Are We Making The Right Decision To Put Down Our Dog?
Our dog is almost 12 years old and is slowly fading away. Just two weeks ago he was running and jumping for joy, but within the past two weeks, he’s changed dramatically. He’s stopped eating his favourite hard food and milkbones, but does enjoy soft food still. He sways to the side knocking into walls and falling down stairs, sleeps in odd places and just isn’t himself. Is it right to put him down tomorrow, seeing as he doesn’t show any physical pain, but looks really sad?
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This is a very hard question as ethics can vary from person to person.
I have had to help many people with this decsion. I often ask if the pet is at greater risk for harm (which you said the dog is falling down the stairs so I would imagine the animal is at greater risk of danger).. I also ask if the animal gets up everyday and how well does that occur. It sounds like your dog is still mobile, but a sudden and distinct change occured two weeks ago involving the animals balance. At 12 years old, a nuerological issue may be at hand. Nuerological issues usually present without pain, however the lack of balance and decrease in coordination may cause an injury such as a broken bone or can cause the animal to choke. Nuerological issues are hard to treat in a geriatric dog because the dog has a harder time metabolizing meds and dosages are tricky to figure out.
You would have my blessing in this decision.
Why would you put your dog down when you haven’t even had him examined by a vet. Dogs can stop eating because of a bad tooth. If it is infected or abscessed they can have serious side affects that resemble neurological disorders. Maybe he had a seizure or has been exposed to some type of poison. All of these things are treatable. SEE YOUR VET BEFORE YOU PUT HIM DOWN!
I suggest keeping him happy as much as possible. Let him go when he sleeps it will be much easier and he will know that his life was meant to the fullest.
I would recommed talking this over with your vet. He/She will give you the best advice in this case.
Good luck.
If he can still enjoy soft food, that means he still enjoy his life. Take him to vet, find out what’s wrong. My cousin and I had dogs grow to 16 years old. They were half/full blind. But still can walk around in the house. Just don’t let them go up/down the stair. It is too early to put him down.
Don’t put him down if he may just be sick.. Find out from a vet first . Would you want to be put down if you were just feeling under the weather. He is still eating, so that is a good sign.
Yes, or your wouldn’t be doing it. You see that he is acting strangely, you don’t know how much or if any pain is happening. He isn’t eating and he is bumping into walls. Poor dog. I am sorry that you will have to say goodbye to your friend, but glad you are a good enough friend to do the right thing no matter how much it hurts you.
Have you talked to your vet about this? if s/he agrees then I would probably say yes. But first make sure that he has been checked out to see if you can find whats wrong. I find it a little odd that the change was that dramatic, but if this keeps up its probably best to end his suffering.
Before you put him down you should have him examined. His condition may be treatable and he could have some fight left in him. I think you will feel less guilty if you try to find out if there is a way to get him back to normal. When dogs become old they will have up days and down days. My mom has a 14 year old dog and some days she acts like a playful puppy and others she just lies around the house.
I’d try to figure out what is wrong with him. It sounds to me like he may have had a stroke. I think, if he seems like he wants to live, let him live. Try to interpret him, only you as the owner can do that.
You need to find out what is wrong with him. Take him to the vet and he/she can let you know if it is something that can be fixed or if your dog has developed a serious condition. You won’t be able to make the right decision unless you have the facts.
DONT PUT HIM DOWN!!!! it could be something very minor……talk to ur vet asap. i bet its something simple. 12 years old isnt that old.
Maybe wait a bit longer. your dog may just be going through a rough time (no pun intended) if he doesn’t get better after a week or so, it might be a good idea to bring him to the vet. he could be ill. he could just be old, too. if your vet finds nothing wrong, maybe put him down. it will be sad, if it comes to that, but it may be for the best. we had to put one of our horses down once and i hope you dont have to go through that with your dog.
good luck!
It is always a very hard decision to make. If he is a large breed most live 10 to 12 yrs of age. Most likely the cause of what is happening is just old age. If you feel that he is old and his quality of life is no longer enjoyable for him, then yes you are making the right decision. It’s a very very hard thing to do, but it’s is also the best thing we can do as pet owners, for them. When they are old things can happen so quickly to dramatically change them. My shep mix of 11 yrs did the same thing you described. And after discussing it with the vet, we decided it was the best thing for him.
I think it might be to early to make that decision. You may be right that he is in physical pain, but how do you know?
If you don’t have a vet that you go to, stop at a shelter or where ever you plan to put him down. They might have more experience in this area. I have only put down one dog and it was traumatic.
Best wishes to you.