???? for the mamas who have had to put their pets to sleep/

[richardsgirl16]

 my dog is not doing well. She is 16 and eats only every other day. I cannot get her to eat. She isnt gaining any weight what so ever. But she still seems like the happy dog I remember. Its like I can see it in her eyes that she is still happy.

My question is, how did you know it was time to put them to sleep? Besides the Vet telling you to do so, what signs made you realize it was time?

PLease do not bash me. She hasnt been to the vet in about a yr due to the fact that I got her back from my mom and I just havent had the money to take her. I just dont want to lose her and I honestly think my heart is telling me I should put her out of herpain.

 

[aidensema]

my mom put our childhood cat to sleep in 2005. it was so heartbreaking but she said she knew becuase he just laid by the fridge for 3 days not eating, just laid there with this look in his eyes that showed he was done living.

[yabbadabba07]

I guess when you think that they are in pain..Im not really sure exactly .

[richardsgirl16]

 BUMP

[romanceparty4u]

Can she get up, play, walk around? Does she appear in pain? Is she physically able to do things like get on the couch or bed like she used to ? Does she need to be carried outside to do her thing? If she isn't doing things pain free, I would put her to sleep. If she can't enjoy life, and it's just too difficult to get up and walk around, eat, or go outside, it's time to put her to sleep. If she is vomiting and throwing up when she eats, there is a problem.

[richardsgirl16]

Quoting romanceparty4u:

Can she get up, play, walk around? She can walk around but it takes her a little bit and her back legs kinda shake.Does she appear in pain? She just seems really tired. Is she physically able to do things like get on the couch or bed like she used to ? No. She can barely climb in and out of her dog house. Does she need to be carried outside to do her thing? She can walk ouside but whenit comes to steps or anything she cant do it without falling.  If she isn't doing things pain free, I would put her to sleep. If she can't enjoy life, and it's just too difficult to get up and walk around, eat, or go outside, it's time to put her to sleep. If she is vomiting and throwing up when she eats, there is a problem.

[jcsg]

I've had to put my dog to sleep, but that was because she had a really bad tumor on her neck.  Does your dog act like she's in pain?  As for her not eating, it could be because of a tooth infection and she's only eating when she gets really hungry.  IDK?  I would first see if there is a pet program in your area that could help with the vet fee.  And take her to the vet.  She is old and probably doesn't have a lot of time left, so really it just comes down to if your ready for her to go.  But, I would still see if maybe what's wrong with her is fixable.

[Lesli310]

I put my dog to sleep when she would lay there any look at me wag her little nub but wasn't able to get up. She wasn't eating and I guess I felt like I was keeping her alive for my own selfish reasons. You'll know when its time.

[sallymoon]

I had to put my elderly cat to sleep a couple years ago.  She started having breathing trouble all of a sudden one night.  I took her to the vet the next day to find out what was wrong.  Her lungs were filled with fluid.  The vet said they could tap her lungs, but that would only buy some time.  I felt that was too invasive for a 15 year old cat and asked if it would be kinder to put her down if we decided against the lung tap.  She said it would be kinder to put her down since she was basically drowning in her own lungs.  It was a difficult decision, but I feel it was best for her.

[Schleetle]

My mom had a cat that was 21 years old... It was obvious the cat needed to be put to sleep, but my mom wouldn't do it. My dad finally had to while she was at work. The cat could barely eat was losing fur, and teeth, and could not hold her bathroom at all. She was constantly moaning, and having accidents. My MIL also had a dog that was I think around 14 that was a gift from her mother who had passed away, and she would not put the dog down. The poor thing had seizures, couldn't poo, had to be fed mush which most of the time would come back up, the dog had cataract over one eye, and was deaf. It was painfully obvious the dog needed to be put down, but she just kept saying "I just want her to pass away on her own"... Eventually one day after the dog had a very painful episode she took her the next day to be to sleep. I am sorry if any of that was graphic, or offends anyone I am just giving the experience of animals in the family that have needed to be put down.

[KyliesMom5]

The first thing i think you need to do is put the money aside and have the vet do bloodwork on her because there may be something treatable going on or at the very least let the vet get their hands on her and see what their opinion is.   That being said 16 is old for a dog and there could be many differant things going on things that can't fixed.  I have had to put 5 out of 6 of mine that i lost in the past 7 years to sleep and it is not an easy decision to make.   I agonized over each of them trying to find the right answer for them.  You need to look at her quality of life, make a list does she have more good days then bad, appitite down, does she know you are, is she in a lot of pain, things like that.   Only you can say for sure what is right for her.