Should You Put Your Dog to Sleep? 6 Signs an Animal is Suffering
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ย. 2024
- Dogs - all animals - hide their pain. It's a survival instinct that makes it hard for us to know if we should put our dogs to sleep. But, as veterinarian Dr Marie Haynes says, "If you can save your dog even one day of discomfort, you must." These signs it's time to put your dog to sleep are based on her professional and personal experience with sick, elderly dogs. Euthanizing a dog you love is a very difficult decision, but here's the most important thing to remember: putting your dog to sleep is the final act of love and compassion you give your dog.
Deciding if you should put your dog down because of an illness or injury is one of the hardest decisions you'll ever make.
That's the number one sign it’s time to put your dog to sleep: if suffering, pain, or a low quality of life is involved. Answering the question “what is a low quality of life for a dog?” is different for everyone…but the bottom line is that if your dog is suffering in any way, then it’s time to say goodbye.
Deciding if it's time to put your dog to sleep is sometimes a clear decision. Other times, we need a veterinarian's advice and insight about the right time to say good-bye. Sometimes a dog is in so much pain, so injured, or so old that the only and best option is to put him to sleep. Most of the time, though, the decision to euthanize a dog - who is a treasured, loved part of the family - is not easy.
There are no easy signs, and the definition of “good quality of life for a dog” is different for every pet owner. Plus, as one veterinarian told me, it’s often difficult to tell whether a dog is in pain or suffering. But, there are a few signs it really is time to put your dog to sleep.
This veterinarian gave six signs it is time to put a dog to sleep:
1. Is your dog eating and drinking less than usual, or not at all? Lack of appetite is often a sign of pain.
2. Is your dog excessively chewing, gnawing, or licking a problem area, wound, or injury?
3. Does your dog limp or yelp when walking or going up/downstairs?
4. Are you enjoying having your dog around…or is there more pain than happiness because you are seeing signs your dog`s health is diminishing ?
5. Is your dog acting different, such as growling at other dogs or even snapping at children or adults?
6. Does your dog seem to look, sound, or act distressed or uncomfortable most of the time?
These questions are not always easy to answer. Pet owners often want veterinarians or other dog experts to tell them if it is time to put their dog to sleep. Pet owners do not want the responsibility of putting their dogs to sleep too soon…or even too late.
It can be tempting to ask the veterinarian or other dog experts to decide if it’s time, but our vet said this has to be the pet owner’s decision. The vet only sees a snapshot of the dog’s life, while the pet owner has the big perspective and the whole lifespan.
“I see a scared, sick animal in the hospital,” says Dr Haynes. “I don’t see a pet owner’s beloved dog. You have taken care of your dog all its life. This is your final chance to take care of your dog. If you can spare your companion pain and suffering, then putting your to sleep is the ultimate gift…no matter how hard it is for you.”
How will you know if it is time to put your dog to sleep? Here’s what the veterinarian says: There will come a day when it is absolutely clear to you that your dog is not enjoying life. That day is one day too late. If you can save your dog even one day of discomfort, you must.
Deciding on euthanasia is difficult, but it could be the most loving thing you do for your dog.
With love and sympathy,
Laurie
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Thank you for this video. I had to say good bye to my dog a few weeks ago. I have been feeling a little guilty, wondering if I put her down too soon. I realize now, I did the right thing, letter her go. She had kidney disease, a heart murmer and blood in her diarrhea. She was 16 yrs old. She was not eating, she was starting to stumble when she walked. Her breathing seemed off. I did not want to see her suffer. I let her go, but it was out of love that I did.
I watched a few videos and yours by far is the most gentle, compassionate and with important behavior to look at with your pet. I’m putting my 16 year old girl down tomorrow, her quality of life has really declined in the last week. My heart is breaking and it’s hard to imagine my life without her but as you said she will always be with me. I’m a senior and alone so she has been my baby, my ever faithful companion and always made me laugh with her antics. Even this morning she had me laughing for a short moment. During this pandemic she has helped keep me sane.🙏🏼😇 I have to remember letting her go is for her and the ultimate act of love. Thank you for helping me think more about her then myself. Bless you for making this video. Barbara
My heart goes out to you, Barbara. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I am so sorry you're saying goodbye to your faithful companion. There is no other love in the world like it, is there?
With a full heart and lots of sympathy,
Laurie
Thank you so much, we put our beloved dog to sleep few days ago and i am suffering from guilt if we did it to soon, can not sleep or eat i feel so wrong.. even though i knew it was the right desision that day but after i can not forgive myself… i just hope my dog is in peace and she knows i wanted the best for her… i miss her so much
We had an older Vet whose wisdom and honesty I always appreciated. She said " Think of the three things Tenshi likes to do best, things you can see she cherishes. When she can no longer do two; call me."
All six…my heart is broken!
thank you so very much for this kind and thoughtful message that so many of us need to hear. Today is the day i decided to let my lillie go after 18 years. a friend sent me your message. i. am so grateful ❤
❤❤❤❤ ❤
Thank you for this video I just put my dog to sleep 3 days ago. I feel like a monster. I feel like it was the wrong decision. I feel terrible admit. I'm miserable. The mornings at the nights have been the worst. I'm blind, so pictures aren't really helping, but it's cool when people describe them to me. Put watching videos and hearing her bark. It's great, but. Once the video ends, I just feel the emptiness again. But after seeing this video I did c. That I guess she had all 6 of those things. She was about to be 11 years old next month. I just feel like if I had the money to do all the treatments and the tests. There was a possibility to save her and since I couldn't afford a bunch of that. I want West putting her to sleep. I feel like I gave up on her. I'm sorry I'm sorry. Xena
My dog had 5 of these 6 signs. (He werent snappy towards people) He was suffering from kidney failure. We put him through the procedure to help him recover but he came out of hospital looking much worst despite blood levels improving. Screaming and suffering. I took him to be put to sleep last night and my heart is broken. 😢
I had to put my boy down too. It's one of the hardest things I have done. I miss him and loved him so much. I miss my little shadow. I pray your heart heals.... sorry for your loss.
Thank you for the video. I had to put my best friend down a little over a month ago. I am still (occasionally) watching videos like this to ease the guilt and cope with the pain. It was the right thing to do, but it was also the most difficult thing I have ever done in my life.
My 13+ year old Golden Retreiver is 3 out of 6. The pain meds. aren't cutting it and she can barely get around anymore. Poor thing falls over when she squats to pee 50% of the time. My husband and I have to lift her off the floor all the time and she weighs 90 lbs. According to the age chart for her breed she is now over 85. I hate to lose her, but I fear she will die at the side of my bed while sleeping at night. I think it's time and I don't want to feel the horrible guilt I felt the last time I put a pet down. This time though I feel the decision is being made for us and she doesn't have much of a life at all anymore. It's getting near fall time here and I don't see her making it though another winter in a million years. I'm just here preparing my mind for what will come whether I do anything about it or not. She has a vet appointment in two weeks.
I put my dog down today. I have been crying all day but I knew it was time. He was suffering and I didn't want to be selfish for my needs to hole on to him. I just couldn't watch them put him down but a veteran was with him. She first check him out when I first got him in 2008. He was 14 years old. He was born No October of 2007. Thank you for your video. It was helpful.
my dog's death day was on the 6th a year ago. not one day has passed that I don't think about her. You never get over it, you just learn to cope with the loss. if only dogs lived as long as us.
I needed this. Thank you.
I'm contemplating with the decision to end my babies life. He is an 8 1/2 year old Boxer Mix and was diagnosed 3/29 with Lymphoma. I notice changes but others in my life do not. He has been on prednisone and has had an appetite up until today. I had to put his dish in front of him on the floor while he was laying down. He does bark when I get home and brings me his toys. I had to end my Chocolate Labs life 1/25/23 he was 15 years old and had some issues that was very hard and now to have to go through this again so soon is killing me. I just wish I had someone to help me make this decision.
I’m so sorry, hope you are doing well friend. I too wish someone could decide, but I know our babies would not trust anyone else to do so.
same here
@@shelleyzoe8254 did you make a decision? We helped our boy with cancer cross the bridge on 09/01. It’s still very painful sometimes, but he left on a ‘good’ day and it was extremely peaceful. I hope you were able to make a decision that brought you peace as well.
I'm going through this situation with my dog Started with a genital infection took him to vet but only gave me 10 days worth penicillin for him ...he has swelling to his hind leg makes it difficult to walk ....seem like the vet could have done more on his genital infection but they did nothing like that and still charged me just under 300.00 😢
I agree.
My dog cannot hold it's bowels. He is 15 years old. He limps and cannot bear much weight on left hip. He urinates often inside. He cries if he is outside too long. He is otherwise healthy. It's a difficult question to ask when but I believe when the owner is exhausted and the pet is exhausted. It's easier to go down this road than to extend the journey of misery. To each their lot of misery.
Thank you so much for sharing this precious info. God bless
Thank you very much. (And Sugarbelle thanks you too)☮️
I have one thing to say about the braking and growling thing. There’s a fine line between health issues and your dog just trying to protect you
Is hard we both see each other eyes and tries to stand up. My dog has kidney failure. I try to feed him with low protein, is getting to the point I have to syringe him through his mouth, he wont eat. Sleeps a lot, just drinks water. In the mornings I carry him like a baby on my arms, feel the morning sun rise and hear the birds. He just looks up and I tell him those days when you were running crazy barking at them. I am planning if he can resist take him to the beach one more time just to feel the breeze and his paws 🐾 touch the sea, in 2 days. Same spot when he was a teen (14) in dog years. Escaped from my leash on a secure spot and walked bypassing me without me knowing was my dog playing joke on me.
My almost 12 year old also have kidney failure.
Vet advised to euthanise today but i cant do that.
I have been crying since yesterday.
You are a beautiful soul.
Thank you
please pray for me and my June Bug she is almost 13 yo shepherd mix. it’s time but it’s hard dear Lord help
Thank you my baby is very sick and I have made the decision ti put her down. Unless there is a miracle and she has a turn around I’m a few days
How is your dog? Did she have a miraculous turn around, or did you have to say goodbye?
Her last night she struggled to breathe, I helped her all night and the next morning drive her ti the vet as I held her I assured her I was going ti end her pain, the vet gave her a sedative and she collapsed in my arms, finally relieved of her pain, I still cry when I think of her, I miss her do much ❤️ but she is free
Oh, Tina, I'm sorry. That sounds very hard, I can't imagine how difficult it was for you. You were with her until the end! And she knew it. She is free from the pain...and she wants you to be free, too. May you find peace, healing and joy when you remember her.
I have a feeling she misses you, too....and she is waiting for you! You're separated in physical form, but united forever through the ages.
xo
My jojo is 11 yrs old. Both back legs luxated and cannot walk by herself. We have to carry her in and out to do business. Now she has mamary gland cancer. She is passing diharea with lots of blood. But she loves to eat.
I don’t know to say is she in pain or not. She is more silent and panting. howls calling me changed. Its low now. Pls tell me is she in pain.
She's most likely panting a lot due to pain and discomfort.
What does put your dog down mean?
Putting a dog down - or to sleep - starts with recognizing that the dog is suffering or in pain, taking the dog to the veterinarian, and asking for the vet for her professional opinion. If the dog's illness or wound isn't treatable - or if the treatment (such as chemotherapy) would cause more pain and suffering than the dog can handle - then the vet will administer an injection that slows and stops the dog's heart.
That dog has then been put down or put to sleep. Euthanasia is another word for it.
I hope my definition clarifies things for you, Yazeed! Do you have a dog?
Basically killing it BUT for a good cause it’s better for your dog to die peacefully than to suffer everyday
A Dog's Prayer
Treat me kindly, my beloved friend, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than my loving heart.
Speak to me often,
for your voice is the world’s sweetest music,
as you must know by the wagging of my tail when I hear the sound of your footsteps.
Feed me clean food that I may stay well,
to romp and play and do your bidding,
to walk by our side and stand ready,
willing and able to protect you with my life.
And, my friend, when I am very old
and I no longer enjoy good health, hearing and sight,
do not make heroic efforts to keep me going.
I am not having any fun.
Please see to it that my life is taken gently.
I shall leave this earth knowing with the last breath I draw that my fate was always safest in your hands.
- Anonymous
6 Signs It’s Time to Put Your Dog to Sleep - A Vet’s Advice
www.theadventurouswriter.com/blog/should-i-put-my-dog-to-sleep-pet-euthanasia/
My heart is absolutely breaking decided today to put out girl down 36 hours left of licks and endless love
My German Shepard is 11 years old, his entire body feels tense and he isn’t himself, he seems depressed and has lost enthusiasm but he’s still eating and drinking and doesn’t seem in pain, but he keeps having accidents on himself 🥲 it’s so difficult
You look like Sally Fields in the movie Not Without My Daughter