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I_am_a_cucumber

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It looks like we have reached the end of the line. :( Unfortunately, despite the steroids, our dog has not improved. She is now not eating anything and is very, very thin. :( She is remarkably mobile and perky and the vet assured us that she would not be in any pain, but she can't be truly comfortable or happy. :(

We had hoped that, with the steroids, she would have a few more months with us (she has been diagnosed with secondary liver tumours), but that's not going to happen. It's been one of the hardest decisions I have ever made, but I know that there is no other option now. We've tried everything.

I will phone the vet as soon as I've dropped the kids off at school and talk to them about the options, but thought I'd asked here in the meantime. What does normally happen - is it an injection? I suppose this will have to be done at the vet's? I would much prefer for her to be pts at home, but I guess that's not possible. I've kept hoping that she would just die in her sleep - it would be great if we could just give her a tablet and she goes to sleep, but I guess that doesn't exist ...
 
Sorry to hear about your dog, yes it is an injection and when you speak to the vet ask them to come and do it on a home visit. We have had animals put down at home, usually on a blanket on the bed. Nice and peaceful, no stress of travelling to the vets and everyone around to say goodbye.
 
I'm sorry about this:(

Most vets can PTS on home visits, so it's worth asking about this. It is done by injection. When our old dog was PTS, we took him into the surgery as he had a sudden illness. We went into a room with a sofa (and lots of kleenex) rather than the usual surgery. The vet gave Barney a sedative injection, then when he got woozy, the PTS injection and he just went to sleep (crying a bit thinking about it tbh). It was very peaceful. The vet then took the body away, arranged cremation then returned the ashes to us.
 
So sorry you are having to face this, but does sound as if the time has come.
My vets have always been happy to come out to pts a dog, I am sure if you ask yours they will do this for you. Yes it is an injection, they usually have their leg clipped and then the vein has to be raised, they go off quite quickly, and it is very peaceful. If your dog is worried by the vets and gets upset ask if she can have a sedative first, this can be given into the hindquarters with no fuss, the dog will then relax whilst you are fussing her, and can then have the intravenous injection. It does take a bit longer, and they can breathe a bit harshly for a few seconds but there is no struggle, and again they will soon be gone.
Will be thinking about you, it is so hard to make that call to the vets x
 
Thank you for all your kind comments.

Here's another question: if it's possible to have it done at home, should I do it while the kids are here or while they are at school? They are 5 and 11 and know that she will not live much longer. I assumed I would just take her to the vets while they are at school, but if the vet might come out here after school, would that be a really bad idea?
 
Toffee44 said:
That's your decision sweetie. Or maybe let them see her afterwards? Thinking of you, I feel I am climbing into your boat with Will soon.:(
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Sorry to hear you might be in a similar situation soon. :(

I've just made an appointment for 11.30, decided to have it done at the vet's after all. The kids will be able to see her (if they want to) as I will bring her back here. We'll bury her either in the garden or the field. :(
 
Personally, I don't think a 5 and 11 year old need to see the family dog put down. I have had many dogs, and some went more easily than others. I went with my sister when her dog was pts, and the dog did not want the vet near her, which upset my sister, which upset the dog, in the end he sedated the dog first, which I think is a better option, but do you really think your children need to see this ? The other issue, is that hollywood tells us dead people shut their eyes and go to sleep, in reality this won't happen and it is distressing to watch you dead dog with wide open stary eyes. So, no - let your children go to school and tell them about it when they come home.
 
Am a veterinary nurse so can assure you I have assisted many many times in my life, all the nurse will do is cuddle your dog and raise the rein in the leg, this doesnt hurt at all, but sometimes the dogs may wriggle a bit, just because they have to sit still, I promise it doesn't hurt at all, you can stand at the top end and cuddle your dogs head or wherever you want, its literally an overdose of anaesthetic, so your doggie will feel sleepy and go immediately, he won't feel worried and the last thing he will see is you :-).

Don't be alarmed if after the doggie has gone to sleep and the vet has told you they have gone that there are a couple big gasps, this is due to as build up of toxins especially when the animal is on medication, this is normal.

You are giving your dog the greatest gift ever, good luck for later you are making the right decision.

Much love xx
 
I am so sorry it has come to this, we have all been through it and it never gets easier. DD is so right it is the greatest gift we can give our pets a painfree, stressless death. Hope you are taking someone with you for support.

Will be thinking of you.
 
Will be thinking of you at 11.30 :( I'm so sorry for you but as DD said it is very peaceful and the main thing is you will be with her at the end x
 
Thank you so much for all your lovely comments. :)

I have just come back from the vets. It was very peaceful. I comfort myself with the thought that she is at peace now and no longer suffering - and that she has had a few happy years with us after what has probably been not an easy life up to then.
 
RIP :-(

Glad it went smoothly, it's never an easy decision to make. Our dog is getting on a bit (14) but we couldn't take him to the vets as he is petrified of the vets. It does all depend on the dog though. We have always had ours PTS at home. You will probably be surprised how well the kids take it to be honest. My parents had our 1st dog PTS when i was away on a school trip but didn't bury him until I had been back and seen him. I was 11 at the time. I was very sad that I hadn't been there though.
 
Thanks again, everybody. :) We've just buried her, the last part of her I could see were her lovely, large, flappy ears. We've planted some beautiful lilies on her grave, just outside the window.

The kids are sad (as are we!), but we have talked lots about it and no doubt will talk more.

It's been a sad day but I'm glad it's done.
 
Im really sorry cucumber. It was really brave of you to make it so easy for her, she would thank you for that, and the fact that you've given her a good end to her life. its all a dog really wants isnt it?

But if anything, kids get over these things rather well, its the grown ups that find it the worst.

Hope things start to get better soon. xxx
 
I was a 9 year old child when our beloved cat George was put to sleep. I had discovered he had a lump and told my Mum. One morning we were going to school and she said make sure you give George a kiss before you go, we always did anyway, and we knew his was old and he had taken to sleeping in the airing cupboard. When I finished school my mother was there to pick me up and told me that George had passed away. I know now that she had had him put to sleep, but at that age i think it was better to know that he had died naturally, there in the nice warm cupboard, and when we got home he was wrapped i a blanket for us to say our last farewell before burial in the family garden. It is a personal choice what you choose to do, but I am always thankful to my Mum for the way she handled this as this would have been a very upsetting thing to do, knowing it was to be done and shileding us from such a hard decision at a young age.

I since then have had to put to sleep my own cat some years ago, though difficult, at the time it is very peaceful and if possible should be done at home. Sorry to hear about your predicament, and i wish you all the best
 
I_am_a_cucumber said:
Thank you for all your kind comments.

Here's another question: if it's possible to have it done at home, should I do it while the kids are here or while they are at school? They are 5 and 11 and know that she will not live much longer. I assumed I would just take her to the vets while they are at school, but if the vet might come out here after school, would that be a really bad idea?
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I am sorry about your dog, it is never easy to let them go but we have to not be selfish and think of them rather than us.

As for children it depends on how you have brought them up. I was always curious and when out for a walk with my parents, I was about five at the time, my father stopped to kill some rabbits that had advanced myximatosis. I asked my mother what Dad was doing and she told me that they were suffering so Dad was going to kill them. I went back to watch and Daddy showed me how to kill them humanely. It was't that I was blood thirsty, it was pure curiosity at wanting what was best for the rabbits.
Lessons like this transferred to the family pets, although it was different, the parallels were there and just accepted as being part of pet ownership.

Be honest with the children and tell them why she had to be put to sleep. Have a good cry with them and in a week or so go find another pup!
Nothing like another dog to heal the heart.
 
Thanks again everybody, I really have found all these replies so helpful. :)

The children have been remarkable. It has led to all sorts of interesting discussions about death.

We will be looking for another rescue soon, the house feels empty without a dog.
 
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