How do you know when it is time to put your pet down? We have a Lhasa Apso dog named Buffy who is soon to be 17 years old. She is in the process of doing all the "old" dog things like loosing weight, hearing is gone and she has been having accidents. Other than that, no major health problems. For about the past 3 months she has been in the garage because she just can't be trusted in the house as far as accidents go. We do bring her in from time to time, but she really doesn't "play" at all. Dh and I have been talking about it and I did put a call into the vet this morning. He is doing surgeries today and is going to call me back sometime today to talk about her. How do you KNOW when it is time? This is going to sound so mean, but dh and I almost wish she would get sick with something. That would make it so much easier to decide because we wouldn't want her to be miserable and in pain. But, is she miserable now? Sigh... how do you know?

By Bobbie~moderatr on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 10:22 am:

I have no idea and I can feel for you, Sam will be 16 on June 9th. We have had him for all but one year of his life... DH and I have talked about it several times. Trying to come up with signs that we will watch for and then that will be the time but we can't ever decide what those signs should be... He has gotten to the point that his Vet has decided just to let him live.. He can hardly hear, he has vision issues, most of his teeth are gone and he has accidents every now and then. He seems to like his life however and he seems to have really good days still. His vet said we would know when it was time and not to over stress on it. We just pray he decides to go on his own and then we won't have to make that choice... Or like in your case that he will get sick and the choice will be made for us... He still has decent quality of life.. He gets so excited when I get back from being gone and he loves to snuggle.. I just pray I will know when to do what I need to do..

Hopefully someone else will have an answer for you and maybe even me..... (((HUGS)))

By Marcia on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 11:27 am:

My sweet little girl was 15.5 when we finally knew it was time. We had been thinking about it for over a year, but couldn't bring ourselves to do it. When we finally decided, she had lost her site and hearing, was having accidents all of the time, and was starting to bump into walls. We kept telling ourselves that she wasn't in pain, until someone sent me a picture of a dog in pain. The dog was just sitting there looking fine. The point was, dogs don't show pain often, because they don't want to appear vulnerable. It broke my heart to think of her suffering without us really knowing. Putting her down was such a hard thing to do, but it was the right thing to do.
I'm sorry you're both faced with the same decision.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 11:52 am:

If you have banished her to the garage, after 17 years of living with you, don't you think it's time now? That seems mean to me. When Jasmine was ill, at the end, and throwing up fairly often, in addition to losing weight, then we thought it was time, for her. It's too cold for anyone to be out in the garage, around here.

By Vicki on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 12:11 pm:

Dawn, I do understand what your saying. It isn't like she is in a freezing cold garage. We have a huge crate with her bed in it that we took the door off of and we have a space heater that blows into it. We have a little temperature thing in there and I check it several times a day to make sure it is a comfortable temp. I do understand you saying it is mean and maybe it is. But we didn't do that until after about 3 months of non stop accidents in the house. It gets to a point that you can't do that forever either. There are people who have dogs who are outside for their entire life, so I guess in our minds, a heated space in the garage didn't seem all mean at the time. We do bring her in the house a time or two a day after we know she just went to the bathroom, but she doesn't interact with us much anymore. She just wants on the couch and to be pretty much left alone.

Anyway, the vets office did call me back and the vet wants a urine sample before we start talking about things. I am trying to get one, but it isn't very easy. I have to be a sight to my neighbors following the poor thing around trying to catch some. I am waiting for about 15 more minutes and will take her out again and try to catch enough to take.

Thanks for the kind words everyone. This is just the hardest thing. We had always hoped that we would know when it was time and we wouldn't let her suffer.... I guess I always thought there would be a clear cut sign.....

By Cocoabutter on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 01:07 pm:

Non-stop accidents, weight loss and lethargic, could mean that she is in fact dealing with an illness. If it were me, I would take her to the vet and have them do all the necessary tests (blood, urine, stool) and let him/her evaluate her condition.

Don't they have doggie diapers? Maybe that way you could allow her into the house again.

Best of luck to you.

By Nicki on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 01:09 pm:

Hugs to you, Vicki. It's so hard when a loved pet seems to be declining.
I'll keep you and your family in my prayers.

By Vicki on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 03:48 pm:

Well, her urine results were not great. There was blood in her urine and she shows signs of kidney failure. I am going now to pick up a antibiotic for her and she has an appointment for Monday morning for a complete check from the vet. He wants to see her and weigh her before he gives us his final decision on what he thinks we should do. He did say that if he thinks and we all agree, that we could just leave her there Monday. He said to keep an open mind, but to be prepaired for the worst. So that is where we are at.

By Yjja123 on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 03:51 pm:

(((hugs))) I am sorry you are going through this. Take this week to let Buffy know how much she has meant to you and your family.
You are in my thoughts and prayers!

By Amecmom on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 04:44 pm:

Hugs. It's never the "right" time, sometimes it's just "finally" time. Your vet will be a great indicator. He was when we had to put our 17 year old cat to sleep. It was he who said that she was suffering and we should consider putting her down.
Hugs to you and lots of support for whatever you decide.
Ame

By Cocoabutter on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 04:45 pm:

Oh, no. Please tell me this isn't caused by the recalled pet food....

Let us know what the vet comes up with.

By Vicki on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 04:59 pm:

No, it has nothing to do with the recall. She has never been on any of the foods included in the list.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 05:03 pm:

{{{HUGS}}} It really isn't an easy decision to make!

By Ginny~moderator on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 06:20 pm:

Vicki, it is never an easy decision. I have made or participated in making the decision for three dearly loved dogs in the last 15 years, and, over time, about 12 cats, and it is never, never easy. If your dog is not incurably ill or in uncontrollable pain (as was the case with our three), it is very much a quality of life issue.

Greg & Lori (my son and dil) had to have their 15+ year old Weimeraner put down last Saturday. She was frequently incontinent, but never got on the furniture and spent most of her time on one of the many beds they had for her, so they put disposable pads on the beds and just took her out frequenty, and that worked. But she got more and more lethargic and began to exhibit neurological loss, and finally on Saturday would not stand up after Greg carried her out into the yard, so it was definitely time.

Only you and your vet can decide the quality of life question. With blood in her urine, which can mean an infection or other problems, that is certainly a strong sign.

I would say, however, that if Buffy has been your companion for 17 years, she deserves to have you there, talking to her and petting her and reassuring her, as she goes to sleep. It is really a very peaceful process - the dog literally goes into a deep sleep and then the heart stops. I have always stayed with our animals when it was time to do that, because I felt they deserved it of me.

By Dawnk777 on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 08:27 pm:

Honey died in my arms. She wouldn't have wanted anyone else's arms around her. I feel bad that we didn't stay with my childhood cocker, when it was his time, back in 1978.

By Tripletmom on Tuesday, April 10, 2007 - 08:38 pm:

{{{Hugs}}} I'm sorry that you have to deal with this.You will know when its time.It is one of the most difficult things I've had to do.17 years is a long time to have a faithful furbaby.Let her keep her dignity...most times we keep them alive for our own feelings and not theirs.I should have put my furbaby down sooner but didn't for my own feelings.{{{{BIG HUGS}}}}

By Sandysmom on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 - 07:26 am:

I wish I knew what to say. I know it's difficult for you. (((hugs)))

By Vicki on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 07:59 am:

I want to thank you all again for your kind words. I just couldn't go.... Dh assured me that he would stay with her if it is indeed time to put her down. The vet is going to do an exam and I believe some blood work and look at those results along with her urine results. He is going to all me after the appointment. Thanks again.

By Dawnk777 on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 08:13 am:

{{{HUGS}}}

By Tripletmom on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 08:51 am:

{{{HUGS}}}

By Annie2 on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 09:09 am:

Thinking of you today

By Yjja123 on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 10:09 am:

Thinking of you and Buffy today.
(((Hugs)))

By Vicki on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 10:35 am:

Thanks again girls. It indeed was time and Buffy is gone. Dh did stay with her and told me how peaceful it was. It has been a hard morning for both of us. He came home after and for a brief minute, I thought he brought her back. I guess I just figured he would go on to work, but he said he wanted to come home and chill out for a bit and talk with me about it before he went in. But I am convinced we did the right thing. I am sure she is happy and running around and being playful again. Thanks again for your support.

By Bobbie~moderatr on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 10:39 am:

So sorry Vicki and family... I am sure DH and the Vet did the best thing for her...


(((BIG HUGS)))

By Pamt on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 11:08 am:

It's never easy to say goodbye, even if it *is* time. (((Vicki)))

By Annie2 on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 12:20 pm:

Vicki, sorry to hear that Buffy had to leave this earth but you did the most humane and unselfish act. (((HUGS)))

By Yjja123 on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 12:27 pm:

Vicki,
You are in my thoughts and prayers!

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 friends 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. His 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 pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

By Dawnk777 on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 02:55 pm:

Honey was probably there to greet her. {{{HUGS}}} We were in the same boat three years ago. It's making me tear up to think about it.

By Debbie on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 02:59 pm:

{{{Vicki}}} I'm so sorry.