your best and he fought a good fight. Sometimes the right thing to do is also the hardest.
But he was surrounded by your family, and knew until the end that you would do what's best for him.

 

[R134a]

Something to be aware of..........

Mysterious Fatal Respiratory Illness Sickens Dogs Across The US, Vets Are Puzzled | The Gateway Pundit | by Anthony Scott

A fatal respiratory illness sickening dogs across the United States is puzzling the veterinarian community after the illness has yet to be identified.

www.thegatewaypundit.com

 

[gsganzer]

I gave him one last pet before I buried him under the pecan tree in our front yard. He's now resting with my 3 previous large dogs. It made me smile to reflect on how blessed I've been to have each of them in my family's life. Each one of them watched over us and brought us joy.

 

[slckeys]

He only has good memories of his life with you and your family. Dogs are the most unconditional love giving creature on God's green Earth, and we don't deserve them. Losing a best friend is difficult, but he's with your other dogs telling of all the good memories they share of you.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Experts recommend isolating dogs amid respiratory 'mystery illness'

 

[gsganzer]

View attachment 832704

I've always stayed with our pet's when they've been euthanized. With the exception of Mason, because I was out of town and we didn't want to prolong suffering any longer, but my wife and daughter were holding him.

How many people reading this have put their own dog down? I thought I could do it with our previous dog Dually, and felt I owed it to him to not take it to the vet. Instead, I found a better option and had the vet come to us on a farm call. I had him euthanized on our back patio. That dog earned the right to die at his home, with all of those that loved him surrounding him.

 

[Eagle1]

I've done it at the vet or myself at the homestead. The dogs I've done at home had been in a vehicle maybe twice (or less) in their life. It would be have been cruel to add a scary car ride/vet office to the pain they are enduring. Not an enjoyable day but sometimes you have to do things you would rather not. YMMV
My heartfelt condolences

 

[QRTRHRS]

gsganzer, I have been following your story. So sorry that you had to make the decision to let Mason go. You went above and beyond what many would do or even could afford to do. My wife and i have had our share of goodbyes including one at where the vet came to our home. Though we had to have the vet come and euthanize a lot of horses over the years. My wife also had to not have our rottie woke up due to cancer discovered during a procedure while I was on the road. I often think about the animals that were part of my life over the years. With the passage of time the sadness lessens and the good times bring comfort.

 

[hosspuller]

A year ago, my Doberman took his last breath with his head on my lap. Our Vet came to us. I'm sad just thinking of him again.

gsganzer ... My condolences to you and family.

 

[Rockbadchild]

My first dog I did it myself I was pretty young, still living with my parents, we believed she got shot by a .22 by one of the neighbors, he is that kind of guy, she made it back... initially we though she got bit by a fox or what ever else but it's probably the prior... My dad being a farmer did most of his animals care, (vaccine, insulins shots injuries you name it he did it) but in this case it was too far gone and brining them to the vet was not a financially viable option for him. Putting down our animal ourself was just something normal for the time and ourselves. Letting them suffer was never a option let me make this clear. She was definitely at peace and knew what was going on, she was a hunting dog so there is no question about that. I cuttle her one last time told her bye walk 10 step and it was over. I don't really care which way it is done there is no easy ways to get that done, but I agree with the premise of one of the owner should be there till the last moment... (gsganzer this dose not apply to you, your wife was there) and let be honest the medical bill for Mason must be substantial at this point so who can blame you for being at work, certainly not me.

 

[Jstpssng]

I wouldn't even consider about not being there when a dog of mine was put down.
I just went through it a few months ago, after he apparently broke his leg, and we found out he had cancer. What I have never forgotten is that as he there he seemed to know we were doing what was best for him one last time, just the way it'd been for the last 111/2 years.

 

[Sigarms]

I've always stayed with our pet's when they've been euthanized. With the exception of Mason, because I was out of town and we didn't want to prolong suffering any longer, but my wife and daughter were holding him.

How many people reading this have put their own dog down? I thought I could do it with our previous dog Dually, and felt I owed it to him to not take it to the vet. Instead, I found a better option and had the vet come to us on a farm call. I had him euthanized on our back patio. That dog earned the right to die at his home, with all of those that loved him surrounding him.

Likewise, over the last 20 years Rose, Kate, Gracie, Clover, Shadow, Ella, Hannah and Teddy had us by their sides petting their heads telling them how much they meant to us when they were getting that final injection. Lexi, the dog in my avatar actually had an apparent heart attack when we were in Vermont on a family vacation while my in laws were watching all the animals while we were away (that dog was my FIL's favorite as I think they were living with us at the time).

Could never put a beloved pet down myself and would never want to have to be put in that position.

Couple weeks ago on one of our oldest dogs, a hound dog about 13 years old, we had to take to the vet that we thought might be our last trip (wasn't eating and started actually to have some cognitive issues the last couple of days). Turns out of all things it was a urinary tract infection. Some pills and a week later, the guy is still old, but pretty much back to his old self.

Sidenote - Have to give the country vet some credit. He had built a set of wire tongs that was about 3' that held a plastic cup with just enough pressure not to crush the cup. It was easy peasy getting that pee sample when he had to go.