Should I Have my dog put down?

Question

My dog is a 9 year old almost ten year old golden retriever. My mom and I brought him to the vet to have an MRI after noticing that he was not right. The MRI said that he has a tumor in his spinal chord. The surgery to remove the tumor is a lot and there is a slight chance he will not make it through the surgery. I love him so much but I can't bear to see him like this.

He can't get up and just urinates on himself. I don't know what me and my mom should do.

He is an old dog, but he has two sons that are 2 and 3. And my other dog lived to be 17 and this dog, Roman, isn't even ten yet.

Answer 1

If you can afford it, I would just do the surgery, instead of giving your dog no chance to live by euthanizing her. If you do, it's likely you will heavily regret the fact that you might have been able to save her.  

Answer 2

First, please know that I hurt with you and Mom.

   The Last Battle

            If it should be that I grow frail and weak, and pain should keep me

            from my sleep,

            Then will you do what must be done, for this -- the last battle --

            can't be won.

            You will be sad I understand, but don't let grief then stay your

            hand,

            For on this day, more than the rest, your love and friendship must

            stand the test.

            We have had so many happy years, you wouldn't want me to suffer so.

            When the time comes, please, let me go.

            Take me to where to my needs they'll tend, only, stay with me till

            the end

            And hold me firm and speak to me, until my eyes no longer see.

            I know in time you will agree, it is a kindness you do to me.

            Although my tail its last has waved, from pain and suffering I have

            been saved.

            Don't grieve that it must be you, who has to decide this thing to

            do;

            We've been so close -- we two -- these years, don't let your heart

            hold any tears.

            -- Unknown

I am crying as I send this.

For more help, please go to petloss.com

Answer 3

Things like this unfortunatly happen.   Not all dogs live to their breed lifespan

You and your mom need to judge his quality of life.   and weigh the risks and the benefits of the surgery.

Also what will his quality of life be after the surgery.

This is never an easy thing.

My thoughts and prayers are with you

Answer 4

Isn't it funny how most people on here easily say put your dog down, yet if it was a human being, everyone keeps the vegetable on a chord till the last breath, I wish we would pull the plug on human vegetables also, to me a pet, is more dear than a disgusting evil human. They are pure innocence. Try to help it, but if the surgery is more costly than you can handle, see if someone could help it, but it is better to me, to end life, than to suffer.

Answer 5

As weird as this may sound, I think it is good that you are even CONSIDERING letting your dog go. I am a groomer at a boarding facility and too many times I see dogs that are blind and deaf that are so stressed out and walk in circles and bang their head against the wall. It's a terriable sight.

If your dog is in ANY pain, then go ahead and let him go. If his quality of life is poor, let him go. He has lived a long life and has been loved dearly.

Surgery is very expensive, I see where you are coming from. h**l, walking through the door of the vet's office is 35 dollars... much less anything else!

If he can be on medication, and still live a happy life, and not be a veggie, then keep him on that.

Whatever you choose will be the right choice. As long as the dog isn't in any pain or discomfort is the most important thing.  

Answer 6

Juts put him down. If he cannot get up... he will be know different after surgery. Im sorry. So sorry.

Answer 7

Awwh! That's so sad! Sorry about that.

I think you should put him down. That's what I would do.

I think he'll be better off too. If you want, you can also cremate him and keep his ashes in your house if that would make you feel better.

Again, Sorry!

Answer 8

What does the vet think?  Do you value the vet's opinion and trust him to get the dog through the surgery?  What about seeking a second opinion?  

If his health was good before he got the tumor, would the vet let you make payments for the surgery?

You obviously can't let him go on the way he his, but it doesn't sound like he's ready to go just yet.  Discuss all these things with your vet and your Mom.  If there's only a "slight" chance that he won't make it through the surgery it sounds like it would be worth it to take a chance.

We'll be sending all our good thoughts to you and Roman.  Good luck!

Answer 9

i think you should go with the surgeries and if it doesn't work out at least you tried.  

Answer 10

If you cannot afford the surgery then put him down. He is suffering.

Talk to your vet and see what he/she would recommend for you to do.

You need to also ask what would his quality of life be like after the surgery and is there a risk of it coming back.

Putting a dog down is not something easy to do. Humans tend to be selfish when it comes to this, but you need to look at the whole picture and not your heart.

I am so sorry that your dog is sick, just please do what is best for him and not you.

Answer 11

This is probably one of the hardest decisions that a pet owner will ever have to make. These are the questions you need to weigh:

How much pain is he in? You said he can't get up...is this from pain or simply that the tumor is pressing on his spine? Is he in pain and suffering?

What is the outlook once they've done the surgery? Full recovery? Partial recovery? Just buying time? What quality of life will he have after it best case scenario and worst case scenario? Will he live the rest of his life in pain? Could he come thru it and be parylized?

Can you afford the surgery? If the cost means that your mom can't meet the monthly bills, then as much as you don't want it to, money comes into play. What if there are complications (that's not unusual) - will you be able to afford subsequent treatment/care?

Will you and your mom be able to follow thru and do everything you have to in order to help him recover? My dog (as a puppy) had to undergo hip surgery or be put down because his hips were so deformed. The two separate surgeries cost close to $8000, there were complications from the medication, and it required me containing him in a small area, and either carrying him or supporting his back end with a sling when he wanted to move for 14 weeks! (Think 2nd week of June to end of September!!) He was unable to walk without support. He needed help balancing to poo. He couldn't play, climb stairs, stand up for long periods of time (eating & drinking were even challenging for him). He requires daily walks to keep his hips strong, daily hip/joint meds, but its worth it, because he's pain free and happy.

Be fair to your dog and yourselves. Weigh your options, be reasonable about what you can do for him, and make a well informed decision. That way, no matter what you decide, you will have come to terms with it. And remember that making that hard choice means doing the right thing for him, as painful as it can be for you.

Answer 12

If the dog mean that much to you both that get the surgery. But if the dog is that bad and his quality of life is really bad than you might want to put him down. I am so sorry you have to make that decision.  

Answer 13

If the odds are in his favor for survival and full recovery, I wouldn't put him down.  Look into Care Credit to help pay for the surgery if the vet thinks he has a good prognosis for recovery.

Answer 14

I am so sorry that you're going through this. Back in June my nine year old lab mix was diagnosed with a fast acting pancreatic and we didn't catch it until it was too late. The vet told us that the very expensive treatment probably wont work, and like your dog he was loosing control of his bladder. We didn't have a choice, putting him down was probably the hardest thing I've ever done, I felt so guilty, but it was what was best for him, he was in so much pain and so dehydrated, it made me feel better when the vet informed us that he would be cremated and his ashes would be spread at the beach.

Best of luck to you and you difficult decision. Just remember that euthanasia is fast and painless....

Answer 15

If you can't stand watching your dog in pain like this, put him to sleep. It's tourture to them if they just live through it. But if you want to take the risk for the surgery, just be prepared to lose your dog. He's a old dog and if you made a good life with him, chances are if you put him to sleep, he'll be happy and forgive you. Good luck and take care!  

Answer 16

I am so sorry.

May I Go Now?

May I go now?

Do you think the time is right?

May I say goodbye to pain filled days

and endless lonely nights?

I've lived my life and done my best,

an example tried to be.

So can I take that step beyond

and set my spirit free?

I didn't want to go at first,

I fought with all my might.

But something seems to draw me now

to a warm and loving light.

I want to go

I really do.

It's difficult to stay.

But I will try as best I can

to live just one more day.

To give you time to care for me

and share your love and fears.

I know you're sad and afraid,

because I see your tears.

I'll not be far,

I promise that, and hope you'll always know

that my spirit will be close to you

wherever you may go.

Thank you so for loving me.

You know I love you too,

that's why it's hard to say goodbye

and end this life with you.

So hold me now just one more time

and let me hear you say,

because you care so much for me,

you'll let me go today

PUT ME TO REST

Time to let me go my friend,

Because my life no-one can mend,

It’s better to let me go this way,

Than watch me suffer night and day.

I'm happy to go, my time has come,

My quality of life is no longer fun,

I’ve been so ill, so it’s not a bad thing,

To let me go forever resting.

Stay with me till I drift away,

Fast asleep forever I pray,

To relieve me from suffering and pain,

What more can I ask from my best friend.

Don't be sad, I'll be free from pain,

Never to be ill ever again,

I know you'll miss me being there,

But all the memories you have to share.

Thank you for being my best friend,

And all my needs that you did tend,

Try not to be sad, try not to cry,

Now is the time to say goodbye

Put me to rest.

Answer 17

If you can see your dog is clearly sad, then do the right thing for him, put him to sleep, end his pain. But ask your vet, how good the chances are of the dog surviving, and if after the surgery your dog will feel bettter. If the chances are good, and the result would help keep him alive. Your a really nice person i can tell. Good luck

Answer 18

Personally, if it was my dog I would do the surgery because if I didn't and the dog died, I would always ask myself if the surgery would have helped him.  If he passed after the surgery, I would have known that I did everything I could to help him.  This is a personal choice and no one can tell you what to do.  Best of luck

Edit:  You said you will put him down because he will never be able to run after a tennis ball or go to the beach and do the things he loves?  You are what the dog loves.  I really do not think that is a reason the dog will never be happy again.  You need to seriously think this through

Answer 19

If you opt not to go through with surgery, fearing that he might not make it anyway, and if he's in pain, it may be more humane to put him to sleep. At such an old age, a major surgery like that may be hard for him to handle, too. If I were in your situation, I'd make the painful decision to have him put down. I'd rather not put an elderly dog through a major surgery that could cost him his life.

As much as you love him and want him to stay with you, you can't see him like that. I'd recommend you talk to your mom and your vet about putting him to sleep. It's probably the best thing for him. I'm so sorry :[ It's always hard losing a beloved pet.

Answer 20

I HATE it when situations like this happen. Its so sad. I know he is suffering and need surgery but i does cost alot and well... he is old and doesn't have long to live. Its a hard choise i know. If you do the operation, it will cost a lotof money but he will pass away in a few years....if you dont, he goes soon....

I think that you should put him down....he will be much happier He wont have to suffer anymore and you dont have to either knowing hes in a better place....

Answer 21

animals are people to. and your family. being an animal lover myself. putting an animal to sleep isn't fun. and it hurts aswell. prombley the best think you can do for your dog is to put it to sleep.as much as you don't want to. it is prombley better for the dog.

Answer 22

I've never been one to agree to putting an animal down but this dog is in pain and he is an older dog. I know you probably love your dog but he is in pain and there is a chance  he wont make it through the surgery.

I say you should put him down. I'm so srry  about your dog.