Can I get some advice about putting my dog to sleep?

[Cindyg]

I have a 14YO dog.

Pros: She is basically healthy. She has a good appetite. She can still trot around a little bit. She follows me around the house faithfully. She still looks interested in playing, but she doesn't have the energy. Her coat looks healthy. She's still a pretty dog.

Cons: She is probably deaf. She sleeps hard almost all the time. We have to look at her frequently to make sure she's still breathing. Sometimes her feet splay out from under her, and sometimes she has trouble standing up. (She's a medium sized dog, about 25 lbs.) She is quite thin. As her faculties fail her, she seems more dependent on my presence.

Last month, I went out of town for three days. She was left at home with the rest of our family -- both human and canine. While I was gone, she did not eat. My husband could not entice her to eat even special treats.

I thought she was at the end. When I got home, I had even called the vet to begin making arrangements. My son and I cried over her and sort of said our goodbyes. But that night, she ate a good meal, and hasn't missed a meal since. She's fine.

Problem: The whole family is going out of town for a week in October. I figure here are our options:

1. Leave her at home with a house sitter. This is what we normally do. She sleeps most of the time, and then we're home. But she's so thin now, if she won't eat while I'm away, I think she'll die; and I don't want her to die with a hapless teenage house sitter having to deal with her.

2. Take her with us. This is not an option. She's terrified of leaving our house. She hates car rides. She has been this way since she was a puppy. This would not be humane. Even lifting her in and out of the car would be terribly difficult for her.

3. Board her at the vet. She is terrified of the vet. I'm almost certain this would kill her.

4. Board her at a kennel. I have visited many, and I can't even imagine leaving her at one. She's very shy and fearful.

5. Put her to sleep before the trip. This seems the most right to me except that she's otherwise perfectly healthy and content. :cry:

Am I missing any options? Any advice?

[Alagirl]

you know the deal: Better a day early than a day late.:(

Last year I had to leave town for a few weeks to help my Mom, while my guys stayed home. My 14 yo Dalmatian had been declining since her bud past the previous year, and she had spells when she couldn't get up.

That happened while I was gone and Hubby fund her halfway under the bed in her own poop one day.

Needless to say, it nearly killed him, but he was not going to let his baby girl suffer like this.


Consider she might not eat - again - when you are gone.

I know it hurts like blazes to let go, but it hurts worse should you be late, or miss her passing being out of town.

[equinelaw]

I am in the same situation, but my dog is not thin. I have arranged for a responsible professional pet sitter and I plan letting the dog eat canned food and drink chicken soup water while I am gone.

Kennel is too stressful and I do not want him to die there alone. Vet is too cramped and same thing about dying. He is too big to get in the car and cannot jump in and out any more.

The dog will eat something if its the right stuff. I'd rather have him eat less of a yummy food then not eat at all. He can eat fire roasted chicken strips for a few days or steak. There are some things that are irresistible. I hate that I have to leave him, but a GOOD expensive experienced pet sitter will be looking out for him and I know she will use her good judgment should something bad happen.

I have to go because its work related. I would not be going on a fun vacation if it meant I had to put my dog down, but I do not have children to disappoint.

[juniormom]

We just went through a similar issue with a cat, but the cat was only 4. I have done so many "shoulda, coulda, etc." However, had I been with her, things may not have turned out the way they did. We had a lot of family issues, extra "guest pets" in our home and I was out of state, so we had to put her down. I have always had an agreement with the vets that if I were out of town and unable to be reached, they could go ahead without us, as I don't want our pets to suffer. That isn't ideal, but it is better than having them suffer.

Do you have a friend that your dog likes that your dog could go stay with while you are gone? If you think it may work, I would give it a "try" before you actually go for a day or two in the next couple of weeks. If your friend has pets, perhaps your dog will enjoy his/her "vacation."

Is there a possibility that you could work with your vet to "build your dog up more nutritionally" now so that he/she could be in optimal condition when you leave? If so, perhaps staying at home with a "sitter" could work. I do think this is the least stressful option for pets, particularly older ones. You may want to look into professional pet sitters. We have used girls from our individual vet before and that worked well, as they knew our pet(s) and were competent to take of them in the event of an emergency. You may have to pay a little more, but it would be worth it. I would ask them, as you never know who may be willing to do it - particularly in this economy.

Personally, I have a hard time doing it when they are eating and wagging their tail. The day they give me "the look", I know it is time to let them go. Have you asked your vet about the possibility of a low dose tranquilizer to give her before you go and consider taking her with you? If you go that route, I would try it before you go and see how it affects her. We have one dog that is "petrified of the car" as well. (My fault - I took her through a "drive through" car wash when she was young and she has never gotten over it.)

It is so hard to make these decisions. I think it is one thing when people are being "selfish" and keeping a pet alive for themselves and a different thing, when you know it is/isn't "their time." We had a friend that purchased our horse. She developed COPD in her later years and our friend was getting ready to be sent overseas to work. She had to make a choice that she wasn't completely ready to make yet, but felt like the horse would have had a hard time that next year (even being outside a lot) and felt it would be more humane to euthanize her than for someone to come and find her "struggling."

Good luck in your decision. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you, as it isn't an easy decision. Only you know what is "right" for you and your dog. Don't second guess your self. Take care and hugs.................:yes:

[joiedevie99]

I would either stay home in October instead of going on vacation, or get your vet to help get the dog in the best shape possible (I might do this anyway) with IV nutrition and a feeding plan, and then a competent experienced pet sitter with explicit instructions to take to the vet if its going downhill (and your cell number).

[jetsmom]

I would either stay home in October instead of going on vacation, or get your vet to help get the dog in the best shape possible (I might do this anyway) with IV nutrition and a feeding plan, and then a competent experienced pet sitter with explicit instructions to take to the vet if its going downhill (and your cell number).

Ditto. Also see about putting dog on something for arthritis, if she has problems standing. (Get her a ckup first. The deafness/balance problems, and not wanting to eat, make me think of vestibular disease, that can be helped with Prednisone/antibiotics.)

[Zu Zu]

Ditto. Also see about putting dog on something for arthritis, if she has problems standing. (Get her a ckup first. The deafness/balance problems, and not wanting to eat, make me think of vestibular disease, that can be helped with Prednisone/antibiotics.d Luck and Ditto last two posters - plus Good Luck - thoughts and prayers for your dog and your family during this difficult time. Hope you have a good vacation and everything is in good shape upon your return.

[Casey09]

Nin wrote She is probably deaf. She sleeps hard almost all the time. We have to look at her frequently to make sure she's still breathing. Sometimes her feet splay out from under her, and sometimes she has trouble standing up. (She's a medium sized dog, about 25 lbs.) She is quite thin. As her faculties fail her, she seems more dependent on my presence.


I would say that she probably doesn't care that she is deaf, and I wouldn't worry about her sleeping soundly. Most dogs sleep more soundly as they get older. Just be careful about startling her. I would check with the vet about arthritis meds to see if something could be done, and have your vet check her weight and make recommendations. However, I have big dogs, and way before age 14, they can start having some stiffness and occasional difficulty rising if they've exercised a lot that day. I won't put them to sleep until I believe they are actually in pain.

I sit for a 14 yr. old dog who does not eat much when her owner is away, but she isn't thin. I mix things in her food, and she does ok.

For me personally, I would do one of two things.

1) Stay home. The dog isn't going to live much longer, but she doesn't seem to be in terrible pain or suffering right now. Maybe it would be best to put off leaving home, at least when you have a choice, until she dies or has to be put to sleep due to pain or suffering.
2) If #1 isn't an option, check with your vet. You may be able to do a couple "tests" with a petsitter and harder to resist foods. I would use a very reputable petsitter rather than a teenager. That way, the petsitter can take her to the vet if necessary. You may have to board so that she can have an IV if necessary.

[Alice]

I vote #5.

Because you said she is already thin - and having difficulty getting up at times. And as Alagirl said - we all know the drill, better a day too early than a minute too late.

If you were motivated enough to explore all medical possibilities, I suppose you could then reconsider. But really, she is an advanced age for a dog, and you can't fix all problems related to aging.

Realistically speaking, she is reaching the end of her life, and the quality of that life is beginning to suffer. Not because she is deaf, but because she has something going on that is causing her to be thin and she is not able to use her body well enough anymore.

Maybe try to remove the impending vacation from your thought process, and read your post as if it was a stranger asking for advice?

Whatever happens, I wish you and your pooch the best. It will be a hard decision whatever way it works out. You seem like a caring owner, don't let mis-placed guilt (should I have tried more medical options?) get in the way of your decision. She is 14, you cannot reverse most aging processes.

hmm - edited to add that I re-read your post and noticed the last sentence where you say she is happy and content for now. If that is the case (in other words not really painful, able to move around normally) then I would reconsider.

[Roan]

I currently have three collies and, if I ever were in your situation, I would have her put down. As said, better a day early than a day late.

Eileen

[Laurierace]

I just put my dog to sleep last month. I sort of did it when I did because we were going to go out of town. My dog had started falling and being unable to get up and I did not want to risk her falling sometime and struggling for hours until my neighbors who petsits for us came to let them outside again. Truthfully had we not been going out of town I might have waited a bit longer. She might still be alive now or she might not. The end was coming, regardless. So I understand what you are feeling and I did feel a little crappy that I put my dog down because we were going on vacation but it was the best alternative for her.

[vtcsf]

it is such a personal decision, but i think i would definitely bring her to the vet for atleast a check up, and get enough information from them to help weigh in on the decision.
Our vet is really great about talking over things and weighing all options, hopefully you have a similar relationship with yours and they can help one way or the other.

Best of luck

[bt]

I was in a similar situation, my dog must have known because she passed away in her sleep 2 days before we left on vacation. Tough situation, but you are putting her best intrests ahead of yours so I am sure you will do what is best.

[Hannahsmom]

I would either stay home in October instead of going on vacation, or get your vet to help get the dog in the best shape possible (I might do this anyway) with IV nutrition and a feeding plan, and then a competent experienced pet sitter with explicit instructions to take to the vet if its going downhill (and your cell number).

Ditto. It sounds like other than pining for you when you are gone that she is fairly healthy for a 14 YO. My JRT was officially deaf the last year or so of her life...it didn't bother her a bit, she finally slept thru the fourth of July. If it were me and I were really concerned, I would cancel the vacation. But maybe you can have different people feeding her and getting her used to the change in routine in a more gradual way. It sounds like she's old, but doesn't have a disease from your post.

[TBMaggie]

This one's a tough one. By your own addmission, you are saying that your dog is getting around, trotting, a little bit. Doggie is 14, is thin, but hasn't missed a meal in a while. Sometimes her legs splay out....

I think your doggie is in pain - and second the ones here who suggest that you have her looked at by your vet. Arthritis can be a bugger for old dogs to deal with, and maybe it'd be worth it to see if there's anything to get her more comfortable. And if not, hopefully you can have "that" discussion with the vet about his/her opinion on 'is it time?' too. I had a mixed breed dog who went blind and deaf, lived to the ripe old age of 17 - but stopped eating all together. That was the sign for me and her that it was time...

I think you need to ask yourself how you'd feel if you left her in October, and then found out that she died, knowing that YOU seem to be her favorite person- if the answer is that you'd feel horrendous, then stay home, or do her a favor soon. It'll give you a chance to say a nice goodbye (you have a month to lavish love on the old girl), no??

I wish you well. I know how hard it is....I do.

[monstrpony]

I was in this situation a couple of years ago, and I came here for adivce, as well. Got the same variety of responses. The ones that got to me the most were the ones who said, what if your dog had a crisis while you were gone, or died during that time, alone, without you. It would have destroyed me, and those thoughts were a big help in my making my decision to have him put down before I left.

But what finally happened was that he began to fail seriously about the time that I had decided what needed to be done. In short, he made the decision for me. This wasn't the first time I've known this to happen. It sounds like you and this dog have that same kind of close relationship. There is time between now and October; when the time comes, you will know, and it will be clear what is the best decision.

I wish you peace through this difficult time.

[wendy]

me, I'd skip the trip and stay home. The dog sounds healthy enough that considering euthanasia seems a bit premature.
Except, why is the dog so thin if she has a good appetite? what do you feed her- have you tried a high-calorie-dense food? had her checked out for a lurking tumor?

[abbydp]

I am so sorry you are facing this. I just went through it with a much loved cat. The thing to think about is that she isn't truly that healthy if she is very thin and she won't eat at all except for you. There is a reason for that. I believe with all my heart that they hold on for us. You have plenty of time. Just try and look at her with an objective eye. I know it is the most difficult thing in the world, and easy to say. Is she truly enjoying life now? Whatever you decide will be the right decision, make it and don't second guess it. I will be thinking about you both.

[Bluey]

We need to remember that animals only know about right now and today and some of what passed before, but they don't have any idea of tomorrows.
Once quality of life starts to be questionable, if they have bad days, they don't know tomorrow may be better, just endure.

I also would not go on a vacation or anywhere with a terminal animal on hand, but sometimes, you can't arrange your life completely around that situation.:(
Euthanizing a little too early, since we know that every day a terminal animal is here is really for us, not them, well, that may be some times what we need to do.
In nature, they would have long been dead and many times not a good quick death, before they became terminally ill, as they do as domestic, well cared for animals.

That situation you have there is very sad and there is no right or easy way to go about it.:cry:

[Cindyg]

I want to thank everyone for their well wishes, prayers, and kind advice. Really -- thank you.

I want to clear one thing up -- where I have to go in October is not just a vacation. Fortunately, we have not been able to afford a vacation this summer, and that has worked out perfectly for my dog. But the October commitment is not a vacation.

Bluey mentioned that in nature she would never have lived this long, and that is a very good reminder. I remember calling my vet once, years ago, in tears over a pet hamster who was dying; and he told me the very same thing: A hamster in nature would never have lived this long. It was a very "Oh duh" moment for me, and, thank you Bluey for reminding me of that again.

It is difficult because I don't think my dog is quite done with life, but it's very iffy whether she can make it through a week without me. Bless her heart.

Thanks again, everybody. Group hug. (No decision yet.)

[Mary in Area 1]

I would stay home with my dog. Whether it's a vacation, a wedding or a work committment, my responsibility to my family (human, equine, canine and feline) is my first responsibility.

If you feel you MUST leave, then put the dog down first.