Posted on 12/06/2010 4:16:26 PM PST by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle
Several weeks ago, my 14-year-old lab/chow mix, Wally, began making loud coughing/choking noises every half hour or so, for no readily apparent reason. The second day of his doing this, we took him in to the vet, and -- after x-rays and ultrasound -- he was diagnosed with DCM (dilated cardiomyopathy). What this means is that Wally's heart had enlarged to the point where it now presses (with increasing frequency) against his esophagus, making it steadily more difficult for him to breathe. (Hence, the bouts of choking/coughing).
The vet prescribed various medicines for Wally -- Tussigon (cough suppressant); Furosemide (diuretic); and Enalapril (lowers blood pressure) -- but the condition is an incurable one, and they are, primarily, to ease his discomfort. The prognosis, given his relatively advanced age, is that he might conceivably (although not likely) live as long as another four to six months; or possibly start to suffer strokes and/or heart attacks within the next month or so. This afternoon, Wally's vet gently advised me that I might want to start thinking about the possibility of euthanasia, should that latter scenario begin to seem the likelier of the two.
I've never had to deal with the possibility of having my own dog -- whom I adopted from the animal shelter when he was a mere two weeks old, give or take -- put to sleep. (I'm not even altogether certain I actually could do such a thing, although I absolutely do NOT want him to suffer, should it ultimately come to that!)
Has anyone else here ever dealt with this situation (dilated cardiomyopathy, I mean) in one of their pets... or any sort of canine consumptive heart failure, for that matter? Should I be holding to the hope that he'll simply expire peacefully in his sleep, when the time comes; or am I going to have to do what I LEAST want to do, and have him preemptively put to sleep, in order to spare him what might end up being terrible pain?
I hope this has all made sense; I'm feeling horribly dazed and numb, right now. Any advice or counsel from fellow FReepers who've been there themselves would be hugely appreciated. Thanks.
Ping.
Had to do it for my 14 y/o cat. I understand how you feel.
I’m now in my 60’s and have been down that road many times in my life. You are doing this for your pet. It must be done.
Not from the disease listed, but I have had to have a beloved pet put down. It is one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to do, but also one of the most compassionate. *Note: this does not apply to people.
I can only say from experience that Wally will let you know when he is ready. If he is not ready, euthanasia is NOT an option. IMHO, I might add.Again, very, very sorry to hear this and I am sure that Wally will be sorely missed forever. You certainly did right by him.
I can only say from experience that Wally will let you know when he is ready. If he is not ready, euthanasia is NOT an option. IMHO, I might add.Again, very, very sorry to hear this and I am sure that Wally will be sorely missed forever. You certainly did right by him.
Good luck.
I’m so sorry, he looks like a lovely dog.
We had a St Bernard that was hit by a vehicle, and it was apparent that he wasn't going to live and was in extreme pain.
I put him down but it wasn't easy and only you can decide if saving him the pain is the thing to do.
I'll say a prayer for you and your dog.
God Speed.
My condolences on this difficult decision, been through this so many times with a number of cats that I have.
Hang in there.
And I agree this does not apply to people, as I have been there, too, and recently.
We have had to see several of our beloved pets put to sleep. It was easier on our pets to remain with them to comfort them. It was tough but we have left the room once and not since let a pet go alone. We also had our beloved Lab put to sleep at home by a Vet who specializes in home euthanasia. It was much less traumatic for the dog. We also didn’t have the miserable drive home without our good friend.
Your animal has lived a long life, it is time to let go. I am sorry for your loss.
I don’t think one person here who has been through what you’re going through would tell you to go ahead and let your dog suffer. We put down our 16-year-old Sandy, who also came from the pound, a couple of months ago. It was rough, but she is so much better off today than she was that day.
We stayed with her until the end. I think that was very important for her, but also for my wife and me.
Do what I did for my Sampson: Pat his head, tell him he is a good dog, and then tell him it is okay for him to go.
This is tearing my heart out because I’m reliving it with you, but you can’t put your emotional needs before his welfare. It is about what is best for him, not you.
Tears falling down my face. . .
Oh, dearest you. Our 15 year old Pug was acting like that, and it took 2 months to figure out that it was the flea killer that was making him sick. We now give him 2 Benedryl and one baby aspirin a day and he’s fine. Our youngest granddaughter entered his symptoms on the computer and found the Benedryl and baby aspirin ‘cure’, but it took 2 months to realize that it was the monthly dose of the damn flea killer that was causing him all the sickness and discomfort.
If you treat yours with once monthly flea killer, it could be the cause or an aggravation.
I wish you the best of luck and I will pray for your sweet dog and for you. This is very sad.
Listen to the vet.
Grieve.
Adopt again. Make new memories.
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