Putting to sleep at home? And what about my other dog?

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dressage_diva

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Hi

Some of you may have read my post recently asking for vibes for my 15yr old lab. Well he's deteriorated again (after having shown improvement) and a trip to the vets today has revealed that he has cancer and the vets say he has about a month left. His lymph nodes are incredibly swollen so he's having steroid injections every day for the next couple of days before going onto steroid tablets. The vets then say he will be comfortable - he should be able to eat and be able to potter around (he's fairly bright in himself at the moment, but his lymph nodes are so swollen he's unable to eat which is making him very lethargic).

Anyways, we're now preparing ourselves for the dat when we have to have him pts. Has anyone ever had this done at home? We just think it would be nicer if he went to sleep in his own home, lying in his favourite spot (hopefully in the sunshine). We haven't yet asked our vets about it, but I was just wondering if anyone else had ever done it? How is the body removed afterwards? I've worked at a vets before and know how the bodies are dealt with, but if our lad is pts at home will the vets remove the body for us or do we need to arrange that? We're planning on having him cremated.

Also, what do other people do about their other dogs when the deed is being done? I know with horses people say that they should be able to see and sniff their field companions after the animal has been put down so they can get the closure. Has anyone done this with dogs? We have a 4year old lab who dotes on my old boy - I obviously will have her in the other room when he is pts, but should I allow her to see his body afterwards so she knows what's happened? She always looks for him if he's missing (when he's gone into vets for operations she always looks around the horse for him all day and always seems worried and off her food). Any other advice on how to help her deal would be greatly received (we won't be getting another dog any time soon). She's fairly independent in her general life (she goes on her own walks etc), but when in the house she loves him dearly.

Sorry for all the questions - just trying to make sure we're prepared and can ensure his last few moments are as happy for him as possible.
 
We did this.
No other animals at home at the time so cannot comment on that.

Our vet was a family friend, the first day we saw that our 14-year old GSD was struggling to get to her feet, we called him immediately.
She had broken a leg in puppyhood, she had a fantastic life and we knew that once she couldn't even get to her feet in her own garden, it was her time.

He came within half an hour. I was 16 or 17 and I did not want to see, I went out and gave her a cuddle and a custard cream, said my goodbyes and went back to the house.
My mum held her still in the garage and she fell asleep in her arms.
The vet took her away himself and buried her at his farm.

Some animals *can* 'evacuate' as their muscles relax, so just be aware of that, D did not.

Hugs for you x
 
Thanks for that information.

I've been present when dogs have been put to sleep before (I volunteered at the vets for years when I was younger) so I know what to expect, and I want to be the one to hold my old boy as it's the last I can do for him.
 
So sorry you are facing this. I prefer to have mine pts at home. It is usually quite peaceful, although if the vet sedates first they can take a while to finally stop breathing, and as CC says sometimes pass urine etc. I would definitely let your other dog see him after he has been pts, otherwise he will be looking for him which will be hard for him and you. Also you should be prepared for your dog to "grieve", it may not be the same as us but they know when a companion is no longer there.
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Can't advise regarding cremation as mine are buried in the garden, but I am sure the vet will take him for you. I would speak to your vet in advance so he knows your wishes and you know what to expect.
Hugs to you, and remember, it is better a week too soon than a day too late
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CaveCanem - I agree it's completely a personal choice about whether to be there at the end and certainly think no less of anyone who can't be there at the end. Hope I didn't come across that way!

MurphysMinder - thanks, we'll certainly be talking to the vet about cremation etc (I'm away at Uni at the moment so my parents are dealing with it at the moment). I think we'll definitely let our other lab see him afterwards...like you said, we're anticipating she will grieve and was hoping that this at least might offer her some closure (seeing that he's died, rather than just disappeared). Thanks for your last sentence too - I am terrified of ending his life too soon (there are times over the last few years where we nearly didn't operate for fear he might die, but we always went ahead and he bounced back)...but like you said, it's better he is pts on a happy day than in lots of pain.
 
Have to say I am sitting at my desk at work and am having to stop the tears flowing. What a lovely plan for your old boy, and what a lovely gift we can give to our loved animals, no more pain and indignity, just a swift and painless end.

I have my GSD pts at the vets as she was so poorly, and I cradled her to the end on the floor of the vets surgery. I did have an odd experience as she she breathed her last, both the vet, vet nurse and myself saw a blue globe come out of her mouth and hover over us for a few minutes, before disappearing into the ceiling. The vet said she had seen it before, and called it her 'Soul'. I know that this is contentious, but I do believe animals have souls and go on, and that we will meet them again, and this was so lovely and reassuring.

We did have a cat at the time, who had been great mates with our dog and when I got home she walked into the kitchen, all her hair stood on end as she looked at me and she uttered the most heartbreaking scream and then shot off for the rest of the night.

All this was 11 years, and I still shed a tear over it, particularily now as I am reliving it in my head.

You will know what is right at the time, and you will also know when the time is right, plus you will also have the strength to get through this and come out the other end.
 
We used to foster oldies and sadly a lot had to be pts due to illnesses etc. After the first few when the 'pack' would start hunting for the one we had pts we let them come in and sit with us while it was happening. It stopped them looking for them afterwards and tbh was a massive comfort to us as well.
 
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We used to foster oldies and sadly a lot had to be pts due to illnesses etc. After the first few when the 'pack' would start hunting for the one we had pts we let them come in and sit with us while it was happening. It stopped them looking for them afterwards and tbh was a massive comfort to us as well.

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Did your 'pack' actually see the dog being pts, or where they just let in afterwards?
 
My situation was a little different. I had two dogs and the elder of the two had a stroke early one morning. I called the vet who immediately came out. I made the decision to have him PTS there and then (even though we were offered drugs which MAY have pro-longed his life). There was something in Mitch's eyes that told me he had had enough and it was time to go. Whilst the procedure was being done, I held him, the Dobie who was 18 months younger just disappeared to bed and didn't want to come down afterwars.
Mitch was taken to the vets and they held him there overnight so I could make arrangedments for his cremation. The next day I picked Mitch up from the vets and took him to be cremated. Once I got there they laid him out in their chapel of rest so I could spend a little time with my friend. Whilst the procedure took place, I chose a lovely casket and then waited in the car. I bought him home the same day. This was 9 years ago now (I did the same for my Dobie a couple of years later).
My friend did the same for her dogs just 14 months ago and she was not allowed to bring home his ashes the same day due to H&S reasons (ashes too hot she was told).
I was surprised at how well my Dobie coped after loosing Mitch but he was getting old himself.
Thinking of you in this difficult time.
 
My deepest sympathies to you. It is so hard to have to make that final decision and I think your idea is such a good one for the dog.
I am sorry I can't offer any advice--I have only ever had a cat pts at home and had no other pets at the time.
I just wanted you to know you are in my thoughts at this sad time and to say I hope you can be comforted by the thoughts and knowledge that you are doing the very best for your dog.
 
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CaveCanem - I agree it's completely a personal choice about whether to be there at the end and certainly think no less of anyone who can't be there at the end. Hope I didn't come across that way!

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Not in the least, don't worry.

Again, loads of hugs for you, it sounds as if you are doing the right thing by him, as it sounds like your family has done throughout his life, if he has managed to live a full and happy life to such a great age x
 
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We used to foster oldies and sadly a lot had to be pts due to illnesses etc. After the first few when the 'pack' would start hunting for the one we had pts we let them come in and sit with us while it was happening. It stopped them looking for them afterwards and tbh was a massive comfort to us as well.

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Did your 'pack' actually see the dog being pts, or where they just let in afterwards?

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They were in the room the whole time. It actually seemed calmer that way and hopefully nicer for the one being pts.
 
I had my dog put down at home as he was terrified of the vets surgery . It was hard as he was a chunky Staffie X ? & it took 3 attempts before the injection worked . He wasn't bothered though & died with his toy in his mouth . Floods of tears from me , husband , vet & vets assistant when he died .

Husband said he'd never want to go through it again , but I would if my dog was terrified of the surgery . Other dogs have been put down at the vets as they were not scared of the place .

To say it's never an easy decision is an understatement , but you will get through it . I've only only had one dog at one time , but feel it is important to let your other dog at least see the dog when it is dead .
Sorry , I certainly don't want to come across as hard - sometimes it's hard to put thoughts on here .

I am extremely sorry for you & your dogs at this difficult time x
 
My Springer Spaniel was 14 and had been on/off very poorly for 6 months. She had kidney failure. She had been flushed once at the vets and perked up a lot afterwards, but I swore I would never put her through that again, as her nose was raw from the cage in the vets, and she hated the vets surgery so much.

So when she developed the shivers again suddenly one Sunday and I knew she was uremic, I knew enough was enough and I called the vet to ask them to come and put her to sleep at home. I could never have taken her into the surgery, she deserved to go peacefully. The vet arrived and suggested we move her to the kitchen as he said she may leak, as a previous person said. I tried to move her but she was rooted, so I said to the vet, Who cares about the carpet? just do it here.

He was very gentle and she even put her paw up for the needle which broke my heart, but it was quick, painless and dignified. She slumped immediately and I supported her as she went down. The light was out in her eyes and she wasn't there any more.

As for disposal, we kept her and buried her in the garden in a wooden trunk where we had put her bed. I know some people will find it weird but I took a photo of her at peace in the trunk, as it was so hard to believe she was really gone. I don't find it upsetting to look at and I'm glad I did it. In the old days people used to do this with dead relatives, especially in America. I can't explain why I don't find it morbid.

I would always PTS at home without a doubt, this was my first dog and I will do the same for my other two when the time comes.
 
Thanks guys for all the kind words and comments. Have just heard from my family that for the first time in days he seems hungry and has eaten some dog food! Which is a great sign and hopefully means in the next few days he'll be more comfortable and can enjoy the rest of his time with us in peace. It would be lovely to be able to take him for a 10min saunter down the road as he loves his walks, even though he has bad arthritis he lives for his walks even though it's incredibly slow!

Thanks so much everyone for sharing your experiences with me (I appreciate that reliving them is probably hard) - I think we'll definitely be having him end his days at our house and allowing our other lab to see him afterwards.
 
I have been lurking on this thread and found myself choking up at work. We lost our family Lab Barney last September at the age of 16 so I really can sympathise with you. Barney eventually went downhill suddenly and was PTS peacefully at the vets.

I'm so glad to hear he is more comfortable and I'm so sorry for what you are going through.
 
I had a horrible experience having my dog pts at the vets in the back of my car, and ever since have had them done at home.
Talk to your vet now when you are capable of coherent conversation, on the day you probably won't be.
My last lab had hermangio sarcoma aged 7, they said like your dog a few weeks and he lasted just three. I knew when the time had come because he didn't want to eat that morning, and because my vet knew the situation he came straight out.
I took my dog into the garden and held him, the other two dogs lay nearby, and ths vet shaved his leg, gave him a sedative injection then the proper one which stops his heart. He keeled over and was gone, it was utterly peaceful.
We left him there for an hour with a cover over him so the other dogs could see what had happened, and after an initial sniffing they stayed well clear.
We always bury ours, we have one under the swoop wire thing he always chased like a lunatic, another by the pond where he stalked the ducks from the bank, and another I had cremated and took his ashes 300 miles back to our favourite walk and scattered them as I walked it again.
In many ways I think the run up to this is much worse than the day itself, you look at your beloved dog and weep, willing them to hang on for as long as they can, but they don't know they're dying do they, it's just us.
I urge you to do the deed at home where there is no fear, no stress, just the people who love him..
I do feel sorry for what you are going through, this is the downside of being a dog owner isn't it, that last goodbye is so damned painful for the owner..
 
Hi, i'm really sorry to hear about your dog but i hope my experiences help you at this time. I'm a vet nurse and i have been for 17yrs so seen lots of animals put to sleep in lots of different enviroments and i definately feel home is best. Everyone is alot more relaxed and your other animals can say goodbye also.

With my own dogs we havn't had the other pets in the room while it's been done but they have come in after to say goodbye, they have always shown very little interest in the deceased and it is important not to force them into touching, let them decide. However i've been at lots of pts where the other animals (dogs/cats) have stayed in the room and they have been fine.

On a more personal note when i had my horse put down last year we let her friend stay and watch although we had her in the next field, they where very closely pair bonded. Zilly carried on eating while amy was put down and after we let her come in and see her but she didn't want to go near her so we respected that and put her back in her field with another horse that she knew to keep her company, my friend (zilly's owner) stayed up with her all day to keep an eye on her.

Animals definately do grieve so be prepared, it generally shows itself as a loss of interest in things and loss of appetite. Try and keep in a routine and do fun things with them and accept that they will pick up on your sadness too but gradually things will improve, also for you if it helps the blue cross do a very good bereavement counselling helpline.

Sorry to ramble but i hope this does help and once again i'm very sorry but you are doing the right thing and it really is the last and kindest thing you can do xxxxx
 
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