At what point do you know when is best to put your dog to sleep?

[Amy10223]

My dog is having problems with his hind legs. He is now on medication to see if he will ever recover the use of his hind leg. One is affected and he has trouble getting up.
I hate the thought of putting him down. He has been my companion for almost 14 years. He will be that age on May 8th.
I dont want him to suffer any more but at the same time--he seems ok except for this inability to move up to go anywhere.

Updates

+1 y

I’m having problems just lifting him to go out, even using a harness to lift him. I’m alone and can’t do it. I have for a few days but it’s clumsy and I always feel as though he will get hurt, so I have towels under him to catch his urine. He barks to go out, and I feel terrible.

[AviatorTom]

It's a tough decision. When our dog was 9 she hurt her back, and, over the next year, lost all movement in her hind legs. She was a small indoor dog, and we carried her outside to do her duty 3 or 4 times a day. The rest of the time, she mostly lay on the floor next to someone, and occasionally moved a few feet, typically to sit next to someone else. She was always good at sharing. We did that for 3 years until she lost all movement and was obviously in pain almost all the time. We talked to her vet, who explained her pain was getting worse and would never get better, and decided best for her was to pur her down, which we did a few months shy of her 13th birthday.

Your decision involves at least two things. What's best for the dog, and what's best for you. I wish you well.

[Amy10223]

Thanks for sharing. The vet ( who travels here) examined him and said it may be due to nerves not functioning in his left hind left. A kind of myelopathy. So it may come from his back too. I am waiting for a harness that will help me to lift him up just to take him outside. He’s 83 pounds (golden retriever). It breaks my heart, and I wish he were lighter so I could do as you and your wife did. It will be coming in tomorrow morning. Thankfully the meds he is on make him sleep a lot.

[mstbooblover]

When the time has come, you will know, believe me. For sure, even with a bad hind leg, your dog wants to live. I had a friend who's dog had a bad accident involving a car. One of his hind legs had to be amputated. That dog lived happily further for many more years with three legs. Just ask the vet for advice. If that leg is more of a problem than something else, the best is maybe to remove it.

[Amy10223]

Thank you for your kind words.

[mstbooblover]

You're welcome. Concerning your dog, he's 14 years old as you wrote, and at that age sometimes slowly evolving paralysis occurs. That has something to do with the spine around the hip. Once more, only the vet can give a correct answer. Sincerely best wishes girl.

[Amy10223]

Yes, this morning I noticed now both hind legs are not pointing down when I carry him on this special harness I ordered. It came this morning, and I use it to bring him out to the back yard. Mind you he is 83 lbs so it isn’t easy, but it lifts him front and back.
I am considering putting him down soon, because it’s not fair for him to live like this. The vet is going to prescribe prednisone next week ( he couldn’t give it to him now because I had given him aspirin for dogs) and he’s on Garapentin now, which makes him sleep a lot. We’ll see how he reacts with the prednisone. Thanks so much.

[mstbooblover]

According your update, the situation seems far worse than I guessed at first. Really sorry about that. About the medecines he gets, I'm wondering if it's a good idea to give something that makes him sleepy and thus in all logic less cooperative. If the situation becomes too difficult for both, you and the dog, maybe the time has come to take a tough decision. 14 years is a nice age for a dog, and probably things can't improve. Having been myself through such situations I wish you strength and courage.

[England4eva]

Whilst your deciding. Get him a super squashy bed (can even just use pillows) and open windows if it’s not too cold, so that he gets some fresh air as much as possible. Also, consider leaving the radio on low when you have to go out.

[Amy10223]

I have done that, setting up soft guitar music. He has a nice bed, but I have had him now on cushionly blankets because its easier for him to be around his dishes this way (water, etc). I keep soft pillows by him so he can place his head on them. The hardest part is lifting him with his harness, to go outside to the backyard. It has a lifting bar attached to on the front anad his back. He has just learned to move along outside with his front legs while I hold him up. He didn't like it before and kept pawing at me. I do let him sleep near the sliding doors which face the yard so that he can see the wild birds go by. We have ducks, rabbits, and small birds that go by with their young and i leave the door open so he gets fresh air (screendoor closed of course). Thanks for your reply.

[England4eva]

I think you got it covered 🙂

[Amy10223]

I still feel super bad for him. 😩☹️

[MTC29]

When the dog can no longer do the things that she loves to do. Unlike a human, the dog cannot understand why it can no longer go for long walks or chase after the ball, something she could do for hours on end.

When that happened, I understood it was time. Even so, I cried like a baby.

[Amy10223]

I expect i will do the same, he's been my companion for 14 years on Sunday, his birthday. :((

[exitseven]

If they are not in pain and can still move around a little bit I would say you should wait a while. Realize it is only a matter of time.
My cat was really sick and I was afraid that he would need to be put to sleep but the vet gave him IV fluids and he improved. We had him for another two years or so. He enjoyed the extra time too.

[Amy10223]

He isn't in pain, just has no sensation in his hind legs. I feel for him because he is used to walkign around the house. :(

[exitseven]

He curls up on the couch next to you and you can give him a nice belly rub.

[Amy10223]

He’s heavy, see, and his hind legs aren’t working now, so he can’t climb on anything. I do keep him by me while he is lying on a cushiony blanket though.

[exitseven]

@Amy10223 I know that they become really important friends and I am really sorry for what you are experiencing. Think about what a good life our pet had and the bond you had with him.

[Amy10223]

Thanks so much. 😔

[exitseven]

😀😀😀

[Fireguy17]

First I'm sorry that you will have to make that decision at some point.
Only you will know.
You don't want to be without them, but you don't want them to suffer either.
You will pretty much try everything and if nothing works then you know.
It is the last act of love you can do for them.

[penteractgaming]

Rule of thumb is whether you would want to live like that or not.

[slatyb]

Ask your vet.