Reassure me (dog euthanasia warning)

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Or tell me I’m wrong, I guess.

My first dog, a lab mix, made it to 14. He was the best. Towards the end, he had a cyst growing at the base of his tail. We dutifully took him to our vet, who gave us the expected, “old dogs get stuff like this, if it’s not bothering him let’s let it be”. Eventually that cyst grew to be the size of a softball and ruptured. At this point the vet said they’d have to remove his whole tail, that the recovery would be really hard on him. He had bad hips and couldn’t see or hear well. It was a tough decision, since he was otherwise still doing normal dog things, but we had him euthenized in our home. I hate that it wasn’t something big that took him down, but a small wound that was unlikely to heal and would just bleed all over the house. It felt like a convenience decision, even though I know his quality of life had gone downhill. It took me a week to recover. This was about 10 years ago.

After an appropriate mourning period I adopted another dog from a shelter. She’s… not the best. I have nothing against her, she’s sweet enough, but she came to us with issues. She could never be around other dogs, sometimes I’m concerned with her around children or strange men. She doesn’t do normal dog things like… play. Her existence is basically having panic attacks multiple times a day whenever a delivery truck drives by and aggressively hounding us for meals. She tolerates pets but rarely enjoys them. We haven’t been able to trim her nails in years, even at the vet while drugged on oral tranqs. Lately she’s been peeing in the house and we don’t know why.

We think she’s around 11 or 12, and she’s also started getting lumpy. A few days ago, lemon-sized cyst on her stomach ruptured. Same issue, it’s unlikely to heal and it’s bleeding all over the house. We can bandage it but she hates it.

Earlier this year we had her teeth cleaned at great expense (they ended up pulling 4 teeth as well) and her heart stopped while she was under. The vet hadn’t noticed my DNR order and brought her back to life. But now we can’t have this cyst removed without doing a heart assessment first.

Long story long, I’d have to pay about 4 grand and put her through hell to get her through this. I just can’t rationalize that, and it’s making me feel like a bad guy. She can still run and jump and chase rabbits and go on walks but this somewhat minor oozing wound on her belly is going to be the reason I euthanize her, and I’m struggling with it.

Related, I just found out that the reason every vet visit now is $400 is because private equity bought up all the practices. I’m not sure I can afford a dog after this, at least not without insurance. And even then…

2

Sorry for what you are going through, but keep reminding yourself that, unless you are 90 when you get your dog, you HOPE you will have to put them down at some point.

You have to decide for yourself when the tie is right. Right now, I have a niece who is IMO essentially torturing an old dog with negligible quality of life.

I’ve spoke with many many people who have agonized over putting their dog down. I have not encountered a single person who after the fact believed they did it too soon. To the contrary, many acknowledged they waited too long.

Good luck.

3

It may be “wrong”, but you have given her a good life and are willing to ease her out. If this is really what you want, I would let you off the hook.

4

I think in the end you come to terms with it. I’ve struggled with this. I’m the one the vet begs me just “let her go”.

But I didn’t ever have an active aged dog. I’ve had plenty of old dogs. They were never still doing “doggy” things. My oldest a Rat Terrier. 23yo. She pooped and pee’d out side. Ate her food. But otherwise was a blind, deaf lump of sleeping fur(minimal).

She went to sleep in her chair one morning after her constitutional and never woke up.

That’s the way I prefer it. Realistically I know this isn’t always possible.

A vet did tell me once, You’ll know when it’s the right time.

Good luck.

5

It sounds to me like her life isn’t sunshine and rainbows even without the tumor. Add illness in the mix, and I think you’re justified in letting her go.

StG

6

I’m sorry you’re going through this. It is never, ever an easy decision.

One thing I’ll mention is that uncontrolled peeing in an older dog often signals diabetes. It’s a common affliction for dogs as well as humans. You can’t know without tests, but assuming I’m correct, you’ll likely be faced with injecting insulin daily in addition to all the other care. For one of my dogs, it was twice a day. The affliction also showed up after a teeth cleaning.

I think the dog’s quality of life should be paramount in making these decisions, but your quality of life is also a fair concern – as is your pocketbook. Sometimes these decisions must be made out of concern for the above in addition to your pet’s quality of life.

You’re right about corporate vet care taking over as many vet practices as they can. Pet ownership is fast becoming an indulgence for the wealthy. Sad, because so many animals need homes.

Good luck. I feel certain you will make the right decision, given all the variables. To whatever extent you love this animal, remember those good things about her. It will give you comfort eventually.

7

I sympathize with you. This is horrible. Putting her down now is the merciful thing to do. I think you know this in your heart.

8

Absolutely. You give them the ultimate gift of the way out.

9

Honestly, when my mother was dying, she begged for euthanasia, but it’s illegal here. That sore that won’t heal is probably painful. If your vet is comfortable putting her down, it’s probably time to do it, before her life is just misery.

But none of us is in a position to decide for you. I’m sympathetic, because i don’t really like our old-lady cat, and I’m going to feel really guilty when the time comes to put her down. We asked the vet how to decide. He said if she stops being able to get around and use the litter box, it’s time. But I’m sure if she had a wound that wouldn’t heal, he’d say the same thing.

Best wishes, whatever you decide.

10

When most recent dog was on the decline, the vet gave me pain killers. I decided to schedule a vet to put her down in my house which would have been the next afternoon. I ground up a bunch of the pills in her water (she wouldn’t eat anymore, just drink) and she passed before the vet got there.

11

This. As an adult, I’ve now had to go through this with five very beloved doggies and my only regret is waiting too long. Never too soon.

I’m sorry you are going through this. It is always a hard decision, and I think yours is even harder.

And extra yes on the vet visit bills. And pet insurance is also a steaming crock of dog shit.