Have a 11 year old German Shepard with severe hip dysplasia. Aside from the hip dysplasia he's in perfect health. He can only walk for a limited amount of time before he starts dragging his hind legs. He doesn't seem to be in pain but with a dog how can you truly tell. Really torn on if I should put him down.
When to put your dog to sleep?
- Thread starter BigSexyCat
- Start date
Don’t want to give any advice on something like this. Just wanted to say you have my sympathies for whatever that’s worth. This is a tough thing to deal with.
If he's not yelping or piss/crapping in the house, then he's probably ok. Mine did that at about age 13. Once she started yelping out when getting on/off the couch and was pretty much sedentary, it was time. She'd had enough and it was affecting the kids too.
I had a dog in a wheelchair for 6 years. Not sure about with hip dysplasia. You may want to ask. Doggonwheels.
https://www.doggon.com
https://www.doggon.com
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That is a very, very tough question. Do what your vet says if you can afford it. I went through this very thing with little beloved Sugar. Lord, I really loved her. She was 13. The best dog in every way. I waited too long to have her put down. I was hoping for a miracle. Everything that the vet predicted came true. Don't wait too long.
https://eddieswheels.com/n/65/Dog-Wheelchairs-for-Dogs-with-Hip-Dysplasia-and-Arthritis
My dog was paralyzed in back legs. Could run 20 mph at least in wheelchair.
I have experience with dogs.
Not my dog but here is video.
My dog was paralyzed in back legs. Could run 20 mph at least in wheelchair.
I have experience with dogs.
Not my dog but here is video.
I'm going through something similar with my 15 year old Lab.
His joints don't work very well, and it takes him forever to climb up and down stairs. I will go upstairs for something, and the poor guy will follow me up. Then I'll be done doing what I'm doing and head back down just as he's getting to the top.
He's also going deaf. The doorbell he hears 50% of the time now. He used to go insane when he heard a doorbell on the TV.
Finally, the vet did an ultrasound, and he has a tennis ball sized tumor on his abdomen. You can see it bulging out.
I asked the vet when I would know it's time, and he said when he stops eating and drinking or is having lots of accidents in the house. He has pooped a couple of times in the house the last several months, but it's more from the fact that he doesn't want to deal with going out and walking down the deck stairs at night before we go to bed, so he does it in the middle of the night. Never when we're awake and home. Otherwise, he's old and slow, but he still eats everything in front of him and isn't laying around whining. We give him pain pills for his joints everyday in his food though.
My coworker recently put down his dog...also a Lab. He said his joints got so bad that he would have to hold up his hind legs to help him pee. That's when he knew it was time.
Either way, I'm basically in the same boat you are. Until my guy starts showing the loss of quality of life, I'm just helping him to enjoy his last days (extra treats, people food, extra time outside, etc.). When the time does come, it's going to suck, and it's going to be this year.
His joints don't work very well, and it takes him forever to climb up and down stairs. I will go upstairs for something, and the poor guy will follow me up. Then I'll be done doing what I'm doing and head back down just as he's getting to the top.
He's also going deaf. The doorbell he hears 50% of the time now. He used to go insane when he heard a doorbell on the TV.
Finally, the vet did an ultrasound, and he has a tennis ball sized tumor on his abdomen. You can see it bulging out.
I asked the vet when I would know it's time, and he said when he stops eating and drinking or is having lots of accidents in the house. He has pooped a couple of times in the house the last several months, but it's more from the fact that he doesn't want to deal with going out and walking down the deck stairs at night before we go to bed, so he does it in the middle of the night. Never when we're awake and home. Otherwise, he's old and slow, but he still eats everything in front of him and isn't laying around whining. We give him pain pills for his joints everyday in his food though.
My coworker recently put down his dog...also a Lab. He said his joints got so bad that he would have to hold up his hind legs to help him pee. That's when he knew it was time.
Either way, I'm basically in the same boat you are. Until my guy starts showing the loss of quality of life, I'm just helping him to enjoy his last days (extra treats, people food, extra time outside, etc.). When the time does come, it's going to suck, and it's going to be this year.
I recently had to say good bye to my 17 year old Dachshund. I went to the shelter with my wife when we had been dating only 6 months and found him there when he was 2 years old. So he was the heart of our family pretty much from the beginning. He was in great health for his age until one day he just started throwing up and being lethargic.
Took him the vet and she said he had an obstruction in his intestines. They could have done a costly surgery to remove it but there was a high chance he wouldn't survive it and they weren't sure if it would help. So rather than having risk him dying alone in surgery we decided to let him go in our arms. Hardest friggen thing I've ever had to do.
Took him the vet and she said he had an obstruction in his intestines. They could have done a costly surgery to remove it but there was a high chance he wouldn't survive it and they weren't sure if it would help. So rather than having risk him dying alone in surgery we decided to let him go in our arms. Hardest friggen thing I've ever had to do.
I've been there. My 15 year old Irish setter/retriever not only had heartworms, but lost control of hind legs, and had to use bathroom laying down. Still very alert. It nearly killed me, but I know I did the right thing for her. She seemed to 'know' anyway, began to retreat to back of kennel from her 15 year kennel mate, who is still hanging on and sleeps in garage at night now.
https://animalso.com/breeds/german-shepherd/hip-dysplasia/
More information.
I think people give up too easily. I have put several pets down. A happy dog deserves some help. You might be able to find a used wheelchair if you look.
More information.
I think people give up too easily. I have put several pets down. A happy dog deserves some help. You might be able to find a used wheelchair if you look.
I like this possibility.
Rainbow Bridge Poem
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our pets are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; Her eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your dog, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
~Author Unknown
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our pets are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; Her eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your dog, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
~Author Unknown
Work with your vet and take their advice. For me, once your dog is in constant pain, you are only being selfish keeping him alive.
I'm in a very similar situation as yourself as well...I have an English Bulldog who is just a little over 12.5 years old. In the past couple of months, he has gotten a lot worse (blind in 1 eye, deaf, doggy Alzheimer's and a few seizures). He sleeps a whole lot now-a-days and is just so stubborn that he will go down to our unfinished basement to pee (not always, but it's starting to happen more frequently while we are gone). He will typically go potty outside. I've been fighting with the decision since the beginning of the year honestly. Truth be told, I just keep hoping that it happens in his sleep so that I don't have to put him down. He doesn't appear to be in pain and still eats normal which is keeping me from doing it so far. I've talked to my vet and they have just said that they are there if/when we need them...it's an awful thing to think about OP!
One of the hardest decisions I ever had to make in my entire life.
I guess the best way to say it is 'don't keep your best pal in misery in order to prevent your misery'.
I really, really feel your pain.
I guess the best way to say it is 'don't keep your best pal in misery in order to prevent your misery'.
I really, really feel your pain.
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Sounds like your fur baby isn’t in any pain so that’s good obviously. Just has limited mobility.
Our 16 year-old Smooth Collie, Sadie, lost bladder control roughly one year ago. She urinates multiple times daily indoors. Wife and I clean up the mess behind her. We've stocked up on pee pads. Sadie is also losing her hearing. Otherwise, she's quite mobile. Tail wags briskly when breakfast and dinner times roll around.
Refuse to put her down.
Refuse to put her down.
I know exactly how you feel. No matter what you have done, or how many mistakes you have made, she always forgives you and always loves you.Our 16 year-old Smooth Collie, Sadie, lost bladder control roughly one year ago. She urinates multiple times daily indoors. Wife and I clean up the mess behind her. We've stocked up on pee pads. Sadie is also losing her hearing. Otherwise, she's quite mobile. Tail wags briskly when breakfast and dinner times roll around.
Refuse to put her down.
My dog's a pain in the ***. I let him know the situation re: getting put down so that he keeps himself in good shape. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:
He doesn't talk to strangers. By the way, he was diagnosed with Cushing's Disease about a year ago. The daily pill you have to give him was $90/month (although I recently found one for $50). This effing dog is 9 and I have no doubt he's going to live to 17.
I came home a month ago to find one of my dogs behind the door from our garage to our hallway dead. Worst feeling in the world. No idea what happened...she was acting as normal as can be that morning. The vet thinks it was a heart attack or aneurysm(?). I only can hope she was never in any pain. She was cold and stiff as a rock, eyes open and ears up. I just sat there with her for an hour petting her as my wife was not home yet. We had her cremated and she is now on our mantle above the fireplace. Had Lilly for 10+yrs.
I am jealous you have the decision to make.
I am jealous you have the decision to make.
This is never an easy decision to make when to part with your pet who you get attached too. Regardless what some say, they become apart of our daily lives as much as family. Wish there was something I can say that makes this any easier of a decision. All I can say is prayers with you, your dog and the family BigSexyCat!
I have two large breed dogs, and they have my heart...anyone who makes light of having to put a pet down is trash. They love us unconditionally. Hell, I had a tough time watching my German Shepherd getting her annual shots last week...she didn’t know what was happening and kept looking at me for reinsurance...love them or don’t have them. Luckily, mine are still young. We don’t deserve dogs
We have two Havanese. Jackson is 11 and sleeps next to my wife. Betsy is 8 and curls up next to me. It's going to be terrible when they go. When they die they'll both be cremated and go in our caskets when we pass. I used to think the ancient Egyptians were foolish about burying their pets with them. My attitude changed.
We lost our 10 year old Skye Terrier (pictured to the left) last 4th of July to pancreatic cancer. In retrospect probably should have put him down when diagnosed as outlook was terminal and chemo was financially off the table.
Vet gave us some steroids as a band-aid option and he returned to normal behavior for 6 weeks but eventually the effectiveness of the medication diminished and it became time to say goodbye.
When the time to put him down, thought my wife would have the hardest time, but it was me who absolutely came unglued.
Dogs bring so much into your lives and ask for so little in return that you want to do as much as you can for them, but the day is always out there when you wont be able to, and you have to let them go..
We made a little memorial for him on our mantle and it always keeps him in our thoughts.
We have debated back and forth for the last 9 months or so if we want to dive back into pet ownership. Im sure in time we will, but we were so devoted to this guy (and he to us) that it make take longer than we think.
Vet gave us some steroids as a band-aid option and he returned to normal behavior for 6 weeks but eventually the effectiveness of the medication diminished and it became time to say goodbye.
When the time to put him down, thought my wife would have the hardest time, but it was me who absolutely came unglued.
Dogs bring so much into your lives and ask for so little in return that you want to do as much as you can for them, but the day is always out there when you wont be able to, and you have to let them go..
We made a little memorial for him on our mantle and it always keeps him in our thoughts.
We have debated back and forth for the last 9 months or so if we want to dive back into pet ownership. Im sure in time we will, but we were so devoted to this guy (and he to us) that it make take longer than we think.
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I’m in the same boat right now. My little buddy turns 15 this summer. He’s having trouble moving now. He’s peeing in the house which the vet says could likely just be the arthritis in his hips making him feel like going outside is too far.
I’ve had him longer than I’ve known my wife. I hate thinking of the inevitable.
I’ve had him longer than I’ve known my wife. I hate thinking of the inevitable.
When the pain got unbearable I could always tell through their eyes when it was time. I have had all of mine cremated and placed in a brass urn with their collars on the outside. The wife wants the urn to be buried with her.
Man, I really sympathize with you. It's hard to deal with. I had a Beagle, the best damn jump dog in Pulaski County, he would make you a rabbit. Anyway, he got loose and ran over. I was sad as hell. I can imagine how hard it would be for someone whose dog was inside pet.
Same here. I got my dog when my wife and I first started dating (we've been married for 12 years now). He was our first kid before our actual children came along (they're 8 and 10 now), so he's been a part of our family since the beginning. My kids don't know a life without Woody hanging out around the house.
It's going to be rough when I have to put him down.
My brother put his dog down last year and used a company that came to his house for the euthanasia vs going to the vet. The point is for the dog to be put to sleep in his own comfortable environment. Anyone have any experience with an in-home service like that?