Making the horrid decision to book in PTS

[Birker2020]

My girl did her suspensionary irreparable damage end 2021, referral vets first option was PTS. We tried all the therapies and while these worked for a while her size has meant she has now declined again and we are now at the point where I need to make that decision to PTS. I’m really struggling with booking that day in, she has good days but some really awful days.

How did you convince yourself to book it and stick to it (apart from the obvious that I am doing it to save her pain)?

I found it was harder for me to book that appointment than the rest of the process.

I think when you have done as much as you can for an animal and know there are no options left then you are at peace with your decision. Or that's how it was for me at least with my horse of 17 years.

And the relief when that process reaches its conclusion although very sad, is somehow justifiable. No one can tell you though, you have to go through that process yourself and come out the other side if that makes sense.

You won't change your mind once you've booked that call, you won't even consider it. OP I suspect that you know in your heart of hearts you've reached the end of the road, you will have been mulling it over and over again in your mind for days or even weeks and it's all you can think about. I expect you will have spoken to friends and loved ones and are 100% certain you are doing the right thing.

 

[Cinnamontoast]

I’m really sorry you’re in this position. For me, it was considering how difficult he’d find a muddy cold winter and how fair it was to try to keep him going. It wasn’t too difficult a decision. He was a big lad and his stifle kept locking and an old injury had caused serious arthritis in another area. Phoning for the appointment was the most difficult bit.

 

[Landcruiser]

I knew the day was coming and it wasn't fair to put him through another winter (old, skinny, no teeth, unmedicated cushings as meds stopped him eating), but I dithered about making the actual call because some days he was great. He made my decision a few months ago, by having some colic type symptoms and just looking..so tired. He was actually finally booked for PTS the following week, but he ended up as emergency call out. It was OK - I had got him into my arena,, my vet was there in half an hour and his end was actually very peaceful and controlled...but it might have been otherwise. Next time I'll call it sooner.