Heavy hearted senior gsd question advice/end of life euthanasia issues - Page 1

Pedigree Database

Premium classified

This is a placeholder text
Group text

Premium classified

This is a placeholder text
Group text

Premium classified

This is a placeholder text
Group text

Premium classified

This is a placeholder text
Group text

giebel

by giebel on 26 July 2016 - 07:07

I am writing this post with a heavy heart tonight. My 11 year(3 months shy of 12) old gsd has been slowing down a lot lately. Not wanting to go for walks , sleeping lots and stiffness,lameness in back legs and one back leg/paw knuckling, panting more than usual and drinking lots of water( especially in the early mornings). I had him stay at my cousins house (who love and adore him ) when I had to go on a emergency trip for 12 days(other than that he has only been in my home or parents home). He has been back with me for 6 days .Since I have returned from my trip he has definitely lost his mojo but is still eating okay and loves his treats.hehs lost weight ribs and hip bones showing.I know he probably has cancer, dm, arthritis, hd . I am giving him supplements.I dont want to bring him to the vet for blood tests because getting in and out of my truck is hard and stressful on him right now

and he has never ever been a fan of the vet even when he was a pup. So with a heavy heart I am trying to decide when I should home euthanize him. I know the end is near but it is really really hard letting your best buddy go. Especially as i look into his sleepy eyes laying next to me. Please share with me how you made this hard decision and when you were able to make the rainbow bridge decision. Sorry for the rambling but this is really hard.

Thank you in advance for your advice.


Hundmutter

by Hundmutter on 26 July 2016 - 10:07

Giebel, I know how hard this is. You have to be brave for his sake. He may help you reach your decision.

Last Summer my boy who was just a couple of months younger than yours got very slowed down like this.
Although there wasn't anything happening except 'old age', he slowed up and went into a decline. He then saved me the worst bit of "when to make the decision" by collapsing outside the front gate one afternoon just as we were going for a walk. When we got him up on his feet and into my car
he seemed only a little better; by the time I arrived at the Vets, I walked him in but his heart rate was all over the place and he didn't even have his usual energy to swear at the Vet. It didn't take much in the needle to give him peace.

We are in the unenviable but privileged position that this is something we can do for our animal friends. The point is always to save them any further pain or suffering. When you reach that point, you know it really.

Sunsilver

by Sunsilver on 26 July 2016 - 11:07

i, too, had to face this decision back in April. In the case of my dog, what made it all the harder was his overall health was pretty good. His eyes were bright, his appetite great, and he still wanted to defend my backyard from the neighbour's two fuzzy little mutts on the other side of the fence. But his rear end was shot, due to arthritis in his spine, and he'd lost control of his bowels. He was also 14 years old.

I kept putting the decision off until he had several episodes where he couldn't get up on his feet. He'd go down, and not be able to get back up without help. Twice this happened while I was away at work. I'd come home, help him up, and the next day he'd be fine.

The last time, it happened on a weekend. When I tried to help him up, his hind legs were so weak they were crossing over one another. I decided it was time.

The next day, of course he was fine. But I KNEW it was going to happen again, probably while I was at work, and he'd be lying there for hours, struggling. It just wasn't fair to him. Still, it was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make.Sad Smile


Q Man

by Q Man on 26 July 2016 - 13:07

It is no doubt one of the hardest decisions you'll ever make...But you will know when it's time...and it is one of the kindest things we can do for our animals...We do it out of love nothing else...
When even thinking about putting down your Friend...Companion...Protector...It is a sunken feeling...But this only tells you that your love is true and real...You have to think through this and do it for them...You're not losing them you're only letting them go to another place...They will ALWAYS be around you...ALWAYS...
You're releasing them out of their pain...If they had a choice they'd stay with us FOREVER...but their bodies give out...
One day you will know that it's time...It's time to give them their final gift...You do it out of love...
I have lost many dogs...Some have passed away on their own...Some I've had to help...But you always know when it time...Put your trust in God and he will help you make the decision to know when it's the right time...

~Bob~

by belindak36 on 26 July 2016 - 13:07

Sorry you are going through this. I am kind of in the same boat as you are. I keep wondering myself if I am being selfish but I figure if I can see a happy dog then I will give it a little more time. When she isn't happy and in to much pain for all the meds then I know it is that time. It will be a very tough decision but I think you will know when it is time.

bubbabooboo

by bubbabooboo on 26 July 2016 - 14:07

Been there, done that too many times. If you yourself would want to be killed if you were as sick as your dog then it is time. If you would want to live a little longer with good care and a loving caretaker then it is not time. A lot of people blubber on about reducing the dogs' suffering when in actuality they don't want to take care of a dying animal ( we all are dying animals from the day we are born ) and spend the extra time and effort that requires. If you go to the veterinarian most want to fix the problem ( and get paid ) or kill the dog as they have other paying patients waiting. Put yourself in the dog's place and decide when you would want to have that choice made for you without any consultation.  I tend to err on the side of letting the dog have a little more time if they are having any fun and enjoying the attention of their fellow dogs and human companions.


by Nans gsd on 26 July 2016 - 16:07

Really I feel home euthanasia is probably the kindest thing to do for your boy. I won't go to the vet again for that purpose as my last experience at vet's office was nothing I will ever forget and was not a pleasant memory not that it ever would be especially if your boy hates the vet's office.

Everyone feels a bit different about when and where to make the decision but for me it was time due to the fact that I knew what was coming and new it was going to be very unpleasant and uncomfortable for my "special girl"...I did not want her to suffer or be in pain and I wanted her to be able to "walk" into the vet's office not have to be carried or whatever; otherwise I feel that I let her down and made my decision too late. Just how I feel as I want my best friends to still have dignity and comfort and sometimes all the drugs in the world cannot do that for them.

So sorry you have to go through this and sometimes they do tell you or give you a hint that "YES" it is time...Sending you strength, Nan

susie

by susie on 26 July 2016 - 18:07

Thinking of you...

Almost all of us had to go through this, and nobody is able to help you.
For me it´s time to say good bye when I do have the feeling that there is no more quality of life for my companion.

Like Nans I think home euthanasia is the kindest thing for your boy. Don´t be too sad, dogs do have a different life span, and your boy is pretty old and tired now. I am sure he had a very good life.

He will show you when it´s time to go, I am sure.

giebel

by giebel on 27 July 2016 - 06:07

Thank you everyone for your kind and supportive words. I am tearfully writing this post.Even though we dont know each other we understand the special bond we have with our beloved best friends. Today was not a good day we had 90 degree weather here the past few days. Today he drank almost no water or food ( turned his nose away to his favorite treat) He did seem to be comforted by his regular massage and ear muzzle rub.His back legs are stiff and lame and he is practically immobile. If its not better tomorrow I will call the in home pet euthanasia.to come out. I will call and consult with them either way. I originally thought I would have to muzzle him when the vet comes to the home but at this stage I dont even think he has the energy to get pissed off at anyone( he always managed to let a good warning bark out if he didn't like you :). He's always been abig baby at heart which I think GSD folks understand.Honestly and sadly I think he is telling me its time to go....this is so hard and heartbreaking. Most  loyal and faithful german shepherd , best friend for a too short life. I am grateful for the time we had together on this earth.

Thanks again for your compassionate words and support It means a lot to me.


Spooks

by Spooks on 27 July 2016 - 08:07

My story is almost identical to Sunsilvers except my girl had control of her bowel & bladder. She was 13 years old, bright enough in herself, eating an drinking OK, hearing and eyesight both were good, but her back end was shot and a few times she had fallen over when trying to get up, also she had a very large mammary gland tumour
Then one day last April, I just knew the time had come, her hind legs were beginning to cross over, she didn't look happy and I wanted her to pass with dignity.

Arranged for the vet to come out to the house later to euthanise her in her own surroundings, with my other 2 dogs there. The vet and head nurse couldn't have been any kinder, they were so kind and allowed us as much time as we wanted to say our goodbyes.

This was the first time I had to make the decision, other times it's been made for me.

I could never take a dog to the surgery to be PTS, I have always had it done at home.

My thoughts are with you giebel x






 


Contact information  Disclaimer  Privacy Statement  Copyright Information  Terms of Service  Cookie policy  ↑ Back to top