For those of you who had pets that died in the home, or had to be taken to the vet for euthansia, how did you manage to care for your pet at home?

[Amy10223]

I'd like to hear especially from those who had pets that were too heavy to maneuver to go outside to do their business. My dog has lost the use of his hind legs, and one harness I bought is very flimsy, and I noticed something came loose and I'm not sure how it will work if I put it on him again, asnhe is too heavy (83 lbs). So the past few days I have been having him go in the houseand cleaning up after him. Very hard for him to say the elast--what bothers me nmost is that he doesn't want to do this, and he begins to bark when he has to go. Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night (last night) and have to clean him up so he doesn't get burned by the urine and also begin to smell. Im not sure if the steroids th doctor is giving him today will help him to be able to get up again.
How did you deal with your pet?

Updates

+1 y

Well, he was put tot sleep this morning. He was given a sedative, until he was asleep or at least very groggy. Then he was given the final injection. I was ok until the end. I helped the traveling vet carry him out, wrapped in a blanket on a stretcher. I have a tuff of his fur that was shaved off for the needle. Rest in peace, my poor old boy Bailey. I will hopefully see you in Heaven someday.

[abc3643]

I've been down this sort of road a few times...
My old vet said "When the bad days are more often than the good days, it's time."
If your dog is not young (*) and has lost the use of his back legs, then I suspect it is time for your dog to cross The Rainbow Bridge. Really, he is suffering. It is time.
If you cannot bring your dog to the vet, then your vet can make a house call and do that.
What you need to think about is what you want to do with your dog after that.

(*) If you have an 83-pound dog, chances are you have a breed of dog that does not live long - maybe a decade which means that "old" comes rather quickly.

[Amy10223]

He's a Golden retriever, and they supposedly last 10-12 years. He'll be 14 on Sunday. These days have not been east for him nor for me. My traveling vet says he can oerform euthanasia.

[abc3643]

I am so sorry honey. I have 7 dogs. One is 14 now, one is about 14 (we don't know - she was a rescue), and another 2 will be 12 this year. (The others are all young.) So, I know it will soon be a tough few years for our family too.

[Amy10223]

Thank you. I know. But once it is over, I will be glad for him because I think he's suffering right now, not bweing able to move about. He's had a rough time these last few months.

[abc3643]

Yes, that's my point... to end the suffering.

[abc3643]

RESPONSE TO UPDATE:

I am so sorry honey.
Keep in mind this cartoon...
memestatic.fjcdn.com/.../...ome_ccc2a6_7034978.jpg

[AviatorTom]

We always took her outside. When it got to be too difficult to do that, we put her down, almost 14 to, peacefully. It may be time for you to consider that. It's hard, but your dog... he knows he's being a burden on you. Have a talk with him and let him know, that's what we did with our girl.

[AviatorTom]

Thanks for the mho. More importantly, I'm with you on whatever you decide with your pet.

[Amy10223]

Thanks. I think it would selfish of me to decide to let him continue to suffer. As hard as it is for me, it’s harder for him. He needs to go meet his maker. 😢

[TrueConfection]

My 90 lb dog broke his hind leg, so we used a towel like a sling under his hips to lift up his back legs and help him get outside (and back inside). It was an ordeal, but it worked.

[TrueConfection]

I'm so sorry. I know what you mean about the being ok until the end. The end was the hardest part for me too.

[Amy10223]

For a while, I had been using a harness/sling that allowed me to pick him oup from the rear and and front, but something on it broke. So I used it for a few days, and got another. By then, he didn't allow me to touch his right leg, and I wasn't sure what was wrong, and the traveling vet, being there was no way to get an xray, couldnt say either.

[exitseven]

Amy, iam really sorry. I am sure your pet knew he was loved and you should be happy that he had a nice home and a lovely person to take care of him.
My cat was in renal failure. We kept him alive for a few months by bringing him in to get IV fluids but finally it was time. The scene was just as you described. It was very peaceful. He did not suffer and he knew he was not alone. We wrapped him in a blanket and he is buried in my back yard right against a stone wall. I say hi to him every time I mow the lawn.

[Amy10223]

I'm so sorry about your cat. It sounds like you extended his life as far as you could. Its amazing how we can become so close and attasched to our pets. My dog "lived the life of Riley" according to a friend of mine. He will be being cremated and the ashes returned to me in a wooden box with his name on it.

[caring__1]

My son and I constructed a cart for his dog when she lost the use of her hind legs. Once she got used to the cart, she happily used to run around on all types of terrain. You can also buy these carts ready-built, but I soldered together 1/2" copper pipe and added the front forks from 2 bicycles a repair shop was planning to trash. I can provide more detailed photos for those who wish to build one.
https://1drv.ms/u/s!AnhFeJX0Yorijn7FuWdCN3lMiBMw
https://1drv.ms/v/s!AnhFeJX0YorijwCNSYwoGryi4AwS?e=3x51Gx

[Amy10223]

If mine were smaller maybe I could do that. I've seen wheelchairs for dogs too. Thanks for your suggestion.

[caring__1]

You're welcome.

[Fireguy17]

There are vet's that will come to your house, so they can pass at home.
Just like people that would rather be at home when the time comes, your pet will be more comfortable too.
It is their home, no strange smells, sounds, noises etc.
It can cost more to do that, but for larger furry buddies it can be much less stressful for everyone.

[Amy10223]

Yes, that is what I did. Thanksfully he was reasonable with his fees, because he was close by. Much more reasonable for the actual putting down as well than other places.

[exitseven]

@Fireguy17 I did not know that. We took our cat to the vets and expected to get him some IV fluids and take him home again. We were doing this every few weeks. The vet told us that it was probably time because he was starting to suffer. We did not prepare for it, it just happened but I suppose you can't really prepare for something like that.

[Fireguy17]

@exitseven even when youdo prepare it is not any easier.
it is the last act of love we can do for them.

[humanearth]

I dig a hole in the yard. Put the pet near the hole and shoot them. Bury pet, say a few words, and move on

[exitseven]

I know it is humane but I doubt I could do it.

[Amy10223]

@exitseven I don’t think I could ever shoot a gun, let alone a pet.