Facing a Difficult Decision - My Dog

My beloved yellow lab, Maggie has been in the animal hospital for the last 2 days.  Sunday (Mother's Day) her back legs collapsed and she couldn't get up.  She is 12 years old, and after xrays, the vet determined that she has spondialosis (sp?) They have tried giving her medicines for two days, and they said this morning she is not improving much.  She has gotten up a few times, only to collapse again.

I am heartbroken, as I know when I call the vet in two more hours, he will tell me our options, and I know we may have to make a decision to put her to sleep.  I can't deal with this.

Has anyone else gone through this back problem in their dog, and what options did you have.  The vet said everything else is healthy, heart, lungs, legs, hips. It's her back that has severe arthritis and spondialosis, degenerative discs.

Also, if we have to make that almost inevitable decision, I don't know whether we should go there and be with her, or let the doctor handle it without us there.  On one hand I want to comfort her at that time, but I don't know if it would be harder. What would you do?

 If the decision comes to have her put  to sleep I would want to go tell her goodbye. i don't know that I could be brave enough to be there for the actual procedure. 

Good luck with everything, will be thinking of you.

Abby 

I have been in this position and it is not an easy decision for some folks.

Your Magie is alert, mentally. Go to her. She is in a strange place and the comfort of your touch, voice and heart is something she needs after being gone from home for a couple days. This is for her--no matter how painful it is for you. In the long run you will be glad you did.

Think of it this way. Would you want to be alone without benefit of a loved one near?

We had to put our black lab to sleep a few years ago and 2 of my kids and I were with him during the procedure.  They have a special room for this and we went in and spent a few minutes with him; then the vet came in and administered the shot.  He lifted his head and looked out the window and then laid his head back down and went to sleep.  A few minutes later he was gone.  Yes, it was hard and we cried (well, DD and I did) but I'm glad we were there.  The vet gave us our options as to what we wanted to do with him afterwards, and we brought him home and buried him in our woods. 

 Red Savage is right.  When that time came for my furbaby, as difficult as it was, there was no way I wanted her last moments to be of fear and confusion with strangers.  I held her in my arms.

It was the most heartbreaking thing I had to do, but it would have been more heartbreaking to think of her alone, scared and wanting me. 

 i am so sorry about your dog.

we had to put our 16 y/o mini dach to sleep last november.

if your dog is suffering and in pain, and the quality of life is not good, please consider what is best for your dog. it is the final act of love and kindness you can do for your beloved pet.

my dh and i were both there for the procedure. i was kissing and loving on her, telling her how much i loved her. i cried my eyes out. 

i had her cremated, and they gave me her cremains in a pretty box, with a lovely card. 

we both missed her so much. the house seemed so empty without her.

we just brought home 2 wiener dog puppies saturday. both girls, 8 weeks old, red, short-haired, and cute as buttons!  the house is full of love and laughter again (and some loss of sleep.  LOL)

Yes....I've been where you are.  I had a beloved German Shepherd who was also very healthy,  except also developed the spondylosis.   One day he went down and couldnt get up again.   We tried the meds for several days,  but they didnt help him either.  Usually,  if the meds are going to work,  they work quite guickly.   We had to make that decision to put him to sleep also.

I worked at an animal hospital for over 25 years and I have a slightly different take on whether you should stay with her or not,  assuming that you decide that the best thing for her is to be put to sleep.   Staying or not staying with her is a very personal decision,  and you are the only one who can decide what is right for you.   Some people just cannot handle being with their companion at the moment of passing and that is OK.   I can assure you that your dog will be held as gently and tenderly as possible,  even if you are not in the room.   Putting a pet down is hard for the vet staff too.   For myself,  I always had to be there with my pets,  but we saw many devoted owners who just could not.    When it comes to that moment,  you will know which way is right for you.

My prayers will be with your family and your dog,  whatever the outcome is.

I am so very sorry that you and your dog are going through this. I have always been with my pets when they were sent off to dreamland, but I agree with Randy-  whatever your decision, your dog will be taken care of lovingly.

(((( Cookie ))))

            I'am so sorry to hear this and yes,  many of us have gone through this and it really is tough.  We love our Furbaby's and they love us back.  My DD will be faceing this very soon with her Boxer's.  One has the same problem as your dog and the other has Cancer. 

    She said if they can't be healed and will be in pain,  then she will just have to make the decision.  My very best to you and when the time comes you will know what you have to do.

                             Hugs,  Cassiebabe

Oh, Cookie I know how much this hurts you and your family.  I also know that you will know if you should be with Maggie or not.  You will know in your heart what to do.  I am always with my pets when the time comes.  I hold them in my arms and I whisper in their ears so they know I am there.  When it's all over I fall apart.  

 My thoughts are with you and Maggie at this most difficult time.

(((Cookie & Maggie)))

Cookie my heart goes out to you, the decision must be yours but I would want to be there to comfort my baby. I'll be thinking of you today Marion

I won't lie to you, it hurts! Dh and I both held our beloved Malamute. I couldn't stand to see him in pain anymore. The vet gave us options, we took the harder less expensive way. He licked my face right before he took his final breath, I think it was his way of thanking us  for no more pain. We both left the vets in tears and the girls that worked there wanted to drive us home.

I was worried about being in the room the first time I had to have this done to one of my cats.  But then I saw how peaceful the whole process is, when done by a skilled & compassionate vet. 

I have been with my cats every time, and of course cried before, during, and afterward (and right now, just thinking about it).  But it's such a blessed release for everyone, the pet who's suffering and the owner who's feeling the pain of the suffering, too.  Saying goodbye is the hard part to get past, but euthanization is the relief for everyone when things have gotten hopeless and much more suffering is inevitable.

If you have other pets, it helps to go home & hug them tightly afterwards.  My own vet ran out the day after his old doggie had to be put down & got a new puppy from one of his clients.....something not all vets recommend, but he couldn't bear an empty house one minute longer.  I totally understand!

i had to make the decision for my cat barny who was 18yrs of age at the time..she was suffering from kidney disease...we took her to the vet to have her put to sleep..we were sitting in the doctor's office and she suddenly died in my arms..i saw her take her last breath..we took her her home and buried her underneath my tree's...today i'm taking my shiztu pepper to the vet..he's drinking alot of water..wanting outside to use the potty..especially at night..i feel like i'm taking care of an infant ..suffering from a lack of sleep..loss of appetite..and he loses his balance when he's trying to walk up the stair's..pepper was given to me by a friend who can know longer care for him..and he was a stray when she found him..so we have know idea how old he is..so i may be making the decision you have to make now...plus he's losing his hearing..

ask your vet about a doggie 'wheel chair' my friends dog had the same problems as yours and she got one for her dog. You put the back end in the chair, she was still able to take him for walks that way. Best of luck to what ever decision you have to make. It is a hard one.