Have you ever euthanized your pet?

Question

Long story short my dog has hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis which has been manageable for these last couple of years but lately his legs have been giving out to the point he falls and I’ve needed to pick him up to use the bathroom/eat at times. Today was a rough day for him and as much as I love him I think I have to start considering euthanasia. I’ve euthanized a pet before because she was poisoned but this is different, my dog has been with me for years and watched me grow up/was with me in the hardest moments. Not to mention he was my dads last gift to me before he passed.

sage2021 · Accepted Answer

Yes!! It was one of my most heartbreaking experiences of my whole long life.
I have Miss Abby's pictures all over my home.

I even had a full-on funeral for her at the pet cemetery close by where I live.

I was supposed to be moving right after putting her to sleep but I couldn't stop crying and had to have my neighbor pack up everything because I was just beside myself and just wanted to stay in bed and cry.

She was like having a cozy patchwork quilt and always my comfort in my life.

It's like our souls were connected from the first day I bought her home. She slept right above my head on her pillow the first night. She was just a little baby but she climbed up on the bed and laid down behind my head. We slept like that for 13 years!!

RIP Miss Abby ❤️🦋🧸

purplepoppy · Accepted Answer

If a dog can't be a dog then it's kinder to say goodbye. Animals don't view the world as we do and if their health denies them the ability to run and play then they are suffering. Being able to make that hard call when the time comes is what makes you a good owner acting in the dogs interest and not your own desire for one more month.

If it's hard ask the vet about steroids, they'll give him one last blast of life which helps you say goodbye by having that last run in the park.

exitseven · Accepted Answer

I am sorry that you have to go through this. It was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. My cat Harry was 20 years old. We got him at the shelter when he was a kitten and he grew up with my kids and we had another cat that was like his brother.

He was getting old and he could no longer even jump up on the bed at night. I think he was going blind as well. He was really out of it one day so I took him to the vet and I was told he was in renal failure. They re-hydrated him and I took him home. We had him for a few more days but he was getting worse so we had to take him to the vets and they euthanized him. He is in my backyard. nobody loved his little backyard more than Harry did. My wife says no more pets because it was so sad.

RingOfFire · Accepted Answer

Few experiences in life have been more painful than losing my dogs.

There is something special about that relationship that can't be described in words.

They are there for you, always there for you. By your side and your time of need without fail without any expectation of compensation, filled with unconditional love.

Whatever you decide, he knows that it's a decision of love. And he will have that love with him forever as you will have the same for him.

7Phoenix7 · Answer

I'm sorry... that is a hard situation to imagine.  Is he in a lot of pain? I wouldn't want to go through with any euthanasia unless he or she was in so much pain and on the verge of passing.

Anonymous · Answer

Aww, for a dog who has supported you through most of your life to survive with a leg injury. I think the dog deserves to live more and die a natural death. I have seen dogs wearing wheels under a strap. This dog values you and you value them. Dogs with a disability can protect and love you just like a dog with no physical ailments.

Shiprex · Answer

Oh dear I feel for you.

Yes I did have to do this a few years ago with my first and only dog, a Husky called Bob I'd had for 13 years as a rescue. He too had hip issues as well as lost an eye and other medical issues at the end. It was honestly one of the hardest things to do that completely destroyed me as I was about to embark on a 2 day return to my home from my parents all on my own. All of this was during the pandemic and I had just buried my father a couple of weeks earlier. Fuck that for a month of pain

PeachyPie93 · Answer

Sorry to hear that. I never actually had to do it myself.. I was out of the country once when my cat was staying with my sister she said he kept meowing in pain so she brought him to the vet and they said he was having organ failure because he's old.. they put him down, he was 17. It can be hard, but sadly everything dies.

Cormac995 · Answer

Yes, it was heartbreaking, but I didn't have a choice. He was really sick and had fatty liver disease. The vets told me the only way to keep him alive would be to pump his stomach every few days and feed him through a tube the rest of his life. I'd beg for death at that point I just couldn't make him suffer more and even if I was going to be that sick and selfish I'd never be able to afford it and eat at the same time.

Wiredone · Answer

Yes I've had to do it many times for my dogs and cats. I just put a cat to sleep in November because he went into diabetic seizures. Now I have to put my little baby cat to sleep Saturday. She's almost 19 years old and she's been having difficulty getting into the litter pan. It breaks my heart every time I have to do it. It doesn't get easier each time.

Makeushiver · Answer

Yes and the two times I've had to were among the most heartbreaking experiences in my life and I've lost all parents and grandparents

Surely · Answer

As emotionally draining as losing a long time friend can be. You really need to consider the quality of life that your friend is experiencing.
Animals can hide their suffering better than humans. You need to weigh your options for the best of your pet.

Joshydavid25 · Answer

No, but I remember back in 2012 when we had to give away one of two cats because we had moved temporarily back in with my sisters grandmother.. This wasn't long after his brother died.. We gave him to a shelter with a really bad tumor on his leg.. So maybe they either euthanized him or took his leg.. But yeah sorry about your friend.. It's basically losing a family member at this point.

glennos89 · Answer

Only a few of the fish I used to have in my aquarium. When they get sick there is not much I can do then getting it out of the aquarium to prevent the water getting poisonous and to prevent other fish from killing the sick individuel. I had no other option then flushing them down the toilet.

The vet also authanized my cat once because it was very old and was suffering a lot

AviatorTom · Answer

Yes, it was one of the hardest things for me to do. Our 13 yo dog could no longer walk. She was constantly in pain.

Nikki1989 · Answer

Yes, I have. It was a horrible decision to have to make.

jacob33131 · Answer

I have. It’s been over three years since I had to do it and I’m still not over it. In fact I’m tearing up just writing about it. But I think it was the right decision. Our dog was clearly not feeling well. He stopped eating and he wouldn’t even drink. It was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.

andreasderjuengere · Answer

Only do it when you are absolutely certain that your buddy feels ready to leave. In all other cases please remember who took YOU! to the toilet before you could walk.

Sunrising · Answer

Awhhhh I'm very sorry for you! I've never had that happen to me, and I wouldn't like to make that decision.

fish5505_87 · Answer

He's such a cutie!! I've been there a few times now. I hate it. Do your best to evaluate his quality of life, if he is suffering? It's hard to know sometimes, they are so strong. I think in your gut will tell you? My heart goes out to you and your friend. Condolences on your father.

God Bless!

DryGermanGuy · Answer

Yes, two old cats around 20 years. It was probably for the best, as hard as it is.

loveslongnails · Answer

Yes, there came a time when she was in too much pain and distress, with no quality of life. She was going to die anyway more painfully, so we spared her that.

insatiable_curiosity · Answer

It’s rough now, but the pain will lessen with time. We put our dog down a week ago.

Fireguy17 · Answer

Sadly yes, it's the last act of love you can do for them. I lost 2 cats in a week, i was a wreck.

DrPepper12 · Answer

May the memory be a blessing. Do the right thing by her one last time.

Ariesman81 · Answer

Yeah. It is rough. But when they're in that much pain it's best just to let them go.

ArrowheadSW · Answer

Yes. A couple of times. My heart is still broken.

Anonymous · Answer

Has he received any treatment? Why so quick to euthanize?

slatyb · Answer

What do you imagine teachers can do when students willfully disobey?

genericname85 · Answer

yeah. sometimes that's more humane than keeping them alive. same is true for humans too but that's illegal sadly.

BDRick · Answer

When doing it, don’t think it’s selfish. Rather, think that you’re doing it for the dog. You are taking it out of its daily misery.

AndrésC64 · Answer

Several and had several others just die on their own. It sucks. 😭

Sluttt · Answer

Thats so sad.. i can't comment on that. I have no pet because i was hurt badly when i was 14.

Anonymous · Answer

Just unwanted kittens and pups on the farm.

msc545 · Answer

Don't do this until you absolutely have to.

red-lipstick-girl · Answer

No don't do that

Pterodon · Answer

Yes twice and it’s the most painful thing ever

WhitneySnow · Answer

We had to a few years ago

MrChinaski · Answer

Yes. And all of my love is with you.

eagle1951 · Answer

yes 5or6 different ones

DJB72 · Answer

One cat and four dogs. It's never easy.

Catailian94 · Answer

Unfortunately yes my last dog had cancer.

Staximus · Answer

Yeah, it was fucked up

Iron_Man · Answer

No I don’t do that

nawtee_me · Answer

Yes or taken care of it myself.

Jennz6 · Answer

Never

Agape93 · Answer

Yeap. Always sucks.

Yohenis · Answer

Never.

Anonymous · Answer

Nope, never.

Have you ever euthanized your pet?

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