Tough decision time

[andyruss]

DSC_0425.JPG (50.46 KiB) Viewed 2316 times

This is Finn my 8 year old wiemerammer. A few months ago he was diagnosed with "wobbler syndrome" which is a disease which affects the neck and spine. It causes loss of co-ordination hence the wobbler name. 2 weeks ago the vet told us it pretty much depends how long we want to cope with him. These last few days have seen him get worse....pooing in the house...falling over alot...struggles to get up and down....struggling to even get out the door to the garden never mind having a walk. I think the time has come to make the decision I've been dreading and have him put to sleep. Every time I look at him I just think to myself how can I do that to him?? Anyone got any advice or words of wisdom for me?

[hornet]

If you love him you'll do what you have too

Seen people keep pets alive for themselves and its just awful

Really feel for you never easy for anyone

Mike

[ymfb]

its never easy when you love your pet and friend as you clearly do.

My wife is much tougher than me with these decisions although Im the one who has to go to the vets.

Hope you can make the right decision, if there is one.

[midlife]

I feel for you having gone through the same with an elderly Labrador. It is a horrible decision to have to make and I really do not envy you. I had to remind myself that any decision is for the sake of the dog and not to delay any decision on sentiment. When we had Boris put to sleep we were able to prepare ourselves (if one is ever really prepared') and asked the vet to come to the house and the deed was done in a familiar and loving surrounding.
I am so sorry for you and will be thinking of you. Please remember that all dogs go to Heaven!

[AndyB]

It's going to be hard but the thing I always try to keep in mind is how the dog must feel?

Just make sure you're there with him at the end so he doesn't go into a panic

[Emf#53]

I lost my lurched almost 3 years ago. He had cancer, a big tumour on his neck which was very aggressive.

Although he was ill he would still get up when you called him, always ready for a walk - albeit not very far and he always eat his food when it was put in front of him.

Then one day he didn't want to go out for a walk and he didn't want his food - the look in his eyes told me that he had had enough - I'd had him over 11 years and I just knew what he was telling me - he wanted to go.

Sat here now welling up - even after 3 years

[andyruss]

Sorry I've posted 3 or 4 different topics!
I just think with his quality of life now it's probably time. Amazing the affect dogs, and pets in general have on you

[Nigel]

Yes you have to do what is best for your dog, horrible decision to make but you don`t want to see him suffer, I feel for you, they take over your life.

[RandG]

My ex partner had to make a similar decision a couple weeks back with her cat felix. She has 4 but he was her favourite, what an awful situation she was in, she kept thinking...it's time, and he'd perk up, then again, it's time, then he'd perk up, then it got to the stage where he was just not able to move without falling over, that was the time, and I agreed, the time had came.

Only you'll know when things are getting just too bad for him, but like others have said, his consideration should be foremost, and get the vet to you, but don't let the vet make the decision, this can only be your decision.

[smudger272]

I had a Dalmation who was 16 yrs old she was the best dog you could've ask for bought up 3 kids with her and she had a stroke and seemed to get over it for about a year then it happened again and we knew that was it it was the hardest thing to do but the only thing to do so we had her put to sleep and I stayed with her till the very end I made sure we had eye contact and I knew when she was gone
Now we have a dopey retriever and she is the best dog in the world also
You do get over them but you never forget them hope this helps