My Shih Tzu is very sick and suffering. How do I know when to euthanize?

Whatever decision that you make for Gizmo will always be the right decision. If Gizmo has not responded to the treatments and medications from his vet visit, I would recommend seeing the vet sooner than 5 days. He may need additional medications to control his symptoms. It sounds like his current issues are expected to be manageable with medications. However, there is a possibility that the stomach wall thickening could be cancerous, in which case Gizmo may not feel better, even with medications. You may discuss pain medications or treatments such as acupuncture with the vet to help with Gizmo’s comfort. Here is a website you may find useful in deciding when it may be “time”: https://www.lapoflove.com/Mobile-Menu/EDUCATION/When-it-is-time

I'm really sorry to hear about poor Memi. The combination of these two conditions are often difficult to treat and can be very disheartening. I would first recommend asking your veterinarian about any more potential treatment options and how long they think he may survive given his current condition. The decision to euthanize is extremely difficult and there is no right or wrong answer. I advise my clients to consider euthanasia when they feel like their pet is suffering so much that they don't seem themselves anymore; or just don't seem to enjoy life anymore. You will be the best judge of this. I hope that helps. Again, I'm very sorry for this unfortunate circumstance and wish the best.

I'm sorry to hear that Duchess is so sick. She is likely vomiting and experiencing jaundice secondary to the liver disease you mentioned. Dogs can also experience jaundice if their red blood cells are being destroyed. She will likely need to be hospitalized again and further diagnostics perfromed (repeat bloodwork, urine sample, chest x-rays and an abdominal ultrasound). These tests can give you more information on the potential cause of her symptoms and a prognosis for her. I would take her to the emergency hospital. I hope this information helps. Good luck!

This is always a hard decision as our loved ones get older. My rule of thumb is to look for when they have more bad days than good days or they quit eating or quit getting excited about things that ALWAYS use to make them excited. From what you're telling me it doesn't sound like she is ready to be euthanized BUT you know her better than anyone and with her age and all of her problems, whenever you make that decision it will be be The Right time for her and you. She is so lucky to have such a loving family and to have lived such a LONG life. I hope this helps!

Thank you for using PetCoach. I'm so sorry for your situation with Brooklyn. Euthanasia for our pets is one of the greatest gifts for our pets, and greatest burden on us as owners and veterinarians. Consulting with Brooklyn's vet may help you to know when to make the decision. Using a quality of life scale can also help to make a more objective decision. This allows you to assign a numerical value to Brooklyn's activities and symptoms in order to determine his quality of life. I have used this one: http://lapoflove.com/Pet_Quality_of_Life_Scale_DrMcVety.pdf Another thing you can do is to have 2 jars - for every good moment put a penny in one and for bad moments put one in the other jar. If bad moments approach or overcome good moments then it is time to consider euthanasia. I hope this has helped a little bit with your decision making. Please feel free to post again if you have further questions.

Yes, I would agree that euthanasia is a very valid option is this situation as a full general anaesthetic and multiple extractions of infected teeth in an already unwell dog is likely to make him feel worse and may even create a situation of sepsis further reducing his prognosis

Oh my. I do think that Canine Influenza is possible, as well as pneumonia if there is any coughing or nasal discharge. I would highly recommend taking her to your vet immediately, since she is so ill and likely needs medical treatment in order to get better. I am so sorry your fur baby is ill and hope that you get her to the vet soon, so that you can hopefully help her make a full and speedy recovery. Best wishes to you and take care.