Is it wrong to take your dog to the vet to put her down?

[Silwer]

Today I got to know that my dear old dog has cancer in her kidneys and cant be saved. The only option is to prolong her life with a diet or painkillers.
The vet suggested that me and my mom take her to be put down as soon as tomorrow so she wont have to suffer unnecessarily.

I really don't want my dear old friend to suffer, but I don't feel right about making the decision to take her life before her time.
I dont know how much pain she's in, she cant eat properly as the food just goes straight through her and she is skinny and weak... but still it is her life and I have no right to decide if she lives or dies.

It has already been decided that she will be taken to the vet tomorrow, so I guess I'm just trying to vent here. But I'm really having trouble forgiving myself for making that decision. Especially when I cant physically see her pain....

Is it possible that letting her go peacefully to sleep is actually a good thing?
Do you think it is possible to be forgiven for killing someone out of mercy even when one is not sure what is really going on?

I would hate it myself to be dying in cancer, having my body slowly break down and hurt. I wouldn't want to live like that if it was a battle i couldn't win. But as I am a human being put to sleep so I wouldn't suffer isn't an option.
.... I really wish I could talk to her so I could get her opinion :C

... well ... thanks for reading this even though I'm just trying to get it off my shoulders ...

[ButterflyWoman]

Originally Posted by Silwer

Today I got to know that my dear old dog has cancer in her kidneys and cant be saved. The only option is to prolong her life with a diet or painkillers.
The vet suggested that me and my mom take her to be put down as soon as tomorrow so she wont have to suffer unnecessarily.

I'm sorry to hear this. You have my compassion.

Originally Posted by Silwer

I don't feel right about making the decision to take her life before her time.

Dying of cancer is much more painful than the quick, clean death a vet can provide. It IS difficult to have an animal companion put to sleep, but it's the kindest and most loving thing you can do in a case where the animal is going to suffer and then die anyway.

I once had a pet actually die of cancer, because I didn't fully understand what was happening to her, and once I did, it was too late. The poor creature suffered terribly toward the end, and I felt incredibly bad for having allowed it. I still feel bad about that.

I've also had to make the decision to have a beloved pet put to sleep because they had an untreatable tumour. While I didn't like having to do it, I knew it was the right thing to do (having seen another pet die that way, I knew how much suffering was involved, and I could never allow that to happen again under my guardianship).

Originally Posted by Silwer

she cant eat properly as the food just goes straight through her and she is skinny and weak...

Poor old dog. I can't stand to see an animal suffer. I think you probably feel the same way.

Originally Posted by Silwer

I'm really having trouble forgiving myself for making that decision.

It's just as bad or worse if you make the wrong decision and let them go on suffering, though. It's a crappy situation all around, to be perfectly honest.

Originally Posted by Silwer

Is it possible that letting her go peacefully to sleep is actually a good thing?

Yes. She'll go to sleep and that will be the end. It's a quiet, gentle sort of death, and much better than dying of cancer.

Originally Posted by Silwer

Do you think it is possible to be forgiven for killing someone out of mercy even when one is not sure what is really going on?

I have had to have pets put down, and while it is painful to do it, I know it was the right thing to do. As for forgiving, I'm sure the pet is not going to hate you for allowing them to die peacefully and quickly instead of lingering on in pain indefinitely. As for forgiving yourself, of course you can. And you should. It's the kindest thing you can do.

Originally Posted by Silwer

I'm just trying to get it off my shoulders

I understand. I'm so very sorry for your loss. I've been there and done that, and will probably face it again. It's never easy, no matter how you choose to handle it, but in this case, I think you're making the right decision. I'd give you a hug if I could.

[Clint Cora]

I can help you on this since one of the few regrets I have in my life is the way I handled my first dog's final days. He had Cushing's syndrome and was in pain. I was too hesitant to put him to sleep as I never went through that experience before. I even got mad at him for yelping too much at night.

One night when he got too noisy, I didn't allow him and my other dog into my bedroom. In the morning, my other younger dog was waiting for me by the bedroom door which was kind of odd. It turned out that my older dog passed away overnight at home. So he actually beat me to it as I was ironically thinking of taking him to the vet to finally put him to sleep.

I made a HUGE mistake with my first dog but I really learned my lesson. When my younger dog become old, I made a commitment that I would not let him go through what my first dog went through. So when he was sliding downhill really bad one week, I listened to my vet. He said that he believes that my second dog was suffering and in fact, this dog really did look like it has given up on life.

So this time, I didn't hesitate. I gave the vet the okay to put my dog to sleep but I wanted to be there during the procedure so that I would be the last sight, smell and touch my dog remembers to give him some comfort as opposed to just leaving him in a cold clinic environment without me. The staff even allowed me to be with my dog alone in private until we were ready. After about 30 minutes, I called the vet in to do it.

It was a very fast procedure and although it's never easy to say goodbye, I at least had the satisfaction that this time I did the best thing for my second dog. I kept his suffering to a minimum.

I have two new dogs now and I will never let them suffer when the time comes for them. It just would not be fair to them otherwise.

So take some comfort that you will be doing the most humane thing for your pet as well.

[gigij]

I feel for you. I have had three pets put down over the last five years and I know that is a painful decision to have to make. But when it is done out of love and compassion I truly feel that it is the right thing to do.

Animals are very stoic. They do not show pain easily and generally push through it. So if an animal is showing any pain and discomfort it might seem minor to us, that they are a little off, but they could be suffering more than we know.

You have given your pet a good life, with lots of love, and my personal opinion is that prolonging it when there is suffering is more selfish than letting them go. My experience has always been very peaceful. I held them and they just gently went to sleep. Vets are generally very understanding and always gave as much time as I needed after to say my goodbyes.

You are doing the right thing. All the best.

[ChrisGinsburg]

Life simply is. The right and wrongness of it seems crystal clear at times but it's really not. You gotta do what your heart tells you. If it was me I would most certainly have him put down. My childhood dog had to go this way after being riddled with giant tumors across his whole body. The act of putting an animal who is suffering and dying down is in itself an act of compassion.

[Silwer]

Thank you everyone for your great support. I just came home from the vet and my dog fell asleep while me and mom caressed her and she later died with her head in my hands.
I didn't even notice her go but sitting there with her made me happy that I was there. It felt very peaceful and I could have sat there forever with my fingers deep in her fur.

I know I will get through the grief sooner or later, and I hope my mom can do the same even thou she has to be in the house where my dog lived. But at least she has my brother another dog and a cat waiting for her there.

thanks again everyone, you've eased my mind.