euthanasia of a loved one

[Miranda]

Well, I've been blabing about the bike thieves at my house, and I think it's been attributed to my dog being sick. Big dogs barking tend to keep the riff raff away. The dog hasn't been able to bark lately.

My lab is 5yrs old. She has a back issue and is not getting better with meds. The other option is surgery. A gf had a similiar thing with her golden and it was $5K for the surgery, and not great odds that the dog would get better.

Tonight my poor baby lost controls of her bowels all over the family room carpet. She can't really walk, nor hold her back end right to go potty. She is such a good dog with no behavior issues. I know she just can't help it.

Sad part is that her mind is right. She's normally so active, and can't do anything but lie in one spot, and quivers. I don't know if she hurts, or is just so upset that she can't partake in things with the family like normal. Maybe both.

After tonight's incident, we're starting to think maybe the thing to do is put her down. The vet wanted to know how she was doing at week's end.

She's my third baby. My hiking partner. I love her so. But, it's heartbreaking to watch as is. Do you think the dog feels any pain when they get put down? I know there is some type of shot given to stop the heart. DH said he thinks they sedate them first prior to the shot? :confused:

I've never had to take a pet in before like this. It's just sad:(.

Here's a pic of her doing her most favorite lab thing in the world... swimming. Without the use of her hind legs, I think she would sink and drown.
http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg230/rotarydial/IMG_0823.jpg

[Iris616]

I'm so sorry to hear about your dog. Its heartbreaking to see them ill.

Here is a thought:
A friend went through a similar thing. She chose to have some accupuncture for her dog, and it helped quite a bit.

I'm sure what ever you decide to do will be with your dog's best interest in your heart.

[makbike]

Miranda I'm so sorry you have to deal with this situation. Your buddy is beautiful. Her quivering may be due to pain. Has the vet prescribed any pain medication or steroids?

As far as the procedure if done properly there should be no pain. Does your dog typically struggle if restrained or held? If so I would suggest you request a sedative before the procedure to keep things calm. Talk to your vet about what to expect before, during and after the procedure.

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

[LBTC]

Oh, Miranda! I'm sending you all the hugs and butterflies I can. What a sad thing for you and for your dear fur-baby! She's probably embarassed, and who knows whether she's in pain or not. Do you have a diagnosis? If you know what the cause is, you'll have a better idea of the pain, the prognosis, and if there are alternate treatments available, like acupuncture as Iris said.

Follow your heart. Many of us have been through similar issues and each case is unique. Love your baby with all your heart and be open to the messages you get. And let us know how it goes.

Big hugs and comforting, healing, uplifting butterflies,
~T~

[fastdogs]

I'm sorry you are going through this, and your poor baby too. I have had to euthanize a dog due to spinal problems and loss of bowel control. It makes it harder because the front half might be perfectly normal, but the back end deteriorates. I've got a 13 year old now that had a spinal injury when she was younger, and I will be in the same place as you in another year or so.
When they are euthanized it is basically an overdose of anesthesia- so they go to sleep and just go deeper. Some vets will come to your house, which is nice if the dog is stressed by car travel. If not, some can give you a sedative you can feed them in a special treat so they are heavily sedated when you take them in.
It will never be easy, and you will always second guess yourself. It's better to do it too soon, rather than too late. I once had to have an old horse euthanized; a wise old vet told me to do it when the sun was shining and the old horse was basking in the sun- not to wait till it was cold and the horse was having a hard time with the cold. I did that, and never regretted it. Old Frisky never felt the coming winter in his arthritic old bones, only the warm sunshine and green grass.
Good luck, I know what you are going through.
vickie

[Tuckervill]

I'm so sorry this is happening. You should probably call the vet right away, because she is probably in pain, with the trembling. Poor baby--she's so young.

There is no pain at the end. It's peaceful and quiet and over before you realize it.

I hope you can get to a vet soon. Don't wait until the end of the week.

Karen

[hermitclub]

Miranda,

I'm so sorry to read about your baby. I had to put my boy down in Dec 07 when he couldn't stand anymore without visible pain, and started to occasionally lose his bowels in the house. He spent his last couple of years on lots of different meds to help with the arthritis, but eventually there were no more meds to add to the mix.

It is always a difficult decision, and my vet said I would know when it was time. Amazingly he was right. Rufus told us when it was time. We could read it in his eyes (crying as I write this).

I miss him terribly, and have such wonderful memories. The euthanasia was so incredibly peaceful. The room had soft light. We lay him down on a beautiful persian rug. We talked to him, he looked up at us seemingly with the knowledge that he was saying goodbye, but with no sadness. He was a rescue dog and ever grateful to us. People always said we were his salvation, but I always responded that he was ours. He deserved to have no more pain, and to run and jump again like in his youth, in the next world.

The vet gave us ample time to say goodbye, and waited for us to give the ready sign. Rufus had his head in my lap when we let him go. He never twitched or jerked or displayed any signs of pain. He simply went to sleep.

Be strong and let her tell you when it is time. As difficult as it is, the experience is incredibly peaceful.

My thoughts are with you.

[divingbiker]

So sorry you have to go through this. Making the decision is the hardest part.

[Tri Girl]

I'm in tears just reading your post. I'm so sorry for the decision that you must make. You'll do what's best for your best friend. She'll let you know...
It's so hard...:(

[sundial]

I'm so sorry that you have come to this crossroad so early in her life. :( I think making the decision is one of the most difficult things we pet owners have to encounter. Knowing that she is no longer in pain should bring you some comfort and I know she would not want you to be sad. Please know you are near in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

[BlueVet11]

Miranda, I am so sorry that you have to do this and so soon. You have given her a very good life and any lab is lucky to have active owners (especially ones that let them swim!).

I believe that we are very lucky with our pets in that we have the ability to relieve pain and suffering when their quality of life is diminishing. Take comfort in that.

That said, yes vets typically sedate prior to giving the euthanasia solution. She should go very peacefully and quickly. If I were you I would request they go ahead and set an IV catheter. It will be extra money, but I personally think it makes things go much smoother for the vet and you and your pup. It just makes it easier to sedate and give the solution without having to go through the skin again. But if your vet prefers or suggests to do it without, thats perfectly fine too... its just a preference.

Also, there is absolutely NO shame in a) doing it early, we always say better a day too early than a day too late or b) not wanting to be present during the process. Everyone is different and just know that you are not failing her if you jsut can't be there.

I hope I didn't go too detailed for you but I think thats what you were wanting. I apologize if that was too much. I wish you lots of strength and hugs through this next week and beyond. Lots of pats and kisses for your pup too! :(

(ETA: just realized in the haste of making a name to post, I come off as already being a DVM... I am a vet student... won't be a vet til '11. Don't want to come off as something I'm not yet. sorry guys)

[OakLeaf]

(((((((Miranda & furbaby)))))))

That decision is so, so hard. We had to do it three times, and only one of the dogs made the decision easy for us (the decision, not the loss of course).

One of my dogs also had difficulty walking and lost bowel control because of spinal arthritis. He was older - but I don't know if that makes it any easier. He wasn't in any pain and it was a really hard decision. He was helped quite a bit by chiropractic treatment - but that wasn't a cure.

The anticipatory grieving was sometimes as painful as what we went through after he was gone. I know you'll do what's best for your baby - take good care of yourself.

ETA: the euthanasia is painless. There may be some muscle spasms after death and this can be hard to watch, but the vet assured us that there is no consciousness at that point. There was nothing that looked like pain or discomfort, just involuntary limb movements.

[carpaltunnel]

Marinda, I wish I could put my arms around you and your dear dog. We just went through this with our dear cat, who was 16 years old, but very healthy until she got cancer.
No it doesn't hurt them, and they trust you to do the best thing for them. Having this responsibility, we must take the pain and stress on ourselves and give them the grace of a relatively pain and stress free exit before it gets too bad. If you can bear it, stay there and talk to your dog, but if you can't, just remember that you were there for her all the years of her life. She looks like a happy dog.

I will be thinking of you. Be sure to let us know how your are.

[SLash]

Your situation is heartbreaking.

I have been through it before with my dog and 2 cats over the years. It was a very hard decision to make each time. With one of my cats I actually stayed with her and petted her until she was gone (the vet allowed me to). She never appeared to be in any discomfort whatsoever. It was all very peaceful and quiet.

I feel for you, may you find peace in whatever you decide.

[ilima]

Oh, dear. I am so sorry Miranda. I'm so sorry she's sick & that the meds aren't working. I don't have any words of wisdom, but I know how awful it is when our four-legged family members aren't well.

[teigyr]

Miranda, I am so sorry. Sometimes the right thing to do is painful.

I know my parents also had some luck with acupuncture and a different diet but I know each case is different.

I feel for you.

[sbctwin]

{{{{{Miranda}}}}}}

[bmccasland]

((((((((((Miranda & fur-baby)))))))))))

Have been there, but with an elderly kitty who was chronically ill. It was heart wrenching, for her Vet too. We tried so hard to get her well, but in the end there was only one option, and she went peacefully. One second she was there so sick, and the next her spirit was soaring, off chasing some of LBTC's butterflies.

[DDH]

Oh my, how very sad for you and your baby. We had to put both of our first fur babies to sleep. They were both German Shepards and the younger of the two had "spinal Myopathy" so we knew fromt he time he was younger that one day he would not be able to get up anymore and would have to be put down. The other seemed to have a stroke or something one morning and there was nothing they could do. It was so very hard to do but we couldn't let them suffer. They both seemed to give us a look as to say, "please don't let me stay this way". Gosh just thinking about it makes me tear up and that has been many many years ago. We have two more now that are fairly young and I hope I don't have to deal with it again anytime soon.

You will know when it's right, and when it's time.
Prayers, hugs and peace to you and your baby.

[ikkin]

miranda, lots of vibes to you and your beautiful girl.

[beccaB]

My thought are with you. Several years ago we had to euthanize my beloved Miss Kitty. She was full of piss and vinegar, that cat. I have loved her best. I expected her to outlive me. She developed breast cancer that spread at the age of 15. When it got to where she couldn't get comfortable at all, we had to make the decision, which I felt was the right one, and I felt at peace about it. But I still cry when I go to the vet with my other pets.

[Miranda]

Thank you so much ladies for the outpouring of support. I will ask the vet about some of the suggestions if any of them might be an option for her situaiton. There is only place in the state that does the surgery.

That is helpful to know how they do the euthanasia procedure and what options exits. I think if they gave her something so she wouldn't be anxious, I would try and stay to pet her until she was gone. That made me cry thinking about it.

I think animals do know when something is up, eventhough they can't speak. She just has the look on her face when she stares at me from her single resting spot on the floor like "mom, what happened to me?". After being such an active dog, I don't think she would want to live out her years as is.

I told DH last night that I wanted him to try and help me to take her to swim one last time if we do indeed get her put down. I told him that maybe we could carry and hold her in the water at least to be able to get wet.

The pic of her in the water is at a rual park that was our favorite place together. She used to help me with some of my riding in that we would hike a trail together first, and if ok for the mtb, I would return to ride it later.

OK, sorry enough carrying on. We'll see how things go and what the vet says next. Thanks again, it helps.

[jesvetmed]

Miranda: I just came across this thread. I am SO sorry about what you and your family are going through.

Everyone here has given you so much good advice. Only you know the right time to make such a decision.

Don't be afraid to ask about other treatment protocols like acupuncture which can help with pain and sometimes more, or a referral to a neurologist that can give you some definite answers. More information makes your decisions easier, and leaves less second-guessing in the end.

If you do decide on euthanasia, everyone has given you good advice and shared their own experiences. As a vet I have obviously had to deal with this way too much. But it can be a very loving and peaceful time. DO get an IV catheter placed and DO get sedation. This makes everything more peaceful. Generally this is a quick and painless procedure... BlueVet11 described it a bit... there is an injection -- an overdose of an anesthetic that stops the heart, and then the breathing. There are sometimes minor muscle contractions after your pet has gone, sometimes even the diaphragm, but know that they are gone long before any of this occurs. This is just the body still trying to do it's job.

If you decide to be present, hold her head in your lap, surround her with her loved one. If you are unable to do this, ask that one of the hospital staff take your place in doing so.

I hope that whatever happens, you will have peace of mind in knowing you've made the right decision for your dog and for your family. Eliminating suffering is such a gift -- a hard one to give, but a gift none-the-less.

Hugs to you and your baby.
Jes

[sundial]

I think animals do know when something is up, eventhough they can't speak. She just has the look on her face when she stares at me from her single resting spot on the floor like "mom, what happened to me?".

They do know and they will let you know when they are ready to go. Dogs are so very intuitive, more so than what we give them credit for.

When my first german shepherd was diagnosed with a disease similar to muscular dystrophy, she spent the last year of her life doing the things she loved the most--in a wheelchair. She played frisbee up to 3 days before she was put to sleep. She kept her play face and was always ready to greet a new day with enthusiasm. One morning though she looked at me with an expression that said, "I'm ready to go." I had such a sense of peace about letting her go. I mourned over the thought of having to euthanize her, but during the actual procedure I was comforted in knowing that she would no longer have to struggle with her disease. I know deep down that one very special day we will be reunited and that fills my heart with hope and longing to be with her again. I wish the same for you when that moment arrives.