My senior dog is in pain. How do I know when to put him down?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Dexter. When discussing quality of life with owners, I like to have objective questions that you can answer to guide the decision making process. When a dog is elderly with a chronic condition, you can expect the pet to have bad days. However, the good days should outnumber the bad. The pet needs to have enough mobility to get to his food and water independently and to be able to go to the bathroom. He needs to still have the desire to eat and drink. His pain to be reasonably well controlled. Finally, he needs to have some joy in his life. It may be different from in his younger years, but he should still enjoy things. I know this is an extremely difficult decision, but I hope this gives you some information to consider. I cannot say without evaluating him myself, but I suspect the time is near based on what you have described. I hope this gives you some peace.

I am so sorry for this decision you're facing. There are medications and treatments that can help with chronic dysplasia or arthritis but it can be expensive. You are the one that knows him best and can assess his quality of life. Here are a couple of links that can help you judge his quality of life. And remember that euthanasia is a gift to end pain for our friends even if it causes heartbreak for us. Much love to Walker Texas while you make this decision. https://vet.osu.edu/vmc/sites/default/files/import/assets/pdf/hospital/companionAnimals/HonoringtheBond/HowDoIKnowWhen.pdf http://www.aplb.org/resources/quality-of-life_scale.php

Oh no, I'm so sorry that Santeri is so sick! I work for a home euthanasia service, so I face this question all the time with my clients. I suggest making a list of five things Santeri loved to do. If he's not doing at least two of them, then his quality of life has decreased to a point where humane euthanasia should be considered. It's always a hard decision to make, but if he has a poor quality of life, letting him go peacefully would be a great kindness. If you'd like to discuss this further, I'd be happy to consult with you. Just click the "consult online" button under my answer. Otherwise, I hope my answer helps and I'm sorry you are facing this issue :-(

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! What I usually tell my clients is that the time to consider humane euthanasia is when they stop being themselves. For example, when they stop doing 3 out of their 5 favorite things (eating, playing, or whatever these are), it is time to let them go without suffering. Of course this is if not considering treating the condition affecting them. There are always palliative pain control medications you could consider just from a palliative standpoint to try to make Boss feel better in the meantime. Sorry you are going through a rough time.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Moose. He is a beautiful boy, I'm sorry he's doing so poorly. To be completely honest, if he is doing worse and now becoming incontinent, it may be best for him to let him go. He's 14, in a lot of pain, and is now incontinent. There is no guarantee that laser therapy will work, and he will continue to be in pain. There does come a point at which there is no more that can be done for your pet, and euthanasia is then the best option for the dog. I know it's not something you want to hear, but you do not want him to continue to suffer. If you would like to speak with me about this further, please feel free to request a consult with them. I'm sorry.

I am sorry you feel like Sox does not feel well. I would recommend starting off with a really good physical exam with your vet. The vet will be able to determine why he is not walking well. The main concern is arthritis/ joint disease vs neurologic disease. There are lots of options for pain control in our loved patients. There are a range of medications, supplements and even therapeutic procedures like a cold light laser an acupuncture. You can start an over the counter glucosamine and chondroitin supplement however any other medications need to be prescribed by a vet. If you decide with the vet that her pain is not controlled and you feel she has a poor quality of life it might be time to put her to sleep. Hopefully you and your vet can make a plan to avoid that from happening.

Oh no, your poor dog! It sounds like she is in really bad shape physically. I would have her seen by a vet first thing in the morning to see if there are any treatments possible for her symptoms. If there aren't, it would be time to discuss letting her go peacefully. I know that's not something you want to hear, but it may be best for her given her symptoms. I recommend making a list of five things she loved to do, and if she's no longer doing at least two of them, then her quality of life has declined to a point where humane euthanasia should be considered. I work for a home euthanasia service, so if you'd like to discuss this further with me, I'd be happy to consult with you. Just click the "consult online" button under my answer. Otherwise, I hope this helps and you should take her into the vet in the morning.