Tormented over Decision to Put my Dog Down

Tormented over Decision to Put my Dog Down

I am tormented and need to know if anyone can help ease our pain. Yesterday, our dog went for her annual checkup and received her usual shots. The vet said she is doing good for her age, but needs to lose weight.

Then about 8 hours later when we again arrived home, our dog did not greet us as she always did. Found her lying down and not coming to us when we called for her. So, we checked her over and then we did get her to drink a lot and come up a flight of stairs and she seemed a little better.

But, we decided to call the vet anyway to have her checked out and they said to bring her in as we expected maybe an allergic reaction to the shots earlier in the day. The vet told us our dog was in shock and he put her on a steroid iv immediately.

Then vet took xrays and said her liver was very enlarged. Her red blood count very low and when they spun her blood it was yellow in the bottom. Vet said she had liver cancer and she would be dead in hours and not make it til morning.

Until this night, she had absolutely no symptoms. Vet said if we took her home, she would either have heart failure or would bleed into her abdomen until she died and she would suffer. Vet insisted that she would not make it until morning. He recommended that we put her to sleep.

We cried and cried, but followed the doctor's advice and put her down. Now, a day later and clearer mind, we are second guessing and wish we would have just come home with her. We have another dog that is also dying of cancer for the past 7 months, but we enjoy her company every day and think we should have brought her home and let her die at god's hands. We felt pressured into putting her to sleep and I believe we were just in shock about the cancer and could not think clearly. Now we are devastated and so very tormented that we put our beloved dog to an early death.

What could have made the vet believe that our dog only had hours to live?

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Tormented over Decision to Put my Dog Down

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Apr 21, 2012
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A hole in my heart
by: AnonymousAmy

I thought I might be losing my mind, the tears just won't stop! It was so fast and so unexpected, one day a healthy CiCi, the next total devastation. Finding this website gives me some comfort. Thank you all for opening your hearts to help others heal!

Apr 21, 2012
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You made the right decision
by: Anonymous

Our Jack Russell, CiCi, went from a healthy dog to a gravely ill dog with liver cancer in the span of 3 days. We agonized over not waking her from surgery and decided she should not suffer. We decided to let her rest and let our vet leave her sleeping.

It has been 4 days since this happened and I have cried an ocean of tears. I wondered if we had made the right decision. As hard as this is, I know it was the best thing for CiCi. I am a medical professional and could not watch her slowly, painfully slip into death.

You did the right thing. Trust in the knowledge that your vet has years of experience and knew what lay ahead for your beloved dog. Your vet didn't want your dog to suffer and offered the most humane choice.

Don't be too hard on yourself, your dog is no longer suffering.

Apr 14, 2012
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Rip Penny
by: Penny's mum

Tracey

This comment is for you. Penny went to doggie heaven on the 12th April not long after I posted here. It was the right thing to do. Corny as it may sound, she did look at peace. Her eyes were beautiful and there was no more pain.

The house seems empty without her and I will find it hard to wake without her for a long time. We are the ones left to suffer but at least we have our precious memories.

Be strong - I feel your pain as do all animal lovers. x

Apr 14, 2012
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My 4-Legged Daughter
by: Tracy Megee

I'm now 52 years old and have never been without a dog in my life, and as I sit here tonight knowing that I have to put my dog down in the morning is incredibly difficult.

Sammy Jo was perfectly fine up until a few weeks ago. She started drinking tons of water and my kids said she looked like a stuffed turkey as her stomach had gotten so distended. I took her to the vet and they did an xray and ultrasound and bloodwork and determined she had liver cancer. Her stomoch was filling with blood and she had already started bleeding out.

I hate having to make this decision, but know it is the best decision for my 4-legged child and after reading so many comment on this website I know I am making the right decision and the tears are part of the healing.

Apr 11, 2012
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Feel your pain
by: Anonymous

I know exactly how you feel. My dog Penny, a 14 year old west highland x Lhasa, had her cancerous spleen removed last October. This week we found out the cancer spread to her liver. She has a bloated tummy but seemed quite happy till today. Now she is disoriented and lethargic but still eating.

It is such a hard decision to know what to do. The vet said I will know when the time has come. The fact is she's my baby and it's so hard to say goodbye. I have had to put to sleep our German shepherd and Burmese cat in the past. It's never easy but we do it to spare them further suffering.

They may not be with us in the flesh but are forever in our hearts. Our animal babies are never forgotten. Don't feel your decision will be a wrong one. We do what is best for them always.

Mar 31, 2012
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It's a Hard Decision
by: Harley's mom

We had to make the decision 24 hours ago. Our lab was 10 years old had just had his check up a week ago and was told he had a clean bill of health. He showed no symptoms of liver cancer.

In less than a week this disease took over his body. We took him to the vet because he was not eating and the vet called less than 2 hours later with the diagnosis. I always told myself I would never allow my pets to suffer. Looking at his eyes before we put him down, I could see he was letting me know he was tired. He had no more energy; he was not the dog we knew. His eyes told me we were doing what was right and setting him free. It is very hard to do, but we knew it was the right thing. He is now free to run and play like he did before and will never be in pain again.

Mar 18, 2012
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Your Tat Terrier Buddy
by: Anonymous

I am back reading the comments again, been doing this since we lost out Jack Russell now a little over 2 months. She had the same exact symptoms as your Buddy, so I know how you are feeling. It's so hard, it is getting better now, but I will always miss her.

We have decided on another dog, since she was all we had, it's just too boring here and lonesome without the love of a dog. We actually pick her up next weekend. She will be 8 weeks old so I am hoping to fill the emptyness we have in our home with a new furry friend.

Our dog will always be in our hearts and I am working on a beautiful flower bed outside where we have her buried. So you all take care and keep reading these stories - they really do help.

God Bless.

Mar 18, 2012
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I understand
by: Anonymous

Buddy, our Rat Terrier was taken to the vet yesterday. He was very bloated and was having trouble breathing. He has been having trouble holding his bladder through the night and sometimes while he is just standing there. He has been drinking up a storm and urinating all the time.

We had blood work done on him yesterday. 150 is normal, his was 2100. However he is not vomiting or does he have diarrhea. We thought we were going to have to put him down. The vet recommended medication and that is what we did.
Buddy was my parents' dog. He sat in front of my Mother while she was passing and would not leave her side.

He was laying next to my father when he died and stayed next to him in bed for a day and a half after he died until I went and found him dead in bed. So there is a special link to him and my parents. He is a wonderful dog and I am praying that the medication helps, but I will be prepared to do the right thing for him when the time comes.
I tell all of my dogs (3) that when the time comes I will do the right thing for them.
My Dad always told me that you have to do what is best for the animal and not what makes us feel the best.

It is a horrible thing and I have had to do it three times now. But the memories are always there and the Love will live forever!

Mar 13, 2012
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Just lost our sweetie Wheatie
by: Stacy

Just yesterday, we suddenly lost our 8 year old Wheaton Terrior Dakota. No symptoms, then she had a seizure and she couldn't move. We rushed her to the vet and her gums were pale. She was in critical condition.

We found out she had a tumor on her spleen that burst and was bleeding internally. Surgery was the only option to save her. But during the ultrasound, they saw other suspicious lesions which most certainly meant this tumor was cancerous and it had spread.

Dakota had no symptoms yesterday morning. she was herself. Now, we were making the decision to put her to sleep. They had her stabilized, so when we all said goodbye, we got kisses and her tail was wagging. It was so hard to leave her, but she was bleeding to death with no hope of being cured.

I miss her so much. This happened so fast. So please know many of us have had to deal with a sudden loss. It has helped me to read the stories here to know we are not alone. May God comfort you.

Mar 07, 2012
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Another heart breaking
by: Anonymous

My little Jack Russell had the same fate this morning. he was going on ten years old, my heart is breaking. If that wasn't enough, I lost my husband 6 weeks ago also. I will make it through and after some time has passed I will add another angel to my life as I can't go on without the love and wiggle from the love of a dog. But before that can happen, my tears have to stop flowing, and my heart has to accept another puppy.

Feb 01, 2012
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Dear My Heart is so Broken
by: Anonymous

I read your story and I am dealing with the same exact thing, we lost our Jack Russell 3 and a half weeks ago, same symptoms, nothing to let us know she was sick until it was too late. My story has been posted so if you want to go back and read it my name is Marge you should be able to find it.

I still cry every day, but it is getting better, family just was here and I showed them a large blanket I had made with my beloved Caylie on it. They loved it and we all had more tears. She was family, I'll miss her forever, but knowing we didn't let her suffer is better for me to believe now than it was the day she died.

I too thought maybe I should have just brought her home, maybe we could have had more time together, but that would have been more for us and not her. Her liver was 50 percent larger than normal and the excessive drinking was abnormal, and peeing all over, and she didn't want to do that, she tried to go out but we didn't know.

It's heartbreaking to read all the stories but it does help hearing that we were not alone. Now I am being told by many to get another dog. Well, I did look but NO it's not going to happen right now. I am just not ready, and I can't replace her. She was everything to me and I miss her too much. Sure dogs out there are are cute but I'm so worried now that maybe I would have to go through this again and I just can't.

You did the right thing, if you would have left your dog suffer and die at home he would have been in a lot of pain, so now the pain is gone and our little friends are together in doggy heaven happy and playing together.

Take care and it will get a little better each day, just try to stay busy with something.

Jan 08, 2012
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My heart is so broken
by: Anonymous

We lost our dog now 4 days ago, only knew about the cancer for 2 days till we ended her pain.

I read these stories and my heart breaks to all of you. I know how you feel, wondering if we made the right decision and second guessing ourselves. It's such a life changing thing that happens so fast. Monday she is fine, maybe just tired or drinking a lot, and not wanting to eat, so you take her to get checked that evening, then by Wed night she's gone. I keep telling myself I am so glad she didn't show signs earlier or maybe we wouldn't have had the time we did together. It's a terminal cancer (liver) and so I am grateful she was very happy and playful pretty much to the end. I didn't want her to suffer and when we were told it's liver cancer, also in her spleen, and the symptoms she got just in 2 days, it was so terrible.

We did what we felt best for her, we couldn't bring her home to suffer just so we had her for us, so if you think back and remember why you did it, then hold on to that. We all made that choice because of the love we had and will always have for our little friend.

I miss ours so much, and I really don't know how long it will be until the pain stops. All I can say is stay busy, or get on these sites and read others' stories, then you will know we are not alone.

Dec 06, 2011
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Tormented over decision to put my dog down
by: Davidson

Hi,

So sorry for the way you feel. The decision is never easy.

My Sonny bled into the abdomen and although the vet stopped the bleeding the tumour was inopperable and as his pressure went up he felt it would start again. Knowing that he could bleed to death at anytime and that the ruptured cancerous tumour would have released cancerous cells, prognosis would be poor. I decided to call it and the vet was of the same thinking.

I do have a good vet and was able to get an honest opinion and didn't feel pressured.

I think if you can talk to the vet it helps. Try not to beat yourself up about it. The main thing is the dog was loved and I think it's better to let a dog go a day too soon than a day too late.

I do hope you can find some peace and start to heal.

Nov 13, 2011
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I'm very sorry
by: Jennifer

I am sorry to hear that you feel tormented over the decision of laying your dog to rest. My dog has currently been diagnosed with heart and lung cancer just from an xray. He's been with us 2 weeks since his diagnosis. He's lost weight, he's vomiting, and he's very lethargic. Everytime he doesn't eat, or lays around, I break down thinking "This is it, I'll have to have him laid to rest." But then he might rebound the next day, and seem better, then it's 'No need for the vet, he's ok.' It is torture to decide when and when not to.

I was praying that he might pass in his sleep, so I won't be saddled with the heart wrenching burden of when to do this horrible thing. I don't like the responsibility of having to play God with my dog's life.

He's not himself anymore. He's sick. I think that we may have to do this. I am so sorry for you to have to go through this. I am so sorry that we have to go through this. I guess that all I can say is if your baby loses interest in all things, seems distant and lays around, then it may be time. Their sickness has consumed them, and it may be selfish of us to try to keep them here for our comfort and peace of mind.

Anyways, this is something I don't want to do, So God please let him go peaceful in his sleep. I really guess maybe I shouldn't give advice, I feel the torment just like you do. I hope that God will guide us to do the right thing, so please let me know what's going on with you. This week coming up will be difficult for me and my family, I am so scared. I don't want to do this either.

Oct 23, 2011
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Our Bozey Boy
by: Minnnie Z

I understand your feelings and fears. Our beloved Bozo was diagnosed with lymphoma a few days ago. It was such a shock as I took him in to the vet because he was drinking lots of water and had several accidents in the house. I thought that I was most likely over reacting or he had a bladder infection. Of course, it has been a nightmare since then. He was transferred to an emergency and specialists center. He is in stage four. He received and continues to get treatment. However, even with this, he will most likely only live about a month. I look into his beautiful dark eyes and struggle to accept this as reality. He follows me everywhere. Losing a pet is a pain beyond words... Praying for all struggling with this.

Jul 31, 2011
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Love our Dogs
by: Deb

I feel your pain. I agree with you, you were not thinking straight. I almost did the same thing. Our lovely Bo is also dying of cancer. She has last stage lymphoma. I was told a month ago that she should be put down by the vet.

I was so upset, I went home and told my husband. I cried my eyes out... Bo is only 4 years old.

Well we made the decision to keep her home to die. She is on steroids which help her some. She still eats and drinks. She is very weak and sleeps a lot in our bedroom with the air conditioner on. She can't play or do anything; just wants to be with me 24/7. We love her dearly.

She goes outside to go to the bathroom, and back to bed. I was told this type of cancer is not painful. I pray not. I would never want her to suffer. She has been bleeding out of her nose on occasion. It has spread to her sinus. It's hard to lose our pets.

I feel for you and don't beat yourself up. God is taking care of your dog now. In a peaceful Heaven.

Take care.

Feb 16, 2011
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Decision to put my dog down
by: Karen Baker

It is so easy to second guess. Please keep focused on your intention and that was to keep your dog from suffering. Take care. I hope your hearts hurt less as time goes by.

Feb 16, 2011
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Sorry for Your Loss
by: Spreti V

I went through something similar with one of my dals last year. That dog meant the world to me, got me through the death of my first husband and kept me going. He got sick suddenly and heard the same words "he's dying and won't make it home, we had to make that decision." I agonized over it but deep down I knew something was truly wrong with him. I now embrace all the good things he was to me and I to him. I hold on to that dearly. I hope you can do that too. I'm sorry for your loss.

Feb 16, 2011
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Tormented over Decision
by: Anonymous

I am so sorry for your loss, I totally understand and feel for you. We lost our beloved Holly almost 2 weeks ago. But like you it was so sudden, basically overnight. We were shocked, devastated, it was all in a matter of a few hours.

We were advised by the vet to put her to sleep, as she would not survive the night. But it was so fast - I wish we could have fed her a steak on her last night, and talked for hours and cuddled all night and told her how much we loved her. I know we did that every day anyways, but I guess you always want more. But many people have told me over the last few weeks that it was best for her, she only felt awful for a little while, oh she knew something was up by the look on her face and she was not happy, and I wanted to rescue her, but could not. So I feel your pain and I am so sorry we have to go through this, but it's because we love them so much and they loved us, and that's what make you a great pet owner and Mom/Dad. And in time we will feel a little better.

We did all we could. My Holly is playing with her brother Pika somewhere fun.

I Hope this helps you a little.

Take care
Leslie

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