Putting a dog down?

[Cola89]

so my dog kenya has a disese that makes her intenstines keep dialationg and over time she will eventually not be able to poo anymore and will die. my mom has intentions on putting her to sleep before she gets to bad and to sick. lately kenya has been having diahreea and thrwoing up it happend once last weekend so its not happening all the time but we know her time is almost up

how bad does it hurt to put the animal to sleep? How long did you typically mourn?:cry3:

 

[eroomlorac]

It doesn't hurt the animal at all to be put to sleep. It is very peaceful, really. Mourning is very individual so everyone will mourn differently and for different lengths of time. I miss all my animals that have passed on always, but the tears eventually stop. I'm glad you are doing the right thing by your dog and not letting her suffer for a long time. Take care of yourself during this time. You are doing what is right.

 

[Cola89]

It hurts now just thinking about it with her still here i know im going to be hysterical and useless when we let her go. i dont think i want to be there when they do it but then she is going to want to know where i am. ugh this sucks

 

[Tiatrack]

It hurts now just thinking about it with her still here i know im going to be hysterical and useless when we let her go. i dont think i want to be there when they do it but then she is going to want to know where i am. ugh this sucks

Have you thought about having your vet come to you? I have found it comforting to me to have it done in my house, where my dog was comfortable. I had a dog put down at the vet once and I have felt guilty ever since that her last moments were filled with fear.

 

[tskoffina]

I cried for 2 days when we put my dog to sleep a few years ago. I couldn't function. But I stayed with him. My parents couldn't stand to stay with him while they did it, and I didn't want him to be alone, so I brought him and stayed. I think in the short term it hurt more, but long term I look back and it makes it easier to know that he knew I was there and he was loved as he passed. He was bad, dementia, blind, deaf, tumors, and arthritis, it was time. The day we did it I brought him to the park to play one more time, and there was a group of daycare kids playing. They asked if the could pet him, the teachers said yes, I said yes, they came over and asked what was wrong. It always amazed me that they knew something. He was in heaven. He loved kids and was happy to play with them. It was his rally. He got a last meal of a whole chicken and chinese lo mein, his fav. I know he was happy at the end, and that helped. If you give, take, him all his favorite things before it may help you know you did the right thing.

Also, some vets will come to your house to put them to sleep. If you do decide to stay, or someone does, it may help to know that he was home.

 

[Cola89]

i think it would hurt more if we did it at home cause i would probably always look at that spot and think thats where we killed her! i know its best but in my head im still thinking that were killing her! my mom said we will probably lose her in a few months so i do have a little while to stay with her. i wish i could let her sleep in my room but my chins are in there and she starts making all these noises so to not have stress on her or the chins i dont let her come in. im going to spoil her til the end

 

[equus_peduus]

The euthanasia itself shouldn't hurt the dog. It's essentially an overdose of anesthetic - which means that it suppresses brain function and decreases pain. Some animals have unfortunate reactions - you can get twitching, and very occasionally even vocalizations and more violent movements. The animal is generally unconscious at this time, but it's very distressing to the owner. Some vets sedate before administering the final injection, some don't; it depends on what works well for them and what they've had experience with. After death, you can get spontaneous muscle movements and even a breath or two - mostly related to nerves firing off after the fact. The eyes don't close.

Location - is up to you. Not all vets will do a house call for euthanasia, but some will. There are housecall-only vets out there as well. Some people want to be present for the final moments, some can't bear to be there. I let the owner decide.

Some vets offer a pawprint. There may also be the option of cremation with return of ashes (usually more expensive).

I took training in very basic pet grief counselling... the gist of it is, it'll be worst for the first few weeks, but don't be surprised if it still hits you for several months or a year or more - especially if you have an annual ritual (e.g., always get a special toy at Christmas, or a special treat for birthdays). You should be functional within a few days to a couple months. Some people are hit badly and basically can't deal with the world for a while. Some people "look" fine though they're hurting inside. You will still be hit by grief occasionally through the next year or so, even if you've returned to being a "functional" person. If you are so devastated that you aren't functional for weeks or months or even years after, definitely seek professional counselling - there are people who specialize in pet loss grief. There are also pet loss support hotlines and support groups out there - I can give you some info, and I'm sure there are others.

It's a difficult decision and a difficult time. I'm sorry.

 

[pamszoo]

I'm so sorry you are going thru this. It will not be an easy time for you. One thing you need to do is stop telling yourself you are killing your dog. You are simply letting her transcend out of her broken body, and be free of pain. Euthansia is a total selfless act and in the end the kindest one we can do for our pets. In your heart you will know the right time and eventually be at peace with the decision.
I personally stay with all my pets when the end comes. They were always there for me and I will not abandon them at the end. Some owners can't handle this, so where I work I make sure sombody is always with the animal being euthanized.
You will never forget and never stop loving them. You will just learn how to live without them like we all will have to do...

 

[Cola89]

I came home and she has informed me she is going to put her to sleep march 13th. ugh omg this is so sad

 

[pamszoo]

spoil her, spend lots of time with her, and most important just love her

 

[starleomach]

You will want to be there. 9 years ago my german shepard died at the vets and I didn't go to her. I regret it still to this day that she didn't have me there because I was afraid. It is better though that she not have to suffer, euthinasia is just falling into a deep sleep and passing peacefully

 

[Cola89]

well my mom just told me that she wasnt going to be in the room so i decided im going to be i dont want to but im going to be because i dont want her to be alone. does anyone have there pets ashes??my mom said if i pay the extra 50 we can cremate her and i think i might i just imagine always having to tote her around from place to place whenever i move out

 

[tskoffina]

I thought about it, but where I am we seem to have problems with human remains, so I worried they wouldn't really be his. I think the paw print would be nice, you could even do your own, since you know you have time. Maybe make a garden stone.

 

[pricklesnquills]

I'm so sorry I couldn't imagine loosing my baby :tissue:

But, just know that I think it's best to put your puppy out of her misery. Although I know it's incredibly hard to make that choice :cry4:

 

[pamszoo]

I have some ashes, some have been buried, others will go to the grave with my husband or myself. It all depends on what you want.
When the day comes and you are with her, tell her she can go and that you will be ok. she will understand.

 

[3CsMommy]

It depends on the person and the dog and their relationship. My first dog died at home in his sleep after a series of strokes. We were planning to take him to the vet that day b/c we kind of thought it was close to time; he just took that burden away from us. *misses her Jackpot dog* I was really down for several weeks afterward, but he was also my *only* companionship much of the time. I still occasionally tear up if I see a dog that looks like him, and I have one of his toys in a box in my closet. I'd say mourn as long as you need to, and public opinion be darned. She's your dog, your friend, your responsibility: feel how you feel.

I got somewhat used to being present for euthanasia when I was with the humane society in college, but it never really got to be easy. Usually those were severe neglect or abuse cases that necessitated an end to the suffering, so it was a blessing in a way, but I did (and still do sometimes) mourn for those little lives. I'm a crier, but then again, a lot of them never had someone care enough *to* cry for them, so I'm not ashamed of walking out of the exam room bawling with an empty cat carrier. I also don't see death as a bad thing, or something to fear. If the animal is suffering, why extend that? It's not fun and I certainly don't get any joy out of it, but in the case of very old or sick or suffering pets, I think it's often the right thing to do.

What's usually suggested is that you pick her 3 favorite things to do (play ball, sit on the couch, meet you at the door, whatever), and when she can't do them any more, make the appointment. Until then, love on her a lot and spoil her rotten, just for the sake of your own heart. She already knows she's loved, but it seems to be easier on the humans if we've done all we can to show her that near the end.

 

[3CsMommy]

As for ashes, I haven't had that luxury. Some of them are buried in our yard (Jackpot, Smoky and Princess [cats]), the humane society animals were left to be buried in a mass grave on the vet's farm. But pet funeral services are becoming more popular, so there may be a place near you where you can pick up a locket for a clipping of her fur or a bit of her ashes, or have something like this made: http://www.hillcrestflynn.com/code/image_viewer.asp?file_name=shop/PP_FI.jpg

 

[oxchincerelyxo]

keep your head high, sweetie. It's be alright, and I know it may be hard but the mourning time is also a time to be greatful for the other pets your still have...Hold your girls a little tighter and love them a little sweeter...


you dog is going to a better place where pain has no victims and age has no meaning:heart3:

 

[eroomlorac]

I'm glad you will be with your dog when she passes. Of all the times they were there for us, it's the least we can do. I just had a dog put to sleep in December and I and my two sons were there with her. We were petting her, scratching her ears and when the vet injected her I told her "That'll do, Molly, that'll do" as I always said to her when a job was done. (Now here I am crying at work!)

 

[Cola89]

I'm glad you will be with your dog when she passes. Of all the times they were there for us, it's the least we can do. I just had a dog put to sleep in December and I and my two sons were there with her. We were petting her, scratching her ears and when the vet injected her I told her "That'll do, Molly, that'll do" as I always said to her when a job was done. (Now here I am crying at work!)

Aww carol i remember when you wrote that! im crying at work to and i still have her. im thinking very seriously about posting pics of her but i will wait and do it on march 13th. they said they will put her in a box and etch her name into it