At what point do you say... added photo

I can't even say it or think about it.

My dog Tommy is really sick. We adopted him when he was 8. He had an older owner who passed. A little Peekoneese. So cute and sweet.

He had a problem with his disc in his back and was having seizures around 9 so we started giving him prednisone (sp... it's a steriod). He's been on it for a few years.

Now, he's 13 and really not doing well. We brought him in last week b/c he wasn't moving, eating or anything

Now we find he's hypoglycemic, has an infection and he's lost over 2 lbs, which is a lot for a dog that's only 9 lbs.

He can't even walk anymore. We have to pick him up to hold him and even take him out. He's on all meds... the steriods for his back, another med for an infection he has, he has to take pepcid b/c the steriods gives him diarhea, etc
He hardly eats so we have to put the bowl next to his bed. I hate it!
Last time we were at the Vet she even said something about trying everything to keep him going. I hate watching him like this.
Thanks... sorry so long.

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Message edited 6/25/2010 9:16:12 AM.

Re: At what point do you say...

first of all many for you!!

i think for me, it would depend on if he was in pain.... if he is & the vet doesnt think anything will reverse his condition, then i would put him to sleep

if the vet feels more can be done to improve his quality of life, then i say keep on doing what your doing!

Re: At what point do you say...

No one can tell you when to make the decision. With my boy someone told me something will happen that will tell you it's time for sure now. I was struggling for quite some time with him beforehand. For everyone that one "thing" is different. Sounds like your little one is in the waiting room for the rainbow bridge. Do what your heart and gut tells you when the time comes. It was the most difficult decision I ever made in my life.

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I'm so very sorry.

I have never had to make a decision like this, so the only thing I can say is that I would try to focus on him solely. His quality of life, does he get any joy or happiness out of it any longer, or are his days more about pain and discomfort? It must be terribly hard to separate that from how you would feel about him passing but maybe think of it as the last selfless thing you could do for him.

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This is devastating... I am so sorry.. I would focus on his quality of life as well just like greenfreak said. and of course if there is any pain involved.. I am so sorry.. Many many and to you

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I think you know already that the time has come by what you wrote in your post. I am so sorry. I dread this day with my puppies...

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I'm so sorry.
It would be so much easier if they could just pipe up and say to us, help me I'm in pain.

If your dog doesn't have a quality of life anymore, then maybe it is time to put him down.
I went thru this with my cat when he was sick. Hardest decision I ever made in my life, but the day my cat looked at me and I was able to see in his eyes how much he was suffering, I knew it was time to call the vet.
My cat was ill with cancer and there was nothing we could do to get him better.

You know your pet. You will know when it is time to let him go.

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Thanks so much ladies... DH and I look at each other and neither one of us want to say it. He's our first baby and will always be

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I am really sorry Erica

When my dog Pepper was 16 her quality of life became so unbearable we (my family) couldn't stand to bear seeing her miserable anymore so we put her down. That was 10 years ago and I swear I still think of her all the time and miss her. But I did not want her to suffer anymore.

And my mom and I were with her to say goodbye...we couldn't bear to be in the room when they did the injection, so the vet brought us in after...and let me tell you, my poor baby looked so peaceful...it gave my mom and I comfort.

Message edited 6/24/2010 4:17:22 PM.

Re: At what point do you say...

We just went through this two weeks ago with my family dog... it was really, really hard, but we knew it was the right thing to do.

My dad was afraid if we waited longer he would get much worse and we would have put him through suffering that could have been avoided. Truthfully it was probably already time - longer than most people would have waited - but my dad is working from home now so he was able to give him extra care.

I still cry when I think (or type) about it though.

Re: At what point do you say...

Posted by Goobster

Posted by EricaAlt

Thanks so much ladies... DH and I look at each other and neither one of us want to say it. He's our first baby and will always be

Re: At what point do you say...

I had a st. bernard that at 5 got really sick. The doctor misdiagnosed the dog.

Anyway, the dog was suffering and you could see it. I didn't want to put her down but I felt bad.

I was in the room when she got the injection. And as the other poster said, she looked so peaceful when it was time. Almost as if she wasn't suffering anymore. It is a hard decision. But what is the point of pumping them with meds to just prolong life if they are still suffering?

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ugh...ive gone through this twice already and i was a complete mess. But you have to stop thinking about how sad you are and think about how much your baby is suffering. Try to think about how they will be at peace by not suffering anymore. I know its hard believe me i feel for you.

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Thank you sooo much for all the advise and hugs

Some days are better than others. When we're able to get him out to go to the bathroom (he can't really stand anymore so we sort of have to hold him) he feels better. Last night I got him to eat and he perked up and laid on me for a bit.
He's not given up right now so I'll know when he's ready.

Re: At what point do you say... added photo

had to add a pic of my little guy. This was a couple of years ago. He's 13 and still looks like a puppy.

Re: At what point do you say... added photo

Erica your killing me.. I wish this wasnt happening but It looks like it may be.. I feel sick for you..

Re: At what point do you say... added photo

OMG he is so adorable. My heart is breaking. They look like puppies, why can't they stay young forever?

Re: At what point do you say... added photo

My first cat died in his sleep, thank goodness.

But, my Figaro got sick. We're not sure of all the things that were going on but the main problem was kidney failure. The day we found out, the vet kept him for the day to run a couple of tests but she said it didn't look good. However, when we picked him up, she said she kept an eye on him all day and he wasn't ready to go yet. She said he still had an interest in things and was comfortable and happy. So, we did daily IV fluid treatments on him to keep him hydrated and comfortable. That went on for about 2 months and then he took a turn for the worse. He was all wobbly and I didn't think he would make it through the night but he did. I thought we were in the clear. I went upstairs to get ready for work and when I came down I found him sort of on the floor but with his toenail stuck in the kitchen chair. Like he fell but he didn't have the strength to get his toenail unstuck. He had also pee'd and pooped on the floor. I got his foot unstuck and he just layed there. That's when I knew it was time. That was my sign.

I have no regrets. I feel that Figaro told me he was ready. Originally I had really wanted him to be around for one more Christmas (he passed on December 16th) but it's probably better he wasn't physically there. This way, our last Christmas with him was the year before, when he was healthy. So we have happy memories from it.

One thing I did a couple of years ago that I'm so happy I did do was, I made an impression of his foot. I was doing one for my son and had some leftover clay so I did Figaro too!!! I cherish it and plan on doing it with all my pets.

You will know when it's time. You'll feel it in your heart.

Re: At what point do you say... added photo

Posted by Goobster

OMG he is so adorable. My heart is breaking. They look like puppies, why can't they stay young forever?