When is it time? (Dog's struggles)

[coachgrd]

Maybe one of you fine folk have some experience in this department, this is my first go-round with a dying dog. I was told by the vet in mid November that ole' Bailey, our 12-year old golden retriever has a tumor in her snout that has blocked off much (he guessed 90%) of her breathing ability through her nose. (I would guess it is closer to 100% now.) This dog struggles all night long to sleep/breath. She now wants to go out 3-4 times/night The wife and I are getting little sleep because of her struggles. Quite frankly, her breathing (the dog's ) sounds like some of the loudest, continuous flatulation all night long.

Anyway, the Vet said there's little they can do for her at this time. He said that at some point we'll need to make a decision to put her down and he said that time would be when she's uncomfortable. She still greets us at the door wagging the tail. Still gets over-excited when visitors arrive but darn, listening to the poor dog breath is painful for us...I can only imagine what it's like for her. How will I know when it's time to say enough is enough...you've been a great family friend, but it's time to say goodbye?

 

[Jimmyp5]

So sorry to hear this. With our two great danes they were 13 and 14 really old for danes we knew it was time when the gray (the hypper one) went to the vet for a check up and we were told her kindeys are shutting down...we brought her home for a few days to say goodbyes and make arrangements, the day we took her to the vet, she coded on the table before any meds were even given, heart stopped. Our other one we knew it was time when she could not stand with out help and you could see the pain in her eyes. Frankly, if your dog is still standing, running and living life put up with the noise, you notice a change in her overnight when it is time. She will let you know when the time comes

Good luck, it is a sad time for everyone in the family.

 

[billbill1]

We went through the same thing with our toy poodle a couple of years ago, she had congestive heart problems and would cough because she couldn't breath well. We nursed her as long as we could and finally had to make the painful trip that ended her life. We haven't replace her, still not over her yet, is my guess. Don't allow her to suffer is the only thing I can share. Sorry to hear you and your family are going through this process, it's tough.

 

[MikePA]

Is the dog struggling to breath or just making a lot of noise by breathing through her mouth? If it's just the noise issue, have her sleep somewhere else. A dog breathing through their mouth is no different than a person doing it, i.e., snoring.

I don't understand the connection between the breathing problem and the need to go out 3 or 4 times a night. Does she 'go' when she goes out? Does she also have a digestive/urinary problem?

 

[randy41]

my guess is that she wants to go out during the night because she is restless from fighting to breath. we've always been able to tell when our dog has had it. they become listless and incapable of handling basic life necessities (walking, eating, controlling eliminations).

 

[dmccarty]

I think you will know when its time.

The last dog we had to put to sleep had to bouts with cancer. The second round was found during surgery and had spread all through her body. The vet asked if we wanted to put her to sleep on the table or sew her up and take her home. He figured she had a couple of months at best. We took her home and she made it a good six months. Towards the end it was very obvious that she was getting worse. When it was time to put her to sleep we knew.

After Chase died we where down to one dog from three. We know have two. My dog Kelly is 12 and not doing so well. She is having problem controlling her bowels from time to time. With the concrete floor its easy to clean up but she make a run to the door and leaves a trail....

She has been getting me up at about 2:00am every night since I got her. Now that we are in the country I take the dogs outside and we all do our business!

She also is having problem walking. The vet thinks she has a pinched nerve and she is own pain killers which seems to help but she is very wobbly on her feet. Not fun to watch since I can remember when Kelly used to play with and out run Whippets and jump off 10 foot tall cliffs as a puppy. Loved to watch her run. Kelly has to be with me like my shadow. She is a great and extraordinary dog. Not sure if one can get more than one dog like her in a lifetime.

You will know when it is time.

Later,
Dan

 

[bearhawk]

We have a 14 year old German Shepherd that gets up two or three times a night. She doesn't always do anything. I think restlessness is most of it.

But she doesn't always have control of her bowels. And she scares me daily as I walk past her, and I have to stop to see if she is still breathing.

She has a little trouble getting around, but she doesn't look like she is in pain.

I would think that would be the final call. Having her in pain would be the final straw.

A little trouble breathing would be reasonable, but a constant struggle just to breathe would be tough.

Tough call, I would play it day by day.

Jim

 

[tallyho8]

This is the most painful decision I have ever had to make in my life and I have made it several times with both dogs and horses.

I will not put an animal down simply because it is an inconvenience to me. When the animal shows signs of suffering and no longer enjoying life, then it is time for you to take the dreaded final step. If your animal has been well cared for and led a good life then there is no need for you to feel bad about having to help it reach the end of its life.

I find that it has always been easier for me if I have that animal's son, daughter, friend or replacement to go home to. It is awfully hard to go back to an empty home or barn......

 

[zzvyb6]

Keep this part of a Dog's Prayer in mind. They can't do the deed themselves:

...
And, beloved master, should the great Master
see fit to deprive me of my health or sight,
do not turn me away from you. Rather,
hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands
grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest -
and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I drew,
my fate was ever safest in
your hands.

 

[silverking]

I have a similar breathing problem, at night, caused by allergies that are in this house and cant get rid of less I tear down and rebuild or move out (want to buy a nice home?) and it effects my sinuses so bad I cant breathe through my nose at all and I have to get up a few times to shake it off and try to take in a little water because it dries out my mouth so that may be whats happening there. As far as the time to do what needs to be done only you can say but it sounds like you have some good times left with that friend of yours so do what you have to do, it will be over all too soon anyways. I have had to put down......God I've lost count how many and it just plain sucks. Just thinking about it makes it hard for me to look at the healthy young ones I have now because I know they will go before me and I will have to make that choice again.

ZZVYB6, thats rather good, doesnt help but its good.

 

[blueriver]

I am so sorry to hear this ... a loyal companion, such as a good dog is a wonderfull thing to have experienced.

Believe me ... you will know and as hard as that decision is to make you are the only one that can make it. Always remember the good life and loyal companionship that was shared, it doesn't make things easier just puts a warm friendly smile on your face ... good luck my thoughts are with you.

 

[Tig]

She still greets us at the door wagging the tail. Still gets over-excited when visitors arrive ......

Dogs live for the love of their masters. Your dog still seems to be enjoying life in spite of her condition.
Our dog is in her 18th year. She has slowed down a lot and requires much care. Because of her accidents she no longer has free run of the house. I had to pause while typing this to clean one up.
She was there for our kids as they grew up. Now it's our turn to be there for her.

 

[hwp]

Sorry to hear of your situation. I know how tough it can be. I've had to put two dogs down. I became a dog from **** and that was an easy decision. The other was a lovable Olde Engliish Sheepdog that won a grand championship. His arthritis got so bad that he would start to go for a walk and turn back. Before we got out first Dane, we had a Bouvier des Flanders. she was a super dog. One day she was playing in the yard and keeled over - apparently from a heart attack. The next day we got our male Dane.

A year ago we thought our male Dane, who was then 8 1/2 years old, was nearing the end. He had become very lazy and showed little interest in life and had fairly severe arthritis. So we started looking for another dog to give us company for after he went. We ended up getting a six month old female Dane pup - his mother was her great grand mother. The pup gave him a new lease on life, and while he still suffers from arthritis, he is much more active. She respects him as the pack leader, they get along very well and compete for attention. They are very protective of each other. She went into heat much earlier than we expected and he wouldn't let another male dog anywhere near her. He lost about 60 pounds while she was in heat - she has since been fixed. He has since put about 20 pounds back on, but the slimmer body makes it easier for him to get around. We also give him glaucosimine. A major highlight of their day is when I take them for a fairly long walk in the morning. They compete to see who can get their collar on first. He still jogs along the beach for a bit most days.

We know the day will come when we have to put him down but we also now that he has enjoyed this phase of his life.

 

[Steve_Miller]

You'll know when its time, its just that feeling you get from everything you know. My last one let me know it was time when she stopped eating. Her kidneys had been failing and she stopped eating about three or four days before D-day. Actually my first one did the same thing, she stopped eating as well, but she went out to do her business that morning and didn't come back. It took me and the wife two hours to find her, she was curled up in some moss in the woods and couldn't get up. That was a very painful trip to the vet for me as I had to stop twice on the way (i broke down, not the vehicle) and it is only a three mile trip to the vet's office. Time heals all, its just that first little while that hurts the most. I just try to think of all the good times we had together, not that last one.

Steve
Nova Scotia

 

[shvl73]

We have 6 dogs, we added 1 this fall. It was an abuse/neglect case and it was the thing to do, though we certainly didn't need another. Sleeping through the night just doesn't happen at our house. We are up at least twice a night with them needing (or just wanting) to go out. Though I want to sleep through, it doesn't happen so, we get used to it. Some people crate them but, we don't. I wouldn't trade the companionship for a full nights sleep. When I travel for work, I miss them. If she's comfortable and happy, enjoy the time you have.

 

[GaryE]

I am not sure I can add much more to this thread than already has been said.


I had to make the same decision a few years ago. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do. As others have said, she will tell you when it is time." I knew for Sam when his bad times were greater than his good times it was time. It was Sunday March 10th (I will never forget), he told me it was time. You will know.... I know what you are going through...... She will tell you .....




Gary

 

[QRTRHRS]

Not much to say that has not been said here. So, let's look to the future. I have buried many beloved pets. I have waited a few months to aquire another and I have dropped off one that expired in my arms then picked up a pup in the same day.

Either way has been tough. You expect that new dog in your life to be like the one that has passed. Forget about that!

It is about acceptance and letting go. It is about deciding if you should forgo setting at the computer or taking your willing companion for a walk. In the end, your memories will last a life time and if you open your heart, a new companion (and there are many) will come into your life.

The new will not be like the old but in time you will reach common ground and begin anew a bond that will last but a few years and a lifetime.

 

[dmccarty]

My FIL/MIL just lost their dog of many years a few months ago. Sara had been slowing down and was not very active at all. She was not eating and they knew the time was getting close.

But the dog made the choice of when to go. My FIL went outside to do some chores and Sara ran out the door. She ran into a cut over that was full of briars. My FIL tried to get her out but the stuff was simply too thick to get to her. He could get in far enough to see that she had found a small cleared spot in the thickets, laid downed and breathed her last breath.

My FIL/MIL where very upset that he could not get to her body. My take out it was that she had made her decision, she knew it was time, and she did not want to die in the house.

Later,
Dan

 

[Cottonhawk]

I am so sorry!

 

[RayH]

It was difficult for me to read through these two pages. I really feel for everyone who has had to deal with this. Im going through the same thing right now and asking the same question.
My 14 year old mix has spinal arthritis. Its to the point that sometimes he needs help standing up, he loses his balance and its getting harder to get him to go outside to do his business. The worse part is the obvious discomfort he has when trying to lay down or get up. I cant even sleep in the same room with him anymore because it hurts me so bad to hear him in pain as he moves around. Im a truckdriver and a former Marine and I cant help but cry like a little girl when I see him struggling. Its hard for me to believe that this time last year we were hiking in the woods and running around the yard. All I can hope is that I can make the right decision for him when its time.