i waited to long

lamoncha lover · #1 07/09/12, 10:58 AM

I have read on here that is better to be a day too soon then a day too late when deciding to euthanise.My how that is ringing very true today. We have had Panda for about 12 years. She is a good dog..always has been. She has outlived the rottie life expectancy by several years.
In the past several years she has lost control of her bladder..just kind of a leak when she rests. Her catarcts have gotten worse..althoughy she still got along fine. She developed what my vet called fatty growths..which have recently spread.She has gotten stiffer and in the past few weeks her back end has weakened a lot. Still she managed. We brought her downstairs to our bedroom where she wouldnt have to fight with any stairs to go outside.
this weekend she has taken a huge turn for the worse.She is not getting up. Not eating, not drinking..except she drank last night and threw it up. She has been incontinent of bowel..and has not even gotten up. She does not seem in pain..just kind of far away/ Still responds to my touch. although the touch must be very gentle or she acts like it hurts.
I should have taken her into the vet before she got to the point of being immobile. I do not know how I can get her up the driveway and lift her into a car without creating so much pain and stress for her. we would have to stick her in a whell barel or something. I am just thankful that she seems at peace. No whimpering, nothing that shows me she is hurting. Please pray for a quick peaceful passing for a girl who has been such a good girl her whole life.
I knw no what that sayingmeans..and willnot hang on too long ever again.

jbowyer01 · #2 07/09/12, 11:01 AM

((hugs))

DaniR1968 · #3 07/09/12, 11:07 AM

I'm so sorry. Sometimes it's just so hard to let go even when you know it's time. Prayers for a quick and peaceful passing.

Zilli · #4 07/09/12, 11:41 AM

It is such a hard decision to decide when the time is "right."

I am going through this myself - I have a fifteen-year-old dog, who is still mobile (although he can't get himself up and down the porch steps and so does his "business" on the porch) and gets himself around the house and is eating really well (the young dogs still defer to him at mealtime). But, he is a big dog and I worry that if he reaches that point, as your dog has, of me having to carry him to the car, it's going to make a difficult situation even worse.

But, because he IS alert and still seems to have a reasonable quality of life, I just don't think I can bring myself to take him in.

And......I will openly admit that I hope that I will get up some morning and find out that he's gone and I won't even have to make that decision.

I also have a cat in kidney failure right now. There is no cure but I'm giving him twice daily sub-q fluids - because I'm not ready to say goodbye. But even with him, I had thought on Friday that it was probably "time" - but then he rallied and acted like he was feeling really well, walking around and rubbing against things, with his tail up in the air. He is also eating really, really well. So, it gives me an excuse to put off the inevitable with him for awhile longer.

So, I understand about putting it off. Totally. I'm pretty sure anybody who has ever loved an animal also understands.

My thoughts will be with your Panda today (I have a Panda, too). And my thoughts will be with you as well.

GrannyCarol · #5 07/09/12, 12:00 PM

I totally understand, its always so hard.

My 16 yr old Silky is so blind and deaf and very confused. She still eats about as well as she ever has, which is to say she's eating. She's awfully thin and weak and doesn't seem to be having any real enjoyment. At least at 9 lbs, I can carry her out to potty and back again. All she does is sleep and sometimes bark to go out or come in.

She was my daughter's dog, but she was whelped here and lived here her whole life and my daughter has given me full choice as to time, since I am here. However my daughter is visiting for a couple of days and I'd like to see her really look at her old dog and help make that decision. Cuddles has been around since Anna was 11, so Anna has been sheltered more with the pets she had when she was little... but she's 27 now, she's a grown up, I want her involved too.

I've been through this a number of times, I've had multiple dogs since I was 19 and started showing and then breeding them. Now its so much more a pet thing, its harder.

Do what you have to do, it will be alright. Would your vet come to your place and gently help her to go? Some will, that would be helpful to you and your old pal.

beccachow · #6 07/09/12, 12:03 PM

For those of us with big dogs, or dogs that hate cars, vets etc I might recommend having a vet on standby who would be willing to make a housecall. Is there any way at all you can drive the car across the lawn to the door?

I am so sorry, LL, you will be in my thoughts and prayers. (hugs)

Zilli · #7 07/09/12, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beccachow

For those of us with big dogs, or dogs that hate cars, vets etc I might recommend having a vet on standby who would be willing to make a housecall. Is there any way at all you can drive the car across the lawn to the door?

I am so sorry, LL, you will be in my thoughts and prayers. (hugs)

This is a thought, too - especially if you already have a farm vet who comes out to see your large animals. It will cost you for a farm call but it can save a large dog a lot of trauma.

Where I used to live, my mechanic had two HUGE Newfoundlands that would NOT ride in a car and he used to pay the extra charge to have a farm vet (who also had a small animal practice - the same vet I used at that time) come out to his place to give them their shots and do whatever other treatment they needed at the time.

where I want to · #8 07/09/12, 12:39 PM

It is probably too late to help but, if you have another person to help, you can slide a piece of plywood under a dog then lift the plywood. Failing that a bath towel under the chest and one under the stomach can be used as a lift.
And you did not wait too long, no matter how this turned out. You did the best for your dog that was possible with love and kindness.
((hugs))

gapeach · #9 07/09/12, 01:03 PM

The day my Bandit was dying, my husband and I could not lift him. My son in law came as soon as he could get off from work. He and I put two quilts under Bandit. I took one end and my sil took the other. We slid him into the back seat. I held him in my arms and my husband drove the car. Bandit weighed 115 lbs. Quilts are strong.

I am so sorry that you are going through this. It is so hard.

mekasmom · #10 07/09/12, 01:07 PM

I'm so very sorry.

Veronica · #11 07/09/12, 02:21 PM

I'm so sorry. When we had to make the decision to have Sasha put to sleep, we called a vet who made house calls. She was wonderful. It wasn't cheap, but so worth it.

LisaInN.Idaho · #12 07/09/12, 04:11 PM

I'm so sorry. We waited one day too long to have my old beloved Dalmatian euthanized so I know how you feel. (((hugs)))

lamoncha lover · #13 07/09/12, 06:10 PM

I gave her 2 sleeping pills and sh eis resting comfortably. My husband got the van fixed..if she is still with us tomorrow I will get her thereto the vet. In her prime she was probably a fat 100 pounds. She looks so thin now.
I will just keep givinghe rpills so that she doesnt feel any anxiety. I really don't think she will make it thru tonight. It could be worse I suppose.To die quietly at home..with out any needles or pokes, or travel, surrounded by my family in familiar surroundings....would be my dream. thanks for the support everyone. If she were in discomfort I would have a vet make a house call.She doesn't seem to be pain, for that I am very thankful.

GoldenWood Farm · #14 07/09/12, 06:10 PM

(((((hugs)))))) I put my old boy down in January. Hardest dang thing I ever had to do in my life so far

. My heart goes out to you...praying for your Panda girl. Those rotties know how to worm their way into our hearts, my grandma always had rotties when I was growing up (up until a few years ago) and I loved all those dogs to pieces. They had something special about them...praying for you guys.

Justine

Minelson · #15 07/09/12, 06:12 PM

I'm very sorry. I agree with the other posters about finding a vet that will come to the house. When Shep couldn't get up anymore I was ready for it and had Ace on hand to sedate him. Actually I feel like "I" put him to sleep. I gave him the sedative which knocked him out. Called the vet (my boss...on a Sunday) and he came over with the Euthanasia. Shep didn't even know he was there. I held the vein. Then it was over. here comes the tears

I also was ready with a large canvas bag used for carrying a square bale of hay. I bought it new for him and that is what we put his body in to be cremated. I just couldn't stand the thought of him being put in a plastic garbage bag.
I will pray for a peaceful passing for your dog. I know how hard all this is and it hurts so much. Hopefully you can find vet to come to the house. (((hugs)))

Oregon Julie · #16 07/09/12, 06:14 PM

Some vets will make house calls to euthanize animals in situations like this. Might be worth a call to your clinic to see if that is possible.

LisaInN.Idaho · #17 07/09/12, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oregon Julie

Some vets will make house calls to euthanize animals in situations like this. Might be worth a call to your clinic to see if that is possible.

I got my equine vet to come and put my Dal down at home.

lamoncha lover · #18 07/10/12, 12:29 AM

better a day to early then a day too late. Panda passed at 11:14 pm. how very sad. Love you good girl.

Zilli · #19 07/10/12, 12:41 AM

I'm so sorry for your loss.

GrannyCarol · #20 07/10/12, 01:48 AM

Good night Panda, may you know rest.

So sorry for you, lamoncha lover, but your dog is fine.