OT: family wants to put our dog to sleep bc of incontinence! need advice :(

(deactivated member)
on 1/27/08 2:14 pm
we have a family dog who is very old -- about 15 or so. she's not suffering from anything but she's deaf, blind, and pees EVERYWHERE all the time. everyone else thinks we should put her to sleep because she is ruining everything in the house (most notably, some very old, antique rugs, our hardwood floors, etc.). we have tried giving her a special pill to make her more aware of needing to go -- didn't work. we tried another pill to make everything tighter in there -- also didn't work. everyone else in my family says that when dogs get to this stage, it's time to put them to sleep, for the sake of the dog, the house, and everyone in the family. i can't bear the thought of putting her to sleep unless she's in pain. what do you think? i feel just awful about the whole thing and all day, every day, i have to listen to everyone trying to justify why she should be put to sleep, trying to convince me, trying to get me to say it's okay with me. they keep telling me that it would be cruel to leave a human in that state -- unable to care for him/herself, incontinent, deaf, and blind -- but aren't dogs different? i'm so confused and could really use some advice. :( sarah
(deactivated member)
on 1/27/08 2:17 pm - AZ
On January 27, 2008 at 10:14 PM Pacific Time, sarahthree wrote:
we have a family dog who is very old -- about 15 or so. she's not suffering from anything but she's deaf, blind, and pees EVERYWHERE all the time. everyone else thinks we should put her to sleep because she is ruining everything in the house (most notably, some very old, antique rugs, our hardwood floors, etc.). we have tried giving her a special pill to make her more aware of needing to go -- didn't work. we tried another pill to make everything tighter in there -- also didn't work. everyone else in my family says that when dogs get to this stage, it's time to put them to sleep, for the sake of the dog, the house, and everyone in the family. i can't bear the thought of putting her to sleep unless she's in pain. what do you think? i feel just awful about the whole thing and all day, every day, i have to listen to everyone trying to justify why she should be put to sleep, trying to convince me, trying to get me to say it's okay with me. they keep telling me that it would be cruel to leave a human in that state -- unable to care for him/herself, incontinent, deaf, and blind -- but aren't dogs different? i'm so confused and could really use some advice. :( sarah
I'm pretty hard nosed about taking care of animals.  My personal blunt opinion is that it's not acceptable to kill a dog because it has become inconvenient. I'm a big time animal lover, so please understand my blunt opinions about this.  I just think having an animal is a responsibility and they give us their best, we need to return the favor.
Vicki Browning
on 1/27/08 2:32 pm - IN
Sarah a week ago last Thursday I had to make that decision about my long time furbaby and she was my baby.  She was 16 yrs old, she was deaf, had cataracts and she had problems with peeing while she is sleeping and it was a problem and then she had a stroke and basically her behind and legs just could not function    We laid her down    Now if its just the peeing that is the problem you might ask you Vet about Diethylstilbrestrol 1mg capsules tht is what we were using on my baby for incontinence before she got really sick.   Its a very hard decision to make but could not stand to see her suffer.   God Bless you in what ever you decide that needs to be done.   Its painful but I know its the best.   Day after we had her laid down a wonder friend sent me this peom.  My prayers are with you and the decision that you must make  Vicki my heart goes out to you
The Rainbows Bridge Poem

RainbowsBridge.com

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... 

Author unknown...

EAH
on 1/27/08 2:59 pm - CA
They make doggy diapers in addition to some medications to help with this. While she has obviously lived a long life with a loving family, as long as she shows no signs of pain and suffering it is worth making sure your family explores all the options before making such a drastic decision.
ohhvicky
on 1/27/08 3:06 pm - Las Vegas, NV
Just...my opinion...I couldn't do it...I have 5 yorkies and lets face it...little dogs are not good at going out at all...so they tend to pee in the house a lot...I just feel that material things are less important than your love for you family members...they are so much a part of the family..and yes some days I think ..I cant take another day of cleaning up pee pee LOL...but I get over it and do it ..you would never know that I have 5 little ones here..you just have to stay on top of things...I really do understand the problem...my heart go's out to you..I wish you and your dog the best...take care
amysuemay
on 1/27/08 3:21 pm - So Cal, CA
Hi Sarah, So sorry to hear of the challenges you are having with your dog.  It is difficult to make the decisions you and your family are facing and even worse when family members do not agree.  I had a friend whose dog became incontinent and when meds did not work, they used doggy diapers.  I did a quick search on google and found the following Web site:  http://www.petdiapers.com/.  Although products are probably available at a local store, the web site appears to have some helpful information including a discussion board. Best of luck during this difficult time. Amy
(deactivated member)
on 1/27/08 3:24 pm - KenMan, CA
I understand what you're saying. I couldn't put down my dog just because he was inconvenient either. That Dog was very loyal to you and to put her down because shes having some problems just sucks. Get her those doggy diapers and such. I don't think she should be put down unless shes in terrible pain.
debo753
on 1/27/08 5:04 pm - Memphis, TN

I vote for doggy diapers, too. We had to put our old friend down when he couldnt walk anymore and it was the most  horrible thing ever. He was a big old yellow lab who was heavy and couldnt walk anymore....so sad....

Keep your old friend around as long as you can, but dont let HER suffer. Too bad about your family suffering but they will feel better about it in the long run.


    
Abby W.
on 1/27/08 6:06 pm - VA
We've had to face this situation many times over the years and we base our decision on quality of life. If your dog is fine (happy) other than being incontinent, I'm with everyone else, get some diapers for the dog.

Abby        Figure out what sucks, then don't do that    Anonymous

    

Becca B.
on 1/27/08 9:32 pm - Cincinnati, OH

Euthinizing a beloved pet is a difficult decision to make.  I would say if your puppy still has a good quality of life and is not in pain anymore then let her hang around.  If she is hurting and suffering then let the poor thing go to heaven's gate dog park where she can romp and play pain free.  We had a dog in about the same situation, he was about 15 or 16, was blind to the point that he would walk into walls to figure out where he was going, he was deaf, he had several bouts of cancer, had most of his teeth pulled, starting peeing everywhere and was epiliptic but he was not in pain though.  We only made the decision to put him down when the cancer came back again, he started having seizures all the time and he had mucos coming out of his rear end, it was then that we knew his life just wasn't good and we had to help him (that has been 4-5 years ago and it is making me cry to even think that we had to do it). I would ask those advocating to put him down if when they get to the point of peeing on themselves if you should call Dr. Death for them?  They could be living a very normal life but urinating on themselves, should you put them down? When they say no and give a reason, then you should say and that is my reason for not wanting to put my puppy down.




Starting: 382  
Day of Surgery: 375  
Current: 325
Goal: 180

Most Active
×