Putting your dog down.....

[TripleR]

To be honest, I'm torn regarding this decision. I have two horses, there is no 'large animal' vet in my Shire (county) and there have been stories that the vet is not skilled in the dosage required to put down a beloved horse. A neighbour is known for humanely putting down with his rifle.

That being said, I have read up on where to 'put a bullet' if required as I believe I could and would do it. They're my horses and pets and I owe it to them as part of my 'pact' of having them in my life. To me, it's the honourable thing to do.

As my Queen, Elizabeth II has said,"Grief is the price we pay for love."

I have done this all my life, growing up on a farm, it was a natural part of life with pets or livestock. We no longer keep any animals, but our oldest son recently had to put one of his constant companions down. Knowing how close he was to his buddy, I offered to take care of it for him, either personally or by vet, but said essentially what Wagtail did. Rather than spending his last moments in a stressful vet's office, he spent it with his good friend walking through his familiar woods and fields.

Certainly no judgements, just whatever feels best for each.

 

[SpringHollow]

I have been fortunate in that it has never been an emergency situation for us. I have always paid to have the vet come to us so that I did not add stress to the pet's last hours. The office staff always resist having the vet come but the vet we like has always agreed to come. I think this is the best option but it is not one that is always available to us.

Ken

 

[Citydude]

My dad put our pets down when I was young. Years later, when it was time for me to do the same, I put a dog down. Since that time, I've had the vet do it. I'm just not emotionally able to do it again.

I really like the idea of having the vet come to our home rather than the agonizing car ride with a loved one that's not coming back home with us. Thanks for that.

 

[roadhunter]

I have a 14 year old dog who got me through the most difficult times of my life and truly saved me the day I picked him up at the shelter.

I have been preparing myself for the day it all comes to an end. I like to think I will walk up one day to find him not with us anymore but suspect the reality of the situation will be more involved for me specifically.

I hope I can find the courage to do what needs to be done when it comes down to it. I've had to shoot a few dogs in my life but never a long time pet like this. Not something I am looking forward to.

 

[dmccarty]

I have been fortunate in that it has never been an emergency situation for us. I have always paid to have the vet come to us so that I did not add stress to the pet's last hours. The office staff always resist having the vet come but the vet we like has always agreed to come. I think this is the best option but it is not one that is always available to us.

Ken

The last two dogs we have had to put to sleep, where down at home, by the vet. It was time. You KNOW when it is time. We have had two different vets do this at home. Easier on the dog, still not easy, but when it is time, it is a time.

If I HAD to put them down, I would, but ....

Later,
Dan

 

[rgr33]

I don't see any way I could put my dog down myself, unless it was an absolute emergency and it was humanely necessary. The last dog we had to put down was in the back of my pickup at the vets office, and I held him in my arms and saw him out of this world. Tearing up as I think about it now, but he just fell asleep, in the arms of a loved one, and I think that was the best way for both of us.

 

[rekees4300]

Lets say, the dog is old and its just his time. No quality of life and the end is imminent?

Guess it depends on your definition of "quality of life". If the dog can still eat, walk and is pain free then it would be difficult to justify pulling the trigger.

 

[k0ua]

I have done it and it sucks. It bothered me a lot. I have put down some for others that were not close to me, and that wasn't bad. But one that is close, is really bad. I don't know which is worse the taking them to the vet or doing it myself. The last one I had to put down was on a weekend, and the vet was closed. It had to be done, but that doesn't make it any easier.

 

[teejk]

Guess it depends on your definition of "quality of life". If the dog can still eat, walk and is pain free then it would be difficult to justify pulling the trigger.

That's the problem...the dog can't tell you whether he/she is in pain. We had an old cocker that was obviously not feeling well...my wife took him to the vet and was told there was nothing to worry about. That night was that dog's absolutely worst few hours on earth (there was definitely something very very wrong). He was back to the vet for his final visit the next morning. As for DYI, couldn't do it for one of my own but if a trip to the vet was out of the question I would probably do it for a friend...a properly placed bullet would be quick and I'd rather have quick than seeing the dog suffer.

 

[newbury]

Guess it depends on your definition of "quality of life". If the dog can still eat, walk and is pain free then it would be difficult to justify pulling the trigger.

"Pulling the trigger" and "putting your dog down" can be two dramatically different things.

When I was about 4 I got a beautiful blond collie type dog, which was my constant companion in rural Vermont. By the time I was about 14 she had become disabled, could barely move her back legs despite numerous visits to a good vet. She injured a back led and despite our care had maggots in it. I knew it was time, my father took her for her last walk in the woods. :bawling:

Years later, the dog that sort of replaced her was in my care, and he was old and dying and I had to have the vet put him down.

Several dogs later (which all ended up in being put down by vets after a long life) in 2011 this Corgi came into my life as a pup (technically my 28yr old son's dog).

She was wonderful. Very smart (had us well trained within 6 months), fastidious, well mannered, friendly. Would spend hours on our recliner leg rests as we watched TV.

Two weeks ago she started having trouble walking, several trips to vets, two misdiagnosis's, two MRI's and 9 days ago she was diagnosed with encephalitis and given a 70% chance. She was immediately put in emergency. Almost 1 week ago exactly, February 28th at about 3pm eastern time, we visited her in the hospital for the last time. :bawling: :bawling:

She could barely lift her head, her tongue was hanging out and she barely knew us.

Our son, who was beside himself, decided she should be put down if need be.

We convinced him to wait another day.

February 29th at 8am , (coincidentally our 8th wedding anniversary) I answered the call from the vets with a very heavy heart.

SHE WAS OK

Today, almost a week later she is still stumbling around a bit, and can't jump very well. However her recovery seems to be going well.

I could not have shot her without great remorse. However, given no vet I might have been able to administer a shot of sedative.

/edit - just go back from carrying her down the stairs (and back up) after a successful bathroom run.