Has anyone ever had to put their pet to sleep?

If so, how did you make the decision and how hard was it to go through?

Message edited 12/19/2005 10:37:52 AM.

Re: Has anyone ever had to put their pet to sleep?

Many years ago, my childhood pet had a stroke and we came to find that she had fist-sized malignant tumors throughout her body. It would have been cruel to put a 13 year old dog through treatment that may or may not have worked. We had no choice but to put her down.

Re: Has anyone ever had to put their pet to sleep?

Yes, I put my dog to sleep a year ago. He was part of our family for almost 17 years, and he was my little brother. It was a very difficult thing to do, but we all knew it was the right thing to do. He could barely stand some days, and there were times when he'd dislocate his shoulder - if my parents weren't home to pop it back into place he's lie there in pain for who knows how long. It got to the point that my Mom and Dad were afraid to leave the house together, in case Biscut hurt himself while they were gone. Also, he was becoming senile, blind, and incontinent. His heart was 100% fine, but the arthritis and just general old age was taking their toll on his poor little body.

The vet had once backed him, and gave him some vitamins to help improve his health, but then the vet said nothing more could be done and we knew it was time. I miss my Beez very much, even now I'm getting a little teary thinking about him. But I know that he wasn't the same dog he used to be, and that he's better off where he is now.

I don't know what your situation is. Has your pet been sick for awhile? If you want to FM me, I'm happy to help however I can.

Re: Has anyone ever had to put their pet to sleep?

I just had to put my dog to sleep a little over a week ago. It was very very tough to do. The only thing that made it easier was that he was so sick and couldn't even eat a thing. It's still very hard getting used to him not being around the house.

I know what you are going through, if you have any questions just let me know.

Re: Has anyone ever had to put their pet to sleep?

I have had to put a couple of dogs to sleep. They were in pain and there wasn't anything that could have been done for them. Prolonging their lives would have been cruel. The vet usually will tell you if there is any hope with treatment or if putting the animal to sleep is best. When they do it, they give the dog a shot and the dog, very quickly, closes their eyes and looks as if they are actually going to sleep. It's a very peaceful way to die for the animal.

I'm sorry you are going through this...

Re: Has anyone ever had to put their pet to sleep?

FH and I put our 4 year old dog to sleep last month. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. He had eaten a sock, had to have surgery, but was not getting any better. He would have needed more surgery's, intensive hospitalization (which freaked him out so much he wouldn't eat) and would have had a reduced quality of life if he did survive, which was less than a 10% chance.

We were both with him when we put him to sleep, and it was really really hard to hold him and know what the vet was going to do, but we felt it was the right thing for us.

Good luck with your decision, it is very difficult. Even though we know we made the right decision for our dog, we went through periods afterwards where we really questioned it, and were mad we didn't fight more. This is TOTALLY normal, and doesn't mean you made the wrong choice, it just means you are grieving.

Feel free to FM me.

Re: Has anyone ever had to put their pet to sleep?

yes...2 dogs....heartbreaking!!

Re: Has anyone ever had to put their pet to sleep?

Hi-

Thanks for sharing. Our cat was diagnosed with diabetes a few months back. Everything was going well but lately he's been getting urinary tract infections and is very lethargic. Last night we had to rush him to the pet ER b/c he couldn't stop getting sick, making the oddest noises and he looked like he was drunk.

We called this morning and they said he's doing better but we don't know if his quality of life is bad or if this was just another bump in the road. The hard part is that most of the time he's fine.

It's really draining watching your pet get so sick and not being able to do anything about it.

I'm just so sad and confused...

Re: Has anyone ever had to put their pet to sleep?

I Did, it is the hardest decision you will ever have to make. You need to do what is in the animal's best interest, regardless of your feelings, that's what being a good animal owner is all about

to you and your pet

Re: Has anyone ever had to put their pet to sleep?

yes, we had to put our cat to sleep this past June. it was an incredibly hard decision but it was best for our cat.

he had feline leukemia and went downhill fast. our vet recommended we put him to sleep b/c he wasn't eating or sleeping and was just not himself.

it wasn't easy but i did not want my cat to suffer.

good luck

Re: Has anyone ever had to put their pet to sleep?

my aunt recently did--her dog's legs were really bad and she started going to the bathroom in the house--she put it off for as long as she could but, it was just time---it's sooo sad---they become a part of your family.....my aunt used the vet on wheels and they put her dog to sleep at her house---she couldn't bare the thought of bringing the dog to the vet to have this done-- it was easier for her to have it done at her house.........what a hard decision but it's better than seeing them suffer

Re: Has anyone ever had to put their pet to sleep?

My one cat died yesterday in my mom's arms and we put another to sleep today. I udnerstand your pain. both had developed cancer. I think if the animal is realy suffering it's better to put the animal to sleep. It's much more horrible to watch an animal waste away and die than to be humane and put it to sleep

Re: Has anyone ever had to put their pet to sleep?

I've had to put a dog and a couple of cats to sleep. It is very hard.

Have you talked to the vet? I would ask them about quality of life issues, prognosis, etc., then make a decision from there.

Re: Has anyone ever had to put their pet to sleep?

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Posted by frosty

I've had to put a dog and a couple of cats to sleep. It is very hard.

Have you talked to the vet? I would ask them about quality of life issues, prognosis, etc., then make a decision from there.

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Re: Has anyone ever had to put their pet to sleep?

I should have not have read this post. I'm so sad right now. My childhood dog was put to sleep when I was 10 and now that I have a dog of my own I can't began to imagine how hard it would be. I feel like I have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes now.

My thoughts are with you.

Re: Has anyone ever had to put their pet to sleep?

I put my cat to sleep a few years ago, he had a stroke which left him paralyzed, I really had no choice, I cried and cried, but honestly, it was very peaceful...Although he did manage to give doc a good scratch with the front paw that was still Mobile..(Good Boy Tyson )

That experience was good for me because I now have a dog with Lymphoma, who has already gone two months past what doctors said he would, it is just a matter of time..I keep praying he will go in his sleep, but when the time comes, I am not afraid to put him down, because I do know it's peaceful, I will stay with him, he is my best friend...and will never let him go through that alone. Okay..I am REALLY sad now..

Good luck with your choices.

Re: Has anyone ever had to put their pet to sleep?

A few. Most recently, 1 1/2 years ago we put my pug Betsy to sleep. I was there with her was she was euthanized and it was horrible. I wanted to be with her as she passed.

As hard and as sad as it was it was the right decision and I would do it again if I had to.