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.
I always stay with them and tell them how good they've been and how much I love them. It hurts terribly, but better I hurt for a little while than they have pain. And I continue to pet and talk to them on our trip to the pet cemetery (where I have them cremated). There a a poem entitled “The Rainbow Bridge” that makes me feel better when I lose a pet, you might look it up. I love the mental image of them all waiting for me.
When your friend no longer is eating, struggling to take a breath or to swallow, cannot get up and move around and has the look in the eyes that tell you that he needs something, that will help you make an already difficult decision. The decision is made out of love and unselfishness but the good Lord will tell you when the time is right..you will know it in your heart. No one can tell you when that time comes...it comes to everybody faced with this situation. You have been a faithful companion and a loving steward to him; no one can take that away from you.
Thanks.
I am sorry you are facing this, it is never easy.
There comes a time in every pet owners life where our love for them must outweigh the love for ourselves..
Pets are the only creatures that love unconditionally, and that makes losing them all the more difficult, but it’s time, my FRiend.
Prayers of comfort for you..
I’m very sorry Kent.
Take every opportunity to make sure you pour out love and appreciation in the months you have with him.
My heart is with you. I had to make the same decision with the best dog in the world.
It’s not easy but you will know when you don’t want him to suffer anymore.
I lost my beloved cocker to DCM last Jan. We tried the supplements you suggest but it did not work. They may help prevent heart problems but they will not fix the already damaged heart. DCM is insidious and when the cough starts it is already at an advanced stage in the disease and is incurable.
My vet sought the advice of the our state university vet school and they said it was incurable.
I put my poor beloved pet through 10 days of pain and suffering because I could not stand to lose him. Never again.
I know what you’re going through, and my prayers are with you and your sweet doggie.
I did deal with this. It was our wonderful Golden. Our guy could not breathe. He had an enlarged heart.
We cut out all activity - hiking and swiming and going for walks and put him on some pills. His breathing improved and he lasted two years and then we had to put him down when he could not breathe again.
I am sorry you are dealing with this.
Thanks so much for the ping. Your actions saved your puppy.
Sorry to hear this.
It’s a tough decision.
But, the old guy has had a good run.
I have had to make this decision four times now.
Three were put down. One walked out to grass and let it happen.
All four were the right decision for the individual animal.
Look at his pros and cons.
JJ
I am very sorry for you & your dog. I am still mourning my dog Piper. If my animals are suffering I put them down. I can’t bear to see their pain. For me, having Piper’s pups to care for made it easier. But I still look for her. I am sure it will get easier with time. I will pray for you & your beloved dog. Pandora
Your friend is not a human who can understand his pain, it only confuses him. If you are his friend, you won’t let him suffer. Do the right thing for him and have him put to sleep. It is painful for you, but it is the best thing for him.
One I had the vet come out to the car as she had quite eating and was too weak to walk....She laid in the back seat with her head in my lap....the other was in the vets office as I didn't expect to have to have her put down when I took her in, again with her head in my lap and we both on the floor....with in 3 seconds the head relaxed and they continued to inject the medication until the syringe was empty....peaceful way to go.....hard for us but peaceful for them....
Not replied til now...my birth mother died Sunday and I haven’t done much freeping.
Why not? Because dogs do not have souls, as much as we sometimes wish they did. People do, as much as some behave as if they dont. Therefore it is not a sin to hasten the death of a dog, and it is for a human.
More like, you are an animal’s master and can rightfully make decisions over life and death, whereas Man’s only master is God, and the decision is His....
The third time we decided to do all we could to keep our dog alive, and in the end he had a heart attack or stroke, also in our arms. We will not do that again, as in retrospect the last year of his life was one of medication and illness.
Whatever choice you make, my prayers will be with you and your beloved friend.
Nope, wasn’t me!
Prayers for you and your pup! We lost our little Dachshund of 15 yrs back in 2002 and it took a toll on both of us. One thing that helped us work through it was making a nice coffin with a special lining for her. Hubby does cabinetry and I can sew. We still blubber up at times when we think of her. You are in our thoughts and prayers!
Read post #92 he said it the best of anyone. If your dog is suffering, and it sounds like he is, do the kind thing for your dog. Keeping him alive is for you not for him.
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