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Old 03-19-2012, 11:45 AM   #1
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Default How to know when its time to let your dog go

Georgie is a 14 yr old schnoodle. She has been having trouble with her hip for the past few years and can no longer walk up stairs. She will get up a few and then whine for help. For the past three weeks she has been having diarreha and just lays around. She acts fine for a short time and then back to just laying around. As she is 14 and nearing the end of her life span I cant justify any life saving measures.

My daughter is convinced that we are all gung ho to have her put down. My fault as George is very very loud and barks non stop as well as having become kind of mean. In frustration I have said out loud that if she keeps it up Im taking her to the vet. I feel awful as thats not what I really feel but she thinks that I dont care. I have been distancing myself for george as I know that George is old and sick and as she is my first dog I do love her very much. Its too painful to even think about but thats not what my daughter believes. I dont know how to deal with this emotionally and probably am not dealing well with this.

My daughter wants us to have George tested and explore options. The reality is that there is no way we can afford to extend her life if she really is sick. She has lumps EVERYWHERE that we were told not to worry about but I fear that she may have cancer. What do I do guys? I dont want to see George suffer and I know that dogs will hide pain and illness and even a moron could see that shes not well. I havent taken her in as I am sure that we are going to hear that her life is no longer a quality one, I havent prepared myself for that until now.

How do I take care of George without looking like a monster to my daughter? This is beyond horrible!
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Old 03-19-2012, 11:56 AM   #2
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I would take her to the vet to have her assessed. He will be able to tell you what is going on and can help you make a plan. So sorry you and Georgie are going through this. It is never easy... Hugs,
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Old 03-19-2012, 12:02 PM   #3
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I'm very sorry.
Lumps and bumps are very common in older dogs and are usually benign.
Diarrhea may be easily treatable. Why not find out what is causing it?
She may be a candidiate for surgery. If you can't afford it or don't feel like it is right for your family, then she may be able to be medically managed for a little while. What pain drugs is she taking?

The vet would be the best person to talk to about quality of life.
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Old 03-19-2012, 12:14 PM   #4
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I asked this same question so many times about my first dog, whom I adored, the most common answer I got is you will know, and I did. I was devistated but I knew he no longer could be helped, i was willing to spend any amount of money to fix him but it didn't matter. I didn't understand you will know until I did. I called the vet on a Monday night said it was time they said come right over I said no tomorrow is good I need one more night. I was glad I had one more night, fife had stopped sleeping with me, I think his way to distance himself from me, that last night I gave him all his favorite treats, made him homemade ice cream, gave him a bath so he was nice and pretty, that night he slept with me. I knew it was time just like my vet and many friends said you will know when it's time. I'm so sorry you George is not well, it's sad our pets can't stay with us longer. I know your struggle and I'm sorry. Maybe explain to your daughter that you will take him to the vet to get looked at but he may be in pain and can't be helped that the best thing we can do for our pets is let them go

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Old 03-19-2012, 12:32 PM   #5
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I have got to go along with Ellie May on this one.....Find out what is causing the diarrhea...it may be something that is easily treatable. As for the bad hip, I have a matriarch that has horrible hips, from bad breeding....she had reached a point when she could no longer even get up from her bed....I had to carry her to her food and then out to potty....I took her to an ortho specialist and was told her hips were so bad, he could not assure me that surgery would help. I cried and cried, knowing I was goin g to have to put her down. Then I started her on Cosequin....I sprinkle the powder over her food at dinner time....as God is my witness, within 5 days, she was getting up and walking....now my little Crickette is an active part of the family again, even running with her little bow legs, to scare off any doves that try to land on the patio! It ceretainly would not hurt for you to try this stuff....it really is amazing, and if I had not experienced it first hand, I would not believe it....it does not cause gastric bleeding and it does not make them vomit, like some pain meds do....please just try it for a month and see if it makes a difference for Georgie....she deserves some help and at least a chance.....?
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Old 03-19-2012, 12:57 PM   #6
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I have made an appointment to have her assessed. I pray that there will be some options that are viable. Due to battling my DD's illness we have nothing left financially and as much as I would LOVE to be able to pay for extensive medical intervention the only way that we could afford it would be selling the house. I could actually see doing just that if she werent at the end of her life span. So we are going to consult the vet to see what the options are and pray that we can offer her help to make her life a quality one. I took her for a walk today and in less than 5 minutes she just laid down. I had to carry her home. Thats just heartbreaking and I cant bear to see her like this.
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Old 03-19-2012, 01:20 PM   #7
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I would think it is time to let a dog go when its quality of life and its ability to live a dog's life are so impaired from disease and/or pain that it is suffering and/or can only lie there, made only to observe all the life around it, rather than getting to partake. Dogs very often suffer stoically and frequently do not show their pain by whining, limping or licking what is hurting, revealing only by their lack of their old vitality that they may be miserable. To someone like me, there is almost nothing worse than a poor dog having to exist in serious distress because its owner cannot bear to lose him, sometimes putting their feelings ahead of their helpless dog's bad medical situation. Have your vet advise you whether or not your baby can have a decent quality of life as Ellie May advised. I am so sorry that you are having to perhaps face such a heartrending decision but know you will do the right thing for your little loved one.
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Old 03-19-2012, 05:56 PM   #8
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I'm so sorry, I know how hard this is. It's good that you are going to discuss with and involve your vet. Sending hugs!
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Old 03-19-2012, 06:33 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by yorkietalkjilly View Post
I would think it is time to let a dog go when its quality of life and its ability to live a dog's life are so impaired from disease and/or pain that it is suffering and/or can only lie there, made only to observe all the life around it, rather than getting to partake. Dogs very often suffer stoically and frequently do not show their pain by whining, limping or licking what is hurting, revealing only by their lack of their old vitality that they may be miserable. To someone like me, there is almost nothing worse than a poor dog having to exist in serious distress because its owner cannot bear to lose him, sometimes putting their feelings ahead of their helpless dog's bad medical situation. Have your vet advise you whether or not your baby can have a decent quality of life as Ellie May advised. I am so sorry that you are having to perhaps face such a heartrending decision but know you will do the right thing for your little loved one.
Well said.... I would have to agree!

I think that if you know that an animal is suffering and you have exhausted all of your options within reason you are only prolonging their suffering for you own somewhat selfish reasons. Prolonging her suffering isnt' helping your George any. Your daughter needs to realise that George may be better off in heaven.

After speaking with and having your vet assessing her, if you both come to an understanding to put her down you should make sure your daughter knows that you did so for the best interest of George. It's never an easy thing to have to do especially with children and a pet they have known their entire life. Believe me I know, I've been there.

My daughter was 3, when we got our dog Shadow and had to put him to sleep when she was 10 and our son only 2. Just three months later our cat Sheena who was 16 yrs old was diagnosed with liver failure and also had to be put to sleep. My son still remembers both of them and asks about them all of the time. He would even tell me stories about them being in his room at night when he was younger after they had gone to doggy heaven ! (I know in my heart, that they are here with us)

Nobody want to have to make that decision... but in the long run it is what is best for the animal that is important no madder how hard in may be on the humans who love them....
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Old 03-19-2012, 08:33 PM   #10
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I would take your daughter to the appt with you so that the vet can explain things to both of you. This way if things are really that bad then it will be coming from the vet & not you. It sounds as though the pain & diarrhea are the most concerning & pain can be managed with meds & you'll just have to see what's causing the diarrhea. I will say that depending on the cause of her pain, I take all of my oldies to the Chiro for adjustments & it makes all the dif in the world with arthritis & most often they don't need pain meds.
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Old 03-19-2012, 08:41 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by lillymae View Post
I would take your daughter to the appt with you so that the vet can explain things to both of you. This way if things are really that bad then it will be coming from the vet & not you.
That is the best way to address your daughter's concerns. Have you tried the Cosequin Yorkiemom suggested?
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Old 03-20-2012, 02:46 AM   #12
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I'm sorry you are going through this. I recently made the decision to put down my beautiful Paris. It is the hardest decision I ever had to make. Think of what is best for your dog, and you will know what to do.
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Old 03-20-2012, 07:33 AM   #13
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I am sorry you are going through this, We all know how hard it is to make that call. I agree maybe you should take your daughter with you, unless you don't think she can handle that. That is very hard to deal with and hear so I think it might be better coming from you? I don't know-

Hopefully the Vet can give you some support on this. ((hugs))
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