Good thread. I am going through the decision process now on if I should put my dog down. His name is Max and he is an 11.5yo Golden Retreiver.
I got him when he was 18 months old from a rescue. He had been neglected and had a terrible case of heart worms. The rescue paid for treatment and I got to play nurse. But he survived and was pretty healthy for most of his life. He always had lots of allergies and very sensitive digestion. Feed him the wrong thing and I would be cleaning up stuff from both sides of him for days.
He and I have always had a tumultuous relationship. He was always a very strong willed dog. And I am a stronger willed dog parent. But after he got to about 8yo he mellowed and we have been very close (closer) since.
Over the last year I have spend about $2k on him for versions things. Teeth cleaning and grooming as usual. But his ears and digestion have been problems. And he is getting real weak in the hind end. I have him on $150/month prescriptions to help him with mobility.
But over the last 3 weeks it’s need bad. I gave him his usual monthly topical flea treatment and Ivermectin for heart worms as usual. But the next day he became very ill, listless, would not eat and struggled to get up to go outside to do business. I was planning on taking him in to have him put down on 12/29. But that morning he bounced back and was moving better, eating and seemed happy.
So I postponed. All was pretty well until 1/1 when he hurt his right front leg outside doing his business. He can’t walk on it more than about 30ft at a time. So I have been picking up this 90lb dog and carrying him outside to do business 3 times daily since. But he was still happy and eating very well.
Then last night we were in the den watching tv, when he stood up and projectile sh1t all over the place. Today he’s listless again and not moving around and really isn’t interested in food.
I know what I should do, but I’m struggling. Vet says his blood is normal, and his heart and lungs are very good. I was hoping I could will him back to health, but I guess that is wishful thinking.
The vet asked if I wanted to run tests for various cancers and whatnot, X-rays too. But I asked them what the point would be. Why would I spend even $500 to diagnose something that would take thousands to treat just to buy him a little time. If he were my wife or kids, sure, but he’s a dog and probably isn’t even aware that he’s basically dying.