I've had Tia for almost 15 years now and she can barely hear, takes a long time to stand and can't walk very fast, has trouble barking.
She's my 1st personal pet and has been spoiled all her life. We're down to simple slow walks at the part several times a week.

I've never had a dog put down.
Is this something you pay a vet to do or what?
Because you can't tell how much pain a dog is in, am I making her life bad by keeping her alive?

Most medium size dogs are lucky to get much past 10 years, she'll be 15 in May.

She still seems happy (wags the tail) when it's treat time or park time, but I have to lift her in and out of the car.

She's not a burdon, just don't know when and how to put her down.
As a last ditch effort, I'm trying some new meds for the joints, but that'll only but some time if we're lucky.
Thanks, KarlJay.

 

I've been there a few times. It hurts to do, Vets will charge you to put them to sleep. Not sure how much haven't ever used a vet except for a horse, and that was expensive $ 300+ It's fast, and humane.
If she doesn't sound like she's in pain and wags here tail. Try the meds for the pain. Sounds like arthritis. What type of dog is she? I have a 10 year old Lab. She's slowing down too, but still seams to be happy. She was shot in the back once, I didn't even know it until a weak or two later when it festered. Vet told me a lab would be 3/4 dead before they'd whine about being in pain. lucky for her she had an 1" of fat. bullet missed her spine by milimeters.

 

My Shepard is getting up there in age, 13 yrs or so, and has some of the same problems your pup has. She's going blind, doesn't hear well, I have to help her get up at times, but she's always in good spirits. She doesn't play with my other dogs anymore, just putts around the yard till she finds a spot to lay. It's been entering my mind that sooner than later she'll be joining the rest of the pack in the sky. We typically wait till their quality life is too far gone and have the vet put them down. You'll know the time when it comes.

 

I would have to agree...my girlfreind had a chiuawawa...i know......but the dog was like 17 years old, was part blind, part death, but still did everything you guys said. Still wagged her tail, barked, ate on her own, walked around (mostly slept a lot though)...she prolly would have lived longer but got ran over in the driveway. Took her to the vet, and she had a broken leg and she randomly got really poofy, vet said it was liver failure but was unrelated. We thought it was ironic that liver failed same day as being ran-over and still think it was related, but long story short, she had to be put down cause of the liver problem. And you could tell she was still full of life, just suffered a unrepairable injury. But i have had a couple animals put down at the vet, it is usually a couple hundred depending where you go...some places even offer creamatory services.

 

The vet I've used here in Los Angeles for the past 10 years charges $192.00. If the dog is turned in to an LA city animal shelter, there is no charge.

I've (sadly) watched the vet method 5 times since 2001: A portion of the dog's left front leg is shaved, then the needle is inserted...the whole thing takes about one minute.

I get my dogs (Basset Hounds) from two local rescue groups. I always adopt the older ones, because most ppl do not want them. The downside is, they don't live very long.

 

I would say that as long as she's eating well, not in a bunch of uncontrollable pain and has control of her bodily functions then keep her around. She may still a thing or two to teach you.

 

I just had my jack Russel put to sleep dec 26. he was 14, blind, couldn't hear, coughed like a person, slept all day/night, wet himself, frequently, grunted when handled, and was having seizures. the vet will give your dog a check up, before the procedure is done, so you can be sure it is time. In my dog's case he was having heart murmors too. the process cost me $140, and was very humane. they gave him a shot to calm him down, then a shot to make him go to sleep. they will take the body if you want, or you can have the pet cremated. check your local laws, you may not be allowed to bury the pet on your property legally. food for thought my dog lasted another 3 years past the point where your dog is now, you will know when it is time.

 

Well I had to put down my golden retriever this past year and it was probably the hardest thing I have ever done. We had her for over 12 years and since we have no kids, she was out kid. One thing I did learn about the situation, its not fair to prolong your pain and suffering while having the animal suffer. It is a very hard decision to make, but you have to look at the big picture, and would never want them to suffer any longer than normal. Good luck on any decision you make as it will be hard no matter what...

 

If your dog can still eat and take short walks then you have nothing to worry about.

 

Take them to a vet, have a complete physical done, we had a lab that 15, he was in great spirits, but could barely stand, we went to the vet to discuss the next step. THe vet agreed he was old, but had something she wanted to try. SHe gave him a shot, he was a puppy again. We were given a persrcription for Rimadyl https://www.rimadyl.com/display.aspx...ies=CN&sec=000, he lived another 4 years.. a 19 year old Lab.

On the other hand, my Cedar only made it 12 years before she started wetting herself, and really began suffereing. She was lab/foxhound.

I feel for you, it is not an easy thing to do.

When we put down our lab, the vet refused to let me hold him, he paniced.. No one will ever hold my pup again, Cedar I held in my arms..

 

Putting down a family member (dog or cat) is traumatic.

Our English Springer Spaniel (ESS) was very sick last year.
My wife, the two kids still at home, and I had a long discussion about how we were going to handle putting him down.

When we finally decided that we had spent enough money keeping him alive, we visited the Vet that had given him such great care.
When she saw Russell (our ESS) laying there, breathing very hard and fast, but. . . his tail was wagging like crazy, she said that she just couldn't put him down - he still has a lot of life left. (Now, you must know that Russell was only 2-1/2 years old!!!)

So, we spent the $$$ and the doctors operated on Russell and saved his life!!! The disease was Chylothorax.
Russell is now healthy ("Clean Bill of Health") and must eat a Low Fat Diet, with NO fried food of any type, for the rest of his life.
Any treats he gets, we have to look at the fat content. His little body can't process the fat(s) any longer, because of the surgery.
We were advised that IF we want Russell to live a long life, he's not to have table scraps any more.
IF he has 'people food', he can have boiled boneless chicken and/or boiled hamburger with the fat drained off. He can also have rice, too.

Here's the kicker. . . . from Memorial Day (last year) until August 1, we paid out over $13,000.00 in Vet bills/surgery/post-op care.
Fortunately, we were able to do this.


Ultimately, consult with your Vet on what course to take with your family member.

For me, I know that IF I have to put Russell to sleep, I will be right there when it happens. I just can't leave him.
You see. . . he's a part of my family and he's one of my kids.

Besides. . . he's the ONLY member of the family that doesn't give me any crap!!!

 

Ditto on the "you'll know when it is time" sentiment.
It is a painful thing to do and I cried like a baby when we had to finally put our first dog out of her misery 9 years ago. Her kidneys were failing at age 14 and you could tell she was miserable just by looking at her. She clearly was not enjoying life like she had been and was in constant discomfort/pain.
I swear to you she looked at me like she was begging me to put her out of her misery.
We live in a rural community and are permitted to bury animals on the property. All 3 of our deceased dogs are buried here. Ginger (the first dog) was buried with her frisbee in her coffin (a box that I made and the kids decorated), Cookie had a handful of treats in her box as she was a food hound, and Cricket (who had run away because my a**hole neighbor set off a ballpark sized fireworks display one November weekend while we were away and was subsequently hit by a car before we could get her home) has her favorite chewie toy in her box.
It is traumatic to lose a close personal friend, which is what pets become for so many people.
You'll know. It is worth paying the vet because it is painless and dignified.

 

As Charlie said...you'll know when it's time. It is one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make...but...I'm sure you will make the right one!!! I found the following to be helpful when the time came to put my fathers dog down. He was my father's dog...but...he was my buddy!!! He's now "Puppy In The Can" on my coffee table. Good luck!!!




Decide When to Put Your Dog to Sleep - Putting a Dog Down

 

Put down my 12 1/2 year old black lab on Dec. 21. I stayed with him and the vet and I am glad I did. The vet held his head and petted him and talked to him while I talked and stroked him. It was tough but he never left my side when I had kidney cancer so I would not desert him. He was blind because of glucoma and was quite deaf. he had stiffened up but he got a series of shots (Synvisc) which loosedned up his back end. He went off his feed and after trying many different foods including coating things with peanut butter over a week and a half we decided it was time. Your dog will let you know when it is time. God Bless.

 

Been there too often. Everyone is right about one thing - - - your dog will let you know when it is time. Uncanny, but true. But as long as he is not in a lot of pain, as long as he can take short walks, and as long as his tail wags I would suggest keeping him with you. When the time comes he cannot do these things, and he is in pain, his eyes will tell you he is ready. And, most importantly, stay with him until he's gone. Don't drop him off at the vet and leave. Remember, you're all he's got................