Pet Euthanasia

[selfinflikted]

My heart goes out to you, your family and BooBoo.

From personal experience of having a blind dog, it's hard to see them struggle and adjusts but... It comes down to you helping them. This isn't preaching, please don't think that.

Our dog become depressed and took herself away to corners of the house as her sight became worse. We worked with her, and simple things like a ball with a bell in it still meant she could play in our garden.

We kept the house as similar as possible, moving furniture was a no no.

Walks were done in places where there were no other dogs as that would really stress her out if another dog came up and started sniffing or wanting to play.

We did this for 3 years and then after seeing an opthamoligist a month ago and undertaking a tricky operation we were able to restore 90% of her sight

Even if this hadn't of happened though we'd still have a wonderful dog.

It's hard, it's heart breaking and it's unfair but if you can cope, and she's in no pain, BooBoo will be your loyal friend and companion, even if she can't see you.

Xxx

Thanks for the kind words, and advice! I'm happy that your dog was able regain most of it's sight. (BooBoo is a male dog, btw).

This post and others here have been very encouraging. Thanks guys!

 

[Miss Spaulding]

I'm at a loss for what to do. My gut feeling says that we should have him put to sleep. But my selfishness contradicts the gut feelings.

What would you guys do?

Firstly, I'm a pet owner myself and I understand what you're going through and I'm sorry. It's tough. :-/

Your dog's change in behavior is making me think that he could be in discomfort due to his eye condition. Blindness doesn't always mean just 'blindness', sometimes the condition can cause them pain. Years ago I had a cat who eventually went blind and he experienced pain, so part of me wants to suspect your dog is experiencing the same thing...and it's sad for him to go through that.

I agree that he will eventually adapt to his blindness in time, but again if he's having pain, then that needs to be dealt with. Either with pain medication or making the unfortunate decision to put him down. I agree that I would rather my pet be put down than keep them alive and suffering with whatever condition is ailing them. It's a very tough and heartbreaking decision and I'm sorry you're being faced with it.

 

[selfinflikted]

I have some experience here on a few points.

Our family had an elderly dachshund years ago, right about your dog's age, that went blind and deaf. They didn't have him put down for that reason, but then he wandered out into the street without knowing it one day, and was hit, so we lost him anyway. If you do need to leave your dog unsupervised, please make sure he has no access to the street, that he is inside a house or a pen.

Which leads me to the second bit of experience: My husband and I had a cat that suffered a stroke that left her blind and partially deaf. Once she got her mobility back, you would never have known she was blind. She was able to get around very well. She then went on to develop a kitty form of senility and meowed a lot asking for help, but I am home all day and was able to provide her the help. For several weeks she lived on a cushion in the office, under our computer desk, and only came out to eat or use the litterbox. We had extra food and water dishes and an extra litterbox provided for her right near her cushion, so she didn't even need to leave the room. Our vet said as long as her appetite was still good and she was still eliminating, she would need extra care, but she wasn't really suffering. It wasn't until we knew for sure her kidneys had stopped functioning--I won't say how we knew, because it's kind of gross--that we had her put to sleep.

So, animals can function with lost senses just as people can. Just because an animal is blind or deaf does not mean the animal is suffering. Your little furry baby will need extra caution, but I don't see a reason to put him down for his medical condition. On his temperament, we have a cat that takes an anti-depressant. Maybe that will help, if your vet thinks it's necessary.

ETA: I just noticed your dog's name. Awwww. Our family's dachshund was named Yogi, by strange coincidence.

Thank you

He doesn't have access to any streets, and doesn't have to be walked because he has a nice fenced-in back yard to roam (however he doesn't really roam now). He just has to be let in and out through the door. This weekend, we were planning on installing a pet door for him, and I suppose we will go ahead with it, even though tough decisions haven't been made yet.

 

[Inkachu]

Good.

Anyone who would have you give him away knows little of dogs.

I don't "know little of dogs", I've had dogs all my life, as well as countless other pets, and I'm about the biggest animal-lover you'll encounter.

But I'd rather see a dog find a second chance home where it'll be loved and cared for, than killed when it isn't even sick or dying.

 

[Inkachu]

My mother has a deaf cat, and he has no idea he's different from any other cat. He just meows ridiculously loudly to get attention since he can't hear himself lol. I make sure I never sneak up on him and I always make sure he sees me before I touch him. He's happy as a clam and just requires a bit more vigilance about his safety.

 

[keith99]

I don't "know little of dogs", I've had dogs all my life, as well as countless other pets, and I'm about the biggest animal-lover you'll encounter.

But I'd rather see a dog find a second chance home where it'll be loved and cared for, than killed when it isn't even sick or dying.

I stand by what I said.

 

[Inkachu]

I stand by what I said.

If you'd rather kill a dog than find it a new home, that's your right to feel that way. I stand by what I said, too. It's arrogant to me, to think that my pet's life is only worth its time around me, and that no one else could ever offer it a loving, safe, happy home if I could no longer care for it.

When my husband first moved to my area, he had to temporarily place his beloved dog in a rescue, and he wound up staying there for about 8 months. We didn't know at first, if we'd ever be able to bring him here to live with us. According to your philosophy, we should have just had him killed, since we couldn't keep him with us. Thankfully, we were able to bring him here eventually, but if we'd gone with the "if he can't be with us, he'll be so miserable, we should just kill him" mentality, we'd never have gotten him back, and we'd have robbed this poor dog of many good years that he has left. That's utterly absurd.

This would also mean that every dog that winds up in a shelter should be immediately euthanized, since none of them are with their original owners and families, and per you, one should never, ever give a dog away, and death is the better option. There is never a second chance and it's never acceptable for a dog to find a new home.

 

[JustMeSee]

Good.

Anyone who would have you give him away knows little of dogs.

Personally, I never gave away a dog, but under many circumstances loving owners have to give their pets away.

Our blind English Mastiff came from a home where the owner died.

I am in the process of adopting a senior dachshund who's previous owner has late term cancer.

 

[keith99]

If you'd rather kill a dog than find it a new home, that's your right to feel that way. I stand by what I said, too. It's arrogant to me, to think that my pet's life is only worth its time around me, and that no one else could ever offer it a loving, safe, happy home if I could no longer care for it.

When my husband first moved to my area, he had to temporarily place his beloved dog in a rescue, and he wound up staying there for about 8 months. We didn't know at first, if we'd ever be able to bring him here to live with us. According to your philosophy, we should have just had him killed, since we couldn't keep him with us. Thankfully, we were able to bring him here eventually, but if we'd gone with the "if he can't be with us, he'll be so miserable, we should just kill him" mentality, we'd never have gotten him back, and we'd have robbed this poor dog of many good years that he has left. That's utterly absurd.

This would also mean that every dog that winds up in a shelter should be immediately euthanized, since none of them are with their original owners and families, and per you, one should never, ever give a dog away, and death is the better option. There is never a second chance and it's never acceptable for a dog to find a new home.

I said nothing even close to what you claim.

Falsely putting words in others mouths is bearing false witness.

 

[keith99]

Personally, I never gave away a dog, but under many circumstances loving owners have to give their pets away.

Our blind English Mastiff came from a home where the owner died.

I am in the process of adopting a senior dachshund who's previous owner has late term cancer.

Everything i have said is in the context of Selfinflikted's posts.

I stand by what I said and I stand behind his judgement.

 

[LovebirdsFlying]

*Tapping of gavel* Ladies and gentlemen, please pause a moment before this becomes an argument. This is not an official Mod Hat, by the way, because I'm in the thread. This is just advice.

I almost missed it at first too, but let's understand, it's not the blindness that the OP considered putting the dog down for. It's the fact that BooBoo's temperament has changed. He is gloomy and depressed. Where he had been a lovebug before, he now has bitten a child, and there is a possibility that the dog is suffering *mentally.*

I see both sides of the debate. Ink suggests giving the dog to another family that would have time to meet his special needs. Ink's reasoning is (I'm guessing) that BooBoo won't be depressed anymore, and his temperament will change back to his old friendly self. Thus he won't be mentally suffering any more, problem solved. However, OP says he absolutely will not give away his dog. I understand that too. The discussion becomes, then, what alternative ways are there to bring the dog out of his mental suffering *besides* rehoming him, which is off the table.

Thus my suggestion of the possibility of antidepressants.

Have I got everyone properly represented here?

 

[selfinflikted]

I almost missed it at first too, but let's understand, it's not the blindness that the OP considered putting the dog down for. It's the fact that BooBoo's temperament has changed. He is gloomy and depressed. Where he had been a lovebug before, he now has bitten a child, and there is a possibility that the dog is suffering *mentally.*

This. I also feel, knowing my dog better than anyone, that putting him in a stranger's home would worsen his mood. He loves his dads, and I can't imagine he'd be happy with anyone else, especially considering his disability.

I'm going to give this some time, to see if he improves.

 

[JustMeSee]

Everything i have said is in the context of Selfinflikted's posts.

I stand by what I said and I stand behind his judgement.

I am not really arguing with you. The decision is ultimately up to the parents. I respect Selfinflikted's judgement as to handle the situation. My suggestion of alternatives was a general response to people giving up their pets without shame.

If it turns out that he is going to experience prolong suffering, whether physical or mental, something only the parents can observe, it is selfless to make the difficult decision.

I miss my dachshund immensely, bit there came a time that I realized that I needed to make the decision for him.

 

[JustMeSee]

This. I also feel, knowing my dog better than anyone, that putting him in a stranger's home would worsen his mood. He loves his dads, and I can't imagine he'd be happy with anyone else, especially considering his disability.

I'm going to give this some time, to see if he improves.

Sorry for getting a bit derailed.

Give him much comforting and love.

My thoughts are with you.

 

[Inkachu]

Have I got everyone properly represented here?

Not quite, because my suggestion to find the dog a new home is ONLY if the OP's sole alternative is to kill him. I am absolutely all for the OP keeping his dog and finding ways to help him cope with his new blindness and the new home he's in. Being suddenly blind, home alone all day, and in a strange, new place, are all completely understandable reasons for an older dog to become unhappy. I suggest one of them finding a part-time job instead of a full-time job, hire a dogsitter, or just give the poor dog some more time and patience to adjust to his new life. I'm only saying, please give this poor dog a chance at life with another family, if the OP is ready to kill him.

 

[selfinflikted]

I'm not ready to kill him. Even if he does get put down, I won't be ready.

 

[DaisyDay]

What you describe is consistent with BooBoo being in pain.

Nipping could be pain, but he could have just been startled.

For now I'd suggest giving him some more time to adjust and monitoring him closely.

If he starts leaving food or worse stops eating it is time for a trip to the vet and you need to be ready for bad news.

I would strongly suggest you do what things you can with him that he enjoys. That is best for you and him.

Good advice.

I had a cat who went blind at 17, but she still had another 4 good years. Finally, when she lost the use of her hind legs, we did put her down.

It's hard.

 

[LovebirdsFlying]

I'm not ready to kill him. Even if he does get put down, I won't be ready.

There is no "ready." You should have seen my husband completely wig out when we finally had to put the cat down, and he's a very stoic personality.

Hugs to you and BooBoo.

 

[selfinflikted]

Hugs to you and BooBoo.

Thank you.

 

[keith99]

There is no "ready." You should have seen my husband completely wig out when we finally had to put the cat down, and he's a very stoic personality.

Hugs to you and BooBoo.

I was ready when we made the call for Joey. When a dog has suffered a massive stroke and each breath is harder than the last the call is easy.

Not painless, just easy, no second thoughts. Doesn't mean I didn't cry. Heck the Vet's assistant broke down as soon as her part of the job was done.