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My female American Bulldog is 13 years old and has severe arthritis. We have her on glucosamine and tramadol. We carry her alot. Lift her into bed, lift her down from bed. We take her out for very short, slow walks every day and she seems to really look forward to her walk, tho she tires easily. She has alot of trouble walking, she limps alot. Our vet believes she has cancer but since we wouldn't do chemo, there's no sense in getting a diagnosis. We planned to keep her with us as long as she isn't suffering.
Last Fall we went on vacation and she went to a great doggie sitter in her home for a week. She got very sick and almost died, she did not eat. She gets very upset when she is crated so we don't board her at the vet or kennels.
So my husband will be running in a marathon in Dublin, Ireland this Fall. He has been training for this fior a long time. We plan to spend 3 weeks in Europe. I am pretty concerned about what to do with her. Does it seem heartless, if she is still alive at that time, to have her put to sleep?
Comments from contributors on this forum can condemn you or give you permission but it is really is a decision only you can make since you need to live with it.
Comments from contributors on this forum can condemn you or give you permission but it is really is a decision only you can make since you need to live with it.
Since you know how miserable she was last time you went away, I can't imagine that you will enjoy this trip knowing how she will not be doing well. Do you have somebody she loves who can be in the home with her as a pet sitter and not somebody who comes by once or twice a day?
Can you tell she is in pain except for the limping? If she is really in pain now you might not even be faced with any decision by the time you take your trip.
My other comment is that most people lament that they waited too long to PTS. Never heard of anybody saying they lamented doing it too soon.
I'm not trying to blast you, OP - I'm really not...only you can decide what is right for you. But since you asked - that would be the absolute most miserable vacation of my life if I planned putting my dog down around being gone.
I'd look for someone who could start right now dropping by the house and letting your dog become familiar with them. If the dog doesn't make it until then, at least you were planning ahead. I would think the price you would pay for a live-in would be small compared to the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are doing everything possible. Perhaps there's a college student in your area who would be thrilled to stay in your home for a few weeks?
It's a difficult decision, it really is - but I personally plan my vacations around my dogs and not the other way around. Maybe that's why I'm considered a little odd
Just one more comment. Practically every regular poster and reader of the forum has been in a similar situation. Maybe not a vacation but the quandary of when to PTS. We can relate to all the fears and concerns you have. Each circumstance is different and each person has to weigh the pros and cons and the best time. Good luck.
I'm not trying to blast you, OP - I'm really not...only you can decide what is right for you. But since you asked - that would be the absolute most miserable vacation of my life if I planned putting my dog down around being gone.
I'd look for someone who could start right now dropping by the house and letting your dog become familiar with them. If the dog doesn't make it until then, at least you were planning ahead. I would think the price you would pay for a live-in would be small compared to the peace of mind that comes with knowing you are doing everything possible. Perhaps there's a college student in your area who would be thrilled to stay in your home for a few weeks?
It's a difficult decision, it really is - but I personally plan my vacations around my dogs and not the other way around. Maybe that's why I'm considered a little odd
The fact that u are Asking if it is horrible to do or not, days to me that you are having some hesitation and guilt about makin this decision. And that you will prob have guilt and feel bad for the rest of your life if you do it. I could be mistaken tho.
Really it's a decision that only u can make. However if it were me, I would skip the vacation and not put my dog down. There will be plenty of other vacations but not more time with your dog if you put her down.
Of course if the time comes before then to put her down then that is another story.
We had a similar situation with our elder Bluetick coonhound. She was old, very arthritic and lame (from a viscous attack many years back by a Boxer). The older and more lame she got the less she could tolerate staying at a kennel.
She was quite hobbled (and in pain) and she started to develop some kidney issues. We took her to the vet and it was a 60/40 chance of survival for her on treatment, but in all honesty she was at the end of her life.
I am an owner that will not let my dog live in suffering to benefit me or my family, I have to do what I feel is right for my animal. With that, I chose to put her to sleep with me present and with her. One of the hardest things an owner has to do. I will add that I am also a farmboy and have been tasked with animal husbandry a long time. Most of our 'ilk' tend to side like that. It's not selfishness that drives our decision, it is pure compassion and respect.
You need to do whats best for the animal and yourselves, especially if you feel it is suffering.
Last edited by Threerun; 06-29-2014 at 12:40 PM..
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