Anybody ever had to put a dog down?

[Meat-O-Rama]

Unfortunately I've had to put two Labrador Retrievers down in the last year.

16 and 15 years old. I loved them with all my heart and the best thing to do was to not make them suffer any more.

It was hard and I cried like I haven't done since I was a kid, but in the end I did what was best for them and I can sleep good at night knowing that.

We recently bought two baby giant Sequoias and planted them in their memory. I hope to grow them big in pots and eventually transplant them where they'll live longer than me and my kids and their kids.

 

[CowboyMike]

I actually had to put my dog to sleep last week. She was twelve and a half. The sweetest, most kind hearted, loyal dog we've ever had. German Shepherd. I got her when she was a puppy too and it hit the whole family very hard.

Diabetes finally caught up with her. Close to the same thing happened as your dog. She wasn't eating, getting up, or interested in anything anymore.

Ultimately it is about her happiness and her enjoyment of life. There is no reason to make her live on in pain just to have her around longer. You know the look in their eyes when they're telling you, "I'm tired."

It was very tough when it happened. The whole family was with her and comforting her, and the vet let us have her on the blanket she had had forever so she would be comfortable.

You will be sad and awestruck. You will feel her absence for a long time. When she was confirmed gone, I completely lost it. But you will also feel relief and comfort knowing she is not suffering anymore and that she is now running up in some amazing meadow with all the food and water she can hope to havez waiting for you to join her again.

 

[jubal]

Shadow got to where he could not climb the steps to eat,or get around on level ground and was hurting,had to load him to go to the Vet.
He was laying on the table,a needle was inserted and as he was being petted and talked to he went to sleep.
Four years later Mama Sue has an indoor Maltese named Bridget,I didn't want another dog because I really don't like what needs to be done in the end.
They feel no pain and it needs to be done just take your tissues,I didn't,thats why I'm telling you.

 

[Kristi]

Oh this thread just made me cry.

We had to put our dog Kibbles, a shih tzu down at 15. She was just at the vet that Monday with a clean bill of health. She had lost the sight in one eye a few years ago, but did well with one. She was on prednisone for allergies and put on a few pounds, but got around well for her age. I woke up Friday morning and she had walked into her fan that was on the floor. I turned my lights on and could see she was blind in her other eye. I broke down and called my dad at work and we made the decision that day to put her down. She could live being blind, but she didn't know where she was going. Dad brought her home a cheeseburger from McDonald's for one last meal and we held her and then took her to the vet. Our vet put her to sleep with one injection and then when we were ready gave her the final injection. Hardest thing I have ever been through and I have been through some crazy scary health things. What really hurt was leaving the room and coming out and seeing a shih tzu puppy in the waiting room that was the spitting image of Kibbes when she was a puppy. That was just another punch to the gut that day.

We weren't thinking clearly and I didn't know that would could have had her cremated or buried her ourselves, so all we got was her collar which we hung on a big photo of her we had blown years ago in her prime. Like someone said bury him or scatter his ashes in a favorite place that you can remember him. A friend of mine lost a dog recently and got a box with her paw print and name on it and her ashes are in there. It sits on a table with her photo by it. I think that's a sweet idea too.

I have never lost a family member or friend -- went to my first wake at the age of 32 of a friend of the family. Losing Kibbles still has been the hardest thing I have gone through.

You are doing the right thing though it's one of the most awful, heartbreaking things you will go through. You will cry, it's a member of your family. They love you unconditionally and never judge.

The house will be quiet and empty, but when you are ready get another dog. We got another shih tzu, Romo a few years later. We still talk about Kibbles, but it's with laughter, not tears.

I wish well tomorrow.

I need some tissues!

 

[Cowboys&LakersFan]

Thankfully I've never had to our any of my dogs down. Can't imagine what you're going through.

 

[NeonNinja]

Our dog Max was diagnosed with end stage kidney failure. The problem was too far progressed when it was discovered, in fact, we took him to our vet due to some vomiting, and from there we went to NC State University Veterinary School where they made the diagnosis. Max never acted sick, and the Vet told us that his lab values were so bad they were amazed he only had a little vomiting and no other symptom. They did tell us once his condition caught up with his body, that he would get extremely sick real fast, and unfortunately they were right. In just a couple of weeks our beloved Max became extremely sick, and the night before we made our decision, he could hardly breathe. We took our boy to the vet the next morning, and knowing that he was getting to the point of severe suffering, we made the decision to ease his pain. My wife and I went into the back with him and the vet;the vet explained the process with us. He would give Max some medicine first to ensure he was calm, and then he would administer the injection that would end his suffering. We held our Max as the vet did the first injection;then in a couple of minutes, he gave the second one. The shots caused no pain, and our Max just went to sleep one last time. I was grateful to our vet for his compassion and care by making sure our Max passed from this world in a gentel manner;however, our pain did not go away that easily. He was a beloved member of our family, and his absence has been felt every day since. I do not envy what you are about to experience, loss is never an easy thing to get through, but like us, just remember, this is the final, humane service you can give your pet. Although you will have pain, he will not. We will keep you in our thoughts.

 

[cowboy_ron]

It's never an easy thing to do

 

[Hostile]

Can you tell me a little bit about it? Do they give him an injection or something? And how long does it take? I am trying to brace myself for it.

Yes, when the vet does it there is an injection and they just go to sleep. The 2 dogs I had to put down personally unfortunately were suffering too bad to even make that trip.

The vets do not hurt them at all. The only real change is that they are gone.

 

[MapleLeaf]

...ago we had to put our Springer, Patches, down. She was (17) and the most amazing animal we have ever had.

My wife and I have had in our lives (8) dogs, (20) odd cats, (3) domesticated rabbits, a goose, (2) pigs, a sheep and a jack rabbit. These were all in house pets.

Patches came to us as a rescue at (12) and already had a tumour on her belly. One day the tumour burst and we couldn't deal with her suffering.

We went to the vet right away and gave her an injection. If this is your first pet to be put down I suggest the injection. It gives you the best chance to say goodbye and humanely give your pet back to God.

All the best to you.

 

[Hoofbite]

My cousin's dog had to recently be put down.

He was just old. Probably close to 12 or 13 and he was way too big

Had trouble getting around and it wasn't a good sight.

He looked fine and was still as happy as ever but he started to fall down the porch stairs a little and at that point it's just too sad to watch.

 

[Hoofbite]

That sounds exactly like my situation. So it's over quickly? No pain or anything for the dog? He will just stop breathing?

It's very quick. 30 seconds or less would be my guess. Only gone with to see it happen once and it wasn't anything distressful at all. Dog just goes to sleep and then that's it.

One thing you might look into, especially if you are in a small town, is having the vet come to your house.

I mentioned my cousins dog but it was my dad who had to carry it all out because my cousin was out of state for work and wouldn't be back for a while.

He knows a vet who will make house calls so you don't have to hassle with taking the dog anywhere. Might sound odd but my family has a pretty large hunk of land and all that animals get buried out in the field.

 

[Zaxor]

I've had to do it with a couple of dogs (Rebel, Yankee & Dune) it kills ya a little each time one dog died in her sleep (Pookita) which may have been harder as it was least expected got another (Pepino) that is getting close to time.

 

[dreghorn2]

I am seriously crying right now, i love my dogs.

To the OP, I am very sorry for your situation, God Bless.

 

[CowboyMike]

That sounds exactly like my situation. So it's over quickly? No pain or anything for the dog? He will just stop breathing?

The first injection relaxes and sedates them. My vet said after that they are asleep and will not be aware of what is going on. The actual injection is simply an extreme muscle relaxant. To them it is like going to sleep and they will not feel anything. No pain.

They will have to insert an IV in order to do it, but that's probably the worst of it.

 

[silverbear]

Okay thanks for the feedback. I am sorry for your loss. I certainly understand how you feel right now.

I had to put my first dog, Thunder, down when he was 15 years old... he developed a tumor at the base of his heart, and like you said, he stopped eating and I knew the end was near...

I was in the exam room with him, scratching his ears and telling him what a good boy he was while they prepped him and gave him the shot... I saw the light go out in his eyes, but I'm content knowing I was calm and peaceful and made his exit as easy on him as I possibly could have...

I thanked the vet and his assistant for their help, calmly... then I went out and got in my pickup and cried like a baby...

And the next day, I went down to the pound and found my second dog, Bear...

Yes, pal, it's hard being there when your dog is put down... but there is also a sense of peace that comes from knowing I did everything I could to make his death as easy as his life had been...

I figured I owed him that, and I'm sure your best buddy deserves nothing less... don't let him suffer, give him the easy way out...

Can you tell me a little bit about it? Do they give him an injection or something? And how long does it take? I am trying to brace myself for it.

Yes, it's an injection, and it happens in less than a minute from administering it... it's really rather peaceful...

 

[Muhast]

I really appreciate all of the feedback, it helps knowing others have went through it and what to expect.

This morning the vet called me while I was on my way there (appt was at 9am) to let me know that he passed away in his sleep last night. It's bittersweet bc I wanted to be there with him but at least he is in heaven now and feeling no more pain.

Thanks again for the support. It's going to be a rough day

 

[Zaxor]

... but there is also a sense of peace that comes from knowing I did everything I could to make his death as easy as his life had been...

I figured I owed him that, and I'm sure your best buddy deserves nothing less... don't let him suffer, give him the easy way out...



Yes, it's an injection, and it happens in less than a minute from administering it... it's really rather peaceful...

sad that we won't do it for people who are suffering and yet we call it being humane when we do it for animals.

 

[Vtwin]

I had to put my first dog, Thunder, down when he was 15 years old... he developed a tumor at the base of his heart, and like you said, he stopped eating and I knew the end was near...

I was in the exam room with him, scratching his ears and telling him what a good boy he was while they prepped him and gave him the shot... I saw the light go out in his eyes, but I'm content knowing I was calm and peaceful and made his exit as easy on him as I possibly could have...

I thanked the vet and his assistant for their help, calmly... then I went out and got in my pickup and cried like a baby...

And the next day, I went down to the pound and found my second dog, Bear...

Yes, pal, it's hard being there when your dog is put down... but there is also a sense of peace that comes from knowing I did everything I could to make his death as easy as his life had been...

I figured I owed him that, and I'm sure your best buddy deserves nothing less... don't let him suffer, give him the easy way out...



Yes, it's an injection, and it happens in less than a minute from administering it... it's really rather peaceful...

Yes. ^



I try to not create anxiety in my friend by trying not show my anxiety. I doubt I'm succesful though, they know how we feel before we know how we feel.

I always have to pull over on the way home and let it out.

You are doing the right thing.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Ugh. Rough thread. Sorry about your loss, Muhast. A good dog is truly one of the best things in life.

Mine is 14 now and I'm pretty sure that in the next year I'm going to have to go through this. I've had dogs die overnight, but I've never had to put one to sleep. Despite what everyone says, I'm not sure I could do it. To tell you the truth, I think I'd rather it happen the way it did for you.

Oh, and great post, Ologan.

 

[Hostile]

I really appreciate all of the feedback, it helps knowing others have went through it and what to expect.

This morning the vet called me while I was on my way there (appt was at 9am) to let me know that he passed away in his sleep last night. It's bittersweet bc I wanted to be there with him but at least he is in heaven now and feeling no more pain.

Thanks again for the support. It's going to be a rough day

Hey, in his sleep is the best way he could have gone. His memory will never die.