How do you deal with pet euthanasia

[Rockers]

Just wondering as the moment has come for us to make a very complicated decision. It literally makes me sick thinking about it. My kids are crying, my wife does not want to go this way, neither do I,  but I can`t see any other option. Our pet is at the hospital today for an MRI of it`s spine and a possible operation that would make it`s suffering bearable but won`t heal it.

[abchung]

My aunt back in Australia had to go through this for her dog. The vet asked my aunt what is the dog's favourite thing. She replied running in the park in the park and swimming in the river.
So the vet pumped the do with heaps of pain killer, then instructed her to take the dog to the park for several hours and come back later in the day. My aunt and her daughter comforted the dog and the vet asked them to count from 10 to 0. It was all over before they reached 0.

[Rockers]

I think coping with the grief and loss is what scares me most. Especially me and my oldest son are very close to our pet. For some reason my wife can handle this all a lot better.

[mooseman]

We had to rest my two buddies within one week last November. A failed spleen and a liver came on very quickly and left no other options. Jake was 13 Rocco was 7
We miss both of them ..................but there was nothing that could be done and they were both in great discomfort that came on quickly.
The only thing I can tell you is it was not fair to try to hold on to them because we were not ready to let them go.
There is no easy answer, but do what is best for your pet, you cant discomfort them if you care for them. 


mooseman

[GaryG]

One day I looked out as my Corgi "Hogan" sat in his outdoor pen
without running about as usual. He just wasn't his self, as jovial as could be.
About 12+ years, his back legs just weren't working. A spine thing too. He didn't seem
to be in any pain...Oh Hogan, Hogan what to do?
Gave him a bath, loved him for the day and took him in- it's hard when we have to
let them go, but we have to know, unless there is any other way- it is for their benefit.

Hogan, Hogan, my Buddy Guy!! 

[screenprintguy]

Sorry about that bro.  Our two babies are getting older and from time to time I can see the age setting in on the youngest one, full blooded English bull. She's my wife's baby and I can't even imagine what that is going to be like. We don't have kids so for us they have become our little family. Our hearts go out for you and your family through this. I know it sounds weird, but they do become connected to us big time.

Mike

[cbjamel]

Me and my wife had to do that to a great dog (Kid). Plain and simple hard as hell to do but if they are hurting and can't heal. Its time.
My opinion.

Shane

[Frog]

I have gone through this literally a dozen times. And though it's never easy, most pet owners know when it's the right thing to do.

Fortunately, for the last five friends, it was done at home, minimizing any anxiety, and making the entire goodbye a little easier.
A caring vet, (willing to come to the house) who has a relationship with the dog can really help.

There is no way to avoid sorrow at the loss of a friend, but knowing that their suffering is alleviated should provide some comfort.

[Sbrem]

It's about as hard as it gets, but you have to do the right thing. Don't take this wrong, as I feel how you feel about it, but keeping a pet alive past it's time is just selfish; not greedy selfish, it's just so damn hard to let go. I don't have a dog, but we have a shop dog that has been coming in every day for 10 and half years, and she's slowing way down. We try not to think about it. Good luck brother, sorry for the grief you and yours are going through.

Steve

[alan802]

Went through this last summer with my wife's dog of 13 years.  The last 3 years of that dog's life we had spent about $7K in vet bills, surgeries and overnight stays in the pet hospital.  I've also had to do it several other times and the first was with the dog my dad got me when I was 3 months old and we were a few months different in age and at 13 it was time.  My dad left the decision up to me then but he was hurting every bit as much as I was.  That dog was as much of a brother to me as a human would have been, maybe more so.  I won't go into the most gut wrenching one because I don't want to discuss it and it hurts thinking about it and how it had to be done.  Maybe one day I'll open up and get it off my chest but not today.

If you're asking yourself if it's time, then it's probably well past the time.  With my wife's dog, I just kept telling her about the life the dog was living.  It's hard to think about money at a time like that but the amount of money we had spent was excessive, even for the most beloved 4 legged friends but I was willing to go further if the dog could live a decent life.  The vet was great with everything and helped my wife make the right decision.  Hopefully the vet you're dealing with is compassionate and will help guide you the right direction.  If not, find one that will if possible.  This is too hard of a thing to go through without having someone helping you.  Also I hope the vet doesn't tell you something just to keep making a good chunk of change on keeping the pet alive, I know that has happened before but I'm sure it's not very common.   

[ABuffington]

Sorry to hear about your pet.  Like most of the other posts here, it is hard, really hard.  To this day seeing a beagle hurts.  If the time has come it is better to ease their suffering and let them go.  Yet not a day will go by that you won't remember your pet.  It's been 6 years since he passed away.  We never got another dog, none could take his place well.  However, nothing wrong with going to a shelter and saving a life in his memory.  My friend has rescued 3 huskies over the years and on the last one he went the next day after it passed to get another one.  I honor my pups life by walking dogs in my neighborhood for those that can't walk their dogs.  I walk a German Shephard now that belongs to my friend's neighbor.  All the benefits of a dog and no vet bills.

Good luck, it ain't easy,

[Sbrem]

It seems that every few months a thread like this pops up. It's really nice to know, corny as it sounds, that we're all here for each other.

Steve

[Rockers]

I`m totally devastated, she just died yesterday afternoon while being in intensive care at the pet hospital. She did not even make it to the operation, her injuries where just to severe. That poor little thing. I wish I could have done things different but such is life I guess.

[Rockers]

Went through this last summer with my wife's dog of 13 years.  The last 3 years of that dog's life we had spent about $7K in vet bills, surgeries and overnight stays in the pet hospital.  I've also had to do it several other times and the first was with the dog my dad got me when I was 3 months old and we were a few months different in age and at 13 it was time.  My dad left the decision up to me then but he was hurting every bit as much as I was.  That dog was as much of a brother to me as a human would have been, maybe more so.  I won't go into the most gut wrenching one because I don't want to discuss it and it hurts thinking about it and how it had to be done.  Maybe one day I'll open up and get it off my chest but not today.

If you're asking yourself if it's time, then it's probably well past the time.  With my wife's dog, I just kept telling her about the life the dog was living.  It's hard to think about money at a time like that but the amount of money we had spent was excessive, even for the most beloved 4 legged friends but I was willing to go further if the dog could live a decent life.  The vet was great with everything and helped my wife make the right decision.  Hopefully the vet you're dealing with is compassionate and will help guide you the right direction.  If not, find one that will if possible.  This is too hard of a thing to go through without having someone helping you.  Also I hope the vet doesn't tell you something just to keep making a good chunk of change on keeping the pet alive, I know that has happened before but I'm sure it's not very common.   

I know this might sound strange but I found it easier to deal with my father passing away a few years ago then loosing my pet through an freak accident that caused her horrific spinal injuries and immense suffering for a day. I find it really hard to cope with and my wife who I thought was more rational she is even more devastated.

[Frog]

As I said, my wife and I have gone through this many times, and were only really devastated once, when her prize boy went unexpectedly way too early to an uncommon disease.
A pet's passing is inevitable, but one hopes for a full life before that.
We are all truly sorry.
Every pet owner here shares your grief.