Veterinarian Advice

[TEX]

Looking for anyone on this board that is a vet or can help me with my dilemma. I know this isn't really fireram related, but a search of the web was no help and calls to several vets in my area were unproductive "just bring her in" was their answer and that is exactly what I did notwant to do. I am asking here because I frequent this forum and have found that most of the people here seem to be level head good souls, so I was hoping to get some good advice here.

I have an older dog that is pretty far gone. I think she is nearly deaf and she seem to be developing cataracts in the eyes, and has a hip that may be giving out and sometimes has problems controlling her bladder. She sometimes yelps when getting up or getting off the sofa and moves real slow now-a-days. At times she seems to walk into a room and then just stands there like she forgot why she went in there. (don't laugh, I know som eof us do that from time to time). She doesn't even want to go for a walk any more unless really coaxed, so I am assuming even this is painful for her. Her appetite is also waning it seems.

The bottom line is this - I think it is time to put her down, but I am looking for a painless way that it could be done at home in such a way that my wife and teenage girls would think the old girls just passed away from old age. I thought about taking her to the vet to be put to sleep and then bringing her home and putting her on her bed like she passed away at home, but she really freaks out when we go to the vet - and that’s not the way I want her to go. We got her from a CAPS shelter almost 15 years ago and they said she was about a year old at the time and I guess 16 years is a pretty good run.

Is there anything that I can obtain legally that would allow me to let her go at home in surroundings she is used to? She weighs about 35-lbs. I am looking for something that would be painless and that would just let her drift off. It would be best if it was something simple that didn’t affect humans, but would work on a canine.

I know a few may say take her out to the back forty and just shoot her, but that’s not going to happen, so any who are contemplating that advice, just forget it.

Thanks - TEX

[dcphoto]

I don't know about anything you can do yourself at home, however, there are still some vets out there that make house calls. I even know of a vet (in NJ) that will NEVER turn down a family that asks to have their dog/cat put to sleep at home (doesn't even charge for the house call). Google "mobile vet texas" and "housecall vet texas" (add your city for better results) and I'm sure you can find a vet that can help.

[dicion]

Unfortunately, the barbiturates that vets use are controlled substances, so unless you have a REALLY good vet friend, you're not gonna get some of those for home use.

There's nothing else that I can think of that would not be painful for the animal, other then a round to the head.

There are vets that do house calls, however, so perhaps calling one to see if they'll put her down at your place would be the way to go.

Your best bet may actually be Large Animal Vets, as they are usually equipped to Go To the large animal. Dog and Cat only vets normally don't leave their office.
Theyre all certified the same though, and a large animal vet will be just as able to put her down.

[Crossfire]

A good vet would be willing to come to your house to take care of that. Ours did.

[C-dub]

My in-laws did this with a dog a few years ago and their regular vet. was unavailable when it came time. They were able to find another one that would come to the house. One of the mobile ones mentioned above. I honestly don't know if a vet. would let you take the body home afterward. Within city limits in many cases we are not supposed to burrying them in our yards. However, you can tell a vet. that will come to your house to do this that you are going to have the dog cremated and will take it there yourself. Then you can do whatever you want.

[Skiprr]

Just asking: have you taken her to a vet to get her checked out? There are treatable conditions--maybe like a severe urinary tract infection--that may be causing the symptoms. If it were me, I'd want a professional opinion and prognosis before I put a pet down.

[Bunkins]

It's hard to come to that conclusion that the best course of action is to put the animal down.. I've been there many many times, and it's never easy.. I spent thousands on my Lab just trying to keep him pain free, because I just couldn't bring myself to put him down, he was more than a friend.. But then I realized I'm only doing this for me, and I was being selfish. After putting him down, I felt like someone ripped my heart out, 3 yrs later it still hurts, but at the same time I felt relived that it was over with, and he wasn't suffering anymore.


Call a mobile vet ( typically a large animal vet ) and tell them whats going on, you'll find someone that will do it for you... I know where you stand on putting her down at your home, I'm the same way.. Many mobile vets that deal with large animals have a comfortable "office" at home or where ever, meaning it doesnt look like a hospital, or a typical vet office. So if they cant do it at your house, at least you'll be in a quiet setting, and that does help.. I know the trip out of the vet with a bunch of people around is very hard to do after having a animal put down..

I ran into issues when I had to have my Lab put down, it was on the weekend, and even vets on call wouldn't put him down. He was suffering, he just bloated up over night, and was ate up with cancer.. A few of these vets I knew very well, yet I couldn't get them to help.. Believe me, I told them exactly where to go, and I made it a point of going during busy hrs so that the other customers could hear...

[TexasVet]

HI Tex,

Sorry to hear about your dog. It does sound like she has her share of age related issues. Older dogs commonly get CCD (Canine Cognitive Dysfunction - doggie alzheimers if you will) that results in them forgetting things, not wanting to eat, being confused, sometimes even aggressive and they tend to regress in their training (urinating in the house, barking at nothing, etc).
The bottom line is you live with your pet and you can judge whether her quality of life has decreased to the point where euthanasia is the better choice.
I don't know of anything that you can do at home that is nearly as painless and comfortable as euthanasia solution. Many vets even give an injectable sedative before the euthanasia to calm them down as the euthanasia solution has to go IV (intravenous).
Depending on where you live, finding a housecall vet to come out should not be hard. If the trip is very hard on her, that might be the best. And if the vet comes out, he or she should do at least an overall exam and if they can do something to make her more comfortable so she is not in pain, then you might not have to euthanize her. If there is nothing they can do, they euthanize her there.
Trying to hide if from your family members is your call, depending on not the injections go, there might be evidence of what happened. Also I find that people who have talked about the decision and discussed quality of life, what is best for the pet and have been explained well what a euthanasia entails, do deal with it better in the long run. I won't say that it's not sad, as it is very much, but kids can and do understand and to me, it's better to go through it with a pet and learn about death, than a family member.
Feel free to ask if you have any other questions.

[Kythas]

Tex, my heart goes out to you. I had to put my best friend of 14 years down in 2003 and it still chokes me up today when I think about it.

My best to you and your family in this difficult time. To some people, pets are just some animal that lives with them. To me, they're a member of my family. Sounds like yours is a member of your family, too.

[pbwalker]

I realized I'm only doing this for me, and I was being selfish. After putting him down, I felt like someone ripped my heart out, 3 yrs later it still hurts, but at the same time I felt relived that it was over with, and he wasn't suffering anymore

I went through the same thing and reading this thread has brought tears to my eyes. My Lab was 10 or so when I had to put her down three years ago. She was my best friend. She put up with me more than anyone else would and I loved her more than anything. She was having seizures and they were getting more frequent, so I knew it had to be done. It destroyed me for several days and it still hurts.

[Vic303]

If you are near Justin TX, the Justin Animal Hospital (Dr Dena and husband) are excellent vets. They have been known to meet folks at the local park in town to euthanize a pet in a calm setting.

[flintknapper]

HI Tex,

Sorry to hear about your dog. It does sound like she has her share of age related issues. Older dogs commonly get CCD (Canine Cognitive Dysfunction - doggie alzheimers if you will) that results in them forgetting things, not wanting to eat, being confused, sometimes even aggressive and they tend to regress in their training (urinating in the house, barking at nothing, etc).
The bottom line is you live with your pet and you can judge whether her quality of life has decreased to the point where euthanasia is the better choice.
I don't know of anything that you can do at home that is nearly as painless and comfortable as euthanasia solution. Many vets even give an injectable sedative before the euthanasia to calm them down as the euthanasia solution has to go IV (intravenous).
Depending on where you live, finding a housecall vet to come out should not be hard. If the trip is very hard on her, that might be the best. And if the vet comes out, he or she should do at least an overall exam and if they can do something to make her more comfortable so she is not in pain, then you might not have to euthanize her. If there is nothing they can do, they euthanize her there.
Trying to hide if from your family members is your call, depending on not the injections go, there might be evidence of what happened. Also I find that people who have talked about the decision and discussed quality of life, what is best for the pet and have been explained well what a euthanasia entails, do deal with it better in the long run. I won't say that it's not sad, as it is very much, but kids can and do understand and to me, it's better to go through it with a pet and learn about death, than a family member.
Feel free to ask if you have any other questions.

IMO, theres your answer.

Very sorry to hear about the condition of your dog. No one loves dogs more than I...and I know full well how hard it is to say to good-bye and let one go.

I feel for you.

Flint.

[kirock7]

TEX I'm really sorry to hear that things have progressed to this point. We went through something very similar 4 years ago with our 18 year old Shih Tzu who had, over the years become so much more than just a friend. (It took three rescue dogs moving in with us before we could fill the hole in our hearts... we now have an impressive pack. :-))
Our vet had extended the "at home" offer with us, but we opted to go to his office because having it done at home wouldn't have helped. There would have been a lingering "sense of loss" left in our home... that was somewhat eased by saying goodbye at the vet's office.

I'd like to share a poem with you that helped us quite a bit, although it still tugs at my heart in a painful way... it does however offer some modicum of solace. You may have heard of it: The Rainbow Bridge

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/rainbowb.htm
Good luck, TEX.

[Broncrider]

Tex,
If I am not mistaken most vets in Texas use an overdose of potassium to put dogs and cats to sleep. If you have a vet like the one i use then he can tell you for sure what to use to let your loved one pass away peacefully at home. I hope this helps. I know it is not easy my wife and I just had to put down our dog we had for 14 years. It is never an easy thing but most vets sympathize and are willing to help.

[Tass]

Tex,

Very sorry to hear about your dog. Depending on how comfortable she is, you may be able to manage the symptoms a bit. There is an herbal supplement I use for my senior dog's incontinence that has been effective for the 3 months he has been on it and it is less than $20/bottle of 90 (@ 1/day). There is also a drug for the 'alzheimers' like symptoms that is effective. Can't remember the brand name but I know there is a cheaper generic on the market. Metacam might also be helpful for the joint pain/inflamation. It worked wonders on my 20+ year old cat with arthritic shoulders.

When the time comes, check with area vets. As others have stated, some will come to your house if that is more comforting to you.

Tass